Book Review: The Merv Griffin Show: The Inside Story
Steve Randisi’s new book from Bear Manor reminds us of a time when daytime TV talk shows were relaxed outings with interesting celebrities and not a series of outrageous staged conflicts. “The Merv Griffin Show” was the most notable of these daytime talk shows, and the events surrounding the program – both on air and off – make for very interesting and entertaining reading.
When digging up information on shows that date back to the 1960s, it is sometimes difficult to find people who were active on the series that far back. The author does a remarkable job of rounding up sources who have first hand accounts about the creation of the show, the honing of its presentation, the different approaches to different guests, and other fascinating details.
But for showbiz fans, much of the entertainment comes from the various guests that graced Merv’s programs. It was nothing short of amazing that he could get an elusive actress like Jean Arthur to appear on the show. It was poignant that he presented the great Orson Welles in his final televised interview (he died shortly afterward and before the show aired), and the last interview of Tallulah Bankhead, who used the opportunity to insult Harry Truman’s daughter Margaret.
There is a lot of interesting info on Merv’s unusual sidekick Arthur Treacher, a proper Britisher, classically trained, who was a far cry from the likes of Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show. The book also details early appearances by the likes of Richard Pryor, political figures who were galvanizing in their day like Robert F. Kennedy, cultural leaders at the level of Martin Luther King, and classic icons of popular culture from John Wayne, to Jerry Lewis, to Muhammad Ali.
The stories that are weaved throughout the book never let up, but underneath them is a consistent respect for Merv Griffin himself. His talent, skill, vision, and business acumen combined to create such timeless shows as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune that still run today. Because this is a book about his work, and not his private life, there are no scandalous details. But we do learn more about Griffin's background as a singer and about some of the fleeting film appearances he made.
It is always impressive when a book is both entertaining and informative. “The Merv Griffin Show: The Inside Story” is just such a book. It is most highly recommended.
It is available at this link: Merv Griffin book.