The entertainer, talk-show host and mogul has died. (One story is here.) A couple of Merv encounters, after the jump …
Like a lot of TV addicts, I watched Merv some on TV — on his late-night show for CBS, on his syndicated program. Of course, I also watched — and loved — the "SCTV" parodies of Merv. But I also crossed paths with the man here and there.
Once was back in my Schenectady days; he owned a radio station in the area and he passed through one time, which was enough of an occasion to merit a lunch and press conference. The main thing I remember about the press conference is how in command Merv was. A lectern had been set up for him to stand behind at the press conference; he would have none of it, instead standing near a table. However flattering and cheery he may have been on the air, he was still a shrewd businessman; this was business, and he did it his way.
The other encounter was in more recent years. Merv had produced a new version of "Dance Fever," and he was at a press conference with the host and some of the celebs associated with the show. Only it wasn't quite a press conference. It was a mini-version of Merv's old TV show; he was chatting up the other panelists.
I am sure some questions got asked here and there, but my larger impression is of Merv in conversation, having a grand old time with the other people on the stage. For all his millions, for all the impact (for all the people who have turned to a companion and said, "You need to put that in the form of a question"!), Merv was probably happiest when he found a way to entertain himself — and to translate it into entertainment for other people.
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Will never forget his late afternoon / early evening talk show, THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW. He had A-L-L the stars on his show, from Liz Taylor to Lucille Ball, and seemed completely comfortable with them all. I remember him asking Lucy who made her laugh…and her answer: "Nancy Walker…when I can FIND her," she said somewhat disgustedly, hinting that she was an underused treasure (I agree).
Also, who can forget that old lady who was always out in the audience that he would interact with…Mrs. (something).
As a kid, I didn't much like (actually hated) the show, but seems like it was always on. And now I realize what a pioneer he was, both of the talkshow and gameshow formats. I'm gonna miss that guy…and the simpler times he represented back in the 60s-70s growing up.
That was Mrs. Miller. You can find out more about her at http://www.mrsmillersworld.com.