RIP Merv

Merv Griffin has died from prostate cancer.

I remember Merv Griffin mostly from his talk show. The babysitter watched it, mom’s of friends watched it. Heck, when the show was still in it’s infancy-adolescence, depending on the guest, I’d even watch it on my own. Granted, while he’s better known for his development of game shows (Wheel and Jeopardy) given the choice, I’d rather watch his talk show.

When Paar retired in 1962, Griffin was considered a prime candidate to replace him. Johnny Carson was chosen instead. NBC gave Griffin a daytime version of “Tonight,” but he was canceled for being “too sophisticated” for the housewife audience.

Westinghouse Broadcasting introduced “The Merv Griffin Show” in 1965 on syndicated TV. Griffin never underestimated the intelligence of his audience, offering such figures as philosopher Bertrand Russell, cellist Pablo Casals and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer-philosopher-historians Will and Ariel Durant as well as movie stars and entertainers.