The Merv Griffin Show (incomplete) 1969

A segment of an edition of The Merv Griffin Show on CBS, in late 1969.
guests are Arthur Treacher, Eydie Gormé, Shelley Winters, Beau Bridges, Norman Jewison and Adam Keefe.
Contains a struggle to hit upon, as such, the year that JFK ceased to live. Unbelievable. "IT'S THE SAME YEAR AS THE DR WHO BEGAN!". That's what they're shouting on the terraces.

[@Mikado8848]

That is a great song AND time capsule. Never thought I'd see Arthur Treacher and Shelley Winters singing with Merv and Eydie.

[@johnsjohnson448]

Mr. Griffin was a pioneer with a keen business sense. When CBS was in hot pursuit, they asked Merv what it would take to interest him:: "You can't afford me. It's twice what Johnny makes per week." Epic! Thanks for sharing!

[@johndalton3180]

Never saw ANY of Merv's network shows in color. Impressive upload! Thank you!

[@bkman222]

This brings back memories. I was an audience member in the first CBS taping back in 1969.. That occasion was Arthur Treacher’s first appearance after a heart attack during the latter part of the previous Westinghouse run of the show.

[@sclogse1]

Adam Keefe was big on my list in the 1960's. I was 16 in 1966. I remember him at the end of a Mike Douglas show eith all the guests sitting on stool. End credits came up and Keefe pulled out an American flag and started saving it. The spliced film bit is awesome.

[@feggyduss6463]

This is truly terrific! CBS erased all of the videotapes. Mr. Griffin was a visionary. Thank-You for sharing.

[@January.]

*Thank you

[@chelmsfordroad50]

I was a CBS page on the Merv Griffin show in New York in 1969 and 1970. CBS converted the Cort Theater, a vintage Broadway house, into a television studio so Merv could compete with Johnny Carson for the late night audience at a time when that still seemed feasible. In any case, ratings were not good and Merv - in a (futile) attempt to save the show - moved it to LA while still with CBS. I have always understood that CBS, furious at the money spent in vain on the Cort Theater, eventually erased all of the CBS Merv Griffin shows. And yet, this segment exists, which makes we wonder whether any other Merv shows survived. Anyone know more about this ancient TV history?

[@sinrob1]

Pages 310-311 of Steve Randisi's excellent book on the history of The Merv Griffin Show states that Merv was given an opportunity to save the CBS shows for the cost of replacing the tape stock. Merv wasn't interested and let the shows go to the bulk eraser.

[@feggyduss6463]

Wow! What a great experience! I like it. I read where CBS erased all of the videotapes after he signed on with Metromedia starting the following Monday after CBS canceled his show. Merv was brilliant!

[@eddierosa250]

@chelmsfordroad50 Do you happen to remember of a Cuban singer by the name of La Lupe who appeared close to 5 times on the Merv Griffin Show as a singing guest in 1969?

[@johnsjohnson448]

@@sinrob1 It sounds like Merv was CHEAP.

[@55e9st]

I knew her because I taught her son in middle school.@@eddierosa250

[@jasonbeard4713]

Great to see it on color tape!!

[@bubbadon7540]

We'll be right back.

[@canden-t7w]

Back in the 1960's and 1970's The Merv Griffin show, Mike Douglas show, Dinah Shore show and the Johnny Carson show were very big tv series and informative also entertaining !.

[@MACIEJBLUES]

Thanks for share. Im looking for October 9, 1969 'The Merv Griffin Show'

[@johnsjohnson448]

It probably does not even exist which is disgusting to say the least. LOL. This was a different era in Television where videotapes were routinely erased to save costs. Sad.

[@basspig]

Oh yes the good old Osterizer blender. I remember I saved up enough Triple S bluestamps to buy one of those in 1969.

[@fawazr]

The concept of a film's director speaking on behalf of the lead actor while promoting a new feature... that's kinda wild in hindsight.

[@gsnfan]

17:00 I like the way the CBS eye falls into place. This was used for a few years.

[@iSiberianHusky]

"Ooooohhh, Fred Travalena."

[@basspig]

This was the year before Shelly Winters had that role in the movie Revenge the following year.

[@madelinekahn4953]

Can you please post these two episodes of the show: May 21 1980, Jan 9 1970?? Please!!🙏 It's very important!

[@ellengutknecht4994]

Do you have any more with Steve or Eydie to post? They are all gone now and were good friends!!!

[@Joz3d]

Is there a way to find/get these old wpisodes? I'm looking for Season 13 Episode 11 (Show #2424), aired Sep 23rd, 1974.

[@richsack]

Do you have any Merv Griffin Show episodes or clips featuring author Erma Bombeck?

[@badabing6852]

I am doing some research about some of the guests Merv had on his show. In particular I am looking for anything about CATHY O'BRIEN. If anyone can help, thank you.

[@RJS1974]

Merv was a big closeted queen.

[@Person-mh6xq]

Feel better about yourself for saying it like that? 🙄

[@oulosvie]

Here because of Seinfeld

[@johnsjohnson448]

At the time, CBS had fewer affiliates with far less reach than NBC. This show would have been serious competition for the "Tonight" show had CBS possessed an equal amount of affiliates.

[@akrenwinkle]

In that case, nobody could have equaled, much less surpassed, Carson. Why even bother trying without a level playing field?

[@johnsjohnson448]

@@akrenwinkle CBS still made money! Mort Lindsey had a great orchestra, but it was not like Doc Severinesen and the NBC orchestra. Merv was brilliant when it came to the end of his contract with the network. He waited until they fired him, then started a new syndicated show with Metromedia (the nucleus of stations that now comprise the FOX TV Network) and lauched his show the following Monday.

[@johnsjohnson448]

@@akrenwinkle When you think about it, it really is insane to think that Merv could have ever beat Johnny. CBS was too egotistical to not be okay with Number 2?

[@akrenwinkle]

@@johnsjohnson448 It got nasty fast when ratings were low. I read Merv's book, and I believe it when he said that right out of the gate, they were dissatisfied, in particular with Arthur Treacher, too old, and Desi Arnaz Jr., too young, and on and on. I heard Joan Rivers say the same thing about Fox, that if she wanted a Coke machine, they'd insist on Pepsi, and a slew of arguments. The pettiness and acrimony of Fox pushed Joan's husband over the edge. Lucky for Merv, he wasn't the sensitive type.

[@johnsjohnson448]

@@akrenwinkle There was much at play behind the scenes of Joan River's show and Fox. The GREAT Barry Diller was in charge and Edgar Rosenberg and he had differences in what Joan's show should be like: "Tonight Show Lite." Merv understood the BUSINESS of Television and swam with sharks. He was nothing short of BRILLIANT and I miss him greatly.

[@pvb876287]

At 67 I think back to when I watched these shows. I didnt think at that time how stupid and corny the adults were. Just that they were trying to entertain. Watching them now, I think what a bunch of loosers. They were jerks then and still are

[@RJS1974]

What are you talking about?

[@willardarmbruster8111]

Has Shelly Winters ever not been obnoxious?

[@Ettoredipugnar]

Eyrie Goyme’

[@ellengutknecht4994]

It is Eydie Gorme.

[@iSiberianHusky]

​@@ellengutknecht4994 What's the difference, it was a fake stage name anyway.