Overview
A typical show would begin with a short introduction by Griffin, during which he would sometimes sing a song. Various celebrity guests would follow, conversing with Griffin. Generally the show originated in Los Angeles, but Griffin often taped in Las Vegas. In addition, from 1969 to 1970 the show was located at the Cort Theatre in New York City and would return to New York in the 1970s and 80s for special shows in the Ed Sullivan Theater and the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. One set of popular and regularly returning artists were Motown's premier girl-group, The Supremes who made guest appearances in 1971, 1975 and 1976, with a rotating line up in each show.
Arnold Schwarzenegger made his talk show debut in the United States on Griffin's talk show in 1974 after moving from Austria and becoming a bodybuilder.
Later, Griffin dedicated two shows to the topic of Transcendental Meditation and its founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, one in 1975, the other in 1977. Griffin himself was an enthusiastic student of the practice.
From the 1970s to the early 1980s, the show was taped at Caesars Palace. Over the 25 years, Griffin interviewed 25,000 guests.
The Merv Griffin Show was originally produced by Griffin's own made company, Merv Griffin Productions. It later became Merv Griffin Enterprises in September 1984 (at the end of this show, the theme for MGE was a bombastic, jazz-like horn theme that was heard only on the Merv Griffin Show), and produced the final two seasons. Sony Pictures Television now handles the TV rights to the series, while Griffin's other company Merv Griffin Entertainment owns the series.
Griffin's longtime bandleader was Mort Lindsey. Griffin frequently clowned and sang novelty songs with trumpter Jack Sheldon.
Read more about this topic: The Merv Griffin Show