Effervescent, charming, witty, engaging—all are adjectives that aptly describe Merv Griffin, Emmy Award-winning, six-decade leader of the entertainment industry, who was honored by The Museum of Television and Radio at its annual fundraiser, A Gala Evening, at The Waldorf.
Griffin, the forever-young octogenarian, began his career as a singer and bandleader, writing songs and performing on a local San Francisco radio station, eventually scoring with the 1950 hit record “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts.” He soon made the transition to television, appearing regularly on The Jack Paar Show (1957) and hosting Play Your Hunch (1958). In 1962, his high ratings when substituting for Jack Paar on The Tonight Show earned him his own daytime talk show. The Merv Griffin Show, debuted the same day that Johnny Carson took over as late-night host of The Tonight Show.
Griffin soon diversified and became a game-show impresario. He created Jeopardy! in 1964 and Wheel of Fortune in 1975 and still reigns as executive producer of both. Griffin’s real-estate holdings include the Beverly Hilton Hotel and resorts in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Galway, Ireland.
The evening was filled with laughter, tears, and surprises, including a mélange of clips from the man of the hour’s never-dull talk show that kept the crowd enthralled. Still, this modest man, who makes his natural talent of talking to people look so easy, quipped at the close of his speech, “I think I just bored myself!” In tribute to the institution that honored him, he added, “I decided tonight that I’ll will my body to the Museum.”
As Cynthia McFadden saluted the honoree on stage, she received a (planned) “surprise” phone call. To Griffin’s delight, Nancy Reagan’s very recognizable voice was projected clearly through a loud speaker. The audience delightedly eavesdropped for 10 minutes as the two long-time pals exchanged warm, heartfelt praise. “You done good on your stem cell research,” the politically active former talk-show host told the former First Lady. “You called everyone in the House of Representatives. Ronnie would have been very proud of you on that one—even though it’s the wrong party.”
Other special presenters included: Tony Danza, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Liz Smith, Barbara Walters, and Bernadette Peters, who sang the same number that she performed on Merv’s show many years ago. Funnymen Billy Crystal and Jay Leno sent along video tributes to their mentor.
In another touching moment, homage was paid to the late Leonard Goldenson, a pioneer in network television and father of Gala Co-chair Loreen Arbus. Decades ago, Goldenson founded ABC, nurturing it from its roots as a fledgling station and helping it bloom into a driving force in broadcasting. Arbus, who graciously invited us to be seated at her table, has successfully carried on the family tradition as a creative leader at ABC, Showtime, and Cable Health Network/Lifetime. Today, she is also a world-famous Argentine Tango performer and choreographer, a national advocate for people with disabilities, and head honcho at Loreen Arbus Productions, a non-fi.ction programming company.
Among Merv’s high-wattage pals: Dick Cavett, Walter Cronkite, Dina Merrill and Ted Hartley, Marisa Berenson, Frank and Mary Bennack, David Brown and Helen Gurley Brown, Barbara Sussman, Gail Hoffman, Judge Judy Sheindlin, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen, Skitch Henderson, Robert Loggia, Joan Ganz Cooney, and Donna Hanover.
Merv’s verve was celebrated with style and enthusiasm… and the show goes on!
