The Merv Griffin Show (1962-1986)
Product ID: 16123662
Details
- ContributorMERV GRIFFIN
- FormatBox set Color
- LanguageEnglish
- Number Of Discs12
- UPC030306705095
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The Merv Griffin Show is widely considered one of the premier talk shows in the history of television. Hosted by the charming and intelligent Merv Griffin, this ground-breaking show was known for in-depth interviews with celebrities and newsmakers, innovative stand-up comedy and stellar musical performances. Over the course of its run from 1962 - 1986, the show garnered 10 Emmy Awards and welcomed more than 25,000 guests. Produced by Reelin' In The Years Productions, this unprecedented 12-DVD retrospective celebrates the enduring legacy of The Merv Griffin Show and is packed with 44 classic episodes. Spanning 42 hours, this expansive set features interviews and performances with over 200 guests from the worlds of entertainment, politics, music, sports, fashion, literature and art which have not been seen for decades. The Merv Griffin Show 1962 - 1986 is a cultural treasure trove providing insight into almost a quarter century of American thought, style and attitudes. Over its 42 hours, viewers will be entertained by the likes of Richard Pryor, Mel Brooks, Whitney Houston, Jerry Seinfeld, the Everly Brothers, George Carlin, Willie Mays and Aretha Franklin; enlightened by Salvador Dali, Dr. Timothy Leary, Ray Bradbury, Andy Warhol and Maya Angelou; and inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Pres. Ronald Reagan, and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Among the film and TV legends interviewed by Griffin in this collection are John Wayne, Bette Davis, Gene Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Ingrid Bergman, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Warren Beatty, the cast of The Golden Girls, Dennis Hopper, Jayne Mansfield, George Clooney, Jane Fonda and the final interview with Orson Welles who died just a few hours after the show. The set also includes 7 hours of bonus interviews, musical performances, and comedy as well as a newly filmed interview with Jay Leno. An accompanying 52-page booklet, with extensive liner notes, rare photos and memorabilia and a foreword by Dick Cavett completes the package. The episodes have been newly transferred from recently discovered master tapes, making for a spectacular viewing and listening experience. The Merv Griffin Show - 1962-1986 52-page booklet, with extensive liner notes, rare photos and memorabilia and a foreword by Dick Cavett DISC 1 September 2, 1965 - Phyllis Diller, Capt. Mitsuo Fuchida, Frederick Ayer, Jr. September 8, 1965 - Richard Pryor, Phil Spector September 14, 1965 - Dionne Warwick, Dick Gregory October 6, 1965 - Andy Warhol & Edie Sedgwick, Reni Santoni & Renee Taylor October 21, 1965 - Carol Burnett, Roddy McDowall, Oscar Levant -Bonus Section- November 9, 1962 - Danny Kaye, Dolores Wilson, Shelly Berman May 1965 - News Segment-Interview With Merv Griffin DISC 2 November 11, 1965 - George Carlin, Henny Youngman, Minnie Pearl, Frankie Laine, Col. John Glenn February 4, 1966 - Willie Mays, Tallulah Bankhead, Lionel Hampton July 18 & 19, 1966 - Dr. Timothy Leary, Mort Sahl, Marion Williams -Bonus Section- December 30, 1965 - Salvador Dali January 10, 1966 - Bob Crane February 23, 1966 - Phil Spector March 7, 1966 - Redd Foxx June 9, 1966 - Norman Rockwell DISC 3 July 20, 1966 - Jayne Mansfield, Henny Youngman, Monti Rock III, Dr. Henry Brill August 1, 1966 - Everly Brothers, Richard Pryor, Jerry Lewis, Dagmar, Charlie Callas July 6, 1967 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Harry Belafonte -Bonus Section- August 10, 1966 - Freddy Martin September 1, 1966 - Adam West & Burt Ward January 18, 1967 - Jane Fonda & Roger Vadim DISC 4 October 3, 1967 - Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Carl Reiner December 20, 1967 - Richard M. Nixon, David Susskind August 18, 1969 - Woody Allen, Moms Mabley, Hedy Lamarr, Ted Sorensen, Leslie Uggams November 21, 1970 - John Wayne -Bonus Section- May 14, 1970 - Gore Vidal DISC 5 October 28, 1971 - Dennis Hopper, Willie Mays, James Brolin, Diane Baker December 6, 1972 - Isaac Hayes, Staple Singers, Luther Ingram, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor, Carla Thomas, Emotions April 27, 1973 - Jack Benny -Bonus Section- December 21, 1971 - Eva Gabor (Guest Host), Chuck Norris December 27, 1971 - Roger Miller (Guest Host), Glen Campbell, Dick Clark January 13, 1972 - James Caan June 7, 1972 - Warren Beatty DISC 6 July 31 & August 1, 1973 - Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, George Segal, Richard Pryor, Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge, Rex Reed October 12, 1973 - Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz, Jr., Gary Morton, Gale Gordon November 29, 1973 - Bette Davis, Walter Pidgeon, Olivia De Havilland, Samantha Eggar, William Wyler -Bonus Section- December 5, 1975 - James Michener DISC 7 February 16, 1976 - John Denver, Starland Vocal Band November 30, 1976 - Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Lindsay Wagner, Marie Osmond, Michael Learned, Gladys Knight September 22, 1977 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alex Haley, Louis Gossett, Jr. -Bonus Section- July 8, 1977 - Steve Martin January 12, 1978 - Ray Bradbury February 14, 1978 - Joan Rivers DISC 8 November 7, 1978 - Lillian Carter, Andy Williams, Loretta Lynn June 25, 1979 - President Gerald Ford, Gene Wilder October 31 & November 1, 1979 - Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Anne Bancroft, Rob Reiner & Penny Marshall, Gene Wilder, Gene Hackman December 20, 1979 - Steve Martin, Carl Reiner, Jackie Mason -Bonus Section- November 21, 1979 - Barbara Walters DISC 9 January 9, 1980 - Francis Ford Coppola, Gene Hackman, Cindy Williams, Talia Shire, Frederic Forrest May 28, 1980 - Brooke Shields & Christopher Atkins, Mickey Rooney August 22, 1980 - Shelley Winters, Charles Grodin, June Carter Cash, Irving Stone -Bonus Section- August 29, 1980 - Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes DISC 10 October 6, 1980 - Dick Cavett Interviews Merv Griffin August 24, 1981 - Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby May 24, 1982 - William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley May 26, 1982 - Sylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Talia Shire, Mr. T, Carl Weathers -Bonus Section- November 2, 1981 - Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta February 15, 1982 - Maya Angelou June 25, 1982 - Orson Welles (Guest Host), Andy Kaufman DISC 11 June 30, 1982 - Carole King, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, Loretta Swit, Lee Grant December 22, 1982 - Sir Laurence Olivier June 23, 1983 - Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Clive Davis, Sandy Duncan September 27, 1983 - President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan July 19, 1984 - Jim Henson & Frank Oz, Muppets, Dabney Coleman -Bonus Section- January 17, 1983 - Don Rickles & Mr. T March 24, 1983 - Rosa Parks DISC 12 October 14, 1985 - Orson Welles, Barbara Leaming November 5, 1985 - Betty White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty -Bonus Section- October 19, 1984 - Alec Baldwin November 2, 1984 - Bill Maher October 9, 1985 - George Clooney February 6 & 11, 1986 - Merv Teaches Jay Leno How To Host A Talk-Show Jay Leno (Guest Host), Jerry Seinfeld ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN Hilarious moments from the Westinghouse show 1965-1967 MUSICAL MOMENTS December 6, 1965 - Freddie & The Dreamers - "I'm Telling You Now" June 6, 1966 - Mrs. Miller - "Downtown" September 21, 1966 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins -" I Put A Spell On You" October 11, 1966 - The Mitchell Trio (Featuring John Denver) - "Your Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku Klux Klan" November 11, 1966 - Nina Simone - "Work Song" September 17, 1967 - Stevie Wonder - "I Was Made To Love Her" November 1, 1967 - Aretha Franklin - "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" February 20, 1971 - Merle Haggard - "Amazing Grace" August 11, 1972 - Sammy Davis, Jr. - "The Candy Man" August 5, 1976 - Liberace - "Chopsticks" July 3, 1981 - Hank Williams, Jr. -"Family Tradition" July 14, 1981 - Smokey Robinson - "The Tracks Of My Tears" June 29, 1984 - Weird Al Yankovic - "I Lost On Jeopardy" PROMO TRAILERS 1971 & 1972 I WILL NOT BE RIGHT BACK Highlights From Merv's Final Show - September 5, 1986 JAY LENO REMEMBERS MERV - July 9, 2014 Review: Keith Scott - I am the author of THE MOOSE THAT ROARED and a long-time TV-radio historian and collector. I can say without qualification that this is the finest vintage TV release I've bought, and I've collected many over the years. Not only is the quality and restoration work the best I've seen, but the selection is intelligent and historically vital, if you consider rare appearances of such luminaries as Dr. Martin Luther King (just months before his assassination) and comic/activist Dick Gregory to be important social documents. Their loquaciousness and calmness of reasoning makes modern day sound bite discourse seem often shallow and, yes, dumbed down in comparison. This time capsule set of DVDs is lovingly crafted and certainly will be the catalyst to a major re-evaluation of the lesser lauded talk shows and their place in TV history: Merv (and Mike Douglas too) have always been relegated as less important than the late night and less serious shows like Carson. The individual episodes, with mostly very generous chunks of shows, also put paid to any smug feeling that we are far more sophisticated than back in the 1960s...watch these early shows and pine for a time when opinions could be debated without the ugly stridency of today's mind-numbing quick attention span blather. This was a world before the often-vacuous modern celebrity cult phenomenon when people took time, and our intelligence wasn't insulted. Along with serious interviews there are many excellent examples of fine entertainers and comics too. Enjoyment factor is very high in this set and I am very happy to give it my highest recommendation. Please spread the word to show biz buffs, TV collectors and historical junkies...the more folk who purchase this set, the better chance of more volumes to come. A magnificent DVD release! Review: MERV is back in a fantastic, all-new DVD set - MERV is back in a fantastic, all-new DVD set from Reelin' In The Years Productions and MPI Home Video. "The Merv Griffin Show" is a 12 disc set that faithfully represents Merv Griffin's incredible career behind the desk from 1962 to 1986. There are priceless moments from many masters of comedy (Jack Benny, Henny Youngman, Jerry Lewis, Woody Allen, Lucille Ball, Carl Reiner) along with a bevy of fresh-faced "newbies" (a short-haired George Carlin; Richard Pryor; Jerry Seinfeld; Jay Leno, et al.). Music lovers will be utterly delighted with the diverse selection of artists and genres featured here. (Look for the national debut of a 19 year old kid from New Jersey named Whitney Houston!) Since their inception in the 1950s, television talk shows have chronicled our perpetually changing times and tastes. The Griffin show epitomized this by blending topical conversation into the daytime variety/talk framework. And so, we are treated to historic interviews with Dr. Martin Luther King, Richard M. Nixon, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, President Gerald Ford, and President Ronald Reagan. There are bonus features galore. Among them: Rare episodes from Merv's late-night CBS series (yes, Merv was a rival of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" from 1969 to 1972); a nice chunk from his NBC daytime show, circa 1962 (long thought to be lost); and an amusing snippet from 1986 in which Merv gives "tips" to young Jay Leno on how to host a talk show! The visual quality is stunning throughout, particularly in the early black & white episodes with Arthur Treacher. The set is accompanied by a 52 page booklet that includes a foreward by Dick Cavett; rare photos (most of which have never been published before); extensive liner notes detailing the history of the program; and an account by the producers explaining how the tapes were located and painstakingly restored. This set will be a welcome addition to the collection any serious student or casual connoisseur of classic television.
| Contributor | MERV GRIFFIN SHOW |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 64 Reviews |
| Format | Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC |
| Language | English |
| Number Of Discs | 12 |
| UPC | 030306705095 |
K**T
Keith Scott
I am the author of THE MOOSE THAT ROARED and a long-time TV-radio historian and collector. I can say without qualification that this is the finest vintage TV release I've bought, and I've collected many over the years. Not only is the quality and restoration work the best I've seen, but the selection is intelligent and historically vital, if you consider rare appearances of such luminaries as Dr. Martin Luther King (just months before his assassination) and comic/activist Dick Gregory to be important social documents. Their loquaciousness and calmness of reasoning makes modern day sound bite discourse seem often shallow and, yes, dumbed down in comparison. This time capsule set of DVDs is lovingly crafted and certainly will be the catalyst to a major re-evaluation of the lesser lauded talk shows and their place in TV history: Merv (and Mike Douglas too) have always been relegated as less important than the late night and less serious shows like Carson. The individual episodes, with mostly very generous chunks of shows, also put paid to any smug feeling that we are far more sophisticated than back in the 1960s...watch these early shows and pine for a time when opinions could be debated without the ugly stridency of today's mind-numbing quick attention span blather. This was a world before the often-vacuous modern celebrity cult phenomenon when people took time, and our intelligence wasn't insulted. Along with serious interviews there are many excellent examples of fine entertainers and comics too. Enjoyment factor is very high in this set and I am very happy to give it my highest recommendation. Please spread the word to show biz buffs, TV collectors and historical junkies...the more folk who purchase this set, the better chance of more volumes to come. A magnificent DVD release!
S**I
MERV is back in a fantastic, all-new DVD set
MERV is back in a fantastic, all-new DVD set from Reelin' In The Years Productions and MPI Home Video. "The Merv Griffin Show" is a 12 disc set that faithfully represents Merv Griffin's incredible career behind the desk from 1962 to 1986. There are priceless moments from many masters of comedy (Jack Benny, Henny Youngman, Jerry Lewis, Woody Allen, Lucille Ball, Carl Reiner) along with a bevy of fresh-faced "newbies" (a short-haired George Carlin; Richard Pryor; Jerry Seinfeld; Jay Leno, et al.). Music lovers will be utterly delighted with the diverse selection of artists and genres featured here. (Look for the national debut of a 19 year old kid from New Jersey named Whitney Houston!) Since their inception in the 1950s, television talk shows have chronicled our perpetually changing times and tastes. The Griffin show epitomized this by blending topical conversation into the daytime variety/talk framework. And so, we are treated to historic interviews with Dr. Martin Luther King, Richard M. Nixon, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, President Gerald Ford, and President Ronald Reagan. There are bonus features galore. Among them: Rare episodes from Merv's late-night CBS series (yes, Merv was a rival of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" from 1969 to 1972); a nice chunk from his NBC daytime show, circa 1962 (long thought to be lost); and an amusing snippet from 1986 in which Merv gives "tips" to young Jay Leno on how to host a talk show! The visual quality is stunning throughout, particularly in the early black & white episodes with Arthur Treacher. The set is accompanied by a 52 page booklet that includes a foreward by Dick Cavett; rare photos (most of which have never been published before); extensive liner notes detailing the history of the program; and an account by the producers explaining how the tapes were located and painstakingly restored. This set will be a welcome addition to the collection any serious student or casual connoisseur of classic television.
J**K
great Arthur Treacher from 1965 to 1969 on Group W's ...
Here's the dear boy himself...Meeeeervyn! So said the late, great Arthur Treacher from 1965 to 1969 on Group W's The Merv Griffin Show taped at the Little Theatre in Times Sqaure. This DVD collection is such a wonderful treat to watch. Merv was always one of my favorite talk show hosts. He had a calm, friendly demeanor and contrary to what some have said about his interviewing style he was quite good at it. Merv was a real professional interviewer keeping things light when a comedian appeared on his show or keeping things more serious, probing gently, when the guest was of a serious nature. Anyway, this DVD set is a blessing. I liked all the incarnations of the Merv show from 1962 to 1986 and much of it is represented in this collection. HEY, I HEARD THERE MIGHT BE A VOLUME 2 IN THE WORKS. I HOPE SO. I WILL BE THE FIRST TO BUY IT. LONG LIVE THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW.
K**L
This is the real deal when it comes to sitting in on coversations with the famous.
I bought these a while ago, have watched and shared them many times with family and friends. It takes seniors back to a more restful way of life, but also gives younger adults a peek into the life of some famous people they might otherwise never get. Real, not AI. Plus, this set is now very affordable.
R**Y
You'd never see such graphic enjoyment of tobacco today on television
I went straight to the episode saluting William Wyler, as I recall enjoying that episode when it originally aired. What a time capsule it is! The first thing I noticed was all the smoking, especially by Walter Pidgeon. You'd never see such graphic enjoyment of tobacco today on television. It's amazing that he lived as long as he did, as he practically makes love to that cigarette, more so than Bette Davis, who was sitting beside him as if in a race for the smokers' championship. Everyone's recalling their work from twenty-five to thirty-five years ago and now, here it is forty plus years later! I can't wait to savor more episodes, one at a time, over the next several months. This is one of the stellar releases of the year for me, reminiscent of the Cavett Show sets. It features several complete episodes (any breakaways for movie clips are eliminated due to rights' issues, of course) and countless additional interview segments as bonus extras. The quality of the videotape transfers is extraordinary. It is indeed a time capsule to a bygone era. A must for fans of mid-twentieth century culture at its zenith!
R**T
Three Stars
ok, I expected more.
M**Y
A Real Combination Of Historic Artifact & Entertainment.
I'm only up to Disc 5, and I feel as if I've already gotten my money's worth. Yes, it's that entertaining. Truly vintage interviews, and performances. Historical records of this sort don't come around everyday either. MLK, RFK, riveting. I highly recommend this set to anyone that saw these shows the first time around, to anyone simply interested in this classic set. BTW, you can take any Reelin In The Years title, and be assured of the vaults being opened wide. Enjoy !
K**R
A winner!
If there were more than five stars, I would use them. An incredible set that is clearly a labor of love. Print quality is amazing, liner notes are incredible, and the selection of shows is great. The one episode from 1973 with Jack Benny as the sole guest was very interesting. Benny, 79 at the time, (he passed in December 1974) was still sharp and at the top of his game. Merv's ability to interview him and bring out details of Benny's film career was great. Another episode featuring the lovely and talented Tallulah Bankhead (and Arthur Treacher as Merv's sidekick) is priceless. MPI is to be applauded for this fun release...I hope there will be more!!
D**N
Five Stars
Merv Griffin is a legend
J**S
Read carefully and lower expectations somewhat.
The dvds have interesting edited episodes of the show. However, I am a fan of the show and watched it faithfully when it was airing years ago. The parts that interested me most at the time were the musical highlights with the house band which was made up of some of the best jazz musicians of their day, many of whom were legends in jazz. These were regular musicians who interacted with Merv on a pretty much " every episode basis. " I was under the impression that these 44 episodes were complete, which they are not. They have been edited to remove the interactions that involved many jazz numbers and terrific artists such as Herb Ellis on guitar, and Jack Sheldon on trumpet and many vocals, not to mention well known guest musicians who sat in for interesting banter and playful entertainment. This took place on a very regular basis and was a substantial part of the show and made it more cohesive. This is upsetting, that this huge heart and soul of the show has been removed. Though the interviews and the humour of the guests, plus the generally pop music entertainment is good to see, I miss the brilliant jam sessions and jazz music that was so much a part of the program. Who edited this stuff all out and why. And then why was the impression given that these 44 episodes were complete. Sadly, it should have been done better and we who purchased it should have received our moneys worth. I will also point out that there are substantial interferance artifacts and issues in many of the videos, as well as some less than good quality sharpness in the Sammy Davis performance of " candyman ." Anyhow, live and learn. I really thought you were better than that.
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