The Merv Griffin Show (daily talk-variety)

    (NBC Daytime,    1962 - 1963;
     Syndicated,     1965 - 1969, syndicated by Westinghouse;
     CBS Late Night, 1969 - 1972;
     Syndicated,     1972 - 1986, syndicated by Metromedia)

    [Big Band singer Merv Griffin parlayed his performing talents,
     natural inquisitiveness and business skills into a multimedia
     empire; the centerpiece was a daily TV show which evolved over
     the years within the talk-variety genre, on a couple of different
     networks and distributed by a couple of syndication companies; 
     Griffin's longtime bandleader was Mort Lindsey; his announcer/
     sidekick during a couple of the shows was Arthur Treacher;

     After hosting daytime shows for NBC and Westinghouse, Griffin was
     given the opportunity to go up against the "Johnny Carson Tonight
     Show" on CBS (in the Late Night time slot currently occupied by
     David Letterman); Merv hung on for three years, but eventually
     the ratings war was won by Johnny; So Griffin returned to daytime
     syndication via Metromedia; ironically this last show, which was 
     perhaps the most successful for Griffin, was directed by none
     other than Johnny Carson's brother -- Dick Carson;

     While hosting the talk shows, Griffin was also developing several
     game shows which his company owned including "Word For Word",
     "Ruckus", "Wheel Of Fortune" and "Jeopardy", for which he composed 
     a music cue for thinking, that became the THEME song; Griffin's
     ex-wife Julann came up with the idea for "Jeopardy" and worked
     with him on "Wheel Of Fortune";

     Later Griffin's business ventures included several casinos and
     other real estate properties until he has reached the point of
     not having to do another TV series again (unless he wants to...)]


Signature Theme: "I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts"

    [this well-known British music hall novelty song recorded by 
     Griffin with Freddy Martin and His Orchestra in 1949 became
     a signature THEME used as a walk-on intro in much the same
     way as "Love In Bloom" was by Jack Benny; at this point,
     it is unknown whether it was featured very prominently as
     a Main Title/End Credits THEME on the earliest TV shows or 
     not...]

     Composer: Fred Heatherton (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Dash Music, Co., Ltd. (British PRS) 
                     Box & Cox, Inc. (ASCAP), and
                     Warock Corporation (ASCAP)

     2001 Publishers: Box & Cox, Inc. (ASCAP)
                         of Bronxville, NY;
                      Warock Corporation (ASCAP)
                         of East Hampton, NY

     Composition Date: 1949

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Theme 2: "Hello, Hello"

    [above is the "legal title" as per BMI; BMI alternate titles
     aka: "Merv's Theme";
     aka: "Merv's Music";
     aka: "The Merv Griffin Show"...

     Composition credit for the tune is in the name of Griffin's 
     first wife Julann, (whose maiden name was Julann Elizabeth
     Wright); they were married from 1958 - 1976]

     Composer: Julann Griffin (BMI)

     Orig. Publisher:

     2001 Publishers: JulMer Music, Inc. (BMI)

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Theme 3: "Griffinaire"

    [at this point it is unknown if this composition by bandleader
     Lindsey was a Main Title/End Credits theme or a transition
     theme or what..]

     Composer: Mort Lindsey (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Traylmor Music Corp. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Traylmor Music Co. (ASCAP)
                        c/o Malibu, CA

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Theme 4: "It's Like A Dream"

    [above is the title as filed for vocal copyright; 
     title variations...
     aka: "Dream Theme";
     aka: "Merv's Theme";

     BMI title variation...
     aka: "Merv Griffin Logo"

     This fetching big band ballad was a very nice tune, which had
     been featured for the last 13 seasons on the Metromedia show,
     according to Craig Pattillo's "TV Theme Soundtrack Directory"
     which lists it under the title "Dream Theme [aka: "Merv's Theme"]

     Composer: Merv Griffin (BMI)

     Orig. Publisher: Vine Music, Inc. (BMI)

     2001 Publishers: Tecolote Music (BMI)
                         of New York, NY;
                      EMI-Vine Music (BMI)
                         c/o EMI Music Publishing
                         of New York, NY

    [name "Merv Griffin" mis-spelled "Merv Grif" on application]:
     Vocal Copyright Date: Feb. 19, 1980; PAu-175-042.

    [new music - words]:
     Revised Vocal Copyright Date: Jan. 28, 1981; PAu-264-366.

     Recording:



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