Merv, an Autobiography by Merv Griffin, Peter Barsocchini (1980)

Merv, an Autobiography
by Merv Griffin with Peter Barsocchini
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster
Copyright:  1980
Book Club Edition

Merv Griffin, one of television's most successful and popular personalities, takes us behind the scenes of a remarkable career, from his childhood (when he had to keep his piano lessons secret from his father) to his present 90-minute show, watched weekly by a loyal audience of 20 million viewers.

Griffin talks about his adolescence, during which he had to overcome an embarrassing weight problem, and reveals the surprising steps that lead to his becoming a highly paid radio singer by the age of twenty-one.  For the first time, he discusses his little-known days as a contract player with Warner Brothers, the years in which he met such actors as Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, and Marilyn Monroe.  He traces his progress from band singer to game-show MC to the magical night when he became the guest host on Jack Paar's "Tonight Show," an evening that changed his life.

Griffin brings us behind the cameras of his talk show, sharing anecdotes about his interviews with Bertrand Russell, Robert Kennedy and a particularly volatile Russian ambassador, and offers a touching if shocking recollection of Judy Garland.  With emotion, and honesty he writes of his courtship of Julann Wright and recalls with extraordinary candor the pain of their subsequent divorce.

Merv is a personal story of persistence and hard-won success.  It provides a backstage tour of how a talk show is produced, an intriguing look at many of the stars and newsmakers of the past three decades and, above all, an inside view of a warm and human entertainer who has delighted millions with his music, candor and revealing interviews.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover is lightly discolored and shows rubbed edges.  Pages may be tanning from age.  Previous owner's "Library Of" stamp is on the front endpaper.

**************************

Don't Delay. Buy It Now!

Why Buy From Me?

* Shipping Speed Most people are extremely amazed at how fast I get their item delivered to them. I ship the same day you pay for your item, whenever possible.

• Strong Positive Feedback 100% positive feedback. Customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the quality of the item they receive, the accuracy of the item's description, the prompt and informative email notifications, and of course the speedy delivery.
  
  * Blujay Member Since 2005 I'm here to stay.
  
  * ID Verified My feedback profile also displays the ID Verified icon. An extra level of safety and security for buyers to know.
  
  * PayPal Buyer Protection All of my listings display the PayPal Buyer Protection icon to qualify for up to $1000.00 of protection for you, the buyer.