Kramer as Merv

How do we say farewell to the ever present Merv Griffin? The producer of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will always have his name linked with these two eternal shows. The former singer will also be remembered for his and fellow crooner, Mike Douglas' 1960's/1970's era talk shows. The obits are pouring in. Friend of Nancy Reagan. Confidant of Eva Gabor. The shows featuring Woody Allen, Will Durant, Andy Warhol and a virtual who's who of American celebrities were talkfest background to the turbulent times that they represented. Was Merv a pioneering liberal voice? Was he a mainstream capitalist who became rich and friendly with California's right wing types? Was he a family man or a closet gay? Whatever the answers, Merv was definitely a piece of Americana. So it is to Seinfeld's Kramer that we look to as the fitting and ultimate tribute. Kramer with an empty apartment, who stumbles upon the remnants of Griffin's TV set in a New York trash bin. Dragging the set to his apartment, Kramer employs Newman as his own Arthur Treacher , and goes about making Griffin style banter with his friends. And just as Griffin retooled and had topical shows to boost ratings, Kramer pulls the plug on the friendly talk and comes back with a show that foreshadowed the hostility and craving for viewers that would result in what now passes for entertainment in programs such as Jerry Springer and a host of court room TV shows. The result is a laugh riot of accusations and a confrontation between a hawk and George and his squirrel. Obviously, such bloodshed and contrived bitterness ends Kramer's post Griffin production but it also should hold out a moment of reflection for us as we think back on the days when controversial subjects and guests could be handled in such gentle ways by two such professional and warm hosts - Griffin and Douglas.