Rivalry Between Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson

Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson were once fierce competitors in the world of talk shows.

In a recent episode of the “Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia” podcast, Steve Landisi, who wrote “The Merv Griffin Show: The Inside Story,” discussed their rivalry and the show’s history. He noted that it all began back in 1962 when both hosts launched their talk show careers on NBC.

Landisi explained, “They were employed by the same company, broadcast on the same network, and competed for the same guests.” Carson was just starting his role as the new host of The Tonight Show, while Griffin was leading The Merv Griffin Show.

Interestingly, Griffin had always aspired to be a talk show host. After an unexpected encounter with a producer during his game show “Play Your Hunch,” he began guest hosting for Carson’s show. After the producer retired, Griffin’s guest hosting stint turned into a more permanent role, and he ended up performing well during his trial. Following this, NBC opted to give Johnny his own show but kept Griffin’s success in mind as backup if things didn’t pan out.

At that time, Carson wasn’t yet the formidable figure he would later become, and Landisi pointed out that he was “fighting for customers.” Griffin, having a background in Hollywood, had connections that gave him an easier time securing big-name guests compared to Carson, who was then primarily known as a game show host.

As their rivalry unfolded, things got heated, particularly when Griffin moved his show to CBS. However, by the late ’70s and ’80s, this tension eased, and a friendship gradually formed. They were both older now and didn’t have anything left to prove, which shifted their dynamic.

This newfound camaraderie was evident when Carson invited Griffin to appear on The Tonight Show three times. Notably, on the night Griffin’s own show ended in September 1986, Carson made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show, marking his first return to the program since 1962.

In one memorable moment on The Tonight Show, Carson joked about entertainers and referred to Griffin as a friend, highlighting how their relationship had matured over the years. Their connection deepened further when Griffin hired Carson’s brother, Dick, to direct his show when it moved to California.

Years later, during the 1972 episode of The Merv Griffin Show, a surprise appearance from Carson was made to wish Griffin well as his show entered syndication, feeling like a family reunion.

Carson enjoyed a lengthy tenure as host of The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He became a launching pad for many famous comedians, including Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres. His decision to retire, as noted in a book by Mark Markoff, came after years of being parodied on shows like “Saturday Night Live.” There’s a noteworthy moment recalled where Leno heard Carson lamenting that if people continued to mock him, it was time to call it quits.