Merv Griffin (1925-2007) was a talk show host and television producer, primarily of game shows. He was best known as the host of The Merv Griffin Show, which ran in several incarnations: a short-lived, single season NBC series (1962-1963), a longer syndicated run (1965-1969), a weeknight CBS series (1969-1972), and a successful return to syndication (1972-1986).
In the latter format, Jim Henson and the Muppets guest starred, first in 1977, and then in a 1984 episode, to promote The Muppets Take Manhattan, in which Griffin joined Kermit and Miss Piggy in singing "Theme from New York, New York".
Griffin's other accomplishments include a brief film acting stint in the 1950s, and producing such game shows as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune (for which he composed the theme songs), and the 1990 series Monopoly.