Merv Griffin, Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Rocky Graziano, Allen Ginsberg
When I was in high school in New York in the late 1960s, I was a friend of the poet Allen Ginsberg. One day Allen invited me to his appearance on the Merv Griffin Show.
At the TV studio, Merv seemed a bit taken aback when Allen asked if I could accompany him to the Green Room, but he agreed to it. And although he was clearly surprised by my presence, he was charming and friendly.
When we got to the Green Room, we met the other guests for the show: Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman (both from the then-current hit “The Carol Burnett Show”), and retired boxer (and former World Middleweight Champion) Rocky Graziano.
Neither Burnett nor Korman would speak with us. Burnett, in particular, seemed absolutely appalled and angry she had to share a room with such long-haired and rather scruffy-looking characters.
Rocky Graziano, on the other hand, was delightfully cheerful and friendly. Graziano had been the subject of a wonderful 1956 movie about his life called “Somebody Up There Likes Me,” starring Paul Newman. After meeting him, it was easy to see why “Somebody Up There” liked him. He radiated love of life and people.
This post was submitted by Michael.
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