getTV to Air Martin Luther King’s ‘Merv Griffin’ Appearance on King Holiday

mlk on merv

*Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s June 6, 1967 visit to “The Merv Griffin Show” will air in its entirety on Sony’s digital cable network getTV in honor of the King Holiday, Jan. 18.

The rarely seen extended interview marked one of Dr. King’s first appearances on an entertainment-based talk show and depicts him smiling and laughing alongside close friend and fellow civil rights activist Harry Belfafonte. The actor reveals early in the episode that Dr. King—while a fan of the show—had some concerns about appearing on this type of program.

He was initially there to promote the release of his fifth book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? However, once the interview starts, Dr. King gets in the flow of things and actually begins joking about how being a clergyman was keeping him from experiencing the “fun” side of New York.

He also talks about his move to Atlanta, his young family, and his job as co-pastor at his father’s church. He goes on to talk about more serious topics, such as the blame he has incurred for inciting violent riots, despite his emphasis on peaceful protest.

THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW airs as part of getTV’s Monday Night Variety Block, on January 18, at 10 p.m. ET. In addition to honoring the Civil Rights leader, the special block celebrates a pair of African-American icons, starting with influential bandleader, composer, and musician Count Basie on THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW at 8 p.m. ET, as he conducts Garland and his orchestra in a rousing medley that includes “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” “April In Paris,” and many more. Then, Jazz legend Lena Horne brilliantly performs at Boston’s War Memorial Auditorium in the 1965 Kraft Music Hall edition of THE PERRY COMO SHOW, pairing up with Como for a New England-themed medley featuring “Moonlight in Vermont” and “Old Cape Cod,” that hasn’t been seen for decades.

Click here to find out where getTV airs in your city.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

A$AP Rocky during trial - screenshot
Drake (Getty)
Tamika Mallory - Getty
D'Angelo - Getty
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
W. Kamau Bell
Cynthia Erivo - via Instagram
Donald Trump (scowling) - via Grok AI2
NYC Subway
Zendaya (Gilbert Flores-Variety-Getty Images)
Cherelle Parker - screenshot
Read More
Kanye West and Bianca Censori on Grammy Red Carpet - screenshot
Read More
Beyond the Gates
Read More
Damon Wayans
Read More
Denzel Washington - Gladiator II
Read More
Learjet after crashing - via Grok AI
Read More
Sunny Hostin
Read More
Amtrak
Read More
Will Smith (AI character from 'I Am Legend 2'
Read More
Bevelyn Beatty Williams
Read More

POPULAR

Beyond the Gates
CBS to Air Special on New Daytime Soap Opera 'Beyond The Gates'
Zero Day/Robert De Niro
Netflix Drops Official ‘Zero Day’ Trailer Starring Robert De Niro and Angela Bassett
Taco Bell customer and security guard who slapped her
Crunch Slap Supreme: Taco Bell Security Guard Caught Brutally Slapping Black Woman in Viral Video | WATCH
Irv Gotti - Getty
Irv Gotti's Family Expects a Packed Church for His Funeral at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral
Raising Kanan Fourth Season
New Trailer for 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Hints at Intense Season 4 | Watch
Kendrick Lamar (Getty Images - CNN Newsource)
Who is Worthy to Follow Up Kendrick Lamar At 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Denzel Washington - via Grok AI
Wait. Whaat?! Denzel Washington Forced to 'Slow Down' After Nearly Biting His Tongue Off
Jalen Hurts - Getty
Jalen Hurts' Mother Confronts Fox Sports Analyst Nick Wright over Criticism
Serena Williams - via screenshot
Serena Williams Reveals Kendrick Lamar Requested Her Crip Walk Performance - That's it. No 'Git Back' at Drake