That sounds like a great television moment I wish I had watched. But I think in 1971 I was still young enough to have a bedtime imposed so I would be awake for school the next morning. I don't recall seeing Merv Griffin late nights so much as his syndicated programs which usually aired late afternoon in my area.
Charro and Zsa Zsa were frequent guests on Merv's 1972-86 syndicated (Metromedia) show too, albeit not guests on the same program that I recall. That was probably owing to the show you saw with the two of them, and some "bad blood" established. I remember Hermione Gingold as well, and can just hear her saying as you claim.
However, I do recall the hype in Merv's coming to CBS late night, another challenge to Johnny Carson that would prove futile. I definitely recall "Miss (Lillian) Miller" being in one of the promotional spots for Merv's arrival at CBS. Miss Miller enjoyed the reputation of being a perennial audience member who would sit in the auditoriums of the Steve Allen, Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, and Jack Paar television shows, as well as in Merv's audience. Such was her notoriety she was sometimes invited on stage as a guest, and even required to join AFTRA (the broadcast talent union).
Miss Miller is not to be confused with "Mrs." Elva Miller, another older woman, who was infamous for singing popular songs badly (the 1960s' equivalent of William Hung), also appeared in films and on television displaying her "unique" talent. The difference between Hung and Mrs. Miller is Hung was always (I hope) in on the joke, while Mrs. Miller started off believing she was actually a proficient singer, then went along with the joke after she found out she wasn't. Also, there is a world of difference between a woman in her 60s IN THE SIXTIES singing a Beatles' song and a younger guy singing popular music of his own era.
Do you remember either Miss or Mrs. Miller?
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