David Ketchum (Master of Ceremonies) is most famous for playing 'Agent 13' on the 1960s sitcom Get Smart (1965). The agent was often seen in recurring jokes on the show, such as hiding in unusual places like mailboxes or fire hydrants.
Lily notes how Grandpa has become more kind and noble since he started reading 'Mary Worth'. Mary Worth is an American pioneering newspaper soap opera-style comic strip that has had an eight-decade run from 1938. The title character is known for offering humble common sense.
Herman quotes the 'philosopher' Steve Allen, who was an American radio and television personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and in September 1954, achieved national fame as the first host of The Tonight Show (1953), which was the first late night television talk show.
Grampa compares Herman's singing talent to Bobby Darin. He recorded his first million-selling single, "Splish Splash", in 1958. In 1962 he won a Golden Globe Award for his first film, Come September (1961), co-starring his first wife, Sandra Dee.