Merv Griffin dies

[Draco]

Just heard this on TV, no articles on the net yet. He was reported to be in critical condition on Friday, and it was reported that he was gravely ill.

[Draco]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20236685/

 

Merv Griffin dies at 82

 

Entertainer turned multimillionaire produced 'Jeopardy,' 'Wheel of Fortune'

 

LOS ANGELES - Merv Griffin, the entertainer turned impresario who parlayed his "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" game shows into a multimillion-dollar empire, has died. He was 82.

 

Griffin died of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his the family that was released by Marcia Newberger, spokeswoman for The Griffin Group/Merv Griffin Entertainment.

 

Griffin, who began his career as a $100-a-week radio singer in San Francisco, created the "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" game shows, soon moved on to become the featured vocalist in Freddy Martin's band.

 

That led to a brief film career, in which he appeared opposite Doris Day and Kathryn Grayson, and later to a successful TV career as host of "The Merv Griffin Show," which aired for more than 20 years.

 

His biggest financial break, however, came from inventing and producing "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

 

After they became the hottest game shows in television, Griffin sold the rights to them to the Columbia Pictures Television Unit for $250 million, retaining a share of the profits. He started spreading the sale money around in treasury bonds, stocks and other investments, but quickly became bored.

[GeddyRulz]

To be honest, I thought he was already gone.

 

I remember his talk show in the 70s, back when it was he, Mike Douglas, and Dinah Shore competing for guests. In later years, he became a big TV producer... "Jeopardy" was his.

[DonnaWanna]

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Aug 12 2007, 12:27 PM)

To be honest, I thought he was already gone.

me2!

 

 

he was a funny guy tho. I like em

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OO! I wonder whose gettin his "Fortune"

 

[lerxt1990]

Kramer on Merv set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxl5QJFCqwY

 

Buddy Rich on Merv.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHep9kfL2aE

 

Poor Merv, RIP.

 

 

[rushgoober]

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Aug 12 2007, 09:27 AM)

To be honest, I thought he was already gone. I remember his talk show in the 70s, back when it was he, Mike Douglas, and Dinah Shore competing for guests. In later years, he became a big TV producer... "Jeopardy" was his.

I remember him as a talk show host in the 70's too, but honestly I was pretty young so I more just remember HIM than any of the content...

[Mustard Death]

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Aug 12 2007, 02:59 PM)

Kramer on Merv set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxl5QJFCqwY

Classic!

 

Anyways, I'm pretty young... so I honestly don't know anything about him, other than that he created Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

 

R.I.P.

[mazyyz]

Griffin's Estate must be huge!!!

[Lady April]

QUOTE (mazyyz @ Aug 13 2007, 11:10 PM)

Griffin's Estate must be huge!!!

Wish I knew someone with a huge estate.