[bigboydan]

R.I.P.

Merv Griffin Dies at 82

One of TV's most popular talk show hosts, Merv Griffin, has died at the age of 82. Best known for his game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, the entertainer succumbed to prostrate cancer Sunday in California.

Griffin was originally a big band singer who turned to TV and created many programs including The Merv Griffin Show where he helped jump start the careers of George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin, Whitney Houston and Jerry Seinfeld.

In his later years, Griffin became a major figure in the business of hotels and gambling, but never forgot about TV. In fact, Griffin was in the middle of producing a new game show, Merv Griffin's Crosswords, when he was hospitalized a month ago.

Griffin received a lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys in 2005 and a similar award from the Museum of Radio and Television.

[SBR Lou]

Sad day indeed. RIP Merv =(

[onlooker]

[Mudcat]

And did you know:

that Merv Griffin wrote the little piece of music they play during final Jeopardy? Every time that was played, he made just a little cash.

Nice work if you can get it.