Around the office, Mervs being gay was understood but rarely discussed (and certainly never with him). The censorship did not boost the ratings for Griffin, who was facing stiff competition from the genial Carson, who himself was criticized during the era for shying away from controversial subjects.In 1972, a fed-up Griffin negotiated a syndication deal with Metromedia to move his talk show back to the daytime, and in the event he was terminated by CBS. Not even lukewarm -- hot!" The divorce settlement gave her custody of the daughter and him the four boys. On May 14, 2003, Griffin was honored with the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) President's Award at its annual Film and Television Awards ceremony, for creating some of America's best-known game show melodies.[28]. That should not be forgotten. And sometimes he's slapped down. ", The book reveals he was a virgin before marriage, a lousy lover afterward, and avoided the draft through fatherhood. Peter Graves, Marlo Thomas, Barbara Eden, Della Reese, Roger Ray: With Merv Griffin, Barbara Eden, Peter Graves, Mort Lindsey. Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. (July 6, 1925 - August 12, 2007) was an American television show host and media mogul. Well, if youre ready, lets start. Margaret Julia "Marlo" Thomas (born November 21, 1937) is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist. Griffin was considered the most successful of the guest hosts,[26] and was rewarded with his own daytime talk show on NBC in 1962. Secondly, Griffins closet had him engaging in workplace sexual harassment, something that, as I showed in my 1993 book Queer in America, is common among closeted powerful men, who often are simply seeking outlets for sex. From 1965 to 1986 he hosted his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show. Involving slapstick stunts and a somewhat truncated version of his old Reach for the Stars, it initially aired locally in New York, with the intent of national syndication early the following year. I had interviewed many gay men whod known Griffin as gay, as well as men who told stories about how his closet had him doing horrendous things and how he was threatened by openly gay people. If you do not know, We have prepared this article about details of Merv Griffins short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, todays net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. . He has little respect for "people who float a battleship of words around a rowboat of thought." Donahue says that as an adolescent he considered "dates always an occasion for sin." General Info. after moving it twice on its daytime schedule, despite having an additional year on its network contract. He once said, "If they found Hitler, I'd be the first in line to interview him. His Los Angeles Times obituary repeated a 1991 statement he had made regarding Plott's lawsuit: "This is a shameless attempt to extort money from me. . Produced in association with Program Partners and the William Morris Agency, it began airing September 10, 2007. Donahue inherited not only the show, but a live studio audience whom he decided not to burden with yet another song-and-dance program. One regular attendee, Lillian Miller, became a fixture on the show throughout its run. In 1977, Thomas was a guest on the daytime TV television show called Donahue. The actress was so private but called the host's telecast when her father, Danny Thomas, noted a hilarious observation. Mervyn "Merv" Griffin (1925 -2007) was an American television host, musician, actor, and media mogul. (1964) for NBC. Similarly, he says he "showcases," rather than presents, issues and people. [citation needed], He attended San Mateo High School, graduating in 1942, and continued to aid in financing the school. It stood at the 2nd position on TV Guides list of the 60 greatest game shows ever. (for which he still creates puzzles and questions.) I was mulling over game show ideas, when she noted that there had not been a successful 'question and answer' game on the air since the quiz show scandals. He was commended for booking such guests, but also widely criticized for it. Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. August 12, 2007) was an American television host, singer, and media mogul behind Merv Griffin Enterprises. Rumors about Griffin being gay arent new, and they werent helped by two lawsuits (a palimony claim, and a sexual harassment charge) by two dudes in the 90s. And now hes doing it to Griffin withMerv Griffin: a Life in the Closet. Griffin created and produced the successful television game show Jeopardy! was merv griffin married to marlo thomas. Griffin sold his empire to The Coca-Cola Company for $250million in 1986, then went on a buying spree of hotels, so that his wealth in 2003 was said to be around $1.2billion.[40]. Merv Griffin was born on 6th July 1925 in San Francisco, California, to Mervyn Edward Griffin and Rita Elizabeth Griffin. This former bodyguard and horse trainer was paid $250 a week, lived in one of two apartments underneath my former house as part of his security function, and left my payroll six or seven years ago. However, she explained she thought in hers but didn't have the same feelings toward the institution of marriage because she wasn't sure it was "rigged against the woman. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. He carried on assisting the school financially. Although a former choirboy, he now finds the Catholic church "racist," "sexist" and "destructive." It ran on all three networks, but primarily NBC. Phil's wife said in marriage; you have to know the other person has your back and that her union was the safest place she could be, and the talk show host was her everything and life cushion. The star said she liked her husband's children and it was a "treat" to be around them in 1977, Phil's daughter lived with his ex in Illinois. [12], He became increasingly popular with nightclub audiences, and his fame soared among the general public with his 1950 hit "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts". After talking without interruption for over two hours, he doesn't loosen his tie or roll up his sleeves. He died on August 12, 2007. Then another Dayton television station asked him to replace a local talk show host who had gone on to better things in Hollywood (he's now the announcer for Dinah Shore). . You know, men and women, and 'he doesn't kiss me anymore.'". The second show aired as a standalone special in some regions such as Canada. At 72, onetime crooner Merv Grifn has parlayed the $250 million sale of his game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in 1986 into a billion-dollar empire that encompasses two production . In 1974, under intense pressure to "put some glitter in the show," he moved to Chicago, hoping to attract better guests and big-city flair. Griffin ventured into real estate, purchasing the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 1987. As of March 2023, Griffin has an estimated net worth of $1 billion. An avid fan of puzzles since childhood, Griffin first produced a successful game show in 1964, Jeopardy! "Suddenly my phone was ringing," Donahue says. [4] When he was a child, Griffin used to play Hangman games with his sister during family road trips. [18][19], That summer, Griffin became acquainted with music publisher Loring Buzzell. His performance on the radio was heard by American musician Freddy Martin, who asked him to tour with his orchestras, which he did for a few years. "He speaks in tablets. If the station manager objects to a particular program, Donahue argues, but he will supply a back-up. . He married his college sweetheart in 1958, right after graduation. and Wheel of Fortune. In 1975, NBC canceled Jeopardy! On his retirement, Griffin sold his production company, Merv Griffin Enterprises, to Columbia Pictures Televisionthen a unit of The Coca-Cola Companyfor US$250million on May 6, 1986. Picking up a desk stapler to act as a surrogate microphone, he stands, flexes his shoulders and acts out his "dialogues" with them. ", Donahue loves it. It ran for one summer. Born in Kansas City, MO, Menorah Hospital to Helen Hollenbeck Ford and Fred C. Ford. The actress said, "It was a very big thing for me to see that marriage could be a roomy enough place for my dream and his dream.". NBC-owned and -operated stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas carried it, with many stations airing two episodes per day. And a lot of us went out there, charging out into the world breathlessly getting married and then suddenly afterward finding that we were really paralyzed in our attempts to share real feelings. "[43], Griffin was a constant companion of actress Eva Gabor from the mid-1980s until her death in 1995, though she told the press in 1990 that they had never been lovers.[44]. The audience quickly picks up his rhythm. He resolved to change his appearance, and lost 80 pounds in four months. He broke into broadcasting in 1957 as a summer TV announcer. To a dying 18-year-old he says, "That's a real punch in the nose. More than 8 1/2 million viewers in over 200 markets now watch him daily, eclipsing all other syndicated talk shows. Griffin was affiliated with the international fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon. This weekend venue, fashioned after Hollywood's famed Coconut Grove (where Griffin headlined as a boy singer with The Freddy Martin Orchestra) features live Big Bands, Swing Orchestras, and Rock Bands amidst a glamorous nightclub setting.He was honored with the prestigious 1994 Broadcasting and Cable "Hall of Fame" Award, alongside such figures as Diane Sawyer and Dan Rather. Wednesday brought an obstetrician, and on Thursday he climbed into a coffin as he interviewed a mortician. That was Fibber and Mollie McGee's address. First off, Griffins closet kept him shockingly silent while he had access to the president of the United States as his own people were dying. Marlo Thomas Was Scared of Being Stepmom to Phil Donahue's 5 Kids They Are Proud of Gaggle of Grandkids Now, Why Is Robin Always on Dr. Phil's Show? Both programs shared Studio 6B at NBC's Rockefeller Center complex at the time, with Play Your Hunch airing live in the morning while Tonight taped later in the day. But in 1978 New York's WNBC bought "Donahue" for the second time and he began to capture the nation's attention. It gained traction in 1991 when he was targeted in a pair of lawsuits: by Dance Fever host Denny Terrio, alleging sexual harassment; and by assistant Brent Plott seeking $200 million in palimony. He feels akin to a large corporation. "Yes," finally emerges. [2] He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. He attended San Mateo High School from where he graduated in 1942. I loved the idea, went straight to NBC with the idea, and they bought it without even looking at a pilot show. That's what I'm paid to do.". It won several awards and nominations and has been adapted into numerous international versions. The former home of Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas in Westport, Conn., is going on the market for $28 million. A relationship that should be renewed and examined can't grow as long as we're not telling our women how we feel. He also created the still running game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. He also produced Let's Play Post Office for NBC in 1965, Reach for the Stars for NBC in 1967, and One in a Million for ABC in 1967. The syndicated versions of both Jeopardy! It was good television. His charges are ridiculous and untrue. I began to realize that not much in the way we were raised encouraged that.". [17] They had much in common and became instant friends, and Buzzell introduced Griffin to all of New York City's popular musicians and music executives. What he made then was a far cry from the billionaire he was at the end., But what about the sex? The couple had one son. Eva Gabor and Merv Griffin were in a relationship for 10 years before Eva Gabor died aged 76.. About. [20] When they had their first child, Cynthia Leigh Buzzell, on September 11, 1955, Griffin was named her godfather. [48] In 2005 he accepted the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the National University of Ireland, Galway; and in 2008 was posthumously inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. "We read a lot of magazines. He started his professional life by joining the radio as well as by singing in collaboration with a big band. ", Questions invariably come with the standard Donahue prefixes: "I don't want to be maudlin about this" or "It's hard to make this point without sounding a little patronizing." Donahue's worst programs are with a Norman Mailer or a Ted Kennedy. She further elaborated, "I had to meet the right kind of man, and the world had to change a lot, and I had to change a lot." The "That Girl" actress first met Marlo when she was on his talk show as a guest in 1977. He earned a whole heap of publicity b hosting and producing several different television shows. The couple had one son. He maintained a virtual male harem and a pimp who supplied porn stars, but I dont go into his pay-for-gay guys. "Even if there's spinach in my teeth, it goes," Donahue says. Griffin was married to Julann Wright, and together they had a son named Anthony. In 1963, NBC offered him the opportunity to host a new game show, Word for Word, which Griffin produced. Arms wave. The star spent the day enjoying it with her long-term husband, Phil Donahue, with whom she celebrated decades of marriage. He was overweight as an adolescent and a young man, which disappointed some radio fans when they saw him in person. "Today's subsequent instructions to Donahue: "No clinical sex.". Griffin, who died of prostate cancer Sunday at 82, stayed in the closet throughout his life. Griffin was married to the former Julann Wright from 1958 to 1976; they remained friends after their divorce. The guests on the Westinghouse show were an eclectic mix of entertainers, authors, politicians, and "personality" performers like Zsa Zsa Gabor. He created another game show Wheel of Fortune which aired from 1975. Marlo Thomas . According to an obituary on August 24, 2007 in Entertainment Weekly, The Merv Griffin Show ran for 21 years and won eleven Emmy Awards. And yet, it is very important for reasons far beyond visibility or mere gossip. Discussion rapidly evolves into a group event, with Donahue roaming along the aisles, cajoling, flirting, taunting and enticing. "Milestones of Motoring (1954)" sponsored by Standard Oil of Ohio, Hagley Library Digital Archive. Having just hit bookstores, Porter is on a media tour a stop that includesCindy Adams column. Rumors about Griffin being gay aren't new, and they weren't helped by two lawsuits (a palimony claim, and a sexual harassment charge) by two dudes in the 90s. He married Julann Griffin, whom he divorced after some time. [37][38] Cashflow was about $70 million short of what was needed to service the Resorts' debt in 1989,[34] and Griffin sought bankruptcy court protection for Resorts on December 23, 1989.[39]. And yet, because he was closeted it is highly unlikely he ever made the connection for the Reagans (between himself and those who were suffering and dying), pointed out the government negligence, or even talked openly as a gay person. He also owns the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas in Arizona, and St. Clerans Manor, an 18th century estate once owned by director John Huston which is located near Galway, the premier resort destination in Ireland.In January 1998, Griffin opened The Coconut Club, one of the country's hottest swing/dance clubs, at his Beverly Hilton Hotel. Winner of 15 Emmy Awards, Griffin was presented an Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show Emmy for 1993-1994 as executive producer of Jeopardy! Donahue calls himself a "shy, insecure, vulnerable man-child." Over the years, it made a record of winning 33 Emmy Awards. Once, Donahue says, Walter Cronkite himself telephoned to say, "Phil, that was a goddamned good interview you sent us yesterday. She fired a couple of answers to me: '5,280' and the question of course was how many feet in a mile. Mervs secret gay life was widely known throughout showbiz culture, if not the wider America. Griffin later claimed in interviews that he was best man at their wedding, but was in fact one of the four ushers. "We also get an awful lot of phone calls and letters from people asking us to be on. "controversy means it's important and it's something that people disagree on." His first crush was Errol Flynn, whom he saw passed out naked on a couch. "There's nothing too controversial for television," Donahue says. Says Donahue, "Well, what does that mean? That fall he became a radio reporter in Adrian, Mich. Men, he says, "have done an awful lot of oppression. He also used to earn money as an organist. His height was 1.75 m tall and weighed 70 kg. CBS also pressured Griffin into sacking his long-term sidekick Arthur Treacher, who had been his television mentor, because he was too old. He also hosted a primetime ABC game show, Keep Talking. "I have come to the point where I am at peace with my own imperfection in terms of understanding it, and I am enjoying the business of wondering.". Two revivals of Jeopardy! Merv Griffin was married to Julann Griffin from 1959 to 1976. Griffin became the host of The Merv Griffin Show, which was his own talk show. The Famous Psychologist's Wife Has Never Missed a Taping, Julia Roberts Is Living Her Dream with Kids & Spouse of 20 Years at Rustic Ranch after Becoming Mom at 39, Dr Phil & His Wife of 46 Years Are Still in Love in $29.5M Home after They Sold Their 'Weird' Mansion, Geena Davis Became Mom of 3 at 48 Her 20-Year Marriage Ended & Much Younger Spouse Asked For Spousal Support, Jenna Bush Hager 'Smooched' Husband on 1st Meeting & Proposed to Him Later They've Made It to 14 Years. (1980) Francie Shaffer. But Donahue is top dog becuase he has attracted and maintained an extraordinarily large audience. ", "Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated", "Merv Griffin reported in grave condition", "Hundreds Pay Final Respects To Merv Griffin", "Merv Griffin Estate Sells for $7 Million", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merv_Griffin&oldid=1142400827, "Banned in Boston" (#101, Pop Charts, 1961), "Changing Keys" (longtime theme music for, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 05:10. The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin.The series ran on NBC from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963, in first-run syndication from May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969, at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972, and again in first-run syndication from February 14, 1972 to September 5, 1986. [15] He also had an uncredited role as a radio announcer in the horror/science fiction film The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953). "The more drawn into the Hollywood trappings he . As rewrds, he dispenses liberal "God bless you's" and "I love you's." Also, he achieved the degree Doctor of Laws from the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2005. What a powerful message Griffin might have sent had he squired his male companions around town rather than Eva Gabor, his longtime good friend and platonic public pal. 10k followers . Marlo was 40 when she married the talk show host, and it was her first marriage. His mother, Rita Elizabeth Griffin, was a homemaker and father, Mervyn Edward Griffin; Sr. was an insurance broker. In 1975 Donahue set up housekeeping in suburban Chicago, and the women's magazines dubbed him "Bachelor-Father." There was one major difference, though. [41] In an interview with The New York Times published on May 26, 2005, Griffin recalled a quip he frequently used when asked about his private life: "I tell everybody that I'm a quarter-sexual. He also stayed silent about the epidemic in the media ironic since he was a man very much at the center of the media industry and in shaping communications and television in this country when his voice would have made a huge difference. He grins or grimaces extravagantly. He married radio comic . In effect, Donahue has 200 bosses and they provide a fascinating study in what the public will tolerate -- even seek -- once outside the networks. He also got enrolled at San Mateo Junior College and subsequently the University of San Francisco. Some guests receive a silent, comforting pat on the hand. Nonetheless, the elephant that was his sexual orientation never really stopped following Griffin from room to room. Although Marlo did not have kids of her own, she helped raise Phil's five children from a previous marriage. in 1964. It became the first US Album to be recorded on a magnetic tape. Marlo Thomas was in a long relationship with playwright Herb Gardner, but they did not get married. he asks a dying child. Marlo said as little girls, some women dreamt of becoming brides, mothers, actresses, wives, and ice skaters but never stepmothers. So powerful is his appeal that the "Today" show signed him as a regular contributor last May. [9], Freddy Martin heard him on the radio show and asked him to tour with his orchestra,[1] which he did for four years. After Fonda's appearance some sponsors said they wouldn't "pay for a program that tears America down." Even though they divorced, they continued being good friends. Later that year, CBS terminated Griffin's late-night talk show and Griffin immediately made the transition to Metromedia's syndicated network.While Griffin may have been a washout in late night television (and he had LOTS of company - EVERYONE who went up against Carson lost the ratings race, and Johnny always came out the victor), Griffin's impact on daytime was immense, specifically through his production of game shows. (2002) remains the second highest rated game show in television syndication while Wheel of Fortune (1983) continues to be the longest running game show to hold the number one spot in television syndication history. Merv Griffin died at age 82 of prostate cancer in Los Angeles, California on August 12, 2007. [16] He decided to spend the summer of 1954 in New York City. Phil Donahue is the Cronkite of the morning, an oasis in a wasteland, the trusted host who, according to TV Guide, "hit daytime television like a hormone injection directly into the carotid artery of the American housewife." Type. Griffin dedicated two shows, in 1975 and 1977, to Transcendental Meditation and its founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Top-rate talent rarely visited Dayton, Donahue says, and those who did would ask him, "What am I doing here?" Merv Griffin had an encounter with Betty Kelly. Griffin frequently chatted with audience members. To Donahue, danger comes not from sponsors or subscribing stations, but from his own instincts for self-preservation. [46] He was a longtime member of the Republican Party.[47]. At the same time, however, in success he sees the seeds of destruction. and Wheel of Fortune, is remembered as a television pioneer for his role developing the game show format. A staff of 15, mostly women, decides what gets on the show. He married his college sweetheart in 1958, right after graduation. Phil Donahue & Marlo Thomas on their wedding day . A biography of television legend Merv Griffin claims tgat when he died in 2007, he left behind a legacy that includedWheel Of Fortune,Jeopardy, hotels, side business ventures, and more than a billion dollars. One of Merv Griffins most important works was his talk show The Merv Griffin Show. Donahue feels his success has given other talk shows "more courage" and that the public will soon see fewer entertainers talking about "how long it took to make their last movie." If youre Griffin, why would you think a judgmental culture would be any more tolerant as you grew into middle and old age? Merv Griffin was in relationships with Eva Gabor (1985 - 1995), Natalie Trundy (1959) and May Wynn (1953). Ironically, weeks after being on Phil's show, Marlo was a regular guest at his Winnetka, Illinois home, where he raised four sons. If they're slow, he takes telephone calls. . Brynn Hartman Struggled with Self-Esteem and Her Husband's Absence Who Was Phil Hartman's Wife? Merv Griffin reaches only 3.9 million viewers, Mike Douglas 3.7 and Dinah Shore 2.8 million. "There is no show without the audience," Donahue says. She is best known for starring on the sitcom That Girl (1966-1971) and her children's franchise Free to Be. During the World War II, he was found to have a slight heart murmur because of which he failed several military examinations. "We're talking about a medium that evaluates people according to the force with which they can communicate ideas," Donahue explains. [citation needed], Griffin started as a singer on radio at age 19, appearing on San Francisco Sketchbook, a nationally syndicated program based at KFRC. He owned a ranch near La Quinta, California where he raised thoroughbred racehorses, and St. Clerans Manor, a boutique hotel in an eighteenth-century estate once owned by director John Huston, near Craughwell, in County Galway, Ireland. Less than half an hour after that report would have been aired, WNBC in New York (owned by the network) broadcast an hour-long "Donahue" on the same subject. Phil Donahue was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was his childhood goal to be a "good broadcaster." Donahue has plenty of other markets. This show was initially aired on NBC. Six years later they had five children, two born in the same year. We can tell that you loved your daughter." And there was a young James Dean selling his sex for cash. From December 1975 to January 1976, it was expanded to an hour, in response to the successful 60-minute version of The Price Is Right on CBS. He continued to appear in films like The Boy from Oklahoma and Phantom of the Rue Morgue. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! After eight years he quit and tried his hand as a traveling salesman. He was Lifetime Honorary Festival Chairman of La Quinta Arts Festival and recently donated his Wickenburg Inn and Dude Ranch to Childhelp USA.In March 2001, the Gold Label released his new CD, "It's Like a Dream", for which he composed the title song. He eventually started his own show The Merv Griffin Show in 1962 which proved to be a huge success. Open homosexuality is a threat to the closeted, and powerful people in the closet like Merv Griffin will often do whatever it takes to squash those who are open and who might advocate that all among the powerful should come out. Meanwhile, his body is working fulltime. A post-burial reception was held at the Beverly Hilton, owned by Griffin from 1987 to 2003. Donahue asked her on the air. Over the years, he also became very popular by performing in nightclubs. So, is Phil Donahue Everyman? He was 82. The "Sunday Morning" interviewer wanted to know where Marlo got the idea. Marlo was 40 when she married the talk show host, and it was her first marriage.