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08/13/2007


TV Titan Merv Griffin Dies of Prostate Cancer at 82

Pioneering talk how host and game show innovator Merv Griffin died over the weekend at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The cause was prostate cancer. First treated for the disease in 1996, Griffin was recently hospitalized again, and doctors said the cancer had spread to other organs.

Merv_griffin_2The Merv Griffin Show was among the first to touch on "edgy" topics and became a blueprint for similar shows. It also served as the anchor for a highly successful entertainment empire which grew to include game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune before expanding into hotels and casino.

The New York Times is one of the few papers to touch on his rumored homosexuality: "But he was also dogged by sex scandals and insinuations that he was gay. In 1991, he was sued by Denny Terrio, the host of 'Dance Fever,' another show Mr. Griffin created, alleging sexual harassment. The same year, Brent Plott, a longtime employee who worked as a bodyguard, horse trainer and driver, filed a $200 million palimony lawsuit."

Said Plott at the time: "We lived together, shared the same bed, same house. He told me he loved me."

The Times notes: "Mr. Griffin characterized both lawsuits as extortion; ultimately, both suits were dismissed. Mr. Griffin consistently evaded answering questions about his sexuality. In a 2005 interview with The New York Times, he said: 'I tell everybody that I’m a quartre-sexual. I will do anything with anybody for a quarter.'"

Michelangelo Signorile has much more at The Gist about Griffin's closet, Griffin's friendship with the Reagans and his complicity in their silence during the first years of the AIDS crisis, the sexual harassment lawsuits, launched against him, and the threats he felt from those around him who were openly gay.

Signorile notes: "Merv Griffin accomplished a lot and is, in his death, being held up as a example of a stellar Hollywood businessman. But he should also be held up as man who, like Malcolm Forbes before him, was hugely influential and powerful and yet still allowed the closet and homophobia to manipulate his life, and to cause him to do harm to his own people. That should not be forgotten."

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Posted 8:11 AM EST by Andy in Deaths, Denny Terrio, Merv Griffin, News, Television | Permalink

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Comments

  1. Signorile is right on.

    "What is a traitor?"

    Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | Aug 13, 2007 8:42:43 AM


  2. That's why we love Michelangelo Signorile. He keeps us honest.

    Posted by: jeffnyc | Aug 13, 2007 8:43:59 AM


  3. On the one hand I want to praise his having (at that time) very controversial and intellectual guests on. The only person giving a media outlet to vocal anti-war people etc.

    BUT, the closet thing just sticks in my craw.

    Anyway; who's cock is Ryan Seacrest going to suck now to get ahead?

    Posted by: anon | Aug 13, 2007 8:44:23 AM


  4. Another graduate of the "Liberace School of Denial"

    Growing up, there were only two afternoon talk shows on; Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas. My mom always watched Mike. It was only later in life that I grew to appreciate the eccentricites of Merv; and that was watching Rick Moranis lampoon him on SCTV. It's a shame he was such a closet case.

    Posted by: Rad | Aug 13, 2007 8:47:12 AM


  5. What's interesting also is that Tom Shales, the Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic at the Washington Post, and a similarly closeted closeted gay man of Merv's generation, has a column about Merv in today's Post - on the front page. It's also on the paper's web site (requires free registration to read). No mention of rumored homosexuality, of course.

    Posted by: phil | Aug 13, 2007 9:14:56 AM


  6. yeah, the breeder community will only look to the fact that he had a wife named julann and a son named tony as proof that he was never into a side dish of dick.

    Posted by: sean | Aug 13, 2007 9:36:31 AM


  7. His relationship w "out' flamboyant queens, while kept at an arms distance, was bewildering, ie, Monte Rock & Little Richard.

    As he was alleged to be a readily available booking to gay show-biz folk in need of some exposure,perhaps he held then up for ridicule while giv'n them a career tweek.

    And what about that fauwning over Burt Reynolds Merv always did?

    Posted by: zabadak | Aug 13, 2007 9:57:30 AM


  8. None of you queens are worthy to lick Merv's boots. Merv was one of the greats, his show a classic. He is an icon of a a great television age that is long gone. If you weren't fortunate enough to see him in his hey day, you don't know what you missed. Thank you Merv, for all the great times.

    Posted by: the queen | Aug 13, 2007 10:02:10 AM


  9. I see I am being called "a similarly closeted gay man of Merv's generation."
    He was 82 and had a career in the 1940s
    so I don't think we are precisely in the same generation. As for being "similarly closeted," I would like to know precisely what that means, precisely whose business it is if true or untrue, and exactly how I should live my life as determined by some stranger who can go fuck himself.

    Posted by: Tom Shales | Aug 13, 2007 10:07:23 AM


  10. I heard that in the last weeks of his life he tried to buy a bowel.

    Posted by: Josh | Aug 13, 2007 10:33:14 AM


  11. C _ _ S E _ C _ S E

    Posted by: Becks07 | Aug 13, 2007 10:47:37 AM


  12. "harm to his own people"

    Ugh. Being gay and doing well for yourself does not make you responsible for all other gay people -- or to any other group you happen to be a part of. He owed nothing to anybody. Signorile ought to mind his own business.

    Posted by: Mark | Aug 13, 2007 11:07:33 AM


  13. I thought Merv showed great articulation during his TV appearances. He was great at his job & provided a lot of entertainment on his talk show. Then he created those game shows which have provided additional amusement. It's a great TV accomplishment, and that's what's being remembered in the newspaper columns now. Mentioning Denny Terrio & Eva Gabor? What newspaper today has that many spare column inches to delve into the man's life, esp. when so many people don't even know who he is/was? Leave that for a Wikipedia entry on the man.

    Posted by: Daniel | Aug 13, 2007 11:42:39 AM


  14. I'm with Mark on this one. It's a fine line, but Griffin lived his life and only, really, was bound to doing just that. Had he intentionally gone out of his way to make lives difficult for other gays (i.e. Florida's Rep. Allen), I'd feel differently. Also, Griffin was "old school" gay. Coming out in the 1950s or such was COMPLETELY different and difficult experience on so many visceral levels I'm sure than coming out in the 2000s.

    Posted by: Derrick | Aug 13, 2007 11:45:25 AM


  15. Wow, what a hot daddy! I would lived with him.

    Posted by: BJ | Aug 13, 2007 11:51:57 AM


  16. What a fabulous old queen. I shoulda' been "her", or atleast had all that money! Denny Terrio woulda' been the last thing on my mind--Brian Pumper, maybe.

    Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Aug 13, 2007 12:11:05 PM


  17. MG was part of an entire generation of celebs that simply didn't know what gay meant: Liberace, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, etc. There were too many unresolved internal conflicts. That said, few in H-Town were more powerful, so he could have done whatever he liked.

    Shales is a boomer who was outed by relentless pressure from publications like the Washington Blade, though it is doubtful he would have come out on his own.

    Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Aug 13, 2007 12:13:40 PM


  18. My neighbor owns several houses around Los Angeles. One of the houses he owned was in Beverly Hills, and Merv took a liking to the house and bought it. According to my neighbor's real estate agent Merv had a boyfriend who was about 25 and model beautiful. The man was a closet case.

    As for assertions in posts here that Merv didn't owe anyone anything and should be left alone because he didn't go out of his way to harm our community, I'll say these: A) Merv Griffin never did one thing for the GLBT community. He never donated to any of our causes (as David Geffen and other Hollywood titans have done). He never lent his name in support of our causes. And he never gave his time for any of our causes. And all the while he was sucking cock. B) Vanity Fair magazine did a long article on Merv a few months back. He discussed his great friendship with and admiration for George W. Bush. He supported Bush with his votes, his donations, his praise, his loyalty and his friendship. If that isn't going out of one's way to bash our community I don't know what is.

    I don't personally believe in it, but if there is a place called Hell I hope Merv Griffin is roasting there right now.

    Posted by: peterparker | Aug 13, 2007 1:56:21 PM


  19. It would have been great if Merv would have been out and proud, donating to gay causes and having fundraisers at his mansions. The fact that he didn't is unfortunate but understandable and does not mean he should "burn in Hell." He was 82 for crissakes. It wasn't easy growing up gay for that generation. Don't judge Merv by today's standards.

    Posted by: phil | Aug 13, 2007 2:21:17 PM


  20. I'll drink to that, Peter! And buy the next one.

    Have said it before, will say it a million more times: we have among us our own worst enemies who, even in 2007, have still so internalized, digested, embraced their second-class citizenship that they rush to defend such a rich butt boy for the Right Wing. Phil, Mark, Sick Queen, yes, I mean you. Get off your stomachs.

    All the old generation blah blah blah excuses are irrelevant to the fact you don't have to hang neon on the Hollywood sign that declares to the world you kiss boys but, like TONS of closeted gay men and women, can STILL fight for gay equality, still give money [and MG shat money] for it and things like AIDS. If he was out enough to suck cock he was out enough to write a check. I don't believe in any hell either [except for living under the Bush Reich], but if there is one I hope Malcolm Forbes is dry fucking him right now while having both arms up Roy Cohn's ass. And I hope vile fag Repug strategist Arthur Finkelstein and his lover join them soon.

    Posted by: Leland | Aug 13, 2007 3:05:19 PM


  21. Phil,

    I agree with not judging previous generations of gays and lesbians by today's standards. However, I feel that Merv could have, even behind the scenes, effected great change in Hollywood and in American society in general. Look at Sir Ian, who is of Merv's generation; he's out and proud and very politically minded in helping gay causes around the world.

    Still, I believe, more pressure should be placed upon those GLBT folks of our generation and younger to come out and try to make a political and social difference visa-a-vis GBLT issues. Coming out itself is a positive political and social statement.

    As important is the need for "non-famous" GLBT folks to show those who would deny us our rights to become more vocal about who they are: people just like everyone else.

    Posted by: BigBaller | Aug 13, 2007 3:11:58 PM


  22. Gracious, PeterParker & Leland! Nevermind, I don't want to be Merv Griffin--ever... just let me be a rich old queen who donates vast amounts of money to gay organizations. I'd also open a school for troubled youth, yeah, real rough seventeen year olds.

    Leland, when you told us to get up off our stomachs, didn't you mean bellies?

    Posted by: Derrick from PHilly | Aug 13, 2007 3:20:15 PM


  23. Phil...let me clarify...I don't think Merv should burn in hell for failing to come out of the closet and/or support gay causes (although I think both are shameful)...no, I think Merv should burn in hell for supporting George W Bush who has done nothing but wage war on our community...I think Merv should burn in hell for continuing his friendship with Ronald Reagan while Reagan ignored the scourge of HIV/AIDS that was decimating our community...*those* are the reasons I think Merv should burn in hell...and one more thing...I hope his death was tremendously painful.

    Posted by: peterparker | Aug 13, 2007 4:05:23 PM


  24. Being gay and doing well for yourself does not make you responsible for all other gay people -- or to any other group you happen to be a part of. He owed nothing to anybody."

    Even if you don't think he owed the gay community anything, the fact remains that he used his power to sexually harass male employees. The ones who sued were only the tip of the iceberg. Michelangelo also interviewed people who said Griffin fired them because he was threatened by people who were openly gay. And this abusive behavior all traces back to his being a cowering closet-case. You stupid prick.

    Posted by: Johnny | Aug 13, 2007 4:09:40 PM


  25. Bellies? Possibly. But that would have made my ricochet mind think of PORK bellies. Or jelly bellies, and then I'd wonder where that portrait done in jelly bellys of Merv's [and Cyd's] hero Ronald 99 Fags In Their Graves 99 Fags In Their Graves Let Them Die Why Should I Cry 100 Fags In Their Graves Reagan.
    When RR died, the company put black ribbons on the portraits done in jelly bellys of the man who had a candy jar for a brain. I suppose the makers of I wonder how many $34.95 jars of jelly bellys with Ronnie's engraved signature and Presidential seal Cyd has.

    The manufacturers of Wet lube probably have hung black ribbons in Mervyn's memory. Given his reputation for paid younger escorts, we assume his favorite flavor was Popp n'Cherry.

    http://unixdude.blogspot.com/images/sweetsalute.jpg

    Posted by: Leland Frances | Aug 13, 2007 4:27:12 PM


  26. I guess nobody here who's judging Merv has heard of Childhelp's Merv Griffin Village, a haven for abused children where they get intensive, round-the-clock treatment for trauma associated with abuse, neglect, sexual molestation and abandonment.

    Posted by: stosine | Aug 13, 2007 4:52:58 PM


  27. There is the distinct possibility, however unlikely, that MG gave money anonymously to gay causes over the years, or in other ways supported the community quietly. In any event, now that libel statutes no longer apply, a full biography can be published.

    He looks old, but Sir Ian is definitely a generation younger than Merv, and he's British and from the stage for the most part.

    Malcolm Forbes was probably bisexual (just look at his Faberge loving sons). Roy Cohn was almost certainly mentally ill. I don't know of any connection between these men though. I think you'll find a lot of very politically active people have anti-social tendencies or abnormal psychologies. That would apply to people like Cohn, whereas Forbes and Griffin were cronies looking for politicos to gain business opportunities. They were probably non-political otherwise.

    Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Aug 13, 2007 5:08:51 PM


  28. Stosine...fantastic that he helped children who have been abused (and for the record, I never accused him of never helping anyone...just never helping any GLBT people)...but FUCK HIM for sucking up to Reagan and Bush who have done nothing good for the GLBT population and have, in many way, harmed us.

    Posted by: peterparker | Aug 13, 2007 5:09:49 PM


  29. OK Stosine, now I've heard of that, and now I'm supposed to believe his sexual harassment and firing openly-gay employees, and friendship with AIDS-ignoring Ronnie Raygun is irrelevant? Very easy to say as long as you weren't one of the gay men he employed who were harassed or fired. How dare he fire anyone for being gay, usually because they wouldn't put-out for him too. Perv Griffin would be a better name for that old letch.

    Posted by: Johnny | Aug 13, 2007 5:20:09 PM


  30. my mental image of merv was always of him sitting on a huge pillow in a flowing caftan with a gaudy ring on every chubby little finger and surrounded by phillipino houseboys in speedos ... or maybe i'm just projecting... haha

    Posted by: el polacko | Aug 13, 2007 6:02:32 PM


  31. Seriously, this guy amassed an enormous fortune, hung out with the hollywood elite, including a former president and a first lady, created some of the most memorable tv content in history, all the while, having hot sex with hot guys (escorts or not, hot dick is hot dick) and still lived to a ripe old age and will now be remembered as a hero and tv icon with only an occasion sex scandal which barely got reported in the mainstream media (and hardly tarnished his rep). If this doesn't prove that karma does not exist, then I don't know what does...

    Posted by: Seriously Folks | Aug 13, 2007 6:32:45 PM


  32. I really don't give a shit about Merv, and I despise Bush & Co., but I am older than many of you here. I remember seeing Merv's day-time show on b&w TV.
    Seems like you guys are so out and self-realized: "It's a shame he was such a closet case." What the fuck else would he be living thru the 1940's, 50's, 60's? "Shameful." Of course, people can just change and come out later in life. Peterparker and Johnny - document your accusations - especially the Bush parts.
    I'm disgusted by the inane comments here.

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 1:25:13 AM


  33. I really don't give a shit about Merv, and I despise Bush & Co., but I am older than many of you here. I remember seeing Merv's day-time show on b&w TV.
    Seems like you guys are so out and self-realized: "It's a shame he was such a closet case." What the fuck else would he be living thru the 1940's, 50's, 60's? "Shameful." Of course, people can just change and come out later in life. Peterparker and Johnny - document your accusations - especially the Bush parts.
    I'm disgusted by the inane comments here.

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 1:26:14 AM


  34. Leland - your post about jelly bellys was a bit too stream of consciousness for me to decode. But I think I agree with you?

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 1:39:58 AM


  35. Leland - your post about jelly bellys was a bit too stream of consciousness for me to decode. But I think I agree with you?

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 1:40:26 AM


  36. Leland - your post about jelly bellys was a bit too stream of consciousness for me to decode. But I think I agree with you?

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 1:40:33 AM


  37. Read the linked articles, idiot.

    Posted by: Johnny | Aug 14, 2007 1:40:44 AM


  38. I read the articles, idiot. Believe everything you read?

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 2:44:13 AM


  39. I read the articles, idiot. Believe everything you read?

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 2:44:44 AM


  40. Dave,

    Below, you'll find a link to an interview with Merv Griffin that I read in Rolling Stone (I initially referenced Vanity Fair, but the magazine was actually Rolling Stone) in which the author quotes Merv Griffin's comments relating his love for Ronald Reagan, George W Bush and all things Bush Administration: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432607dear_mister_fantasy

    Have fun reading, Dave.

    xo,
    peterparker

    Posted by: peterparker | Aug 14, 2007 4:12:17 AM


  41. Peterparker - thanks, I will read it. I went a bit drama queen at the end of my post - for which I apologize, but basically I'm saying that the man was a product of his era. Also, we're not talking about a political scientist here. A friend of the Reagans makes sense - so was Rock Hudson. Didn't know he was a George W supporter.

    Posted by: dave | Aug 14, 2007 11:47:35 AM


  42. A bit defensive, are we Mr. Shales??
    So, what are you doing here at a gay website?

    Posted by: midak | Aug 14, 2007 1:24:23 PM


  43. Dave,

    According to the Rolling Stone interview, Merv is a HUGE fan of W.

    I might also point out that, while Rock Hudson was indeed a friend of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, he did not have the opportunity to live through the darkest days of the pandemic and decide whether or not to remain friends with Ron and Nancy after their gross neglect of HIV/AIDS.

    As for Griffin being a 'product of his era', plenty of people of his era found the guts to come out of the closet...and many of them did it without the trappings of power that Merv Griffin enjoyed. I have no remorse for the man.

    xo,
    peterparker

    Posted by: peterparker | Aug 14, 2007 2:01:19 PM


  44. Merv was a great man, whom loved my warm sheet upon my mattress. He was straight in contrast to all these rumors and falsified statements from those whom like to whisper them to others ears. He was true to his love of the tightness of my loins and he never rested asleep without small words of warmth and love... may all see that his manhood was loved and given me a woman...

    Posted by: Lobee1 | Sep 20, 2007 7:30:37 AM


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