Game Show Creator Griffin to Be Honored

04/13/2005 7:01 AM, AP


Who is ... Merv Griffin? The "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" creator will be honored by the Museum of Television & Radio at its annual New York gala on May 26. The gala will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

"Merv Griffin is a unique force in the world of entertainment and media, combining his talents as a singer, performer and television personality with his skill as a business leader and entrepreneur," museum President Stuart N. Brotman said in a statement Tuesday. "He's truly a living legend."

Griffin, 79, began as a 19-year-old radio singer. His pseudo-Cockney interpretation of "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" sold 3 million copies in 1950.

He was often a substitute host on the "Tonight Show" before Johnny Carson took over, and later had his own long-running daytime talk show.

Past gala honorees include Alan Alda, Tom Brokaw, Sid Caesar, Mary Tyler Moore and Jerry Seinfeld.

___

On the Net:

http://www.mtr.org