GSN's Merv Griffin Tributes

[Pavan]

GSN is honoring the life of television great, Merv Griffin, the big band singer who became a popular TV talk-show host and prolific game show producer, in two very special marathon tributes the weekend of August 18. Griffin, who died Sunday at the age of 82 from prostate cancer, was the creator of two of the longest running series to date, "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune." He also was responsible for starting the careers of several award-winning hosts such as Chuck Woolery ("Wheel of Fortune"), Ryan Seacrest ("Click"), Art Fleming ("Jeopardy"), Pat Sajak ("Wheel of Fortune") and Vanna White ("Wheel of Fortune").

The GSN marathons are in two five-hour blocks Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET. Saturday's Griffin tribute will feature an early Woolery "Wheel of Fortune" appearance, White's debut in 1982 and the show's first road trip to New York City. Sunday's "Jeopardy" marathon includes "The $1,000,000 Masters Tournament of Champions" episodes.

Additionally, during its black-and-white programming block Sunday night, the network is showcasing episodes of two classic series which Griffin himself hosted. At 3:00 AM, GSN will air the first nighttime episode of "Play Your Hunch," (Griffin's first network hosting job) from 1960, in which Griffin sings. Following at 3:30 AM, is a 1961 "To Tell The Truth" episode featuring Griffin as its host filling in for a vacationing Bud Collyer.

Griffin had a very meaningful connection with GSN. When the network launched as Game Show Network on Dec. 1, 1994, he was one of the honored
guests who flipped the switch launching the network.

[friendsfan77]

GSN did one hell of a job with planning this tribute. I'm really looking forward to the WoF episodes, I just wish they came under better circumstances.