GSN Offers Merv Griffin Tribute

I was away this weekend when the legendary Merv Griffin passed away.  Merv was an extremely important figure in the history of TV, both on and off-screen, and he will be missed.

GSN is honoring Merv Griffin this coming weekend with two mini-marathons showcasing some of the game shows that Merv was responsible for creating, including JEOPARDY, and 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 Chuck Woolery “Wheel of Fortune” appearance, Vanna 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.