Merv Griffin Enterpriseswas an American television production company founded byMerv Griffin,in operation from March 7, 1963, to June 4, 1994.
 Final logo used from 1993 to 1994 | |
| Formerly |
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|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Television Production |
| Founded | March 7, 1963 |
| Founder | Merv Griffin |
| Defunct | June 4, 1994 |
| Fate | Folded intoColumbia TriStar Television |
| Successors | |
| Headquarters | 10202 West Washington Boulevard,, |
| Parent |
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| Subsidiaries |
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History
editThe company was first established as Milbarn Productions on March 7, 1963, and later as Merv Griffin Productions on March 5, 1964. Griffin's first production under the Milbarn name wasWord for Word.Griffin's second game show wasJeopardy!as Griffin's first production under the MGP name on March 30, 1964. In May 1965, his talk showThe Merv Griffin Showreturned to television. Griffin also created the game showShopper's Bazaar,which changed its name toWheel of Fortuneon January 6, 1975, afterJeopardy!was canceled on January 3, 1975. Griffin revivedJeopardy!asThe All-New Jeopardy!on October 2, 1978, though it was proven to be unsuccessful. Merv Griffin Productions also owned the post-production studio Trans-American Video (TAV) that was founded on June 29, 1981.[1]
In 1982, the company joined forces withKing World(nowCBS Media Ventures) to syndicate a nightly version ofWheel of Fortune.The company also had the rights to syndicateThe Merv Griffin Show.KW also distributed the first two pilots ofJeopardy!in 1983 and January 9, 1984. In 1984, Griffin expanded his company as Merv Griffin Enterprises and during the same year,Jeopardy!also returned to television on September 10. On May 5, 1986, Griffin sold the company toThe Coca-Cola Company(then-owner ofColumbia Pictures Industries) for $250 million during his semi-retirement.[2]TAV, however, was not included in the deal. The company later became part of Columbia Pictures Entertainment on December 21, 1987,[3]and was sold toSonyCorporation along with CPE's other companies on November 8, 1989.
Merv Griffin Enterprises was folded intoColumbia TriStar Television(nowSony Pictures Television) on June 4, 1994.Jeopardy!andWheel of Fortunewere taken over by CTT starting in September of that year, while Griffin remained executive producer for both game shows until 2000.[4][5]Griffin later foundedMerv Griffin Entertainmenton May 13, 1996.[6]
Employees
editOne of the most prolific employees wasDon Pardo.The others wereCharlie O'Donnell,Jack Clark,John Harlan,M. G. Kelly,andJohnny Gilbert,who were also announcers on Griffin shows. Most of the above announcers also worked forBob Stewart Productions.Future executive producer ofJeopardy!,Michael Davies,worked as a development associate at the company during the early 1990s.[7]Another employee was directorDick Carson,who also served as director forThe Tonight Showfor his brotherJohnny Carson.[8]
Television programs
edit- The Merv Griffin Show(1962–1963; 1965–1986)
- Word for Word(1963–1964)
- Jeopardy!(1964–1975, 1983 pilot, 1984 pilot, 1984–present; production responsibilities assumed in 1994 byColumbia TriStar Television,nowSony Pictures Television;distributed in syndication since September 10, 1984 byKing World,nowCBS Media Ventures)
- Let's Play Post Office(1965–1966)
- Reach for the Stars(1967)
- One in a Million(1967)
- Memory Game(1971)
- Wheel of Fortune(1975–1991, daytime version; 1983–present, nighttime version; production responsibilities assumed in 1994 byColumbia TriStar Television,nowSony Pictures Television;nighttime version distributed since September 19, 1983 by King World, now CBS Media Ventures)
- The All New Jeopardy!(1978–1979)
- Dance Fever(1979–1987; co-production with20th Century Fox Television)
- Headline Chasers(1985–1986; co-production with Wink Martindale Enterprises; distributed by King World)
- Winfall(1988; unsold pilot for CBS hosted byClint Holmes)
- Monopoly(1990; co-production with King World)
- Super Jeopardy!(1990; co-production with King World)
- Ruckus(1991; co-production withColumbia Pictures Television)
References
edit- ^"Lights, Camera, Computers!".InfoWorld. June 20, 1983 – via Google Books.
- ^"Structuring and restructuring".Broadcasting.May 12, 1986. p. 66.
- ^Harris, Kathryn (September 2, 1987)."Coke, Tri-Star Confirm Plans for $3.1-Billion Deal".Los Angeles Times.ISSN0458-3035.RetrievedMay 16,2019.
- ^"Company Town Annex".The Los Angeles Times.June 4, 1994.RetrievedJuly 1,2013.
- ^"Sony-Griffin Deal".The New York Times.June 7, 1994.RetrievedJuly 1,2013.
- ^"Business Profiles / New York""MERV GRIFFIN ENTERTAINMENT, INC".Business Profile.RetrievedFebruary 10,2013.
- ^"A Note From Jeopardy! EP Michael Davies".Jeopardy.December 9, 2021.RetrievedMarch 30,2023.
- ^Barnes, Mike (January 9, 2022)."Dick Carson, Emmy Winning Director and Brother of Johnny Carson, Dies at 92".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 6,2024.