Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2007
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Merv’s Mark
Merv Griffin’s career revolved around Atlantic City for many years. From his days as a singer with the Freddy Martin Band in the 1930s and ‘40s to his ownership of Resorts International in the 1980s and ‘90s, Merv also owned a radio station (WMGM) in the town for a time. His death last month at age 82 brought many fond reflections from people who worked with him during those years. His successes in other areas of his career—a long-running television talk show, development of game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and ownership of luxury hotels—might have made him aloof and unapproachable, but anyone who worked for him will tell you the opposite. Griffin encouraged his executives to push the envelope and to try things that were different. For four or five years, Griffin produced a New Year’s Eve extravaganza live from the Superstar Theater at Resorts, broadcast nationwide. While he clearly did it to bring customers and attention to his hotel, he also did it for Atlantic City and its visibility on an important “party night” of the year. He became an identity around town as a casino owner with celebrity ties, something sadly lacking in today’s Atlantic City. He will be missed.
