Griffin's Production Company To Be Sued Over Gameshow
Late comedy legend Merv Griffin's production company has been accused of stealing an idea for the Merv Griffin's Crosswords gameshow.
In a lawsuit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, George Giangrante claims he came up with a crossword puzzle game show back in 1995 with "a 'double-cross' feature that allowed an opposing player to take all of another player's money with one correct answer, and thus, knock him or her out of contention".
Giangrante claims he pitched the show to Griffin's production firm in 2001 and "the late Merv Griffin was particularly interested in a crossword game show".
The suit seeks unspecified damages.
Griffin died last August at the age of 82 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
In a lawsuit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, George Giangrante claims he came up with a crossword puzzle game show back in 1995 with "a 'double-cross' feature that allowed an opposing player to take all of another player's money with one correct answer, and thus, knock him or her out of contention".
Giangrante claims he pitched the show to Griffin's production firm in 2001 and "the late Merv Griffin was particularly interested in a crossword game show".
The suit seeks unspecified damages.
Griffin died last August at the age of 82 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
- 5/6/2008
- WENN
'Judy' gets two years
LAS VEGAS -- Court show queen Judge Judy Sheindlin has inked a new multiyear deal with CBS Television Distribution to continue with her strip, Judge Judy, and the CBS Television Stations group has renewed the top-rated court show for another two seasons, taking it through 2012.
The Judge Judy renewal was among a flurry of NATPE-related announcements made Monday, a day before the organization's annual Conference & Exhibition officially kicks off at the Mandalay Bay Resort here. A second-season pickup for game show Crosswords also is a "firm go," while ION Media Networks' acquisition of Baywatch and station clearances for Twentieth Television's Bones also were among Monday's deals.
" 'Judge Judy' is the unsung hero of syndication, consistently delivering fantastic ratings to our station partners, and we're really proud it's the only syndicated show growing year to year," CTD president and COO John Nogawski said.
The show, which launched in 1996, is executive produced by Randy Douthit and Timothy Regler.
There was further syndication news:
-- Program Partners' Crosswords is a "firm go" for Season 2 after having been renewed in 40 of the top 50 markets. The distributor has secured commitments from WNBC New York and other NBC O&Os as well as stations owned by Belo, Four Points, Gannett, Gray, Guardian, Hubbard, McGraw-Hill, New Age, Raycom, Sarkes Tarzian and Sagamorehill.
" 'Crosswords' ' ratings are building continuously and now hitting season-to-date highs," said Ritch Colbert, who heads Program Partners with Josh Raphaelson. "This renewal is a testament to our amazing production team and to the power of Merv Griffin's original vision."
Hosted by Ty Treadway, Crosswords is a half-hour game show in which five players compete against one another and the clock to solve a crossword.
"This vote of confidence from our station affiliates makes a nice start to 2008," said Ron Ward, head of Merv Griffin Entertainment and vice chairman of the Griffin Group.
The Judge Judy renewal was among a flurry of NATPE-related announcements made Monday, a day before the organization's annual Conference & Exhibition officially kicks off at the Mandalay Bay Resort here. A second-season pickup for game show Crosswords also is a "firm go," while ION Media Networks' acquisition of Baywatch and station clearances for Twentieth Television's Bones also were among Monday's deals.
" 'Judge Judy' is the unsung hero of syndication, consistently delivering fantastic ratings to our station partners, and we're really proud it's the only syndicated show growing year to year," CTD president and COO John Nogawski said.
The show, which launched in 1996, is executive produced by Randy Douthit and Timothy Regler.
There was further syndication news:
-- Program Partners' Crosswords is a "firm go" for Season 2 after having been renewed in 40 of the top 50 markets. The distributor has secured commitments from WNBC New York and other NBC O&Os as well as stations owned by Belo, Four Points, Gannett, Gray, Guardian, Hubbard, McGraw-Hill, New Age, Raycom, Sarkes Tarzian and Sagamorehill.
" 'Crosswords' ' ratings are building continuously and now hitting season-to-date highs," said Ritch Colbert, who heads Program Partners with Josh Raphaelson. "This renewal is a testament to our amazing production team and to the power of Merv Griffin's original vision."
Hosted by Ty Treadway, Crosswords is a half-hour game show in which five players compete against one another and the clock to solve a crossword.
"This vote of confidence from our station affiliates makes a nice start to 2008," said Ron Ward, head of Merv Griffin Entertainment and vice chairman of the Griffin Group.
- 1/29/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
'TMZ' in the syndie zone
TMZ and The Steve Wilkos Show fared the best among the five new first-run syndicated shows that debuted Monday.
"TMZ" had the highest debut with a weighted average of a 2.0 household rating/4 share in 55 metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research.
However, the half-hour entertainment newsmagazine was down 17% from its lead-in average (2.4/5) and off 9% from the September 2006 time period average (2.2/4). "TMZ" airs in primarily access, early fringe and late-fringe time periods.
Hourlong talker Steve Wilkos, which airs in daytime slots, averaged a 1.1/4 in 48 metered markets. That's a 22% increase over its lead-in average (0.9/3) and even with its year-ago time period average. Wilkos was the only one of the new strips to grow over its lead-in average. (It also should be noted that the talker was pre-empted in Chicago, where the show originates, because of a Chicago Cubs game telecast.)
Elsewhere, Merv Griffin's Crosswords averaged a 1.0/3 in 52 metered markets, off 17% from its lead-in average (1.2/3) and down 23% from September 2006 (1.3/4).
"TMZ" had the highest debut with a weighted average of a 2.0 household rating/4 share in 55 metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research.
However, the half-hour entertainment newsmagazine was down 17% from its lead-in average (2.4/5) and off 9% from the September 2006 time period average (2.2/4). "TMZ" airs in primarily access, early fringe and late-fringe time periods.
Hourlong talker Steve Wilkos, which airs in daytime slots, averaged a 1.1/4 in 48 metered markets. That's a 22% increase over its lead-in average (0.9/3) and even with its year-ago time period average. Wilkos was the only one of the new strips to grow over its lead-in average. (It also should be noted that the talker was pre-empted in Chicago, where the show originates, because of a Chicago Cubs game telecast.)
Elsewhere, Merv Griffin's Crosswords averaged a 1.0/3 in 52 metered markets, off 17% from its lead-in average (1.2/3) and down 23% from September 2006 (1.3/4).
- 9/12/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Treadway is right answer at 'Crosswords'
Ty Treadway, best known for his role on ABC's One Life to Live and for co-hosting SoapNet's Soap Talk, has been tapped to host the upcoming syndicated game show Let's Play Crosswords.
In addition, Brennan Huntington -- who has produced, directed and/or developed programming for such networks as GSN, ESPN, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, NBC, Lifetime and E! -- has been named showrunner of the half-hour strip, from Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment.
The companies said Treadway was "handpicked" by Griffin to host the show, putting him in such company as Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak, who were picked by Griffin to host "Jeopardy!" and Wheel of Fortune, respectively. Treadway played Dr. Colin MacIver on One Life to Live from 2000-01 and co-hosted Soap Talk with Lisa Rinna from 2002-06, during which time the duo earned three Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding talk show host.
"Ty exudes the kind of energy that will keep audiences engaged and excited," Griffin said. "We are looking towards a long and successful association."
Meanwhile, Raymond Brune and Andrew Yani, co-heads of TV at MGE, will oversee the show with Griffin.
In addition, Brennan Huntington -- who has produced, directed and/or developed programming for such networks as GSN, ESPN, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, NBC, Lifetime and E! -- has been named showrunner of the half-hour strip, from Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment.
The companies said Treadway was "handpicked" by Griffin to host the show, putting him in such company as Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak, who were picked by Griffin to host "Jeopardy!" and Wheel of Fortune, respectively. Treadway played Dr. Colin MacIver on One Life to Live from 2000-01 and co-hosted Soap Talk with Lisa Rinna from 2002-06, during which time the duo earned three Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding talk show host.
"Ty exudes the kind of energy that will keep audiences engaged and excited," Griffin said. "We are looking towards a long and successful association."
Meanwhile, Raymond Brune and Andrew Yani, co-heads of TV at MGE, will oversee the show with Griffin.
- 4/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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