Kudos to The Hollywood Reporter’s Ray Richmond for writing this candid column about the sadness of Merv Griffin spending his entire life in the closet.
But why has THR’s site taken down the piece? As I write this, there’s a link on theirhomepage that goes to an error message.
Grow some balls, Hollywood Reporter. Griffin’s homosexuality was at worst an open secret, and the piece is written with affection and respect.
The column is bold, not gossipy, and The Hollywood Reporter’s readers would do well to take its message to heart.
UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter link is up again, while columnist Nikki Finke is writing about how Griffin’s people made them take it down. So who knows?
Merv Griffin died a closeted homosexual [Hollywood Reporter via Reuters]
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. Thanks for posting a working link here, but that is shocking about the Hollywood Reporter. Are they really censoring their writers over there? I heard they got a new editor. Is that her agenda? Censoring their best (by FAR) columnist/blogger? This is beyond unreal. I am disgusted. You’re right, it was a great piece. Speaking of growing some balls, they should take a cue from Richmond, as he seems to actually have some.
For the latest on “Mervgate” (including an exclusive interview with writer Ray Richmond), check out Kevin Allman’s blog:
http://kevinallman.typepad.com/kevin_allman/
Little Nikki’s column seems to be more rehash and horror of “unsubstantiated claims” on the day good Nancy Reagan and the Governator are to pay tribute- as far as rumors go, this was a jet engine roar compared to the whispers about Travolta and others.
The timing and the history of the thing is obvious- Merv was covered so long as he was alive, and once he was gone, the bargain was off (Eva Gabor’s earlier death also blew a big hole in his cover…)
But when the fact of being gay is pointed out, and it’s seen as defamation (or followed the lines “and now he’s dancing in hell”) it’s a sad thing, we seem to take 2 steps sideways for every one ahead…