Ray Richmond, on both his Past Deadline blog and in his Hollywood Reporter column, tells the truth about Merv Griffin:

Merv Griffin was gay.

Why should that be so uncomfortable to read? Why is it so difficult to write? Why are we still so jittery even about raising the issue in purportedly liberal-minded Hollywood, in 2007? We can refer to it casually in conversation, but the mainstream media somehow remains trapped in the Dark Ages as relates to the gay label.

And more:

You can count on the fingers of one hand, or at most two, the number of high-powered stars, executives and public figures who have come out. Those who don’t can’t really be faulted, either, as rarely do such honesty and vulnerability prove a boon to one’s showbiz livelihood.

Richmond writes with affection and respect about Griffin, and about the uneasiness still lingering in the corridors of Hollywood power. And of course, he’s got a reader who’s shocked.

Merv Griffin, TV legend, is remembered by everyone.

Semi-legend Ray Richmond, who worked for Griffin, has the best anecdotes, recounted at length. The Ramtha story is fabulous.

Cynthia Littleton reminisces, and has a Karen Carpenter clip, too.

PopWatch’s Steve Korn blogs a fan’s notes.

TMZ exhibits an unaccustomed restraint.