We can't remember who it was now, but a couple years back some notable figure passed away. We were somewhat distressed about it, and extolled the great man: his struggles, his victories, the accomplishments that made up the story of his life. Our friend leaned over, looked at us casually, and said, "And now he's dead." Which, while dismissive and somewhat disrespectful, speaks to the ultimate truth: No matter how much one manages to attain in one's life, be it financial success, family happiness, the creation and retention of enriching, lifelong friendships, it all ends with a trip to the tomb. No one (save perhaps Sumner Redstone) can escape death's chilly embrace. So while it's certainly proper to remember those that have passed on and take stock of their achievements, one must ultimately recall that, in the end, they die like everyone else, and to elevate one person over another for experiencing something so utterly universal is somehow arbitrary and diminishing to those who are considered less "valuable" or "interesting." It's important to keep a certain detachment when it comes to the passing of a celebrity; are they are more worthy of grief than someone less celebrated? All that being said, even we think this TMZ "obituary" for Merv Griffin, pictured here, is more than a little tacky. (Even the majority of TMZ's commenters agree, and they're not exactly paragons of good taste—or good typing, for that matter.) For Christ's sake, show a little class.

1925-2007 [TMZ]
Merv Griffin, 82; entertainer, 'Jeopardy!' creator and entrepreneur [LAT]