People

By Sara C. Medina

Talk so often leads to more talk. Perhaps that is why this fall, besides NBC's Johnny Carson and David Letterman, there will be entries from Dick Cavett and Jimmy Breslin on ABC, Joan Rivers on the new Fox network, David Brenner and Oprah Winfrey in syndication and Robert Klein on cable's USA Network. That spatter of patter may also be why a veteran of TV's talkfests is leaving the lists. This week, after 23 years, Merv Griffin, 61, broadcasts his / 5,520th and final show. "It's tough to say good-bye," said the genial, gee- whiz Griffin, as he taped a farewell evening of nostalgia about his 25,000 guest interviews. "But I felt it's better to leave when you're on top." Well, not quite. The show is on only 40 stations, down from 100. But don't feel too bad. Merv recently sold his production company, which owns Wheel of Fortune and other shows, for a reported $250 million. Even if Merv doesn't, money still talks.