"The Gong Show" (1976) TV series 1976-1980

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Directors:

John Dorsey
Terry Kyne

Writer:

Larry Spencer (writer)

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

14 June 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Game-Show

Plot:

Amateur talent contest judged by three celebrities.

Plot Keywords:

Talent Contest | The Gong Show | Non Fiction

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Gary Owens	...	Himself - Host / ... (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Chuck Barris	...	Himself - Host (3 episodes, 1976)
Mat Plendl	...	Himself / ... (2 episodes, 1976)
Louanne	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1978)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Company:

Chuck Barris Productions

Trivia:

(May 2009) In a poll conducted by "The O'Reilly Factor" (1996), host Bill O'Reilly revealed that this series was voted the 4th worst TV show in broadcast history. Other dubious nominees included: (1) "My Mother the Car" (1965) / (2) "The Jerry Springer Show" (1991) / (3) "Friends" (1994) and (5) "Cop Rock" (1990).

Quotes:

Announcer: [at the start of the show] From Hollywood, almost live, it's The Gong Show!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Bosom Buddies: The Grandfather (#2.12)" (1982)

Soundtrack:

One O'Clock Jump

A classic show

What a little gem of a show this was. If my memory serves me correctly this aired in the UK on Channel 4 twice a week in the early eighties long after the series had finished in America. A bold move I must say on the part of Channel 4 at the time, considering the fact that apart from Jamie Farr (MASH), and Arte Johnson (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In) none of the other members of the show were actually, house hold names with the British public.

Taking that and the show's formula, getting anyone off the street, with absolutely no talent what so ever to do a turn, then get marked for their efforts, (if they didn't get gonged first) it's amazing it ever got shown once a week, let alone twice! Thankfully it did and what wonderful 'Acts!!!' some of them were. The guy dressed in a dinner suit complete with Bowler hat and walking cane, coming to the front of the stage, then standing in a fixed position for one completely minute without saying a word. Then there was 'Granny Go Go'. A 70+ woman wearing a mini dress dancing wildly to a boogie on down sound of the time. How about the singing trio whose lyrics to their song contained just one line 'I don't know why?' Mind blowing stuff!

They did though have some class acts appearing on the show in between the dross. Willie Bo Bo, a panelist on the Gong Show from time to time, along with his band, gave an excellent up beat rendition of the '2001- A Space Odyssey' film theme, 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' that really went down well. A girl singer going by the name of 'Stony' did a very nice version of the song 'I Got the Music in Me' and The Valentine Brothers, a brilliant close harmony duo sang 'That's the Time I Feel Like Making Love to You'.

I guess we'll not see the like's of this on TV again? Thankful though I've managed to lifted off the seven episodes I have from VHS tape onto DVD, so I'll still be able to go back from time to time and relive them all over again!