THE GONG SHOW - Chuck Barris (1976 - 1979)

Todays Whacko Wednesday Feature is one of my all-time fave TV shows. "The Gong Show" came on in the in 1976, and stayed on the air until mid 1979, the brainchild of Mr. Chuck Barris, who, just in case you don't know, also created "The Dating Game." That's where it all started! Chuck has got to be one of the most interesting people to ever walk the planet, too bad he just passed away last year at the age of 87, so any secrets he had, he took with him, and I don't think he would have told anybody the truth if they ever asked him anyway! So this one's for Chuckie!

I get the feeling that Chuck wasn't always the happy go lucky guy he portrays on the show, but for me, he was hilarious about 90% of the time, and that's a good ratio!

Chuck wrote a fictional autobiography called "Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind" that was made into a movie directed by George Clooney in his first attempt at directing, that came out in 2002 and starred Sam Rockwell as Chuck.

If you're a Gong Show fan, this movie will drive you crazy because it portrays Chuck as the lovable game show host and he's also a 'not such a nice guy' hit man for the C.I.A. Chuck never claimed it wasn't true, but there doesn't appear to be any real evidence to back up his story, but........Who the Hell really knows? We're talking about Chuck Barris here, not some normal person!

The Clone Rangers are just one of the acts you can find on YouTube, but it's hard to find anything that is decent quality! Everything looks like it was recorded on a VHS tape, mabye even on the slow speed, but it doesn't really detract from this array of awesome entertainment that much!

I forgot the name of this act, but you get the idea!

I didn't know that there were Gong Show bubblegum trading cards until yesterday!

After Chuck, my favorite recurring cast member was the lovely and hilarious singer Jaye P. Morgan! Jaye P. had been a successful singer long before this show was ever thought of. She had a big hit in 1951 called "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries," and I think that concept is how she has lived her life, to the fullest!

Also in 1976, Jaye P. came out with this album of funky pop soul songs on the Candor label. It's good enough that I still have my copy, and am listening to it right now! Jaye P. was just cool!

One of the regulars on the show was Gene Patton, aka Gene Gene, The Dancing Machine! Gene tears it up right here, and gets everybody so excited that...........

.........On an uncensored version Jape P. actually exposes herself! Now that's some damn fine daytime TV!

This weird Ventriloquist disassembles his dummy and gets gonged for his efforts!

This guy played Mason Williams' "Classical Gas" Jimi style on his acoustic guitar!

What outfits!

Sometime they actually had very talented people on like this gal who can actually sing and belts out a powerful number!

So now we get to the good part! I've seen a lot of great stuff on The Gong Show including "The Mystic Knights Of The Oingo Boingo, but for me, I think one of the best acts ever on the show was the fabulous Bait Brothers!

These guys kill it, and to prove it, here's the link so you can go watch it yourself! If you've never seen their act, you're in for a treat! 

The Bait Brothers and "Shake The Ground!"

The Bait Brothers also appeared in "The Gong Show Movie" and even made an appearance on Don Kirshner's "Rock Concert" TV show!

This performance by Tami and the Starlets is truly amazing. It's at the very beginning of this longer clip that is also on YouTube. You've just got to see and hear Tami perform Captain and Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together!" Have Mercy!

One of my favorite comedians, Gary Mule Deer is extremely amusing as always when he attempts to use a corn chip as a guitar pick!

Leave it to Chuck!
They rudely close the curtain on this old guy about 30 seconds into his schtick, and that's where I'm going to leave you!

That's about it! I am literally going to go watch some more Gong Show as soon as I finish writing this sentence! I could use a good laugh right about now, and Chuck always managed to bring it!