What is “The Gong Show”?
A: The Gong Show is an American amateur talent contest on TV.
Who is it franchised by?
A: Sony Pictures Television.
When was it broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule?
A: From June 14, 1976, through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication
from 1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1989 and was revived in
2017 for broadcast on
ABC.
The show was created and originally produced by whom?
A: Chuck Barris, who also served as host for the NBC run and from 1977 to
1980 in syndication.
Its most recent version was executive produced by whom?
A: Will Arnett and hosted by Tommy Maitland, a fictional character performed
by Mike Myers.
The Gong Show is known for its what?
A: Its absurdist humor and style.
The actual competition was often secondary to what?
A: The often-outlandish acts presented.
What has typically been awarded to each show's winner?
A: A small cash prize.
Each show presented a competition of amateur performers
of often dubious talent, with what?
A: A panel of three celebrity judges.
The original program's regular judges included whom?
A: Jamie Farr, Jaye P. Morgan, Arte Johnson, Patty Andrews, Phyllis Diller,
Pat McCormick, Wayland Flowers, Anson Williams, Steve Garvey, Rex Reed and
Rip Taylor.
If any judge considered an act to be particularly bad,
how could they force it to stop?
A: By striking a large gong, a trope adapted from the durable radio show
Major Bowes Amateur Hour.
Barris would then ask the judge(s) in question why they
had gonged the act, usually receiving what?
A: A facetious response.
Any act that survived without being gonged was given a
score by each of the three judges on a scale of what?
A: 0 to 10, for a maximum possible score of 30.
On the NBC series, the contestant who achieved the
highest combined score won what?
A: The grand prize: a check for $516.32.
In the event of a tie, three different “what “were used
at various times during the show's run?
A: Tiebreakers.
Originally the studio audience determined the winner by
what?
A: Applause, but this was later changed to a decision by the producers, and
later by the celebrity judges.
On rare occasions, both winning acts would each receive
what?
A: A check and a trophy.
No prize was awarded if all of the acts on a particular
episode were what?
A: Gonged, which occurred at least twice.
Runners-up received various prizes; Maureen Orth, on
her February 24, 1977, appearance, reported receiving what?
A: An iron valued at $33.95 for her second-place finish.
When Barris announced the final score, actor Jerry
Maren (a little person and former Munchkin) ran onstage in top hat and
tails, doing what?
A: Throwing confetti while balloons dropped from overhead.
The daily Gong Show also gave out a "Worst Act of the
Week" award selected by whom?
A: The producers and each week's judges.
The winner of this award was announced following what?
A: The trophy presentation on the Friday show, and the performer received a
dirty tube sock and a check for $516.32.
Who were the two biggest Gong Show-related showbiz
successes?
A: Andrea McArdle and Cheryl Lynn.
Twelve-year-old McArdle appeared on an early show in
1976, shortly before winning what?
A: The lead role in the hit
Broadway musical Annie.
Lynn was signed to a recording contract as a result of
her performance and recorded what?
A: The Top 40 disco hit "Got To Be Real".