The Gong Show (1976)

"The Gong Show" was a classic parody of ameteur talent contests. During each episode, three guest celebrities judge the acts, performed either by soloists or groups, of which host Barris (or Owens in the syndicated version) introduced. While some acts were actually quite good, the show often focused on outrageous acts such as a dentist who plays "Stars and Stripes Forever" on his drill; an obese man who tap-dances to music from "Swan Lake"; an Elvis impersonator who serenades a "Hound Dog" while singing said tune; and a group of teen-age girls wearing pastel-colored prom dresses who dance in a conga-line. Many of the acts were hilariously bad; those the panelists deemed too awful to continue were "gonged." Acts that did reach their conclusion were scored by the panelists on a scale of 1 to 10. The highest-scoring act of the day won $516.32 (or $712.05 on the syndicated show). Running gags featuring the show's regular cast were also popular; they included an inept musician who plans to "play" a certain musical instrument "right now" and Barris reading a children's story with alternate endings (and enacted by the show's cast). Also featured were regular acts, including the "Unknown Comic" and "Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine." "The Gong Show" quickly became a part of American popular culture, with local versions staged as fundraisers by college, high school and civic groups. Game Show Network was scheduled to air a four-hour marathon to mark the show's 25th anniversary.