On this day in television history - The Gong Show (1976)

The Gong Show,

originally created and produced by Chuck Barris,

ran from June 14, 1976 – September 15, 1989.
Music by Chuck Barris and Milton Delugg.
A revival series ran from June 22, 2017 – August 30, 2018.

Cast:
Chuck Barris, Trixie Dejonge, Gary Owens, Rocky Bonifield, Arte Johnson, Jamie Farr, Jo Anne Worley, Mat Plendl, Curt Vig (The Puppets and Friends), Louanne, Murray Langston, (The Unknown Comic), John Barbour, Adrienne Barbeau, Richard Dawson, Jack Cassidy, Phyllis Diller, Anson Williams, Aesop Aquarian (The Shortest Cowboy Song), Marc Siciliani (Elvis the Pelvis), Nancy Lee, Patty Harris, Huck Flyn, Michael Munoz (Tap Dancing Gorilla), Hillary Carlip, Barbara McNair, Jaye P. Morgan, Gene Patton (Gene Gene, The Dancing Machine), Stan Lemkuil (The Old Victrola), The Souvenirs, Kenny Pierce, Marvin Fulalove, Dave And Karen, Dick Green, Della Barris, Milton Delugg, Larry Spencer (Larry the Evil Villain), Sivi Aberg, Johnny Jacobs, Barry Zweig, Jerry Maren, John Rodby, Bill Neale, Frederick Long, Jack Clark, Michael McConnohie (The Amazing Dolphin Brothers), John Naulin (The Amazing Dolphin Brothers), David Letterman, Rex Reed, Carol Connors, Ray Neapolitan (Raybodoo), Lanny Morgan, Manny Stevens, Elizabeth Maren, Bobby Findley, Joe Howard (Waltah), Jill Freeman, Julie McCray, Marlana Clark, Mark Z. Stevens, Frankie Verroca.

Born on this day – Chuck Barris:

Chuck Barris

Game show creator

Producer

Host

Writer

June 3, 1929 – March 21, 2017

On this day in movie history - The Gong Show Movie (1980):

The Gong Show Movie,

directed by Chuck Barris,

written by Chuck Barris and Robert Downey Sr.,

was released in the United States on May 23, 1980.
Music by Milton Delugg.

Cast:
Chuck Barris, Robin Altman, Brian O’Mullin, Jack Bernardi, Satisfaction (Singing Group), William Tregoe, Harvey Alpert, Mabel King, Lillie Shelton, James B. Douglas, Harvey Lembeck, Ed Marinaro, Murray Langston (The Unknown Comic), Melvin Presar, Steve Garvey, Jamie Farr, Patrick Cranshaw, Cathleen Cordell, James Winburn, Bella Bruck, Starr Hester, David Sheiner, Mae E. Campbell, Kate Howard, Milton Delugg, Mark Z. Stevens, Ray Neapolitan, Bill Neale, Norman Blankenship, Donna Garrett, Phillip Simms, Pat McCormick, Patty Andrews, Jaye P. Morgan, Gene Patton (Gene Gene The Dancing Machine), Gary Mule Deer, Rip Taylor, Darvy Traylor, Ron Carr, The Bait Brothers, Roosevelt Grier, Ed Holland, Pat Francisco, Merry Kay Cote, Della Barris, Bill Bridges, Rod Haase, Augie Tribach, John Monks Jr., Nora Denney, Tony Randall, Cloyce Morrow, Cynthia Szigeti, Suzanne Kent, Phil Hartman, The Vatican Four, Betsy Lynn Thompson, Carol Gwynn Thompson, Kurt Abell, Barry Cutler, H.B. Haggerty, Trixie Dejonge, Danny DeVito, John Dorsey, Bobby Findley, Dana Glover, Joe Howard, Lanny Morgan, Kitten Natividad, Steve Nave, Taylor Negron, Nicki Rae, Larry Spencer, Manny Stevens, USC Trojan Marching Band, Walter Wonderman.

The final Gong:

RIP Chuck Barris, author and TV show creator, died aged 87.

I’ll remember him best as the host of the talent show spoof: The Gong Show.

It was crazy and hilarious: the contestants … the panelists … Gene, Gene, The Dancing Machine … The Unknown Comic … 

... and Chuck himself:

 “We’ll be right back … with more STUFF … after this message!”