On this day in television history - M*A*S*H (1972 – 1983):

M*A*S*H

developed by Larry Gelbart,

based on the novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker,

was originally aired in the United States on CBS and ran for eleven seasons,

from September 17, 1972 – February 28, 1983.
Theme music by Johnny Mandel.

Cast:

Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, David Ogden Stiers, G. W. Bailey, Kellye Nakahara, Jeff Maxwell, Johnny Haymer, Allan Arbus, Edward Winter.

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!”