A new Gong Show coming to the WB? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pavan · 01-15-2003, 10:59 AM

The WB bangs new "Gong"

The WB plans to pick up a new version of "The Gong Show," the late-1970s series that showcased the worst that talent had to offer.

The revival comes as audiences are reintroduced to the original show and its co-creator and host, Chuck Barris, via the feature "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."

The new "Gong Show" comes from Sony Pictures Television, which now owns the rights to the show (Barris, who won't be involved, sold his production company years ago). Sony is close to signing a host and is still scouting for producers to handle the show.

The WB would like to develop "Gong Show" as a companion piece to its Thursday-night hidden-camera series "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment." Network execs see the show as the flipside to other talent contests on the air, including Fox's "American Idol" and CBS' "Star Search."

It's likely the WB will update the show for its audience, and it's unclear whether a prize will be offered.

The original "Gong Show" aired for two years on NBC and four years in syndication from 1976 to 1980. The show featured a wide array of talent -- some good, most unbearable -- including bizarre contestants like a dentist who played the Star-Spangled Banner with his drill. A trio of celebrity panelists (such as Jaye P. Morgan, Jamie Farr and Phyllis Diller) would bang a gong to end a particularly bad performance.

"The Gong Show" was an instant hit with viewers, while critics credited it for the decline of Western civilization. The show even inspired a 1980 feature, "The Gong Show Movie," written and directed by Barris. Cable's Game Show Network continues to air repeats of the show.

A syndicated update briefly appeared in 1988, and another revival was staged in 1998 on the Game Show Network. But "Extreme Gong," hosted by George Gray ("Weakest Link"), didn't last long.

Harper49 · 01-16-2003, 07:01 PM

Welllllll I'mmm Uh...Not 100% Sure.

Brett Ferino · 01-16-2003, 08:55 PM

Preston, you are never 100% sure..

Pavan · 01-16-2003, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brett Ferino
Preston, you are never 100% sure..

Why are you replying to him in every post? Quit bugging him and leave him alone.

Brian Damage · 01-17-2003, 04:52 PM

I think they should leave it alone. Remakes are never as good as the original.

01-15-2003, 10:59 AM	#1
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,814	A new Gong Show coming to the WB? The WB bangs new "Gong" The WB plans to pick up a new version of "The Gong Show," the late-1970s series that showcased the worst that talent had to offer. The revival comes as audiences are reintroduced to the original show and its co-creator and host, Chuck Barris, via the feature "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." The new "Gong Show" comes from Sony Pictures Television, which now owns the rights to the show (Barris, who won't be involved, sold his production company years ago). Sony is close to signing a host and is still scouting for producers to handle the show. The WB would like to develop "Gong Show" as a companion piece to its Thursday-night hidden-camera series "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment." Network execs see the show as the flipside to other talent contests on the air, including Fox's "American Idol" and CBS' "Star Search." It's likely the WB will update the show for its audience, and it's unclear whether a prize will be offered. The original "Gong Show" aired for two years on NBC and four years in syndication from 1976 to 1980. The show featured a wide array of talent -- some good, most unbearable -- including bizarre contestants like a dentist who played the Star-Spangled Banner with his drill. A trio of celebrity panelists (such as Jaye P. Morgan, Jamie Farr and Phyllis Diller) would bang a gong to end a particularly bad performance. "The Gong Show" was an instant hit with viewers, while critics credited it for the decline of Western civilization. The show even inspired a 1980 feature, "The Gong Show Movie," written and directed by Barris. Cable's Game Show Network continues to air repeats of the show. A syndicated update briefly appeared in 1988, and another revival was staged in 1998 on the Game Show Network. But "Extreme Gong," hosted by George Gray ("Weakest Link"), didn't last long.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

01-17-2003, 04:52 PM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I think they should leave it alone. Remakes are never as good as the original.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-16-2003, 07:01 PM	#2
Harper49 I Am A Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2001 Location: Freedom, OK & Norman, OK Posts: 2,774	Welllllll I'mmm Uh...Not 100% Sure.

01-16-2003, 08:55 PM	#3
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	Preston, you are never 100% sure..