The Gong Show/In Popular Culture

In a 1976 episode of Sanford and Son called "Sanford and Gong"; Fred, Lamont, Donna and Bubba attend a taping of The Gong Show and are inspired to audition as contestants as they bring their musical acts onto the show. This featured the late Chuck Barris as host.

In a 1977 episode of The Carol Burnett Show, as part of a skit called "The Family" Eunice Harper (played by Burnett) prepares herself for an appearance as a contestant on The Gong Show.

In a 1978 episode of What's Happening!! called "Going, Going, Gong"; Raj and Dee help a young singing group get on The Gong Show, even Rerun auditions as well and makes it.

In the 1979 film Being There a cli of The Gong Show can be seen on television.

In the 1980 failed box office flop called The Gong Show Movie, it mainly followed the daily life of former creator and host of the late Chuck Barris.

In a 1993 episode of The Simpsons called "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling). When Homer tells Marge that his lifelong dream was to become a blackjack dealer, Marge told him that his lifelong dream was to be a contestant on The Gong Show as he did that in 1977. On the show, Homer and his drunk friend Barney played a giant harmonica, wearing a pair of two-man large overalls, getting gonged and booed. According to Homer, he claimed that "We got more gongs than the break-dancing robot that caught on fire".

In the 2002 movie called Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Gong Show was referenced and mentioned.

In a 2003 episode of VH1 docuseries I Love the 70s, The Gong Show was briefly discussed and mentioned in a "1976 episode".

In 2006, The Gong Show was ranked #12 as one of The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time hosted by Bil Dwyer.