In a 1976 episode of the sitcom 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 variety show 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. Eunice sings her version of "Feelings" as it featured the three celebrity panelist Jamie Farr, Jaye P. Morgan and former Password host the late Allen Ludden. This also featured the late Chuck Barris as host.
NOTE: The classic song Feelings was originally sung by Morris Albert in 1974.
In a 1978 episode of the sitcom 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.
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NOTE: The title of this episode is a parody of the saying "Going, Going, Gone!"
In the 1979 film Being There, a clip of The Gong Show can be seen on television.
NOTE: This also featured clips from The Price is Right and Hollywood Squares
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.
A reference to the word "gong" in the 1983 song Game Show Love by Ray Stevens. "To Tell the Truth, I never thought you'd give me the "gong"!".
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.
NOTE: The film also mentions and references The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game as well.
On a January 5, 2003 episode called The E! True Hollywood Story: The Gong Show, the show is mentioned as a topic.
On a August 21, 2003 episode of VH1 docuseries I Love the 70s, The Gong Show was briefly discussed and mentioned in a "1976 episode".
ADDITIONAL NOTE: This episode also mentions about Family Feud (Dawson) as well.
In 2006, The Gong Show was ranked #12 as one of The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time hosted by Bil Dwyer.