Starring | |
Chuck Barris as Himself Robin Altman as Red Mabel King as Mabel Jaye P. Morgan as Herself James Douglas as Buddy Didio Jack Bernadi Bella Bruck Cathleen Cordell Pat Cranshaw Steve Garvey Roosevelt Grier Harvey Lembeck Ed Marinaro Pat McCormick David Sheiner William Tregoe James Winburn Patty Andrews Gary Mule Deer Norm Blankenship Jamie Farr as Himself Murray Langston as The Unknown Comic Rip Taylor as Himself | |
Director | |
Chuck Barris | |
Movie Release Date | |
May 23, 1980 | |
Packager | |
Universal Pictures |
The Gong Show Movie is a 1980 American comedy film starring, written and directed by the creator of The Gong Show himself Chuck Barris.
Premise[]
This film shows a fictional week in the life of Chuck Barris as host and creator of The Gong Show, through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown (which compels him to run away and hide in the dessert) and other comic hijinks and his life and work on the TV show, among the highlights included are a group of men dressed as roman catholic priest and three nuns lip-synching Tom Lehrer's song The Vatican Rag, a man blowing out a candle with flatulence and the uncensored version of Jaye P. Morgan's infamous breast-baring incident.
Reception[]
Among the bad reviews at the time, was one from George Burns, who after seeing the movie, went off the record and said, "For the first time in 65 years, I want to get out of show business".
Home Video[]
The film was never released on VHS or DVD by Universal due to the negative reviews it has received, although on occasion, it was aired on some movie channels. However, on March 29, 2016, it was released on Blu-ray by Shout! Factory.
Related Series[]
The Gong Show
The All-Star Gong Show Special
E! True Hollywood Story: The Gong Show
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind