normally,i would put out a spoiler warning on almost any comment i make.i made an exception in this case because there is really nothing to spoil!although the gong show was only on the air for the latter half of the decade,it really en-capsules the '70's as a whole.it has even spilled over into present times(renamed American idol)and has had tremendous influence over comedy the last 30 years.creator Chuck Barris(who was also behind The Dating Game et.al)decided to step in front of the camera,and set back cultural tastes by years.but it was a lot of fun,and without the mean-spiritedness of present day reality shows.Chuck was MC,and accompanied by a varying cast of characters who acted as judges(including the over the top J.P. Morgan).they basically either loved or hated an act(which typically was followed by the ominous gong),and when things slowed down it was time for the likes of the unknown comic or gene gene the dancing machine(my favorite).if there was a time capsule for TV shows ,this one should be included.
Review of The Gong Show
