The Gong Show was a television variety show spoof broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978 and in first-run syndication in the U.S. from 1976 to 1980, and from 1988-1989. The NBC incarnation and the later years of the syndicated version were emceed by Chuck Barris, who also produced them. Gary Owens hosted the first syndicated season.

Amateurs compete in a talent contest judged by a trio of celebrities. If the act is so bad that the judges can't bear to watch any more of it, they have the power to stop the act by pounding a large gong hanging on the wall behind them. Host Barris keeps the acts flowing, the jokes flying and the raucous party atmosphere floating. The show's grand prize was $516.32 (except in the syndicated version where it was $712.05). Written by Marty McKee

"The Gong Show" was a classic parody of ameteur talent contests. During each episode, three guest celebrities judge the acts, performed either by soloists or groups, of which host Barris (or Owens in the syndicated version) introduced. While some acts were actually quite good, the show often focused on outrageous acts such as a dentist who plays "Stars and Stripes Forever" on his drill; an obese man who tap-dances to music from "Swan Lake"; an Elvis impersonator who serenades a "Hound Dog" while singing said tune; and a group of teen-age girls wearing pastel-colored prom dresses who dance in a conga-line. Many of the acts were hilariously bad; those the panelists deemed too awful to continue were "gonged." Acts that did reach their conclusion were scored by the panelists on a scale of 1 to 10. The highest-scoring act of the day won $516.32 (or $712.05 on the syndicated show). Running gags featuring the show's regular cast were also popular; they included an inept musician who plans to "play" a certain musical instrument "right now" and Barris reading a children's story with alternate endings (and enacted by the show's cast). Also featured were regular acts, including the "Unknown Comic" and "Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine." "The Gong Show" quickly became a part of American popular culture, with local versions staged as fundraisers by college, high school and civic groups. Game Show Network was scheduled to air a four-hour marathon to mark the show's 25th anniversary. Written by Brian Rathjen

An updated version of the classic vareity show in which contestants with varying degrees of talent perform for a panel of celebrity guests. Those who impress the panel stand a chance of winning cash or prizes, and perhaps even a shot at stardom. Those who fail to impress, however, get nothing but the sound of the dreaded gong. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher