The Gong Show Movie (1980)

39% of users liked it
(584 ratings)

During the 1970s, the Gong Show was a game/talent show phenomenon. With equal measures of parody, camp and pure lowest-common denominator exploitation, it presented a bizarre assortment of talented and untalented contestants (for example, the musician who played his trumpet with his bellybutton)… More During the 1970s, the Gong Show was a game/talent show phenomenon. With equal measures of parody, camp and pure lowest-common denominator exploitation, it presented a bizarre assortment of talented and untalented contestants (for example, the musician who played his trumpet with his bellybutton) making their bid for stardom, and a ridiculous prize of $516.32 while three rambunctious minor celebrity judges looked on offering scores for acts they liked, or instantly stopping showing disapproval by pounding furiously on a large Chinese gong. The co-creator, producer and acid-witted but smarmy daytime host of this tawdry kitsch pastiche was Chuck Barris (AKA "Chuckie Baby"). This attempt at a serious drama chronicles a day in his hectic life as he tries to prepare a new episode of his crazy show. As he deals with a seemingly unending string of increasingly freaky acts, the pressure begins to get to the sensitive, caring (as portrayed in the film) Barris and by the day's end he becomes a true lunatic. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Chuck Barris
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 23, 1980 Wide

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A fascinating public act of career seppuku.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
A therapeutic guilty pleasure.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

Sleazy and fascinating. A slice of 1980 TV culture captured on film. Chuck Barris doesn't seem very happy throughout this. I can see he didn't get much understanding or support from his production team. I liked the "Don't Get Up For Me" finale in the desert.… More
Sleazy and fascinating. A slice of 1980 TV culture captured on film. Chuck Barris doesn't seem very happy throughout this. I can see he didn't get much understanding or support from his production team. I liked the "Don't Get Up For Me" finale in the desert. The strength of the movie was the clips of the memorable acts from "The Gong Show" itself. It's tragic and funny seeing some of the deluded folks who think they've got talent. My favorite skit was the big twins singing "Love Will Keep Us Together". I wish they had revealed the man who was behind "The Unknown Comic" skits. It also would've been nice to see some interactions with the celebrity judges, who seemed restricted to the clips.