Gary O'Blog
CHUCK BARRIS
Posted by: Gary O'Brien
Thursday, July 9, 2009 5:24 PM
One of my fondest memories of coming home from high school, was making "The Gong Show" part of my daily routine. The show was unlike anything that had every been on daytime television...and especially for a game show! Odd that "The Gong Show" was developed by the same guy that created and produced "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game," which are now iconic game shows. I am thrilled that Chuck Barris will be my special guest on Tuesday's show. We'll visit after news at 4. What an interesting life he has had. Now in his early 80's...he has done more than five people have done in their collective lifetimes. I expect to talk to him about started out at ABC as a Standards and Practices guy during the rock and roll 'payola' era that ruined the careers of so many top dee-jays. Barris's role was to keep an eye on "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark to make sure he did not accept any payola. One would assume Clark would be furious that he had a network 'vulture' keeping an eye on him, but he was not...he was smart because the scandal was huge. He loved Barris being there because then he oculd prove that he played no role in the scandal and his career could go on unlike many of his peers whose careers were destroyed. We'll also talk about his game shows, including that now famous clip of a young Michael Jackson on "The Dating Game," and his memories of MJ's appearance on the show. It is interesting that Barris never intended being a 'game show king.' He worke din programming at ABC and was put out by the lack of quality game show ideas that were coming across his desk. He thought he could do better and thus a new career was born. he had a few classic hits and a few that didn't make it, but the ones that did became classics. When it came time to produce his new idea "The Gong Show," he got a wacky panel often including Jaye P. Morgan and Jamie Farr and others, and some crazy contestants. But the original host just didn't work out and Chuck Barris for the first time went in front of the camera as host and he was so incredibly suited for the role. His wacky humor, the hat that covered his eyes and his crazy sayings and 'stuff' helped turn the show into a classic people are still talking about today. He also made stars out of "Gene, Gene The Dancing Machine" and "The Unknown Comic." Also, few people know that he was a rock and roll songwriter as well...he wrote the classic hit "Palisades Park" recorded by Freddie Cannon. Could an ABC Standards and Practices guy get his song on 'American Bandstand?" Even with it being one of the big hits of that year? We'll find out. We'll talk about all of these things plus his new black comedy novel "Who Killed Art Deco?" when we visit Tuesday after news at 4. I'm such a fan. It's always great when there is a chance to talk to some of the people who were a part of your life! Chuck Barris was and he brings back so many memories of a great time.Comments
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