Before there was American Idol, The Voice, Star Search, or American's Got Talent, there was the wacky and fun talent show The Gong Show, and its host Chuck Barris celebrates his 85th birthday today (June 3).

The Gong Show was crazy, silly fun back in the '70s and nobody took the show seriously - not the host, the judges, the audience, nor the contestants. It was essentially a talent show parody. But, The Gong Show was some serious fun, and the whole reason for it was Chuck Barris.

Of course, there is more to Chuck Barris than just The Gong Show, he is credited with creating the popular TV shows The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game. He also wrote the smash hit 'Palisades Park' for Freddy Cannon in the early 1960s.

Barris is also the author of 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' which was turned into a Hollywood movie starring George Clooney.

Barris has given us some great memories, and it's wonderful to know that in the game show of life,  Chuck has not heard the sounding of the gong, signaling the end of his performance. The judges' score card reads - '10'!

Happy Birthday, Chuck!

 

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