The original version of The Gong Show ran for many years on NBC, in part thanks to the wackiness of host Chuck Barris. Has the first season of this ABC revival been worth watching? It’s common knowledge that the Nielsen ratings typically play a crucial role in determining whether a TV show like The Gong Show is cancelled or renewed for a second season. Unfortunately, most homes aren’t Nielsen households, and many viewers get upset that their viewing and opinions aren’t being counted. We’d like to offer you a chance to rate the episodes here.
Airing on the ABC television network, The Gong Show is a wacky amateur talent competition, hosted by “British comedic legend Tommy Maitland” (Mike Myers). Celebrity judges include Will Arnett, Ken Jeong, Zach Galifianakis, Alison Brie, Andy Samberg, Elizabeth Banks, Joel McHale, Dana Carvey, Will Forte, Jack Black, and Anthony Anderson. Performers with unique talents face off in hopes of impressing a rotating panel of three celebrity judges. When a judge determines an act does not deserve a score, he or she can grab the mallet, strike the gong, and eliminate the contestant, provided fellow judges don’t prevent that from happening. When an act pleases the judges, they allow the performer(s) to complete it, at which time the judges will award between 0 and 10 points. At the end of each episode, the performer or act with the highest score wins The Gong Show trophy and a check for $2,000.17.
What do you think? Which first season episodes of The Gong Show do you rate as wonderful, terrible, or somewhere between? Don’t forget to vote, then share your thoughts, below.