The Gong Show

Chances are, any modern game show of the dating or talent variety owes some debt to The Gong Show and Dating Game creator Chuck Barris. Regardless of what you remember him by, the prolific TV host and producer has now sadly passed away at age 87.

Before Chuck Barris became famous as the host and creator of The Gong Show, his song 'Palisades Park' was a Top 5 hit for singer Freddie Cannon. A Michigan radio station is credited with being the first to play the song.

One of the all time crazy game shows was "The Gong Show" which featured some of the most strangest acts imaginable.  The show is coming back to ABC and looking for new talent.

Out of the blue for some reason I thought of the recent passing of Eugene Patton, better known as Gene Gene The Dancing Machine from the Gong Show.  No clue why I thought of it, but it eventually lead me to viewing  a few clips of the show online.