The Gong gongs no more

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– News from elsewhere covered by Quincy Quarry

The Gong gongs no more other than in syndication.

Gong Show originator and show host Chuck Barris passed away at his home in Palisades New York yesterday of natural causes at the age of 87.

Gene Gene the Dancing Machine was unable for comment as he was verklempt over Barris’ passed as well as himself also deceased and no one could track down The Unknown Comic as he is unknown.

Still unknown
Image care of ProClassicTV

Mr. Barris had very long and generally successfully run in television dating back to essentially its beginnings in the early 1950’s working for NBC.

Among the many other shows he produced and often hosted include the Dating Game and The Newlywed show.

Barris was also a successful song writer, penning such songs as Billboard’s Hot 100 and #3 ranked “Palisades Park” as well as some of the music used on his many game shows.

Chuck was also a writer.  Among other works was his purported autobiography, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and in which he claimed to have worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as an assassin who had terminated with extreme prejudice 33 individuals.

Gong ’em. Whack ’em. Whatever.
Image care of TMZ

The CIA has disavowed any ties with Barris; then again, what else should one expect the CIA to say?

In any event, Barris’ book was later turned into a movie that was directed by George Clooney and which features Sam Rockwell in the lead role.

The movie did well over $150 million and the box office, plus who knows how much more on TV and cable, DVD sales and via Netflicks.

At an estimated production cost of $29 million, one would think that is was commercially successful movie, but rarely does a Hollywood movie ever break into the black per movie studio accountants after they finish expensing all manner of costs against a film’s gross receipts.

Barris leaves behind his third wife Mary Clagett.  His only child tragically predeceased him in 1998.

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