The Gong Show

This is a sad reconstruction of the 1970's show. The producers completely missed the mark on why the original was a hit...the original did not take itself too seriously, the host loved the show and did not mock it, the judges seemed real and unscripted.

This version has big, big production values (a huge stage, a huge gong, and an audience made up of good-looking Millennials (why no older people or no schlubs?). Mike Myers parades around mocking the show, himself, the acts, and the judges. The camera cuts to him whenever he does some lame schtick. The judges laugh at EVERYTHING? The audience laughs at EVERYTHING. I guess the producers feel that if everyone is laughing the show MUST be funny! Many acts on the original, although dumb, were at least entertaining. Most of the acts on this show are dumb for the sake of being dumb. The judges, who do not look like they really want to be there, in an attempt to be funny, will gong acts just because they think its funny to gong acts. However, the downside of this, is that a couple of genuinely clever acts were eliminated while other, less creative, acts got high scores.

Finally, the show seems to be completely fabricated in the editing room. Reaction shots from the audience do not feel real...they seem like they were acted out on direction of the producers ("now, we want you to laugh as if you just saw something funny."). And acts are cut out...at the end of the first show and at the end of the second show, when all the acts are brought out on stage, there are a few that were never seen during the show.

Omg this show sucks! Please gong it out of the line up!!!!!!

What I enjoy is simple entertainment at it's best. The Tommy Mateland character is funny and to watch him converse with the judges with simple adult humor is delightful. I also think the contestants are very brave to know they are performing in front of a real audience and on TV for the folks at home. Some contestants are very talented and this could be the venue to show off their craft. I also enjoy the good old fashioned sing-a-long, not found in too many establishments today. People of all ages are in the audience and they seem to enjoy themselves without any scripting. No laugh tracks it's amazing. Keep up the good work.

Pleasantly surprised that "The Gong Show" was not just recreated, but actually could be! We love host 'Tommy Maitland;' Mike Meyer is an iconic comic in his own right and Chuck Barris is probably looking down chuckling with the rest of us. I think this first season had some growing pains, as some of the early judges didn't seem to 'get it,' (never saw the original?) looked very confused and gonged way too many people. As the weeks went on, the judges got better, the audience finally 'got it' and the acts were more and more creative.

Refreshing and enjoyable! Looking forward to more!!

It's a given that some people will not get this show. But you can't call a show "cheesy" that aspires to be cheesy. There is some real talent on stage, but "The Gong Show" is not about that. As host Tommy Maitland (wink) states, "It's for funsies." What I like best about this show is that it successfully captures the spirit, the mien if you will (or even if you won't) of the original Chuck Barris clapfest. Expect the unexpected--with a helping of whipped cream and a pair of jockey shorts.

I do miss Gene, Gene, The Dancing Machine, but they have done their best to recreate the whimsy of the original show. And even if The Unknown Comic never graces this stage, Murray's spirit still shines through every clever punchline.

Besides the terrific host-age of Tommy, the guest panelists are fantastic, fully embracing the craziness for its own sake. Elizabeth Banks even evokes the horny orneriness of J. P. Morgone.

Take off your thinking cap, abandon all hope of tasteful talent and embrace the tongue-in-cheek-and-elsewhere extravaganza that is "The Gong Show".