In the late 1970s, The Unknown Comic and Gene Gene the Dancing Machine were staples on The Gong Show, the off-the-wall syndicated television game show that aired from 1976 to 1980. Hosted by Chuck Barris, the show featured amateur performers – often with questionable talent – vying for approval (or a gong) from a panel of celebrity judges. The lineup read like a guest list from your favorite Love Boat episode, including three of my all-time favorites: Jaye P. Morgan, Soupy Sales, and Rip Taylor.
Released in 1977 from American Publishing, The Gong Show Game draws inspiration from the show’s over-the-top antics.
GAMEPLAY
Players move their pawns around the game board based on die roll, with the goal of landing on the burnt orange (it was the ‘70s after all) Stage space in the middle of the board. Once “on stage”, the player drew a blue Act Card and performed the instructions written on it. During the performance, the other players assumed the role of judges and scored the act from 1 to 10 using yellow Score Cards. The cycle repeated until one player amassed 30 points and was declared the winner. (Note: the coveted “Golden Gong” trophy given to the winner on TV is nowhere to be found in the game, so you’ll have to do like we did as kids, and make your own.)
Of course, not everyone has the diversity of talent to adequately pull off the game’s wacky talent requests such as, “Make believe you are a monkey and you are checking yourself for bugs”, or, “Do an impersonation of a fish playing tennis”. In situations where players were simply not up to the task, the judges awarded a Gong Card. If two or more judges gong the act, the player is forced to return to the start of the game and received no points for their act. It was tough to break into show business, after all!
The true fun of The Gong Show Game rested in the silliness of the Act Cards. It was like a zany Method-acting class – the kind that nightmares are made of. In addition to providing a set of pre-canned acts, the game designers also saw fit to provide 9 blank cards that allowed players to create their own acts.
IN THE BOX
A complete game included a game board, Act Cards, Score Cards, six cut-out playing characters with plastic stands, and a pair of dice. A set of printed instructions were included in the box.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
The Gong Show Game turns up regularly on secondary auction sites, often at reasonable prices, especially in used but complete condition. It remains a viable option for any family game night – even if one of the acts requires you to “Show the judges your imitation of the famous painting, The Spirit of ’76!”
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