Chuck Barris
Game Show Creator/Host
About This Interview
In his two-and-a-half hour interview for the Archive of American Television, Game Show Creator/Host Chuck Barris chronicles his career from NBC page to novelist. Barris tells how he bluffed his way into the NBC management training program (thanks to some creative and fabricated recommendations from RCA board members), as well as how he started down the path of game show innovator during his tenure at ABC Daytime. Off to a slow start with programs like People Poker, Barris soon found his stride, first with the popular show The Dating Game, and subsequently with hits The Newlywed Game and The Gong Show - the latter of which Barris himself hosted. He discusses why he believes he was an awful television host, recounts the creation of his production company, Chuck Barris Productions, and shares his recollections of a Newlywed Game contestant's infamous answer to the question, "Where is the weirdest place you've ever gotten the urge to make whoopee?" Also an accomplished author and songwriter, Barris comments on several well-known claims included in his book, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography (was he really an assassin for the C.I.A.?) and describes his process for penning the work of which he's proudest -- the song "Palisades Park." Jim Colucci conducted the interview in New York City on June 10, 2010.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Vido Clip: Selections from The Gong Show
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Highlights
On how he got into the NBC management training program - by forging references from RCA board members
Clip begins at: 05:29, Duration: 01m 14s- On his first creative venture - writing the song "Palisades Park"
Clip begins at: 16:57, Duration: 01m 16s - On serving as a producer for The Dating Game
Clip begins at: 42:22, Duration: 00m 51s 
On whether or not he worked for the CIA
Clip begins at: 24:15, Duration: 01m 26s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on one of his first jobs out of college as an NBC page in New York
Clip begins at: 0:14 - On leaving NBC and working for ABC Daytime and getting involved with game shows
Clip begins at: 07:11 - On developing The Dating Game - the format, music, design, selecting contestants, chaperones
Clip begins at: 22:01 - On syndicating The Dating Game
Clip begins at: 49:47 - On developing The Newlywed Game
Clip begins at: 51:02 - Part 2
- On The Newlywed Game
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On syndicating The Newlywed Game and the beginnings of first-run syndication
Clip begins at: 17:53 - On developing The Gong Show
Clip begins at: 25:53 - On The Gong Show Movie and his daughter appearing on the show
Clip begins at: 56:41 - Part 3
- On The Gong Show staff
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of his lesser known game shows: How's Your Mother-In-Law?, Operation Entertainment, The $1.98 Beauty Contest, and Treasure Hunt
Clip begins at: 04:25 - On forming his own production company and later selling his shares
Clip begins at: 15:15 - On his books You and Me, Babe, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography, and Della: A Memoir of My Daughter
Clip begins at: 20:39 - On his legacy, his proudest achievement and how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 28:15
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
Professions
A wonderful, in-depth interview that touches on Chuck's years in television, his musical career and the numerous books he has written (up to and including his latest, "Della", about the life of his only child). Being a fan of his since his "Gong Show" days, it is great to hear him talk about his life before and after hosting his iconic show...
Post new comment