The Gong Show was an amateur talent contest game show broadcast on daytime TV from June 14, 1976, through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1989. The show was created and originally produced by Chuck Barris, who also served as host from 1977 to 1980 in syndication. Amateurs competed in a talent contest judged by a trio of celebrities. If the act is so bad that the judges can’t bear to watch any more of it, they have the power to stop the act by pounding a large gong hanging on the wall behind them. Barris kept the acts flowing, the jokes flying and the raucous party atmosphere floating. The show was known for its absurdist humor and style, with the actual competition secondary to the often outlandish acts presented; a small cash prize of $516.32 ($712.05 in the syndicated version) was awarded to the winner.