Before coming to national prominence, Barris worked behind the scenes first as a songwriter. His most notable composition was Freddy Cannon's 1962 hit "Palisades Park".
But Barris found his niche producing game shows most notably The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game. Barris would have probably remained behind the camera if not for John Barbour (who would later co-host Real People) balking at the show's format shortly before its debut. NBC executives suggested Barris host the show instead and the rest, as they say is history.
I do remember watching The Gong Show during its heyday. I was a wee lad back then and I certainly didn't get a lot of the bawdy humor. But I did know that it was mostly people performing badly (i.e. The Unknown Comic & Gene Gene The Dancing Machine) with Jamie Farr and a variety of other celebrities putting it to a mercifully end by striking the gong. I also understood that as zany as the performers were it was Barris who was the craziest of them all.
If you are under 40 you might remember Barris from the 2002 movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind which starred Sam Rockwell as Barris and was directed by George Clooney. The movie was adapted from the autobiography of the same name in which Barris claimed he was a CIA assassin. Hey, I told you he was the craziest of them all. Then again Barris is certainly no crazier than the man who sits in the Oval Office. Chuck Barris also brought a great deal more good humor to the world. R.I.P.
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