Will Arnett is bringing back this classic show, and we’re like yes
Picture it: A panel of celebrity judges. Talent, some of whom are likely YouTubers or viral sensations, performing. And, of course, a giant, metal gong with which to critique those performers.
It sounds like the Frankenbaby of modern shows like America’s Got Talent and The Voice, but it’s actually the format for a revival of a classic TV game show: The Gong Show. Originally hosted and produced by Chuck Barris, The Gong Show ran from 1976-1980.
Vulture shares that the new version of the show will air on ABC, which has revived other classic game shows like Match Game, $100,000 Pyramid, and Celebrity Family Feud. It has been ordered for a 10-episode first season; the format is so in sync with other competition shows, it was only a matter of time before this classic was brought back. It also lends itself to a variety of diverse talent, which will probably help make it a hit.
Will Arnett will be producing the show through his company, Electric Avenue Productions. However, unlike Barris, he won’t be starring as the show’s host – we can’t deny, that fact makes us pretty sad. Instead, it’ll be a revolving panel of celebrity judges that will hand out feedback and, of course, bang the titular gong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuJHKVQ2kLA?feature=oembed
According to Variety, every episode of this new The Gong Show will celebrate performers who are non-traditional, unique, and sourced from the Internet. They’ll then have the opportunity to perform on primetime television, as well as the live audience in front of whom the show will be shot.
Holly Jacobs, executive vice president of reality and syndication programming for Sony Pictures Television, which is also a partner in producing the show, said, “The comedy culture we are living in has finally caught up to ‘The Gong Show,’ so the timing is perfect. We’ve found just the right partners to bring back this iconic original.
Despite the fact that we can’t help hoping Will Arnett will reconsider and host the show, we can’t wait to se how it turns out!
