'Gong Show' Creator Chuck Barris Dies At 87
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NEW YORK (AP) - Game show impresario Chuck Barris has died at 87.
Barris, the madcap producer of "The Gong Show" and "The Dating Game," died of natural causes Tuesday afternoon at his home in Palisades, New York.
Publicist Paul Shefrin announced Barris' death on behalf of his family.
Barris made game show history right off the bat, in 1966, with "The Dating Game," hosted by Jim Lange. The gimmick: a young female questions three males, hidden from her view, to determine which would be the best date. Sometimes the process was switched, with a male questioning three females. But in all cases, the questions were designed by the show's writers to elicit sexy answers.
Celebrities and future celebrities who appeared as contestants included Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin and a pre-"Charlie's Angels" Farrah Fawcett, introduced as "an accomplished artist and sculptress" with a dream to open her own gallery.
After the show became a hit on both daytime and nighttime TV, the Barris machine accelerated. New products included "The Newlywed Game," ''The Parent Game," ''The Family Game" and even "The Game Game."
In addition to being a game show creator, producer and host, he also was a best-selling author and had success in the music world. He wrote the 1962 hit record, "Palisades Park," which was recorded by Freddy Cannon.
Barris is survived by his wife of 16 years.
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