Gong Show Worn Tap Shoes by Chicago Spoonman

With a simple, yet revolutionary premise, The Gong Show became a pop culture phenomenon by flipping the talent show on its head and featuring the decidedly untalented. The Gong Show granted amateur performers at least 45 seconds of fame to showcase their acts before a panel of three celebrity judges. If displeased, the judges could then bang the infamous gong to bring the performance to a swift conclusion. If an act survived without being gonged, each judge assigned the performer(s) a score from 1 to 10 for a maximum score of 30 points. The act with the most points was declared the winner and awarded a check for the whopping sum of $516.32.

Originally hosted by Gary Owens, show creator Chuck Barris, (The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game) assumed hosting duties after the first year. Barris brought an additional layer of quirkiness to the program, often rambling incoherently or wearing a hat that tipped down over half of his face. In his Archive interview, Barris admits that this fashion statement was intended to shield himself from the live audience, of which he was terrified.

Presented are a pair of Teri tap shoes worn by the Chicago Spoonman himself on “The Gong Show.” Yes, these were worn on the GONG SHOW! The cult following of Baris’ Gong Show is alive and well. The simple black dressy tap shoes have been superbly polished over the years and kept in the upmost toe-tapping condition. The tap portion on the soles is still holding strong and they are a [size] 8. They have been well preserved by the family for all these years and are an incredible relic.   Digging up anything that was used or worn on the show is a tough tough find.  These originate directly from the Spoonman’s Family.

Gong Show Worn Tap Shoes by Chicago Spoonman