Gaga Over the Gong Show

Posted by lushlife

Posted: August 7, 2009 - 2:49 pm

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What do Oingo Boingo, Eva Gabor and David Letterman have in common? They all participated in the infamous '70s TV sensation, "The Gong Show." Airing intermittently from 1976 through 1989, the show set the stage for similarly-themed talent shows like "America's Got Talent" or Britain's "X Factor." Now you can see a reincarnation right here in Anchorage.

Woodshed Lounge (535 W. Third Ave., 276-5193) General Manager Rob Lecrone has brought the Gong Show to the nightlife scene, where local amateurs and wannabes can compete weekly for the judges' favor and to win a grand prize. Lecrone said Vito Ungaro, one of the Shed's owners, has been interested in doing the show for awhile. Lecrone, who has a background in event organization and entertainment, decided to pursue it instead of just another run-of-the-mill karaoke contest.

"Let's face it," Lecrone said. "There are some incredibly talented people in Anchorage. Without the breadth of opportunity available in larger cities, some of this talent languishes."

The answer was easy -- a talent show where participants were judged by both the audience and actual judges.

The Shed will take any type of gig -- except fire acts, Lecrone said -- and welcomes everything from beat-boxers to dramatic monologues to acoustic musicians looking for an amped-up audience, as long as the performer is 21 or older. The Miller Girls traipse the floor during the show, handing out slips for raffle prizes (T-shirts and glasses) to audience members. The Gong Show has been running every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and finishes the summer with a $1,000 cash prize, given to the ultimate winner at the final show on Aug. 12. Even if you don't win, there are additional prizes, including $100 gift certificates. The Shed recently shed its cover charge, so admission is free for anyone to watch the hilarity.

Similarities to the original show include random appearances by the Unknown Comic (complete with brown bag over his head), but this is a show all its own, with a distinctly Alaska flair. For example, the judging pool consists of local personalities including Lola Pistola from VivaVoom Brrlesque.

As the weeks have progressed, contestants have become more daring in their attempts to win audience and judge favor. I've seen a guy who did his theatrical monologue entitled "20th Century Man," dressed in his bathrobe, with a violin player to add dramatic notes. I thought it was brilliant; the judges did not agree. Talents vary -- some play acoustic guitar, some dress like Elvis. Some don't even sing the words to their karaoke songs, hoping that dancing frenetically while wearing a fedora is enough. (Oddly, that time the judges agreed.)

Lecrone said he isn't sure what the future holds for the show.

"When you first try something like this," he said, "there are going to be improvements made on the fly."

Some of those improvements include professional microphones for the judges and increased appearances by the Unknown Comic. The Shed's attempt at unique nightlife entertainment may just prove successful.

"We're walking a tight rope between pleasing people and upsetting them," Lecrone said. "But we're up for the challenge. And for the fun."

Let's hope Anchorage is as well.

The Gong Show at the Shed

Wednesdays through Aug. 12, 9 p.m.

For more information contact the Shed at 276-5193 or e-mail shedgong@ yahoo.com. Walk-in spots start at 8 p.m. the night of the show.

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