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In making Confessions of a Dangerous Mind -- which explores Gong Show host Chuck Barris' claim that he was a government hitman in the '60s -- director George Clooney wrestled with how to cast the wacky talent show's judges. ''It's a little hard to pull off Jamie Farr now,'' bemoans Clooney. The solution: Mix old show footage with new documentary-style interviews. Dick Clark and game-show hosts Bob Eubanks and Jim Lange have already been asked to appear; Farr is being considered. EW tracked down some other cameo contenders to see who's in and who's getting the gong.

-- JAYE P. MORGAN, asked to cameo. ''The Gong Show's like a cancer that keeps coming back,'' says Morgan, 70. ''Chuck was a little wimp. I can't imagine him doing what he says he did.''

-- MURRAY LANGSTON (a.k.a. the Unknown Comic), asked to cameo. ''They actually asked me to audition to play myself,'' gripes Langston, 56, who still performs stand-up.

-- RIP TAYLOR, not asked to cameo. ''I've got to get in this movie,'' says the confetti tosser, 68, who recently appeared on SNL. ''I'll bring my own toupees.''

-- JO ANNE WORLEY, not asked to cameo. ''If you give me a big enough boa, and the camera is far away,'' says the Laugh-In alum, 64, ''I could still play myself.''

-- ARTE JOHNSON, not asked to cameo. ''I remember the first time Pee-wee Herman appeared,'' recalls the frequent panelist, 73. ''He got gonged so fast it was outrageous.''

-- GENE PATTON (Gene Gene the Dancing Machine), asked to cameo. ''I'm waiting for the updated script,'' says the ex-hoofing stagehand, 69, who recently lost both legs to diabetes and walks on prostheses. ''But surgeons tell me I'll be dancing again soon.''


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Posted Mar 15, 2002 | Published in issue #644 Mar 15, 2002 | Order Article Reprints