A couple of his appearances on The Gong Show:

Gene Patton ....... gotta love him!!!

[lilred]Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, aka Eugene Patton (born April 25, 1932), was a member of the stage crew and occasional performer on The Gong Show. Gene was the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33.

He was one of several amateur performers who would "warm up" and entertain the audience during commercial breaks. Host Chuck Barris found him so entertaining that he had him dance on the show on-air, and he proved so popular that he soon became a recurring act, an occasional judge, and eventually the regular closing act for the show, with the credits regularly rolling over his enthusiastic dancing, often joined by Chuck, the celebrity judges, the stage hands, and whoever else felt like joining in. Usually Gong paddles, flowers, plastic fake food, stuffed animals and various other items were thrown on stage for good measure. He appeared in 1980s The Gong Show Movie and had some dialog. His attire usually consisted of a green windbreaker jacket, bell-bottomed jeans, sneakers, a yellow polo shirt, and a black painter's hat.

The genial heavy-set man wore a green warm up outfit and often came onstage dancing to Milton Delugg's "Band with a Thug" while they played Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside" tune.

Gene had a cameo as himself in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

After The Gong Show was cancelled, Patton remained a stagehand at NBC. He was recognized backstage at The Tonight Show in the 1990s.

Patton lost both legs to complications from diabetes in 2001, and wears prosthetics and walks with a cane.[1][/lilred]

Man, diabetes is evil...

This Thread =

I loved the Gong Show. It was always neat...never knowing when you were going to hear those first notes and Chuckie would start to spaz out and Gene would come out and the place would go nuts!

Ahhhhhhh...good times.

Neighbors of mine had a talent show years ago at a party, Gong Show style, and I did an Unknown Comic routine. The concept was funnier than the routine, and I was promptly carried off the stage.

There was a lot of wierd, wild wackiness on that show, but Gene Gene was the best!
Gives me an idea for a new avatar!

Well, you were supposed to wear the paper bag on your HEAD...

Absolutely friggin' AWESOME, Hugh!!!

And oh my....how about the Popsickle Twins!!

Yes yes yes!

It'd be great if Simon did the same shtick that Chuck did.

Wasn't The Gong Show on in the afternoon? I can remember coming home from school and catching episodes. Good times!

Gene Gene was the man! I remember him quite well from many a Gong Show.

Thanks Linda for brightening our day with this thread!

Whatchootalkinabout, Judge?

I have never seen this show. I know of no Chuck, schtick or Gene Machine. I am now a fan of the popsicle twins, though.

This does not surprise me.

Which part? That Simon had never heard of the Gong Show, or that he's a fan of the Popsicle Twins?

No, not you. The famous Simon. The one that could buy and sell you in a New York minute.

BOTH parts.