The Gong Show (1976)

Amateurs compete in a talent contest judged by a trio of celebrities. If the act is so bad that the judges can't bear to watch any more of it, they have the power to stop the act by pounding a large gong hanging on the wall behind them. Host Barris keeps the acts flowing, the jokes flying and the raucous party atmosphere floating. The show's grand prize was $516.32 (except in the syndicated version where it was $712.05).