December 4, 2002: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - Chuck Barris
Podcast: The Art Bell ArchivePublished On: Wed May 28 2025
Description: Art Bell sits down with television legend Chuck Barris, creator of The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show, whose memoir has been adapted into a George Clooney film opening December 31st. Barris reflects on the criticism that drove him into a self-imposed exile in the south of France for eight years, describing how negative reviews cut straight to his soul despite enormous ratings success. He recalls hiring an actor to impersonate an FCC agent to keep contestants from saying inappropriate things on air during the early days of The Dating Game.The conversation turns to the central premise of his book: that while producing some of television's most popular programs, Barris simultaneously served as a CIA operative. He declines to confirm or deny the claim directly, stating only that it is something he does not discuss with anyone, including his wife. Art notes that Barris would have been the least likely person anyone would suspect, making him an ideal candidate.Barris also discusses his battle with lung cancer, caught early by a CAT scan, and shares his philosophy on celebrity and the toll of public life. He urges listeners to view the upcoming film and decide for themselves whether the story could be true.
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