Now THERE'S a sure sign of the apocalypse

Network to revive classic gameshow in July

Comedy Central is reviving Chuck Barris' "The Gong Show," with comedian Dave Attell as host.

Cable net has ordered eight half-hour segs of the skein, which is set to premiere July 17. "The Gong Show" will air weekly at 10:30 p.m. in tandem with new reality TV spoof "Reality Bites Back" at 10. Chuck Barris' original 'Gong Show' aired in NBC daytime from 1976-78.

The Gong Show was a television variety show/game show spoof that was broadcast in first-run syndication in the United States from 1976 until 1980. It was hosted by Chuck Barris. Each show presented a contest between amateur performers of often questionable talent, with a panel of celebrity guests serving as the judges (among the most frequent of which were Jaye P. Morgan and Jamie Farr). If the panel members considered an act to be particularly bad, they could hit a gong during its performance, which would end it immediately. If the act survived without being gonged, they were given a score by the judges. The winning contestant earned a prize of $516.32