The Game Show King: A Confession

This autobiography may surprise some readers: while Barris covers his many successful television game shows in some detail, his primary emphasis is on his retirement years in St. Tropez. (He also describes one unhappy return trip to L.A., which convinced him that he didn't want to go home again.) Starting in 1965 with The Dating Game , Barris racked up hit after hit with shows like The Newlywed Game , Dream Girls , The Family Game , The Parent Game , The $1.98 Beauty Show and his most famous and controversial effort, The Gong Show , considered sadistic by many because it featured individuals with minimal talents or skills otherwise unmarketable. Barris ruled the field until 1986, when he moved to the Riviera. France and the French irritated him considerably, but they were real--which, he discovered on his return to La La Land, Hollywood was not. Enlivened by many amusing anecdotes, this is a good read. 40,000 first printing; $40,000 ad/promo; author tour. (Nov.)