The $1.98 Beauty Show

The $1.98 Beauty Show is an American game show that aired in syndication from September 1978[1] to September 1980.

$1.98 Beauty Show
GenreGame show
Created byChuck Barris
Directed byJohn Dorsey
Presented byRip Taylor
Narrated byJohnny Jacobs
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes78
Production
Executive producerChuck Barris
ProducerPaul Pompian
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyChuck Barris Productions
DistributorSandy Frank Film Syndication
Sony Pictures Television
Release
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseSeptember 4, 1978 (1978-09-04) –
September 1980 (1980-09)
Chronology
Related showsThe Gong Show

Hosted by Rip Taylor, the series is a parody of beauty contests, and featured six female contestants (including the occasional overweight ones, as well as celebrities Sandra Bernhard, Rhonda Shear, and actress Teresa Ganzel,[2] and on at least one occasion a male dressed in drag) competing for the title of "$1.98 Beauty Queen".

Chuck Barris created the series and was executive producer. Johnny Jacobs was the announcer.

Format

The show consists of three rounds, during which each contestant is judged by three celebrity panelists. These include Jaye P. Morgan, Jamie Farr, Steve Garvey, Rosey Grier, Patty Andrews, Louis Nye, Peter Lawford, Dorothy Lamour, Marty Allen, Trini Lopez and the Unknown Comic (all of whom served as panelists on The Gong Show). Emcee Taylor introduces the contestants one at a time.

Round 2 features each contestant showcasing their "abilities". Round 3 is a swimsuit competition, in which emcee Taylor ushers the contenders on stage and announcer Jacobs cracks jokes about their vital statistics and hobbies.

At the end of each show, Taylor announces the "$1.98 Beauty of The Week." That contestant is presented with a tacky plastic crown, rotten vegetables as a bouquet, and the titular cash prize of $1.98, which Taylor dispenses from a coin holder on his belt.[3]

The outcome was previously arranged, as was noted in the introductory monologue by the announcer[4] and the fine print of the closing credits of each episode.[5]

Music

Music cues used on this show include "Happy Days Are Here Again" (Taylor's theme song), "Oh You Beautiful Doll", and "Ain't She Sweet". In addition, Taylor serenades the winning contestant as a parody of Bert Parks having done the same on the Miss America Pageant.

The show's bandleader, Milton DeLugg, used all the same musicians from the band heard on The Gong Show, plus two additional saxophone players for the first season only.

References
  1. $1.98 Beauty Show
  2. Game Show Favorites
  3. Genzlinger, Neil. "Test". The New York Times. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  4. $1.98 Beauty Show on YouTube
  5. "1.98 Beauty Show w/host Rip Taylor Part 3". YouTube. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
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