28 quotes
Self-Respect in Self-Despise
Patricia Watson
] says whoever despises oneself... still respects oneself as one who despises.
[[Nietzsche]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debate on Morality and Action
Chuck Barris
Hey, I got an idea. If you aren't so bad... why don't you do it? Why don't you kill the mole? You got a problem with killing, Jim?
[after Byrd tells Chuck to kill the unknown "mole"]
Jim Byrd
I just don't fit the profile.
Chuck Barris
What fucking profile? There is no fucking profile.
Jim Byrd
Okay, there's no profile.
Chuck Barris
There's no profile.
Jim Byrd
Okay. Let's see. Well, you had a twin sister, stillborn, strangled by your umbilical cord. Your first hit, Chuck. Your mother always wanted a daughter. She blamed you for your sister's death. And, so, until your sister Phoebe was born, she raised you as a girl. Oh, and your father the dentist? Not really your father. Your biological father was a man named Edmund James Windsor. A serial killer. A fact your mother didn't know when she had an affair with him in 1930. If you want to look him up, he was also known as the Tarrytown Troll, because he had been described by witnesses as short and ugly. Windsor died in the electrical chair at Ossining in 1939. We believed your self-loathing tendencies coupled with that extra Y chromosome and whatever else you inherited from your father would serve us well. I'm trying to think what more I can tell you, but you have me at a disadvantage here, Barris. I don't have your files in front of me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perceptions of Delusion in Insane Asylums
Patricia Watson
Insane asylums are filled with people who think they're Jesus or Satan. Very few have delusions of being a guy down the block who works for an insurance company.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
First Experiences of Violence and Intimacy
Keeler
Killing my first man was like making love to my first woman.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Television Ambitions Over Dark Actions
Chuck Barris
I'm not killing people... my future's in television.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Balancing Opinions in Television Production
Chuck Barris
I've got important things to think about here. I don't have time to fuck around with you.
Jim Byrd
Okay, I'll help you out with your little show. Tit for tat. That's the kinda guy I am. I've seen this "Dating Game" of yours, Chuck. And I have a thought.
Chuck Barris
What, now you're a television producer?
Jim Byrd
Hey, I'm John Q. Public when it comes to TV and that should make my opinion of interest to you.
Chuck Barris
Let's hear it then.
[nods]
Jim Byrd
Well, what do you have now? The couple gets sent to some stupid second-rate Hollywood shitcan restaurant, right? Sets you back fifty bucks? That's not too exciting a prize to us vicarious living boobs out in TV-land.
Chuck Barris
Yeah, what's your point?
Jim Byrd
Up the stakes, Chuckles. Send em to some exotic locale. Europe, Southeast Asia, for example.
Chuck Barris
The network's not going to let me send two unmarried kids on vacation together.
Jim Byrd
Send em with a chaperone.
Chuck Barris
You know... that's not half bad.
[beat]
Jim Byrd
I'm telling ya. And sometimes you can be the chaperone, Chuckie. Let's say we have a job for you in Austria. You, a successful TV producer, above suspicion, chaperones the young couple, and while you're there, you take care of some Company business. It's the perfect cover. TV producer by day, CIA operative by night.
Chuck Barris
I told you, I don't have to kill people for money anymore.
Jim Byrd
Chuck, when I said you fit our profile, very little of that had to do with you needing the money. Some of it, but very little. You liked it with Renda, Chuck. I saw it in your eyes. You liked it but you botched it. Don't you want to get really good at something, Chuck?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Surprising Characteristics of a Unique Individual
Patricia Watson
Very good Chuck. I am pleasantly surprised, you're not like the other murderers.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Unique Compliment on Appearance
Patricia Watson
You're kind of cute... in a homely sort of way.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Loyalty and Consequences in a Dangerous Game
Jim Byrd
He's a bad guy. He's one of the bad guys.
Chuck Barris
Bad for the US, right, Jim? Not bad in the absolute sense. Just bad for the US.
Jim Byrd
Don't fuckin dance with me. Renda's bad for the Tea & Biscuit Company. He's bad for me personally. You work for me. Renda's bad for me... You're now officially a patriotic citizen of the United States of Jim Byrd. There's no backing out now. We let you in on everything. You don't play. You don't leave. You understand that? You don't play... You don't leave.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Reality of Lost Potential
Chuck Barris
When you are young, your potential is infinite. You might do anything, really. You might be ]. You might be ]. Then you get to an age where what you might be gives way to what you have been. You weren't Einstein. You weren't anything. That's a bad moment.
[[Albert Einstein|Einstein; [Joe DiMaggio|DiMaggio]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Obligations in Relationships
Chuck Barris
When you're in a relationship it means you are obligated to give a shit.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Controversial Approach to Entertainment Innovation
Chuck Barris
We've been going about this all wrong. Rather than killing ourselves trying to find good acts... we just put on bad ones and kill them!
[getting the idea for "The Gong Show"]
Casting Executive Man
Chuck, honestly, this... and I know you like them... this is torture.
Chuck Barris
No, no, no. We kill them before they're through. As soon as it gets unbearable... we kill em... dead!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Deception and Replacement
Chuck Barris
I don't know what was worse - that I was duped by that fat fucking bachelor, or that it took seven of us to replace him.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
FCC Warning on Television Broadcast Conduct
Chuck Barris
Hi, folks. Before we begin taping today, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Peter Jenks of the Federal Communications Commission. Okay?
Peter Jenks
I don't know if any of you are aware of this, but it's a federal offense to make lascivious remarks on a television network broadcast. The penalty for this disgusting, un-American behavior is one year in prison, or a ten thousand dollar fine. Or both! Anyone making a sick or subversive remark tonight will be arrested immediately. I then will personally escort the offender to federal prison for booking under edict number 364 of the Broadcasting Act of 1963. And it's a long drive to that prison, baby, just you and me. No witnesses.
Chuck Barris
OK, have fun, everybody... all right...
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cultural Identity and Misunderstanding in Conversation
Penny
What are you?
Chuck Barris
Jew.
Penny Pacino
Oh, I had one of those once. But he was separatist. He was Ashka Nazi.
Chuck Barris
Ashkenazi.
Penny Pacino
Right, Ashka Nazi. I haven't had one of those yet.
Chuck Barris
You're a romantic.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Surveillance and Uncertainty in Future Choices
Taglines
His future was uncertain. His every move was being watched.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Darkly Humorous Game Show Concept
Chuck Barris
I came up with a new game-show idea recently. It's called The Old Game. You got three old guys with loaded guns onstage. They look back at their lives, see who they were, what they accomplished, how close they came to realizing their dreams. The winner is the one who doesn't blow his brains out. He gets a refrigerator.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Keeping Secrets
Taglines
Some things are better left top secret.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Missing Microfilm
Simon Oliver
You are a bloody amateur.
Chuck Barris
You're a faggot.
Jim Byrd
Chuck.
Simon Oliver
Tell me, Mr. Barris, are you in possession of my microfilm?
Chuck Barris
Yeah, I got it.
Simon Oliver
Let's have it, then.
Chuck Barris
It's up my ass, Oliver, why don't you reach on up there and get it?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Dual Identities
Taglines
When you lead two different lives, it's easy to forget what side you're on.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Methods of Killing Without a Weapon
Instructor Jenks
There are several efficient methods for killing a man were you to find yourself without a weapon. The edge of your hand, against your adversary's Adam's apple. This will crush his windpipe, causing strangulation and death. Shit! I need another volunteer!
[demonstrates on a volunteer, then realizes what he's done]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Call to Return to Scotland
Chuck Barris
Go back to Scotland! Get yourself some Guinness, some Lucky Charms.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Pursuit of Unconventional Hobbies
Jim Byrd
Think of it as a hobby. Something you do to relax. You're an "assassination enthusiast.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Call to Achieve Before It's Too Late
Jim Byrd
You're 32 years old, and you've achieved nothing. ] Christ was dead and alive again by 33. You better get crackin'.
[[Jesus]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Affection in Uncertainty
Penny Pacino
Do you want me around or not? Do you even like me?
Chuck Barris
Of course I like you! Penny...
Penny Pacino
How much?
Chuck Barris
What?
Penny Pacino
I need to know how much you like me.
Chuck Barris
I know what that means! How much? How could I read a person in that way?
Penny Pacino
You could if you felt it. If you felt it, it would be easy. You would ...just spread your arms as wide as they would go and say: "This much, Penny.
[sighs dreamingly]
Chuck Barris
Everything... everything is complicated. Nothing is black and white like that.
Penny Pacino
Do you want me around or not? Cause if you don't it's okay, just tell me.
[cries]
Chuck Barris
Hey, hey... I love you, Penny. In my way. Maybe not that crazy head-over-heels-thing, but what is that anyway? Romantic love, isn't that just an illusion?
[kisses her]
Penny Pacino
You just said you love me, right?
[stops crying]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Fleeting Moment of Happiness
Chuck Barris
Life was sweet... For a minute.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Brief Encounter Between Two Characters
Pretty Woman
Hi.
Chuck Barris
Hi.
Pretty Woman
I thought it was you.
Chuck Barris
It's me.
[smiles and bows]
Pretty Woman
I'm glad to meet you because I wanted to tell you that I've seen "The Gong Show" and I think you are the most insidious and despicable force in entertainment today.
Chuck Barris
Well...
Pretty Woman
How dare you subject the rest of the world to your loathsome view of humanity.
Chuck Barris
I don't think it's that loathsome.
Pretty Woman
What is it then? To mock some poor, lonely people who just crave a little attention in their lives. To destroy them. So everybody's not brilliantly talented. They're still people. They deserve respect and compassion. I mean, who the hell are you? What the fuck have you ever done that elevates you above the pathetic masses? Oh, I forgot, you created "The Dating Game". Wow, right up there with the ].
[[w:Sistine Chapel|Sistine Chapel]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Dual Life of Entertainment and Violence
Chuck Barris
My name is Charles Prescott Barris. I have written pop songs, I have been a television producer. I am responsible for polluting the airwaves with mindnumbing, puerile entertainment. In addition, I have murdered 33 human beings.
[types on a typewriter: I am damned to hell]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.