Not a masterpiece, but for twenty years now I have been unable to forget it. And I guess that says something.

This was the first book written by game show producer/host Chuck Barris in the early '70's (before "The Gong Show"), and was basically a fictionalized autobiography of his life at the time. It seems a bit reminicient of "Love Story", but is a good read and a "rags to riches" story on how when you marry for money, you wind up paying for it in the end.....

This book should be required reading at every high school in the United States to give insight into the workings of one of the most fertile designer of quality entertainment ever. It should be reprinted in languages and distributed into all third world countries. The text flows so naturally from Mr. Barris' fingers, that I felt as if he were an extention of my own thoughts.

I read this book after hearing that George Clooney was making a film adaptation of it. I hope to all powers that be that the movie is better than the book. This "unauthorized autobiography" (which, granted, is a cute gimmick) is just so meandering. Barris recycles parts of his book "Confessions" here, when detailing his background in television, and how he got his start. The CIA origin story is contrived (so much so that it will be changed in the film) and you just don't buy the bit over time.

Never once is it explained how a man could have the background or the skills to do the job that he does in the book. In one backstory in the book Barris has to have a group of black friends help him beat down a man who is ruining one of his television shows. Yet this is the same man who is capable of going out on missions and killing Latin American revolutionaries by himself in broad daylight?

There is no tension, drama, or conflict that is presented throughout the story. You aren't brought into a new world, or even experiencing anything new about the CIA when reading. An episode of 'ALIAS' is better than this! (Although that's no slam on Alias) Barris' character makes no arc or change about himself through the book, and doesn't even recognize one.

And to top if off, he does a stupid B-Movie "whodunnit" storyline in the book by making one of the lead characters in the book a "mole" for the opposition. But watch out! It's not who you think it is! That person is just trying to throw you off.

Give me a break. Read Christopher Moore if you want some good reality based screwball hijinks!

The best thing about confessions of a dangerous mind was the way in which Barris conducted his relationships. whether it was his dodgy cia links, or his many marriages, all his relationships seemed to be a vehicle to further his career, as opposed to real love felt relationships. While this love was what he craved, every action he did served to ostracize him more.

His experience as a host on "The Gong Show", "That's not my Shoe" and "Mrs. Pickering's Slappy Happy Show" showed his appreciation for the absurd and enjoyment to get a laugh out of people. the news that dana gould is playing him in a movie is perfect. what a match.

Several years ago, all I knew about Chuck Barris was that he was the host of TV's "The Gong Show." But when my best friend's father--a true connoisseur of biographies, auto- or otherwise--sort of off-handedly mentioned this book to me, I was intrigued. And when I polished "Dangerous Minds" off in about two sittings, I was entertained, delighted, and duly impressed. Did I believe that Barris was really a CIA operative? Well, stranger things have happened. But what really impressed me was the writing, by turns absurd and intense. I can still see in my mind's eye the images conjured up by the TV studio finale. But for me, few (if any) other written scenes have topped the prelude to Barris's first mission, when he dreams of a hit gone madly awry and comments about it to his control the next morning. The control's reply is as beautiful as it is calm: "We all had that dream."

Although I like that I'm one of only a few people who've actually read this book, it's high time it receives its due. Then again, as good as it is, I don't suppose it could really become too popular. If you catch my meaning.

I didn't much like "The Dating Game", thought "The Newlywed Game" was okay, and have never seen "The Gong Show" so my impressions of Chuck Barris weren't very vivid. However, after discovering he wrote the song "Palisades Park" and reading CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND: AN UNAUTHORIZED AUTOBIOGRAPHY, I have to admit that Chuck Barris is a genius, even if he is the "King of Schlock".

I thought this book would be silly, uninteresting, and perhaps a little quirky. Well, it is quirky, but it's also quite entertaining and interesting. It's hard to say whether the events described in the book or fact or fiction. Barris writes about everything in his life in a very self-defacing, humorous manner (including the events we know are fact) so it's impossible to figure out if the events described are all true, partly true, or just a total yarn. I mean it wouldn't surprise me because the book reads like a cop-off of some of the best mystery/cloak-and-dagger writings around much in the same way that "The Gong Show" was a parody of popular talent search shows. Yet, at the same time, the events are so bizarre and fit so well into known facts, everything really could be true.

Anyway. The book is full of sex, violence, and foul language; but other than the language, none of it is very graphic. I mean, it seems early contestants on "The Dating Game" could describe their sexual exploits more graphically than Barris. Nevertheless, the book is thoroughly entertaining and difficult to put down.

We can spend a lot of time arguing about whether or not the CIA ever hired Chuck Barris to kills Soviet Spies throughout the world. We will probably never know the truth and maybe it's best we never find out.

Still, there are a few facts about this book that you can't argue. First off, Chuck Barris is a very funny person. If you don't find yourself rolling with laughter at a few passages in this book then you have no sense of humor. Even if you thought the Dating Game and the Newlywed Game were affronts to civil behavior, you will laugh at some of his recollections about those shows. The same is true for some of his memories about the Gong Show.

Another fact about this book is that Barris is very self-centered and narcisstic at times. For that reason, you might come away after the reading this book with a negative opinion about Chuck Barris the person. Still, you will do so with some fun because he can spin quite a yarn. Even if you don't believe any of his CIA stories, you will enjoy reading about them. You might think Barris is either a jerk, a liar, or similar to the people you knew in college, but you will still have fun reading this book.

The book is a well-written, fast-paced narrative of Chuck Barris' bizarro, manic depressive alternative universe.

Barris was a television game show producer and he relates the history of his most successful programs -- The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show. He also, briefly, mentions his less successful programs, like The Mother-In-Law Game.

What gives the book its punch is Barris's claim that while he was a TV producer, he was also an assassin for the CIA. He relates that he murdered people, bad guys, all over the world at the behest of the U.S. Government. Fact or fiction? Who cares! It makes for a great read.

The humor-challanged should skip this book.

When I discovered Chuck Barris actually had books in print, I decided to find and read one. A great fan of the Gong Show, I thought Chuck was the greatest until I read this rubbish. This meandering description of his association with the CIA is an insult to his fans. We don't want to read a fictitious account - we want the facts - and we got few if any. This book was a joke - Chuck, it seems, was trying to make a joke of the establishment, but instead his fans suffer, reading an empty novel. If Chuck wants to write fiction, then let him - but don't pawn this off as true(!), because it's not true! On the other side of the coin, I still enjoy the Gong Show - it was (and still is) FUN!! I bought this book to see what Chuck was really like, but this book told me he likes to play mind-games too.

The guy above didn't read this book....he doesn't even mention the CIA in it.
Game Show King was a quick, enjoyable, funny read. I picked it up on a whim and loved it. Chuck's witty, flowing style makes this book read like a group of short stories with a common theme. The stories of the old days in TV are funny, bawdy and enjoyable and leave you wanting more.
If you enjoyed his shows, pick up the book, it is worth the read.

This book was hysterical, it was passed around the office and a good read was had by all. You have to remember that Chuck Barris didn't find a cure for cancer, he created some of the funniest television moments. That being said the book merrily moves along recounting antics from his early days as well as his life in St. Tropez. Lighten up, sit back and enjoy the book.