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This past October, ABC announced that it was reviving ’70s game show staple The Gong Show with Will Arnett named as a co-executive producer. Fans of the original will know the premise: a panel of celebrity guest judges give amateur talents the chance to showcase their craft. If they’re horrible, the judges strike a huge gong to symbolize their chance at fame is over. Best remembered for its absurdist humor and style, outlandish losing acts became more memorable than the winners. The Hollywood Reporter released the celebrity guest lineup today, including the likes of Zach Galifianakis, Alison Brie, Andy Samberg, Elizabeth Banks, Joel McHale, Dana Carvey, Will Forte, Jack Black and Anthony Anderson but what really has everyone buzzing is the new host, a seemingly unknown British standup by the name of Tommy Maitland.
ABC’s press release included a full backstory on Maitland, citing him as a retired comedian approached by Arnett to host the show after being a fan for years. A quick Google search turns up virtually no results unless he’s an 18th century British Army Officer something seems off here. We’ve definitely seen this guy somewhere before. Oh, wait! He’s Mike Myers. (Probably.)
Myers appears to be taking this new gig very seriously. His extensive career in playing eccentric characters has never pushed him to go as method as this. Maitland gave an interview in the same Hollywood Reporter article where his spoken demeanor seemed to closely resemble Meyer’s comedic style. He even stated one of his potential Gong Show catchphrases:
…“Who’s a cheeky monkey?” Then the audience goes, “You are.” And I go, “No, you’re a cheeky monkey, and that’s why I love you.”
Sound familiar? That’s the same catchphrase as Myers’ famous Saturday Night Live character Simon, a young British boy who broadcasts his own BBC program from his bathtub.
Neither Myers, Arnett nor ABC has yet to confirm the suspicions.
