Gene-Gene the Dancing Machine - The talent show spoof THE GONG SHOW/SYN/1976-80 featured the occasional appearance of Gene Patton, a beefy black stagehand affectionately known as Gene Gene, the Dancing Machine. Gene earned his nickname from the dance he performed which looked like someone doing the twist and walking like an old man. When Gene wiggled onto the stage, the audience and celebrity panel gave him a rousing applause.