Gaming Today, “Weird Al”
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“Weird Al” Yankovic, was another fun interview on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web. It took place backstage at The Cannery. Weird Al, known for his costumed comedic song parodies, made it clear that he always asks for the green light from the artist before recording a parody of their song for a music video. When asked if he was ever refused permission by anyone, he said “Only Prince has consistantly said “no,” with no explanation given. Whenever possible I try to go to the artists directly because managers often get in the way, as with Lady GaGa.”
The misunderstanding referred to by Al as “The GaGa Saga” explained that managers don’t always consult their clients before turning something down. “Finally it all got straightened out, and I parodied “Born This Way” with a music video that I did in drag called “Perform This Way”, and GaGa LOVED it!” It was also a hit with the 1300 plus screaming fans at The Cannery. “I challenge anyone to find a rock show where you’ll see a wider range of demographics.
It’s because a lot of fans that were into me in the 80’s are still into me, and now they are bringing their kids. It’s become a family bonding experience. Another reason for my popularity with families is my New York Times Best Selling childrens book “When I Grow Up” Some of my fans are hard core! They’ll follow me from one city to the next. Sometimes it’s the same people in the front row city to city even though the shows are hundreds of miles apart.”
Weird Al will also be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” in Casino Player Magazine.
TweetGaming Today Column-Kevin Pollak by Michele LaFong
A Face to “Poker-face” interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak-
“Getting Personal with the Stars”
Last week I had a face to “Poker-face” interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak, who is competing at The World Series of Poker held at The Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino. Kevin was there representing hollywoodpoker.com, and is holding a best poker-face on-line contest, that will be on-going for the next four weeks with lots of prizes to win. “Many celebrities have also entered, including Rob Reiner, whose poker-face is pretty hard to beat.”
Kevin, who has been playing poker all of his life, came in second in a recent tournament of two hundred players. He claims that being a natural impressionist and studier of human nature gives him the poker-face advantage. “It’s all about playing your game, and studying your opponents. The best players don’t even need to look at their hole cards. They are playing against their opponents, mastering the poker-face.”
When asked how he got started playing in tournaments he replied “I was filming the Martin Scorsese movie “Casino,” and I was stuck for twenty weeks at The Riviera Hotel and Casino. If you’ve ever been to The Riviera, you know what I mean by stuck! A pit boss saw me playing, liked me, and taught me the difference between playing “Home Poker” for five to six hours, verses Casino Poker for twelve to sixteen hours.
One second it was Robert DeNiro explaining the difference, and giving me poker-face tips, the next second it was Alan Arkin, and Christopher Walken. I felt like I was interviewing the male version of “Cybil!”
My videotaped Face to Poker-face Interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak can be seen here
Tweet“Getting Personal with The Stars”- Bill Cosby by Michele LaFong
Bill Cosby an Icon that did not Disappoint
(Cosby guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas, and Web.)
The only interview that I ever was nervous about doing was with Bill Cosby. It was a phone interview, and I had never spoken to “The Comedy God.” As soon as the interview began, he tried to “turn the tables” and interview me! Then I asked him a question. “What drove you to work so hard to get your doctorate when you were already a successful comic?” Cosby’s response went on for over twenty minutes, which turned into another one of his signature masterpiece stories. As he was speaking, I realized that the funniest moments were in the timing of his poignant pauses. He is a natural born teacher, always engaging, and forcing the listener to think. He leads your mind in a certain direction, holds back on the answer, and makes you use your imagination to draw your own conclusions.
Bill Cosby always has a tale to tell, that has a lesson behind it, or a lesson to conclude from it. “I’m not your mother!” was the motivation and the theme to the story as to why Mr. Cosby decided to get his doctorate. I guess you will have to listen to Bill’s answer in order to understand that punchline! The audio interview is archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com, click LISTEN-at top of website.
Following the interview, I went to see Cosby’s show at Treasure Island H & C, The TI. As skilled and masterful as his performance was on stage, the backstage performance with his friends and fans proved to be even more spectacular. He shared a very long, and detailed story about his very last gambling experience that proved to be extremely memorable, and filled with many moments of self-disgust, where Cosby retired to his suite and found himself looking in the mirror, and telling off “The Fool” that was reflecting back at him! The roller-coaster of emotions that he described were so relate-able, and funny that it still has me laughing every time I think about it. I’m really looking forward to his return engagement on July 20 at Treasure Island H&C.
Bill Cosby will be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Columns, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” and Cover Feature in “Getting Personal with the Stars,” in Casino Player Magazine.
I also went to see Comic Rob Schneider who was performing his very funny stand-up act at The Orleans Showroom. He performed some popular characters that he was known for doing on SNL. He gave me a very short but candid videotaped backstage interview.
Schneider revealed on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” that immediately following a phone conversation with me from the radio station from two days prior, he learned that his wife was pregnant.
He then expressed concern that the Rob show, his new sitcom on CBS might be cancelled, and that he would not find out the status until the following week. I assured him that it would NOT be. So of course…it WAS!
I remember when I heard the news just two days later. I was thinking “OH NO! CBS pulled out. Maybe Rob should have pulled out too! Just kidding… I was thrilled for him & his wife, and loved that the “baby announcement” was debuted on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk
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“Getting Personal with the Stars” Column in Gaming Today-Deana Martin/ by Michele LaFong
Deana Martin was a guest on my radio show last week. She’s headlining at The South Point Hotel & Casino this Weekend at June 22 & 23 at 7:30pm. Deana will be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” in Casino Player Magazine.
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“Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Gaming Today, by Michele Lafong
Las Vegas Backstage Talk in Gaming Today, by Michele Lafong
“Even veteran interviewers surprised! Dennis Miller ‘bleeped’ twice”
Update: “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” is now a Monthly Syndicated Column in Casino Player Magazine, with Backstage Video-taped Interviews posted monthly on casinocenter.com, as well as lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
Comedian Michele LaFong also writes Monthly Features, and Cover/Features in “Getting Personal with the Stars,” in Casino Player Magazine.
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