Dec. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column by Michele LaFong
Dec. Casino Player Magazine– LVBST by Michele LaFong
The last couple of months have been extremely exciting and surreal for LVBST. We have been fielding a lot of questions regarding the video cameras that have been following me with my “stud-puppet” Paco, and LVBST around town.
All I am at liberty to reveal at the moment, is that we are under development for our own unscripted reality series that is unlike any other. A short edited clip of me & Paco, with my neighbor, Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Al Bernstein, can be viewed on casinocenter.com
Currently, my biggest beef with reality TV is that it is not real. The main characters often conjure up conflict and drama that is superficial, one dimensional or more fake than all the boobs and lips in Hollywood combined together!
For some strange reason…with my life nothing ever needs to be made up nor exaggerated for the sake of television cameras. Off-beat characters, unforeseen conflict and ridiculous storylines continue to play out in the “World of LaFong,” rarely taking a full day off!
Too bad that the cameras were not yet rolling when I went to see Ray Romano backstage at The Mirage last month. It was “de ja vu” for me. Not only was Ray pretty much the same, nice, unassuming, really funny guy that I had once hand-picked to open for me in the late 80’s, but it wasn’t ‘til after our visit that it dawned on me just how much Ray is the exact same guy on and off screen in the “Everybody Loves Raymond” television series.
On NOV 24th, fellow comics pitched in to do a benefit for Singing Impressionist Pam Matteson at the PLAZA HOTEL. Pam has brain cancer, no health insurance, and the medical bills are piling up. Amongst the special guest stars were Louie Anderson, Gordie Brown, Rich Little, Clint Holmes, The Coasters, The Michael T Band, and Budd Friedman, original founder of The Improv, and many more. If you missed the benefit but still would like to make a donation of any kind, go to Pam’s husband, Tim Biddle’s facebook page; scroll down and you’ll find a connection to a website that says DONATE NOW.
Legendary music icons and Grammy Award winners, Brian Wilson (co-founder The Beach Boys) and Jeff Beck (Yardbirds) performed at The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort as part of a co-headlining North American Tour. The show was nothing short of spectacular!
Towards the end of the show they were all on stage performing together! It was a sight to behold, and truly unforgettable.
Speaking of unforgettable, Comedy Legend, Marty Allen finally made it in to the studio with his co-star and wife, singer Karon Kate Blackwell. They were promoting their then upcoming shows at The Plaza Showroom. It was great to see them again. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them several times on different cruise lines over the years. Not that I performed on so many…it just so happened that the majority of the time when I was booked … so were they! We also performed in Atlantic City together when Marty hosted Senor Wences’ 100th Birthday Tribute at Bally’s Hotel & Casino with Special Guest Mickey Rooney. Marty Allen is best known however, for being half of the Legendary Allen & Rossi comedy team. Together, they appeared on over 700 television shows including 44 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. They recorded 16 comedy albums, the title of one using their signature catch phrase of “Hello Dere!” Allen said “We were into the act and I just went blank… and I looked at Steve and said, ‘Hello dere . . . hello dere.’ Then suddenly everyone in the club was saying it – hello dere.”
Now, at 91 years of age, Marty Allen has 91 reasons to go blank on-stage, but doesn’t… most of the time, and even when he does… his failing memory turns into a fresh, new, running-gag in the show. His improvisational skills kicked in every time it became obvious to the audience that Karon Kate was correcting him, whispering the jokes into his deaf ear… which got him even bigger laughs! Marty may not always remember every joke but he seems to have no trouble remembering how to make audiences laugh.
My picks for December: Wynonna & the Big Noise, is at The Orleans Showroom Dec. 6 & 7,
Ron White, is at The Mirage Dec. 6 & 7, 13 & 14, The Black Crowes appearing at The Hard Rock, Dec. 13.
Sinbad, is appearing at The Orleans, Dec. 14.
Country superstar Shania Twain who is a headliner at The Colosseum at Caesars will serve as the Grand Marshall of Opportunity Village’s Las Vegas Great Santa Run on Saturday, Dec. 7. Marking the 5k’s ninth year, Twain will join thousands of Kris Kringle’s downtown for the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser.
Surfset Las Vegas, the latest revolutionary workout trend from ABC’s hit program “Shark Tank,” will partner with Dress for Success Southern Nevada for a one-day donation drive on Saturday, Dec. 7, when a portion of each $20 class fee will go to the charity. Surfset offers four different styles of classes – Burn, Build, Balance and Blend – call 702-503-4780
Our friend, Comedian/Actor Bill Engvall is returning to The TI, on Dec.6 & 13, after an extremely respectable showing, staying alive in the very competitive ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Not very much is ever expected from the Celebrity Comics on that show! Bill first made a name for himself as part the Blue Collar Comedy Troupe with Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy. Larry will be appearing at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve.
Jerry Seinfeld always puts on a great show. He is appearing at Caesars Palace, Dec. 26 & 27
Steve Miller Band, the Doobie Brothers, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Dec. 28
Cedric the Entertainer, appearing at The Mirage Dec. 29 & 30, Fleetwood Mac, appearing at MGM Grand, Dec. 30, Kristen Chenoweth is appearing at The Smith Center, Dec. 31.
Another extremely popular headliner, that always sells out is Tony Orlando. Tony is the ultimate showman that always delivers a contemporary, “a feel good” engaging, hard rocking show! He and his wonderful band return to the South Point Showroom on New Year’s Eve.
Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, wishes you a very Happy New Year!
Your feedback and comments are always appreciated.
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