Bill Maher returns, Comedian Felicia Michaels
Oct. 9, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Bill Maher returns once again to Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
For the last 18 years, Maher has pushed the boundaries of how far political humor and satire can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect” (which first aired on Comedy Central before moving to ABC), and for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and scathing humor have garnered him 21 EmmyR nominations. In October 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” which went on to become the seventh-highest grossing documentary ever.
In addition to his television program-which has featured such regular visitors as Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Arianna Huffington, Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore-Maher has written four bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden” and most recently, “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer.”
For more about Bill Maher click here. For more about “Real Time with Bill Maher” click here.
Bill Maher is appearing at The Pearl at The Palms H&C Oct. 10 & 11
Comedian Felicia Michaels
Felicia Michaels guests in a backstage interview at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana 8:30pm & 10:30pm through Oct. 12.
An “Army Brat,” who was used to moving about, Felicia Michaels built her early career by refusing to allow her gender to tame her material, and never once flinching when it came to the rigorous travel and TV schedule that a stand-up comedy career demands. She has appeared on networks such as MTV, A&E, Comedy Central, VH1 and Showtime. Michaels was nominated twice as Funniest Female by the American Comedy Awards, before winning it, and also received a Best Comedy Podcast nomination from the Podcast Awards in 2012, for the hit underground podcast “Beauty and Da Beast,” with fellow comic Joey “Coco” Diaz. She explores such topics as the dynamics of the male/female relationship, “dirty thoughts,” and the proliferation of the sensual feminist. She has appeared in three movies: “Smart Alex,” “Los Enchiladas and most recently “I Am Comic.”. She once posed nude for Playboy Magazine.
TweetRod Man, Al Bernstein, The Lennon Sisters
Sept. 11, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Rod Man guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Rod’s television appearances include “Def Comedy Jam”, “Bet’s Comic View” and “Showtime at the Apollo”. Most recently, Rod appeared on “Premium Blend” on Comedy Central as well as the dvd’s “Big Black Comedy Show vol. 2” with Monique and “P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy”. He has been featured in the films “Love Chronicles” and “Player’s Ball”.
Rod has become an award-winning, quintessential entertainer. He has graced the stage at Caesar’s Place, The Gibson Amphitheater, and The Apollo Theater. Comedy Central gave him his own half hour special. And he has made many other television appearances, among them “The Bad Boys of Comedy” for HBO, Martin Lawrence’s “First Amendment” for Starz, Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘N Out” for MTV, “One Mic Stand” for BET, “The Funny Spot” for TV One, and “The World Stands Up” for BBC America and The Monique Show. Rod can be seen on the big screen in Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen for Universal Pictures.He even co-hosted a morning drive-time show in Los Angeles on Stevie Wonder owned KJLH Radio 102.3 FM
Rod Man is headlining at The Aliante Casino in The Comedians from “Last Comic Standing” with runner-up Lachlan Patterson, and Mark Normand on Sept. 13, 8pm & 10:30pm.
Al Bernstein
2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Al Bernstein returns on LVBST. He will be covering the Mayweather vs. Maidana fight for Showtime at MGM on Sept. 13.
For just over 30 years, Al Bernstein has been one of the most recognizable and respected sportscasters in America. In those three decades, the “voice of boxing” reported the funny, poignant, and bizarre events that helped shape sports television, ESPN, boxing, Las Vegas, and Showtime. With an eclectic cast of characters that includes every big name in boxing, including Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as such names in the entertainment world as Rodney Dangerfield, Sylvester Stallone, Russell Crowe, and Jerry Lewis, Bernstein’s memoir will have you in stitches.
Al Bernstein’s book, 30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Sports, Boxing and TV,” and has already received a great reception. People from the sports, entertainment and media world are talking about this book. Talks about female broadcasters, tells his “Mike Tyson story,”
The Lennon Sisters
Kathy Lennon, of The Lennon Sisters, guests on LV backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The Lennon Sisters made their TV debut on Christmas Eve 1955 on “The Lawrence Welk Show” when youngest member Janet was just nine years old. Following their successful debut, Welk professionally adopted the girls and The Lennon Sisters became regulars on the program every Saturday night for the next 13 years.
Later, the sisters entered the music scene with their first hit, “Tonight, You Belong to Me” reaching #15 on the charts in 1956. Labeled “America’s Sweethearts of Song,” they recorded their first album, “Let’s Get Acquainted,” in May of 1957.
In 1961, the group’s single “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” reached #1, becoming their highest charting record. Other popular recordings include “Scarlet Ribbons,” “Greensleeves,” and Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”
Throughout the ‘70s, The Lennon Sisters toured extensively and made regular performances on “The Andy Williams Show.” The group also appeared on “Family Feud,” “Hollywood Squares” and “Tattletales.”
The Lennon Sisters are comprised of original members Janet and Kathy and younger sister Mimi.
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Russell Peters, Richard Hatch, Clint Holmes-LVBST
July 31, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Russell Peters returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Celebrated comedian Russell Peters returns to The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Aug. 2, 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49, plus any additional service fees.
Russell Peters is back and exploring new material! After the very successful release of Notorious on Netflix, Peters finds himself back on the road putting together new material as he works through a handful of 2014 dates. Fans can be prepared for some crowd work and…some randomness, all mixed with the comedic styling Peters is known for.
This year has been big for Peters who signed on to be a judge for this season’s NBC “Last Comic Standing.” He joins the likes of Roseanne Barr, Keenen Ivory Wayans and JB Smoove as they search for the funniest talent in America (premiered May 22).
Peters spent most of 2013 touring with the Notorious live show which followed a string of special performances and appearances including being the first comedian to play Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center in November 2012. More than 10,000 fans attended the show, making it the largest comedy show ever in the history of the New York City borough.
Peters’ special, The Green Card Tour LIVE From the O2 Arena, was recorded in London in 2010. The special was broadcast on Showtime, Comedy Central, Netflix USA and Netflix UK. In 2009, Peters set a UK attendance record for the highest attendance for a one-off comedy show with more than 16,000 fans attending his show at the O2 Arena. Peters also went on to have the highest attended comedy shows at Sydney, Australia’s Acer Arena and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in 2010.
Starting in 2008, Peters was one of the first stand-up comedians to self-finance, self-produce and distribute his own comedy specials and DVDs, with Red, White and Brown and 2011’s, The Green Card Tour LIVE from the O2 Arena. The DVDs went on to sell more than 250,000 units across North America. Peters is currently developing original programming for Netflix.
Listed on the Forbes List as one of the top ten Highest Earning Comics in the U.S. in 2009 and 2010, Russell Peters has spent the past 23 years building a career to become one of the biggest comics in the world.
Doors at the Pearl will open at 7 p.m. and show time is 8 p.m. The Pearl Box Office is open daily from noon until 7 p.m. with extended hours on select event days. Follow The Pearl on Twitter at @PearlatPalms for concert announcements and event information.
Richard Hatch
Richard Hatch has enjoyed international recognition for more than three decades. He has starred in such series as The Streets of San Francisco for which he won Germany’s Bravo Award (the equivalent of an Emmy Award), Battlestar Galactica for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award and the role of Philip Brent, which he originated on ABC’s All My Children. Hatch’s recent projects include a steampunk pilot, Cowboys & Engines with Malcolm McDowell, After the Harvest, and his role as Klingon General Kharn in Star Trek: Axanar.
Richard began his theatrical career with the Los Angeles Repertory Theater. He starred Off-Broadway in several plays and musicals including the Obie Award winning play, PS Your Cat Is Dead, in Chicago. In addition, Hatch has starred in such movies for television as The Hatfields And The McCoys with Jack Palance, Addie And The Kings Of Hearts with Jason Robards, Last Of The Belles with Susan Sarandon, The Class Of 65, The Hustler Of Muscle Beach, and the cult classic Deadman’s Curve, in which he portrayed Jan Berry of the musical group “Jan and Dean”.
Hatch’s directing credits include the iconic “Second Coming” BG movie trailer, a short for White Wings, a period piece set in the 1920’s, and an episode of the award winning web series Silicon Assassin. He has also written, produced and directed an infomercial for the securities industry and produced his own reality series, Who the Frak.
A published author, Hatch has co-written seven Battlestar Galactica novels as well as a BG compendium, So Say We All. Richard is currently working to finish his epic Sci-Fi novel, The Great War of Magellan (GWOM), a story he developed over the last decade. During that time, Hatch produced a trailer, wrote a comic book series and launched a role playing game for GWOM. Richard plans to produce a web series for GWOM later this year.
When not busy with directing, writing and performing, Richard teaches the art, craft and business of acting, sharing more than 40 years of professional experience teaching workshops and intensives around the country. He also teaches a weekly acting class in Los Angeles. In addition to acting workshops, Hatch offers personal development workshops such as Moving from Fear to Self Mastery, Creating a more Successful Life, Becoming a More Powerful Communicator.
An active participant in social media, Hatch can be found interacting with fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/Richard.Hatch.Actor) and Twitter (@thumbfighter) as well as the social network on BattlestarGalactica.com. For more on Richard Hatch, including information on his workshops, visit his website at http://richardhatch.com.
Clint Holmes
Emmy Award winner Clint Holmes returns to LVBST to promote his last weekend, Aug 1-3, before taking a hiatus from his monthly weekend engagement at The Cabaret Room at The Smith Center to make time to star in GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles – at The Venetian Theatre this fall. This groundbreaking new show will also feature a host of esteemed stars including 10-time Grammy award-winning vocal group TAKE 6, six-time Grammy nominee and DownBeat Vocalist of the Year Nnenna Freelon, and Stella Gospel Award and Grammy award-winning saxophone star Kirk Whalum. The show also introduces the Las Vegas Mass Choir, under the direction of James R. Smith and Edie Aikels, and features the Las Vegas All-Star Big Band, under the direction of pianist and conductor, David Loeb. This dynamic ensemble of all-star performers will celebrate the genius of American music, Mr. Ray Charles, through GEORGIA ON MY MIND, in the Venetian Theatre September 18 through October 29, 2014.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling The Venetian Box Office at 702-414-9000 or online at www.venetian.com. For more information on GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles and the musical performers, please visit http://bit.ly/VenetianGOMM.
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June-Las Vegas Backstage Talk syndicated column
by Michele LaFong
June-Las Vegas Backstage Talk syndicated column in Casino Player Magazine and Gaming Today.
(Click on article)
June 2014 marks Las Vegas Backstage Talk’s one year anniversary in Casino Player Magazine. Along with the debut of my column, I was also asked to write the Cover/feature for that issue. Because I remembered how excited I was to have Bill Cosby guest on my radio show, I really wanted to use his interview for my first Cover/feature for June 2013 edition… And it’s a good thing I did because now he’s really hard to catch up with! Last November Cosby performed his first TV concert special in 30 years, appropriately titled Far From Finished, which debuted on Comedy Central and is now sold on DVD. He continues to make regular appearances on the Late Night Talk Show circuit, and his touring schedule is quite hectic. Bill Cosby will return to the TI on July 18.
Many of our past guests are also experiencing an exciting year since they were last on LVBST.
Jon Taffer, the guru, who helps revive bars that are on the verge of bankruptcy, has been a favorite recurring guest on my radio show since his very first season on reality TV. Not only has “Bar Rescue” been renewed for its fourth season, which will begin airing in the fall but in addition, Jon landed another reality series on Spike TV produced by “Bar Rescue” producers Eyeworks USA called Hungry Investors, featuring celebrity chef John Besh and “Top Chef All-Star” vet Tiffany Derry.The trio seek out and help ‘diamond in the rough’ failing restaurants meet their potential. Each week, the ‘Hungry Investors’ team puts two struggling restaurants to the test to prove they deserve a second chance at success. The enterprise that shows the most promise of turning things around earns significant cash investment. Both establishments seek to prove to the expert team that the only thing keeping them from financial fortune and success is finding an investor who believes in them.
In my last interview with Comedian Adam Carolla, Adam casually mentioned that he had a new reality series debuting on Spike TV called To Catch a Contractor. Prior to Adam’s success in comedy, he earned his living as a master carpenter. “I take it personally when contractors pass off their subpar work on average citizens and leave homeowners holding the bag.”
Each episode follows Carolla, along with no-nonsense contractor Skip Bedell and his wife, investigator Allison Bedell, as they seek retribution for wronged homeowners, whose construction nightmares range from the laughably incompetent to frighteningly hazardous homes that have been left completely torn apart. Carolla and the Bedells hunt down and confront unscrupulous builders, drag them back to their construction disasters, and make them finish the job right. Carolla and his expert team share their knowledge and ingenuity with the builders – not only in an effort to deliver homeowners the job they paid for, but also to give these suspect contractors the opportunity to redeem themselves. Personally, I find this new series to be as entertaining as “Catch a Predator” on Dateline. The only thing missing from it is the under-aged girl or guy using the old but reliable iced tea lure to get the unsuspecting predator comfortably seated in the house prior to the big confrontation! Obviously, this series is catching on quick because Catch a Contractor has already been renewed for a second season. Adam Carolla will be returning to The TI August 29 to tape another podcast.
Comedians Wanda Sykes and Russell Peters also have a new reality series since last guesting on LVBST. Wanda is one of the executive producers of NBC’s new Last Comic Standing, and Russell Peters is a judge alongside with comedy icons Roseanne Barr, and Keenen Ivory Wayans.
HBO recently renewed Real Time with Bill Maher for a 13th season since his last appearance on LVBST and continues his residency at The Palms H & C. I could not be happier for him!
I too have recently been cast on a new docu-series pilot that is being produced by NBC’s Univision. Hopefully, this new off-beat reality series will make air! I will keep you posted…
“Plastic Surgeon to the Stars,” Dr. Julio Garcia, recently returned on LVBST to update us on the latest treatments to shave off years of aging. Usually when I ask him “what new cutting-edge treatments are available that you would recommend?” he replies “not much.” However, on this visit, his answer was quite different. “I now offer a new, exciting, FDA Approved skin tightening procedure called ThermiTight which reduces wrinkles and tightens loose skin in the lower face and neck. It’s also is good for double chins. The results are natural looking, and continue to improve over time. It also has been proven to work on frown lines and reduce cellulite.
Normally, Dr. Garcia does not offer free consultations however, if you mention Casino Player Magazine when making an appointment, not only will he give a free evaluation but will also apply a 10% discount towards the treatment needed.
Thursday, June 5, is the Scleroderma Research Foundation’s flagship fundraiser at the Las Vegas House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Bob Saget hosts an evening of delicious food, wine and comedy with Jay Leno and special musical guest Ben Folds. This is the SRF’s inaugural Las Vegas event.
It’s a night of gourmet food featuring the “hot cuisine” of Top Chef Masters Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken and Rick Moonen.
The evening includes a small number of exclusive live auction packages. Attendees include stars from the worlds of television, film, music and business—and many others who have been directly or indirectly affected by scleroderma.
Call 800-441-2873. A limited number of reserved tables and General Admission seats are available. This event typically sells out in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Wilson Phillips returns to the Eastside Cannery on June 7, and always delivers a very entertaining, crowd-pleasing show. If you love Southern White Rock, treat yourself to see Gregg Allman at The Palms H & C on June 21. Bobby Vinton returns to Eastside Cannery on June 28. I was his opening act over ten years ago, and remember Bobby stopping at nothing to entertain… that included standing on tables while singing from the audience!
Other Picks for June: Jay Leno, June 6, Mirage, Lionel Richie, June 6, Mandalay Bay, Kid Rock, June 6, Cosmopolitan, Billy Joel, June 7, MGM, Kevin James, June 7, Mirage, Stained, June 7, Palms, James Darren, June 7 & 8, South Point, Steve Winwood, June 13 & 14, The Linq, Kathleen Madigan, June 14, Mirage, Chelsea Handler, June 13 & 14, Cosmopolitan, Junefest with Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Loverboy, June 14, Sunset Station, Rick Springfield, June 14, Primm Valley Resorts, William Shatner, June 19-21, MGM, Jay Mohr, June 21& 22, South Point, Jeff Bridges and The Abiders, June 21 & 22, Red Rock Resorts, Tamar Braxton, June 20, Mandalay Bay, Natalie Cole, June 28, Primm Valley Resorts.
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Bill Maher, Finis Henderson-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Oct. 31, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Comedian Bill Maher, a favorite guest on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” radio show, with Comedian Michele Lafong which now airs on KLAV, 1230 am in Las Vegas, and The Web, answers questions about his personal experiences on other talk shows, his feelings on Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s treatment of him when he guested on “The View,” and Barbara Walter’s response behind the scenes. He also speaks about the republican party, President Obama, and the upcoming presidential election.
For the last 18 years, Maher has pushed the boundaries of how far political humor and satire can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect” (which first aired on Comedy Central before moving to ABC), and for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and scathing humor have garnered him 21 EmmyR nominations. In October 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” which went on to become the seventh-highest grossing documentary ever.
In addition to his television program-which has featured such regular visitors as Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Arianna Huffington, Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore-Maher has written four bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden” and most recently, “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer.”
Bill Maher is featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column, in Nov. issue of Casino Player Magazine. He will also be LaFong’s Cover/Feature Interview in “Getting Personal with the Stars” in November’s 2013 edition of CP Magazine.
For more about Bill Maher click here. For more about “Real Time with Bill Maher” click here.
Bill Maher is appearing at The Pearl at The Palms H&C Nov. 2 & 3
Finis Henderson
Singing Impressionist Finis Henderson guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a backstage interview at The Laugh Factory, Finis tells us in detail how he does those amazing impressions.
Being part of Finis Henderson’s audience is equivalent to being invited to a reunion of some of the entertainment industry’s greatest legends and contemporary favorites, Sinatra, Boyz II Men, Elvis Presley, Alan Jackson, Nat King Cole (and daughter Natalie!), Sammy Davis Jr., and many others gather on stage for an evening of music, dancing, and comedy. Weaving the comic personas of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rodney Dangerfield and Mike Tyson through the crowd, one is apt to forget they’re not watching a crazed chorus, but the versatile talent of one dynamic performer.
The sound is theirs… The voice is pure Finis Henderson. And as the evening draws to a close, it isn’t a legend that brings the audience to its feet, but the intensely melodic strain of Mr. Henderson’s own rendition of “Music of the Night.”
It was only natural that Finis would go into show business. His father was a successful song and dance man, and one time Vice-President of Sammy Davis Jr. Enterprises. Afterwards, he took his act to Los Angeles and polished it at the famed Comedy Store. He has also opened for such superstars as Jackie Mason, Smokey Robinson, Barbara Mandrell, and Alan King, to name a few.
In addition to live club, casino, and coporate appearances, his television credits include Make Me Laugh, The Jackson (mini-series), Nashville Now, Comic Strip Live, Crazy Horse Saloon, and A Little Bit Strange. Films encompass Wired and I’m Gonna Get You Sucka! – See more at: http://www2.eaglestalent.com/Finis-Henderson/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=example&utm_term=finis%20henderson#sthash.4uRCf6PD.dpuf
Finis Henderson is headlining at The Laugh Factory through Nov. 3, 8:30 & 10:30 nightly
TweetKathy Griffin-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Kathy Griffin
I interviewed Kathy Griffin today of Bravo’s talk show “Kathy,” and “My Life on the D List.” LOVE her!!!
Breaking the record for the comic with the most comedy specials EVER…
Kathy is appearing at The Mirage with a brand new show on Aug.2, & Sept.7, at 10pm for more info: www.kathygriffin.net
Portions of the interview will be aired on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web on Thursday, July 25, and Aug. 1, from 6-7pm PST. Stream live.
Aside from featuring Kathy in “Getting Personal with the Stars,” my Monthly Syndicated Column in Gaming Today, I will also feature her in my Syndicated Column in Casino Player Magazine, in Las Vegas Backstage Talk, Sept. edition, because she is so much fun to talk to!
Also coming Thursday, 25 is The Wayans Brothers, with an upcoming appearance at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms H & C, and “You Tube Sensation,” Pablo Francisco, one of the most popular comics from Comedy Central, appearing at The South Point H & C.
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