Debbie Reynolds, Shang Forbes
December 8, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Debbie Reynolds guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. Debbie gave me my first running-show at The Debbie Reynolds H&C on the Las Vegas Strip in 1994.
For over six decades, our lives have been enriched by the talents of a singer, dancer and actress we know as Debbie Reynolds. With a rich life in talent and skills, she is a must see at The South Point Showroom whenever she comes to Las Vegas.
Debbie Reynolds gave me her first running-show in LV- “Vegas Live” starring Comedian Michele LaFong at The Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino on The LV Strip.
Debbie will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.
Too much to list about the life and history of Debbie Reynolds here. For more about Debbie, click HERE.
Comedian Shang Forbes
Comedian Shang Forbes guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
He will be headlining The LA Comedy Club Dec. 12-18th.
The charismatic comic has proven his premiere stand-up skills with appearances nationwide and abroad with one of the most memorable performances of 1995 on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” & won Two half-hour Comedy specials on BET’s “Comic View Grand Stand.
Shang has cemented his position as one of the brightest funnymen in the business & his political and explosive humor has been showcased on HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival Special “Best of the Fest”. Other appearances include “Politically Incorrect,”& the BBC’s Funny Business,Mun2’s Loco Comedy Jam, NBC’S Comedy Showcase, MTV’s Choose or Lose, National Lampoon’s New Faces, Comedy Central’s Jamie Foxx-presents “Laffapalooza”& was a Co-Host on Russell Simmon’s “One World Music Beat.
Shang also is a Co-producer & host of BET’S Access Granted & is a regular on Bet’s Comic View, which airs weeknights at 10pm. (Incidentally, BET reaches 80 million cable households according to Nielsen Media Research). In addition, he has displayed impressive comedic acting & writing ability as a series regular on the late-night laugh-fest ”The Newz” & a contributing writer for George Magazine.
Now Shang has been making headway into the acting field with recent guest starring roles on episodes of On CBS’s “NCIS”, ABC’s “Zack & Cody”, NBC’s “Passions,” WB’s The Jamie Foxx Show & just finished shooting a pilot for FOX TV Called “FACELESS” written & directed by hot new director Joe Carmahan (“Narc” & Smoking Aces) & Produced by Tony Krantz ( “24″ THe PJ’s & Sports Night).
The debut of Shang’s first major release CD entitled “SHANGRY!!”, on Uproar Records is in stores now & has one of the most played Comedy Specials on XM Radio called “Live on Broadway” taped at the world famous Caroline’s on Broadway In NY. In addition, he will be featured in several Upcoming international televised shows in Japan, Ireland, London and Amsterdam. Shang will continue to rise to the top of the comedy ranks with high-profile acting & televised stand up & personal appearances.
His new comedy special is called Shang is…”SHANGRY!” and is on Showtime.
TweetComedian Michele LaFong, Ralphie May-LV Backstage Talk
Jan. 3, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Comedian Michele LaFong, Protégé of The Legendary Senor Wences, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show on 1230 am KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web to promote her Special Guest Appearance with Bobby Rydell at The Suncoast Showroom on January 11-13, at 7:30pm.
Michele LaFong is an accomplished comedian, and ventriloquist for over two decades, with her own running show on The Las Vegas Strip three times. She was mentored by Debbie Reynolds, Jackie Mason & The Legendary Senor Wences, the most famous International Ventriloquist in the World, who “passed the torch” to her, giving LaFong exclusive rights to perform with his famous puppets, Johnny, the lipstick hand-puppet, and Pedro, the head in the box, as documented in March ’98 in Life Magazine.
Michele will be performing with Wences’ original Johnny puppet, and will be making a cameo appearance as a variety artist, auditioning for the young star, Jada Grace, and her manager on episode #3, of “The Jada Grace Show,” a new variety television series that will debut on CBS in January 2013.
(In this episode, Michele LaFong, and “Johnny,” the famous “lipstick hand-puppet, were set-up as new recurring characters.)
LaFong, and Las Vegas Backstage Talk made a cameo appearance last week on episode #3 on TLC’s “Sin City Rules.”
Comedian – Ralphie May
Ralphie May guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230 am KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web.
In a very candid backstage interview at The South Point Hotel & Casino, Ralphie May addresses some of the obstacles and behind the scenes’ “going-ons” that are realities in”the business” of show business. He also speaks about his very first gig. Opening for Sam Kinison.
Veteran comedian Ralphie May’s popularity exploded after the success of the first season of NBC’s hit reality series, “Last Comic Standing”. Long-time fans of Ralphie’s stand-up were joined by countless new fans when America thought he was robbed of the winner’s title. Despite the show’s outcome, Ralphie’s special brand of comedy combines the familiar elements of hip-hop and topical comedy with a dash of southern down-home flavor and quick wit making Ralphie May one of the most popular comedians in the country. His first DVD, appropriately titled “Just Correct,” went PLATINUM!
His special brand of humor and incredible timing has allowed him to cross social, cultural, and ethnic barriers and has earned him roles in such films as FOR DA LOVE OF MONEY and GAS, to name a few of several independent productions. Ralphie has worked as an actor, writer and producer on ESPN’s Mohr Sports starring Jay Mohr and had four appearances on CBS’s The Late Late Show w/ Craig Kilborn as well as eleven appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has been seen on Tough Crowd, The Man Show and MTV’s Bash as well as in guest-starring roles on numerous television shows including NBC’s Whoopie. In an appearance on The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno he received a standing ovation, the first comedian in 10 years to receive this honor. The New York Times raves, “Ralphie is phenomenal…”The Washington Post describes his comedy style as a “Tour de Force.” At the age of seventeen, Ralphie entered a talent show, to which the winner would get to open for Sam Kinison. A dream came true… Ralphie won the contest and after the show, Sam turned to Ralphie and said, “That was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Ralphie will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine.
More about Ralphie May here–>
You can catch Ralphie May headlining at South Point.
The Showroom at South Point, Fri. – Sun., Jan. 4th – 6th 7:30pm
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Debbie Reynolds, Steve Mittleman-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Dec. 22. 2011 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Debbie Reynolds guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LV Backstage Talk is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
For over six decades, our lives have been enriched by the talents of a singer, dancer and actress we know as Debbie Reynolds. With a rich life in talent and skills, she is a must see at The South Point Showroom.
Debbie Reynolds gave LaFong her first running-show in LV- “Vegas Live” starring Comedian Michele LaFong at The Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino on The LV Strip.
Debbie will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.
Too much to list about the life and history of Debbie Reynolds here. For more about Debbie, click HERE.
Comedian, Actor, Speaker – Steve Mittleman
Steve started touring in 1980 and has kept audiences laughing ever since.
One of the rare comics that has appeared on The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson & Jay Leno… Letterman.. Showtime Laugh-Off Special, HBO, Extreme Makeover and on almost every show out there. Also in film he co-starred in Roxanne, featured in Radio Days, Beer, Rich Boys, and Out-of-towners.
For more info about Steve, CLICK HERE!
You can catch Steve live at Harrah’s Las Vegas
The Improv Comedy Club, Dec. 20th – 25th
Showtime: 8:30PM, 10:30PM
Nov. 03, 2011: Debbie Reynolds, Tom Stevens, Shayma Tash
Actress, Singer, Icon – Debbie Reynolds
For over six decades, our lives have been enriched by the talents of a singer, dancer and actress we know as Debbie Reynolds. With a rich life in talent and skills, she is a must see at The South Point.
Too much to list about the life and history of Debbie Reynolds here. Read more about her on the link below.
For more about Debbie, click HERE.
You can catch Debbie live at The South Point
The Showroom, Nov. 4 – 6, 7:30pmFor reservations
Singer, Impressionist – Tom Stevens
A Legendary Las Vegas Tribute Artist, Tom Stevens’ remarkable resemblance to Dean Martin makes him one of the World’s Premiere Dean Martin Impersonators. In addition to his looks, Tom’s powerful voice allows him to Tributize a singer’s entire song making his Las Vegas One-Man Show truly The Ultimate Tribute Show. Tom tributizes such legendary singers as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias, and many more. Tom doesn’t just stop at tributizing singers, he also adds a comedic portion to the show by Tributizing Celebrities such as Robert DeNiro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Lewis, Peter Falk, Jimmy Stewart, Former President Clinton, Bill Cosby, Cher and many more. Tom’s “Karaoke Party” is the funniest eight minutes in Vegas. His show has been labeled as truly one of the Best Shows In Las Vegas and many of his fans have been back to see his show time and time again. So when you are in Las Vegas, his show is the MUST SEE!
For more about Tom, click here.
You can catch Tom live at The Suncoast
Suncoast Showroom, Nov. 5 – 6, 7:30pm
Comedian – Shayma Tash
Shayma Tash is a stand-up comic who currently headlines in Las Vegas and opens for Carrot Top regularly. She has been seen on numerous TV shows including: Several shows on the E! Network, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, MTV’s Punk’d, The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Chelsea Lately.
For more about Shayma, click HERE.
You can catch Shayma live at LV Hilton
Shimmer Cabaret, Nov. 2 – 6, 10:00pm
Jan. 4, 2011: Demond Wilson, (Sanford & Son) and Murray Sawchuck, (America’s Got Talent) tonight, on Las Vegas Backstage Now!
Tonight, at 8PM Pacific Time, on Las Vegas Backstage Now, our radio show hosted by RichardSpasoff and myself on KLAV 1230 AM, and on the Internet nationally, we will have Demond Wilson, from Sanford & Son, and Murray Sawchuck, (America’s Got Talent) as our guests. It should prove to be a really interesting show!
Last night, I popped in at Bootlegger’s, (a popular Las Vegas “show-biz hangout.”) Monday is open mike night. Apparently, I walked in just as Rich Little began performing his set. He was trying out some new material that went over very well with the crowd of “regulars” having dinner, and waiting for their stage time.
Next up, was Steve Rossi from “Allen & Rossi,” back in “The Ed SullivanShow days. The last time I worked with both Steve Rossi and Rich Little, was in 1994, when we were taping a TV show out of The Debbie Reynold’s Hotel & Casino, on The Las Vegas Strip, where I had my own show, “Vegas Live,” four nights a week. The TV show was not mine. I had nothing to do with it. Nor did I book the acts on the show. However, the show was named “Las Vegas Live,” which did not make me happy, especially since my crowd thought that this was my show they were coming out to see. To add insult to injury, I wasn’t even a booked act on the show! (Welcome to Show Biz!)
When I explained to Debbie Reynolds that a lot of people came out to see me that night due to the name confusion. Debbie agreed that I should at least be on the show. The producer of the show told me begrudgingly: “you’re on next,” which was the third spot of the night. It was great fun. I got a standing ovation after performing a seven-minute set consisting of stand-up comedy, and impressions. The producer then put on Impressionist, Rich Little. I don’t think that Rich was too happy having to perform his set right after I did all of those impressions.
That’s Show Biz! I wonder if Rich remembers me. If not, I won’t be the one to remind him! LOL
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