“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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Lynda Carter, Rich Natole-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
June 27, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Singer/Actress Lynda Carter, and Impressionist Rich Natole guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Best known for winning our hearts as Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter is an accomplished singer who has performed to rave reviews before sell-out crowds around the world. In addition to her long acting career, Lynda has the distinction of producing and starring in five highly rated network television specials, several of which were Emmy-nominated. She has appeared onstage with many of the world’s most popular singers, including Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Kenny Rogers, Bob Hope, George Benson, and Ben Vereen.
Lynda Carter will be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, and will be featured in “Getting Personal with the Stars” Monthly Syndicated Column, in Casino Player Magazine.
More about Lynda Carter here!
You can catch Lynda Carter live at Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Suncoast Showroom, Sat & Sun, July 14 – 15 7:30pm
Comic / Impressionist – Rich Natole, star of “Voices of a Generation”
Rich Natole’s opens his one man show “Voices of a Generation” at the new Giordano Theatre the worlds first hybrid theater featuring movies and LIVE entertainment..
His repertoire of hundreds of celebrity vocal and singing impressions will impress young and old alike. Avid television and movie buffs will appreciate Rich’s pinpoint accuracy of their favorite stars of yesterday and today. From Chris Rock to Larry the Cable Guy to Jeff Foxworthy to Eddie Murphy, Rich Natole does a multitude of contemporary voices. Political junkies will enjoy his equal opportunity approach to spoofing their favorite (or least favorite) politicians such as, John McCain and Barack Obama. Rich’s rendition of The National Anthem – with every President from JFK to Barack Obama is a huge crowd pleaser.
Update: Natole is currently performing Downtown, at The Plaza H & C.
More about Rich Natole here.
You can catch Rich Natole at Fashion Show Mall Las Vegas
Giordano Theatre, 2:00pm daily, dark Mondays.
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
“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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Jan. 14, 2012: It Took Paula Poundstone To Make LaFong’s Jaw Drop!
Yes. It’s true. Paula Poundstone made my jaw drop! I suppose my husband was right. I was capable all along!
It really does take a lot to make my jaw drop. I guess that I was shocked that it was even possible for a comedian to perform a hilarious, lull-free, smart, clean show of all new relevant material, while working the crowd masterfully. Paula Poundstone did it with ease, for almost two hours straight! (No pun intended.) Talk about underselling, and over delivering!
Yesterday, after interviewing Paula on “Las Vegas Backstage Now,” currently “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” with Comedian Michele LaFong, on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web. I was fascinated by Poundstone’s humble self-reference as “Just a Little Joke Teller, and very importantly, a single mom of three.” I couldn’t imagine that her new act was just that: A new act. But it was. Wow! What a concept. It’s not like some of us comics have never written new acts. Of course we have. All the time, and funny ones too! It’s just that…well…when the time comes to perform it, we realize that audiences deserve the “tried and tested” material.
You see, a lot of us performers are doing the same old crap on stage, time after time because we are humanitarians. We sacrifice our own need to branch out and grow, for the sake of our paying audiences. Yeah…I believe that. And if I were a drag queen, my name would be Dee Nile! I guess I realize all of this now, after watching a “super-pro” like Paula Poundstone.
I hadn’t seen Paula’s show in its entirety, in a very long time. I kept waiting for the old “snicker bar commercial bit,” or “I’ve never been rich enough to be a republican” bit, or some other old familiar staple. Instead, she was always present, and “in the moment,”completely plugged in to any whispers or extra noises in the room, piping in with hilarious comments, and comebacks, while simultaneously weaving in and out of her new material. Although Paula Poundstone’s act is always uniquely funny, her real strength lies in working the crowd.
During my interview with Paula, she stated that chatting with the audience, is what she truly enjoys doing the most. It really showed too! Everyone was engaged, invested, and having a great time. Who would have figured that a comic, that is a single mom with three that proclaims on stage that she dislikes sex with ANYONE, lives with sixteen cats, two dogs, and other creatures, would be such a “people person?” But a “people person” she is! After the show, Paula did a meet and greet, posing for pictures with her long line of fans. What a great show, and a wonderful value.
Paula Poundstone will be my Feature Interview in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” Column in Casino Player Magazine, July edition 2013, as well “Las Vegas backstage Talk’s Syndicated Monthly Column, in Casino Player Magazine.
Paula Poundstone is appearing at The Orleans Showroom, Jan. 13- 14 at 8pm
Tickets start at $19.95 plus tax. Call (702) 365-7075
