John Melendez, “Stuttering John”
January 12, 2017
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian John Melendez/Stuttering John guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
John Melendez is co-headlining at The Laugh Factory at Tropicana H & C, through Sunday January 15.
John Melendez worked as a staff writer on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Melendez also appeared in some of the show’s comedy sketches. Melendez, who began with The Howard Stern Radio Show as an intern in college, landed on the air almost immediately. During his 15 seasons with Stern, Melendez gained national acclaim and recognition as “Stuttering John”, with his daring and irreverent interview style and prominent personality. In addition to interviewing countless celebrities on the radio, Melendez was simultaneously hired as a field reporter for the nationally syndicated Howard Stern Television Show, where he worked for two seasons as an interviewer and in sketch pieces for the show’s man-on-the-street segments. He continued his television work for Howard Stern on the highly rated E! television show. He became known for asking impertinent questions of celebrities on the red carpet and at press conferences with his stuttering. Following a guest appearance on The Tonight Show to promote I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2003, Melendez received the offer from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
For more go to: John Melendez’s Official Site http://www.johnmelendez.tv/
TweetVentriloquist Terry Fator
Dec. 29, 2016
Audio of show will be posted below except on Internet Explorer
Singing impressionist/ventriloquist Terry Fator guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
In 2014, “America’s Got Talent” winner Terry Fator celebrated his 5th year of the award-winning show at The Mirage, where he brings to life a hilarious cast of characters with his unique brand of entertainment combining singing, comedy and unparalleled celebrity impressions. With comedic banter and amazing vocal impressions of musical superstars such as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Tony Bennett, Toby Keith, Roy Orbison and more, “Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment” is a one-of-a-kind experience.
When audiences last saw Terry Fator, his loveable sidekick Winston the Impersonating Turtle was looking for a new gig on the Las Vegas Strip. Fast forward to 2014 and Winston has gone Hollywood in the updated version of “Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment.” Winston leaves the bright lights of Sin City for big budget movies in sunny California, tasking Fator to audition a cast of characters to find Winston’s replacement as his right-hand man…er…turtle. Those auditioning include Vikki “The Cougar,” country legend Walter T. Airdale, Duggie Scott Walker, Julius, Emma Taylor, the world’s greatest Elvis impersonator Maynard Tompkins and Wrex the Crash Test Dummy.
TweetTony Orlando, Anthony Cools
December 15, 2016
Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer
Tony Orlando guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Tony brings his Christmas Show to The South Point Showroom Dec. 16-18 – 7:30pm
Tony Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.
Through no plans of his own, Tony was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn.
“I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording ‘Candida’ I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit!’ The crazy thing was the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” says Orlando.
Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando recorded “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the tip song of 1971 selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Tony’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then.
Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Tony decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Tony Orlando and Dawn became an international sensation.
Amazingly enough, Tony hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973 he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.
More about Tony Orlando here–>
Hypnotist – Anthony Cools
World-famous hypnotist Anthony Cools performs at Paris Las Vegas, using his skills for decidedly evil purposes, tapping into the carnal desires and subconscious naughtiness of his audience, shearing off all inhibitions.
Not only is Cools the only hypnotist playing in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip, his show is the longest-running hypnotist show in Las Vegas history, and the longest-running show at Paris Las Vegas.
Signature stunts in his hilarious and interactive 90-minute show include handshakes that induce vocal, sexual responses, as well as several other tricks so shocking, we can’t even print them.
More about Anthony Cools here–>
You can catch Anthony Cools headlines at Paris Las Vegas.
Anthony Cools Showroom, Nightly 9:00pm, Dark Mon & Wed
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 Bill Engvall, Pia Zadora
Dec 1, 2016
Audio is posted below except on Internet Explorer
Comedian Bill Engvall, and Golden Globe winner Pia Zadora guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Bill Engvall is appearing at Treasure Island on Dec. 2.
In a backstage videotaped interview, Bill reflects on his some-what competitive spirit on keeping up with Jeff Foxworthy’s exploding career, and how it affected his ability to enjoy himself for the first two years of The Blue Collar Comedy Tour.
You know Bill from his TBS sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show”, as host of “Country Fried Home Videos”, and one of the four on the original Blue Collar Comedy Tour along with Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy.
Bill Engvall is featured in Michele LaFong’s monthly syndicated column “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Gaming Today, and in Casino Player Magazine.
LaFong interviews Engvall backstage at The T.I (Treasure Island) on video posted on site. Go to VIDEO on menu bar.
For more about Bill Engvall, click here–
Treasure Island Theatre, Friday March 6, 9:00pm
Pia Zadora
Pia Zadora guests in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Golden Globe winner, GRAMMY Award® nominee, ShoWest winner, accomplished singer, film and Broadway star all describe Pia Zadora. Performing since the age of six, for those who have seen her in concert, what comes to mind first and describes this multi-talented performer is simply this: Pia Zadora is the complete entertainer. For more information, visit http://piazadora.com or follow her on Twitter @OfficialPiaZ.
Consummate performer and Las Vegas resident Pia Zadora joins forces with another notable mainstay, Piero’s Italian Cuisine, with the opening of “Pia’s Place,” a space long known as the “Monkey Bar.” Zadora will perform in the intimate room Friday and Saturday evenings indefinitely at 9 p.m.
At “Pia’s Place,” the chanteuse reunites with legendary Sinatra pianist and musical director Vincent Falcone rounding out a quartet. Zadora will showcase her versions of standards such as “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Old Black Magic,” and “All of Me,” as well as a variety
Pia Zadora performs in “Pia’s Place” at Piero’s Italian Cuisine, 355 Convention Center Drive, on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 9 p.m.. A cover of $30 includes two drinks. Must be 21 and over with a valid ID.
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