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
Frank Marino, Tom Stevens-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Jan. 5, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Frank Marino, Star & Producer of “Divas Las Vegas” guests on LVBST Radio Show w/Comedian Michele LaFong.
From “Divas Las Vegas”, we welcome Frank Marino, who is featured in an all star cast of superstar female impersonators who not only recreate but almost uncannily duplicate the likenesses of stars ranging from Britney Spears to Cher and Diana Ross to Beyonce even Madonna and Dolly Parton have been known to stop by. Meanwhile, Marino in his role as the show’s emcee and star changes between every act bringing an international whirlwind of couture to the stage with each spectacular entrance.
Frank will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Casino Player Magazine, and “Getting Personal with the Stars” Syndicated Column in Gaming Today.
For more info about Frank Marino, click here!
You can catch “Divas Las Vegas”live at Imperial Palace, now The Quad
At Imperial Theatre
Showtimes:10:00pm Nightly – Dark Fridays
Singer, Impressionist – Tom Stevens
In honor of Elvis Presley’s 77th birthday, applauded singer-impressionist and comedian Tom Stevens brings his Elvis tribute show to the Suncoast Showroom for two performances, January 7 and 8, each evening at 7:30 p.m.
While Stevens is well-known for impressions of a wide range of celebrities – including Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Stewart, Bill Clinton, George Burns, Paul Lynde, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Carol Channing, Bill Cosby and Robert DeNiro – his Suncoast performance will be all Elvis. Walking, talking and dressing like The King himself, Stevens will perform many of Elvis’ hits, including gospel and country songs.
For more about Tom, click here.
You can catch Tom bringing his Elvis tribute showto The Suncoast
Suncoast Showroom, Jan. 7 & 8, 7:30pm
For reservations
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Dec. 8, 2011: Mitchell Walters, Steve Howard
Comedian – Mitchell Walters
Known as “the Area Code Guy” for his talents in memorizing area codes, Mitchell has headlined for every major comedy club across America and Canada, and opened for Michael Bolton and Neil Sedaka. For three years, he
toured America with the late, great Sam Kinison as one of the “Outlaws of Comedy”, playing venues ranging from 3,500 seat arenas to 17,000 at Madison Square Garden.
See more about Mitchell, HERE.
See Mitchell LIVE at Riviera Dec. 5th – 11th 9:00pm
Comedy Club Showroom Reserve HERE.
“TV Warm-Up Guy” – Steve Howard
Steve Howard is one of LA’s most experienced and sought-after TV studio audience warm-up artists. His style and personality sets him apart, making him desirable to producers who want their audiences pumped up!
Howard’s very long resume includes warming-up the audiences for well- established television shows like America’s Got Talent, and so many more!
TweetDennis Blair, Robin Jay-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Dec. 1, 2011 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Comedian Dennis Blair, George Carlin’s opening act for over twenty years, guests on LVBST Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Dennis Blair is a true Renaissance man. He is an accomplished screenwriter, award-winning songwriter and comedic actor. Dennis is best known for the caustic observations and musical satires of his live comedy performances.
Dennis will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” monthly column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s “Getting Personal with the Stars” Syndicated Monthly Column in Gaming Today.
See more about Dennis here.
See Dennis LIVE at Harrah’s Nov. 29th – Dec. 4th At The Improv at Harrah’s LV.
Author, Speaker – Robin Jay
Award winning author and Las Vegan, Robin Jay, produced and stars in the movie “The Keeper of the Keys”.A new, relatable movie designed to take the “hell” out of self-help. Set to premiere in Las Vegas on Dec. 8 at the Plaza.
Robin has a compelling personal story – she moved to Vegas from a small town in Ohio and started in advertising before writing the best-selling book, “The Art of the Business Lunch.” Her newest adventure has taken her into the film industry with the “The Keeper of the Keys.”
See more about Robin, here.
View a preview of “the Keeper of the Keys” here.
See the premier of Robin Jay’s Self help-movie “the Keeper of the Keys”, Dec. 8th at The Plaza Hotel and Casino.
TweetNov. 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
Sonny Turner-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Oct. 27, 2011 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Sonny Turner guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Turner burst onto the national scene in 1959, when he was chosen from among 100 prospects to replace The Platters’ original lead singer, Tony Williams. Starting at the age of 19, Turner toured the world with The Platters and gained popularity with such hits as “I Love You 1000 Times,” “With This Ring” and “Washed Ashore.” He also re-recorded the group’s major hits, including “Only You,” “The Great Pretender” and “The Magic Touch.”
Sonny 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 “Getting Personal with the Stars” in Gaming Today.
For more about Sonny, click here.
You can catch Sonny live at The Suncoast
Suncoast Showroom, Oct.29 – 30 8:00pm
