Dec. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column by Michele LaFong
Dec. Casino Player Magazine– LVBST by Michele LaFong
The last couple of months have been extremely exciting and surreal for LVBST. We have been fielding a lot of questions regarding the video cameras that have been following me with my “stud-puppet” Paco, and LVBST around town.
All I am at liberty to reveal at the moment, is that we are under development for our own unscripted reality series that is unlike any other. A short edited clip of me & Paco, with my neighbor, Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Al Bernstein, can be viewed on casinocenter.com
Currently, my biggest beef with reality TV is that it is not real. The main characters often conjure up conflict and drama that is superficial, one dimensional or more fake than all the boobs and lips in Hollywood combined together!
For some strange reason…with my life nothing ever needs to be made up nor exaggerated for the sake of television cameras. Off-beat characters, unforeseen conflict and ridiculous storylines continue to play out in the “World of LaFong,” rarely taking a full day off!
Too bad that the cameras were not yet rolling when I went to see Ray Romano backstage at The Mirage last month. It was “de ja vu” for me. Not only was Ray pretty much the same, nice, unassuming, really funny guy that I had once hand-picked to open for me in the late 80’s, but it wasn’t ‘til after our visit that it dawned on me just how much Ray is the exact same guy on and off screen in the “Everybody Loves Raymond” television series.
On NOV 24th, fellow comics pitched in to do a benefit for Singing Impressionist Pam Matteson at the PLAZA HOTEL. Pam has brain cancer, no health insurance, and the medical bills are piling up. Amongst the special guest stars were Louie Anderson, Gordie Brown, Rich Little, Clint Holmes, The Coasters, The Michael T Band, and Budd Friedman, original founder of The Improv, and many more. If you missed the benefit but still would like to make a donation of any kind, go to Pam’s husband, Tim Biddle’s facebook page; scroll down and you’ll find a connection to a website that says DONATE NOW.
Legendary music icons and Grammy Award winners, Brian Wilson (co-founder The Beach Boys) and Jeff Beck (Yardbirds) performed at The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort as part of a co-headlining North American Tour. The show was nothing short of spectacular!
Towards the end of the show they were all on stage performing together! It was a sight to behold, and truly unforgettable.
Speaking of unforgettable, Comedy Legend, Marty Allen finally made it in to the studio with his co-star and wife, singer Karon Kate Blackwell. They were promoting their then upcoming shows at The Plaza Showroom. It was great to see them again. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them several times on different cruise lines over the years. Not that I performed on so many…it just so happened that the majority of the time when I was booked … so were they! We also performed in Atlantic City together when Marty hosted Senor Wences’ 100th Birthday Tribute at Bally’s Hotel & Casino with Special Guest Mickey Rooney. Marty Allen is best known however, for being half of the Legendary Allen & Rossi comedy team. Together, they appeared on over 700 television shows including 44 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. They recorded 16 comedy albums, the title of one using their signature catch phrase of “Hello Dere!” Allen said “We were into the act and I just went blank… and I looked at Steve and said, ‘Hello dere . . . hello dere.’ Then suddenly everyone in the club was saying it – hello dere.”
Now, at 91 years of age, Marty Allen has 91 reasons to go blank on-stage, but doesn’t… most of the time, and even when he does… his failing memory turns into a fresh, new, running-gag in the show. His improvisational skills kicked in every time it became obvious to the audience that Karon Kate was correcting him, whispering the jokes into his deaf ear… which got him even bigger laughs! Marty may not always remember every joke but he seems to have no trouble remembering how to make audiences laugh.
My picks for December: Wynonna & the Big Noise, is at The Orleans Showroom Dec. 6 & 7,
Ron White, is at The Mirage Dec. 6 & 7, 13 & 14, The Black Crowes appearing at The Hard Rock, Dec. 13.
Sinbad, is appearing at The Orleans, Dec. 14.
Country superstar Shania Twain who is a headliner at The Colosseum at Caesars will serve as the Grand Marshall of Opportunity Village’s Las Vegas Great Santa Run on Saturday, Dec. 7. Marking the 5k’s ninth year, Twain will join thousands of Kris Kringle’s downtown for the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser.
Surfset Las Vegas, the latest revolutionary workout trend from ABC’s hit program “Shark Tank,” will partner with Dress for Success Southern Nevada for a one-day donation drive on Saturday, Dec. 7, when a portion of each $20 class fee will go to the charity. Surfset offers four different styles of classes – Burn, Build, Balance and Blend – call 702-503-4780
Our friend, Comedian/Actor Bill Engvall is returning to The TI, on Dec.6 & 13, after an extremely respectable showing, staying alive in the very competitive ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Not very much is ever expected from the Celebrity Comics on that show! Bill first made a name for himself as part the Blue Collar Comedy Troupe with Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy. Larry will be appearing at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve.
Jerry Seinfeld always puts on a great show. He is appearing at Caesars Palace, Dec. 26 & 27
Steve Miller Band, the Doobie Brothers, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Dec. 28
Cedric the Entertainer, appearing at The Mirage Dec. 29 & 30, Fleetwood Mac, appearing at MGM Grand, Dec. 30, Kristen Chenoweth is appearing at The Smith Center, Dec. 31.
Another extremely popular headliner, that always sells out is Tony Orlando. Tony is the ultimate showman that always delivers a contemporary, “a feel good” engaging, hard rocking show! He and his wonderful band return to the South Point Showroom on New Year’s Eve.
Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, wishes you a very Happy New Year!
Your feedback and comments are always appreciated.
TweetKathleen Madigan, Three Dog Night-(Cory Wells)
Sept. 19, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Comedian Kathleen Madigan guests on Las Vegas backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Over Madigan’s 25 year career she has performed on nearly every standup television show ever made. Leno, Letterman, Conan, Ferguson and so on. She’s had 2 HBO specials, 3 Comedy Central specials, 3 CMT Salute to the Troops specials with Ron White and her last hour-long special, Gone Madigan, is currently in rotation on Showtime and CMT. She’s released 4 CDs and 2 DVDs and filmed a new one hour special this past spring to air in the fall as a Netflix Original.
She’s won the American Comedy Award for “Best Female Comedian” and the Phyllis Diller award for “Best Female Comedian.” Although she’s turned down many writing jobs because she enjoys performing more, she has written and produced for Lewis Black’s “Root of all Evil” on Comedy Central and for Gary Shandling’s Emmy monologues. She’s done two USO tours to Iraq and Afganistan with pals Lewis Black, Robin Williams, John Bowman and musicals acts Kid Rock, The Zac Brown Band, Kix Brooks and Kellie Pickler. “There’s no better show on earth than a show for the troops. Trust me, no crowd is as happy to see a show as 1000 soldiers in Kabul. I do USO shows at home here in the US too but the further people are away, the more they appreciate it. I don’t think they get paid enough for a hard job so I like to do something for free when I can.”
Kathleen is appearing at The Mirage Sept. 21
For more information go to www.KathleenMadigan.com.
Three Dog Night-Original Founding Member-Cory Wells
Cory Wells, (far right) founder of Three Dog Night guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. LVBST is the only show that really “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
With hits like Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Joy to The World, Black And White, Shambala, Easy To Be Hard, An Old Fashioned Love Song, The Show Must Go On, One, Never Been To Spain, Liar, Eli’s Coming, The Family Of Man, Out In The Country, Try A Little Tenderness, are just a few reasons why this band has stood the test of time, and attracting new fans, recording new music, but still playing the hits.
Catch Three Dog Night at The Eastside Cannery on Sept. 21
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Gaming Today Column-Bill Engvall by Michele LaFong
Article in GAMING TODAY with Engvall “Getting Personal with the Stars” by Michele LaFong
Bill will also be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” in Casino Player Magazine, as well as his Backstage video taped interview from The TI, posted on Lasvegasbackstagetalk.com Website, and on Casinocenter.com.
TweetGaming Today-Bill Engvall by Michele LaFong
Bill Engvall was my guest last week on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show, in Las Vegas on 1230AM KLAV. He was plugging his appearance at Treasure Island on Friday Dec. 14.
I just had to ask Bill what life was like on the road with “The Blue Collar Comedy Troupe,” and whether the characters of the comics was just an act.
The first question out of my mouth was “who was the most “out of their minds” amongst you? Was it Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy, or you?” Bill responded without hesitation. “Larry… He also was the sweetest guy. We called him the “Mikey” of the Comedy Troupe. He could be talked into going along with anything.
He also was really the only redneck amongst us.” It’s not at all an act. He pretty much got married on four wheelers!” “So that’s not a costume that he wears?” “Umm…No! That’s part of the reason that he’s so popular and people can relate to him so well because there are no aires, he’s just genuine.”
When asked “which comic was the hardest to follow of The Blue Collar Comedy Troupe, Bill retorted “Ron White. Ron really is one of the funniest guys out there, but when we first started the tour, both Ron, and Larry “The Cable Guy” were unknowns. I was a long-time headliner doing comedy the longest, longer than even Foxworthy.
In fact, the first two years of The Blue Collar Tour, I didn’t enjoy myself. I was too focused on “being bigger than Jeff Foxworthy because Jeff and I were kind of at the same level when we started. Then he just sky-rocketed, and took off. I wanted to be Jeff Foxworthy, and in the process, I forgot to be Bill Engvall.
Then one day, Ron White and I were sitting and talking at a bar…go figure…and he said “Engvall, I remember the days in Dallas I’d go up on stage and just gut the room. I remember thinking “follow that Engvall!
You then would go up there with that slow delivery, and your story telling, and within five minutes the audience was going…Ron who?!” “I thought oh my God, I’ve gotten away from what got me to where I’m at! So I got back to being Bill again, and started having the greatest time of my life.
I made the decision early on to work clean. In fact, I got passed over for “HBO’s One Night Stand” because they said that I wasn’t edgy enough. But in the long-run, I’ve worked ten times longer than those guys that had their “HBO One Night Stands,” so I think I made the right decision.
The Blue Collar Comedy Tour served as a good venue for Bill, although it proved to be a double edged sword. “People don’t assume that you can do anything other than that! “It’s taken me years to break out of that “Blue Collar” Mold. ” But break out he did! Bill Engvall has just sold a pilot which he will soon be starring in a new dramatic role.
Engvall will also be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk,” in Casino Player Magazine.
Bill Envall’s videotaped backstage interview from the TI, with Comedian Michele LaFong is posted on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com, and casinocenter.com.
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Bill Engvall, Jennifer Harman-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Dec. 13, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Bill Engvall returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong to talk about his latest up-coming projects. 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 “Getting Personal with the Stars” in Gaming Today, and will soon be featured in LaFong’s monthly syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine. CP Player a Gaming Lifestyle Magazine with a circulation of over eighty eight thousand paid subscribers nationally.
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–>
You can catch Bill Engvall at Treasure Island
Treasure Island Theatre, Friday Dec. 14 9:00pm
http://youtu.be/V2r2eEyLQTo backstage with Bill Engvall
Poker Champ / Star of “Sin City Rules” on TLC – Jennifer Harman
Jennifer Harman guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LV Backstage Talk is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
As one of the best and most recognized poker players in the world, Jennifer Harman was approached by the show’s producers to join the cast of Sin City Rules including Lana Fuchs of Billionaire Mafia; celebrity hypnotist, Kimberly Friedmutter; local entertainment reporter, Alicia Jacobs; mob boss daughter, Amy Hanley; and Lori Montoya, owner of Rain Cosmetics.
“Being on camera is obviously nothing new for me, but being with women is. My home life and career are both full of men and I never really have the opportunity to meet new female friends. I’m glad that I did this show because between Lana, Kimberly and Lori, they’ve brought such amazing female power into my life. Did I leave out the other two women?- oh well.
What I hope comes across about me on “Sin City Rules” is that there’s nothing fake about me- what you see is truly what you get. I’m genuine in my priorities of family, friendship and ethics and I deal with everything that comes my way- I’m strong.”-Jennifer Harman
Comedian Michele LaFong makes a Cameo Appearance on “TLC’s Sin City Rules” interviewing Amy Hanley and Wendy Mazaros, Author of “Vegas Rag Doll” on LV Backstage Talk Radio Show in episode # 3. (Video is posted on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com)
See more about Jennifer Harman on her site here–>
More about Jennifer on Sin City Rules here–>
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Bill Engvall, Otis Williams-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
June 21, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Actor/Comedian Bill Engvall, and Otis Williams, Original Founding Member of “The Temptations,” guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk (LVBST) with Comedian Michele LaFong.
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.
Engvall is also featured in “Getting Personal with the Stars” Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated column in Gaming Today, and will be featured in LaFong’s “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine. LaFong interviewed Bill Engvall backstage at Treasure Island H & C. (TI) The video is posted on Engvall is also featured in “Getting Personal with the Stars” Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated column in Gaming Today, and will be featured in LaFong’s “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine.
For more about Bill Engvall, click HERE.
You can catch Bill Engvall at Treasure Island
Treasure Island Theatre, Friday June 22nd 8:00pm
Singer / Original founding member of The Temptations – Otis Williams
For more than 40 years, The Temptations have shined as pioneers of popular music, with decades of smash hits and sold-out performances. An essential component of the original Motown machine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temptations began their musical career in Detroit in the early ‘60s. In 1964, Smokey Robinson wrote and produced “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” the first major hit for The Temptations. An avalanche of hits followed, including “My Girl,” “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” and “I Wish It Would Rain.”
For more about Otis Williams, click here.
For more about The Temptations, click here.
You can catch Otis Williams w/ The Temptations at The Orleans Showroom.
Orleans Showroom, July 7th & 8th 8:00pm
For reservations
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
