Pauly Shore, Comic Gary Owen, and Illusionists Jarrett & Raja guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong, on Thursday from 6:05pm-7:00pm PST on 970am KNUU, in Las Vegas, and The Web.
An entertainment career was virtually pre-ordained for Pauly Montgomery Shore. At age 4, he sat on the lap of The King himself in the company of his father, comedian Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis during the early ’70s. Around the same time, Pauly’s mother, Mitzi, and father opened The Comedy Store on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, giving their son the rare opportunity to hang out and be inspired by such rising talents as Robin Williams, David Letterman and the late Sam Kinison, who became Pauly’s mentor. At 17, Pauly began writing and performing his own material, creating the persona of “The Weizel,” a character that quickly appealed to young audiences.
Pauly Shore has a successful career in comedy, movie and television roles, directing and writing.
His new special “Pauly~tics” will be coming to Showtime in November.
Gary Owen stars in the Screen Gems feature film THINK LIKE A MAN with Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, and Gabrielle Union. Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, the hit film opened at #1 at the box office on April 20th. Gary’s new, uproariously funny one-hour Showtime comedy special TRUE STORY is now available on DVD and Netflix. He can be seen this fall in UPLOAD, a video clip show he co-hosts with Shaquille O’Neal for TruTV.
In addition, Owen currently hosts SHAQ’S ALL-STAR COMEDY JAMand performs at many of the top comedy clubs across the country.
Jarrett & Raja were Howie Mandel’s pick for “The Wild Card Show” on “America’s Got Talent.” Both judges Howie Mandel and Howard Stern were visabally upset and voiced their opinions in interviews after the show when Jarrett & Raja were voted off “America’s Got Talent.” They will be giving the inside story on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show.
Direct from the great casinos of the Las Vegas Strip and billed as “Master Magician & Piano Genius”, JARRETT & RAJA bring to the stage their amazing and unique blend of magic, music and comedy. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary in show business in October 2012 and recently competed on NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent” in San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York.
Acclaimed by the likes of “Siegfried & Roy” and “Penn & Teller”, JARRETT & RAJA have performed on the major stages from New York and Las Vegas throughout Far East Asia and Europe. They recently returned to Las Vegas following an outstanding two year spectacular show in Singapore.
Few would have guessed that Yankovic, who as an awkward, accordion-playing teenager got his start sending in homemade tapes to the Dr. Demento radio show, would go on to enjoy a varied and successful career that is now entering its fourth decade. Over that time he’s won three Grammys (with 12 nominations), racked up 31 Gold and Platinum albums and won countless awards and accolades for Weird Al classics like “Eat It,” “Like a Surgeon,” “Fat,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” “Amish Paradise” and “The Saga Begins.” Yankovic is also well-known for his cult-hit feature film UHF (1989), his late ’90s CBS Saturday morning series The Weird Al Show and the numerous AL-TV specials that he’s made for MTV and VH1 over the years. His previous album Straight Outta Lynwood (2006), the highest-charting of his career, spawned the Billboard Top 10 single “White & Nerdy,” the video of which spent two months at #1 on iTunes and garnered over 100 million hits on the Internet.
Now out on his “Alpocalypse” Tour for his latest album.
“Bars mean money, but they also mean stress if they aren’t properly run. Jon Taffer is a bar and nightclub owner who has started, flipped, or owned over 600 bars and clubs in his career and currently owns one of the most highly respected consulting firms in the bar and nightclub industry. Jon will travel around the country and employ his expertise to return struggling bars to the cash cows they once were. Everything from the science of the perfect pour, to the height of the bar stools is a key factor in making a bar the hottest place in town.”
Jon is an internationally recognized, award winning, concept developer, the voice and guru in the bar & nightlife industry. With over 30 years of experience, Taffer became of the worlds top restaurant and bar consultant. In 2010, Taffer was appointed president of Nightclubs & Bar Media Group and organizes the Nightclub & Bar Convention Trade Show, Nightclub & Bar magazine. Taffer is also chairman of Taffer Dynamics, where he is a consultant and development adviser to nightclubs and bars around the world.
For just over 30 years, Al Bernstein has been one of the most recognizable and respected sportscasters in America. In those three decades, the “voice of boxing” reported the funny, poignant, and bizarre events that helped shape sports television, ESPN, boxing, Las Vegas, and Showtime. With an eclectic cast of characters that includes every big name in boxing, including Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as such names in the entertainment world as Rodney Dangerfield, Sylvester Stallone, Russell Crowe, and Jerry Lewis, Bernstein’s memoir will have you in stitches.
Al Bernstein has written a new book, “30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Boxing, Sports and TV,” and has already received a great reception. People from the sports, entertainment and media world are talking about this book.
A Face to “Poker-face” interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak-
“Getting Personal with the Stars”
Last week I had a face to “Poker-face” interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak, who is competing at The World Series of Poker held at The Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino. Kevin was there representing hollywoodpoker.com, and is holding a best poker-face on-line contest, that will be on-going for the next four weeks with lots of prizes to win. “Many celebrities have also entered, including Rob Reiner, whose poker-face is pretty hard to beat.”
Kevin, who has been playing poker all of his life, came in second in a recent tournament of two hundred players. He claims that being a natural impressionist and studier of human nature gives him the poker-face advantage. “It’s all about playing your game, and studying your opponents. The best players don’t even need to look at their hole cards. They are playing against their opponents, mastering the poker-face.”
When asked how he got started playing in tournaments he replied “I was filming the Martin Scorsese movie “Casino,” and I was stuck for twenty weeks at The Riviera Hotel and Casino. If you’ve ever been to The Riviera, you know what I mean by stuck! A pit boss saw me playing, liked me, and taught me the difference between playing “Home Poker” for five to six hours, verses Casino Poker for twelve to sixteen hours.
One second it was Robert DeNiro explaining the difference, and giving me poker-face tips, the next second it was Alan Arkin, and Christopher Walken. I felt like I was interviewing the male version of “Cybil!”
My videotaped Face to Poker-face Interview with Actor/Impressionist Kevin Pollak can be seen here
(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
Gerry Bednob guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. LV Backstage Talk radio show is the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Gerry currently appears as Bling Bling Shelton in Free Radio on Vh1. He had a role in the 2010 film Furry Vengeance, with Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields, playing Mr. Gupta. He is also the uncle of Michelle Jhagroo.
He will soon be featured in Michele LaFong’s monthly syndicated column “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s monthly syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.
Gerry is appearing at Rivera Comedy Club 9:00pm through Sunday July 22nd
Comedian / Headliner – Jeff Capri
Welcoming back Jeff Capri, son of Dick Capri from “Catskills on Broadway.”
Jeff covers everything from pop-culture, biographical and political twists as well as a silly pun or two. A world traveled comedian, Jeff has worked a variety of audiences. Comedy clubs, cruise lines, military tours, and corporate events. Considered a consummate professional; his strong improvisational ability enables him to adapt to any crowd. Jeff’s television appearances, include Comics Unleashed, Last Comic Standing, Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star has enabled him to work alongside respected entertainers, including Ellen DeGeneres, Joy Behar, Rich Jeni and Adam Sandler.
You can catch Jeff at The Orleans, Wednesday, July 18th through Sunday July 22nd at 8:00pm
Big Al’s Comedy Club-now at The Gold Coast H&C Comedian – Laura Hayden
Laura is like radioactive plutonium; calm, cool and collected until comedy took over her life. A very introverted child all through school, it wasn’t until graduate school for physical therapy that she realized her comedic potential. It’s always the quiet ones! She has the ability to make anything funny, even spinal meningitis. This talent caused her class to overwhelmingly select her to give their commencement speech. That was the catalyst. Receiving several applause -laughter breaks during her speech, she thought “maybe I’m funny”. Having an unquenchable desire to try or learn anything. As long as it is not illegal or immoral, well maybe that was being a bit hasty. But on a whim, she took a comedy class and people have been laughing at her ever Since.
You can catch Laura w/ Jeff Capri at The Orleans
Thursday, July 18th through Sunday July 22nd at 8:00pm You can listen to a recording of our show below!
Adam Carolla Al Bernstein Alicia Jacobs Al Jardine Alain Nu Alonzo Bodden Amazing Johnathan Amy Hanley Anjelah Johnson Anthony Cools Anthony Lewis Ariann Black Arnez J Arturo Sandoval Ben Stone Ben Vereen Bethany Owen Bill Bellamy Bill Cosby Bill Engvall Bill Haley Jr. Bill Maher Bill Medley Billy Davis Jr. Billy Garan BJ Thomas Bob Anderson Bob Cowsill Bob Cummings Bobby Figueroa Bobby Kimball Bobby Rydell Bobby Vinton Bob Zany Burton Cummings Carl Labove Carlos Mencia Carnie Wilson Carol Scibelli Charlie Daniels Charlie Murphy Chuck Negron Clint Holmes Cody Collins Cory Wells Coty Alexander Cowboy Bill Martin Crystal Gayle Dana Carvey Dave Attell David Brenner Dave Mason Deana Martin Debbie Reynolds Demond Wilson Dennis Blair Dennis Bono Dennis Miller Desi Arnaz Jr. D.L. Hughley Dom Irrera Don Barnhart Don Barnes Don Brewer Don Felder Don McLean Donny Most Don Rickles Doug Gray Dr. Julio Garcia Dustin Diamond Earl Turner Eddie Money Emilio Castillo Esteban Felicia Michaels Felix Cavaliere Finis Henderson Frank Caliendo Fran Capo Frank Sinatra Jr. Frank Marino Fred Turner Gallagher Gary Owen Gary Puckett Gary Wilner Gerry Bednob Gerry McCambridge Gloria Loring Gordie Brown Graham Russell Grand Funk Railroad Grandma Lee Greg London Gregory Popovich Hal Sparks Harry Basil Heather Marianna Heather McDonald Helen Reddy Henry Fambrough Ian Anderson Jack Jones Jack Walker Jackie Martling Jacob Lusk Jarrett & Raja Jay and The Americans Jay Johnson Jay Leno Jay Leslie Jay Siegal J.Chris Newberg Jeff Capri Jeff Tracta Jeff Richards Jen Kirkman Jennifer Harman Jim Belushi Jimmy Emerson Jimmy Shubert Jo Koy John Basedow John Bizarre John Melendez John Mulaney John Mulrooney John Pinette Jon Manfrellotti Jon Taffer Joy Behar Judy Collins Judy Tenuta Julie Budd Kaci Machacyk Kathy Griffin Kathleen Madigan Kato Kaelin KC & The Sunshine band Kelly Clinton Kelly Hansen Kenny Cetera Kenny Wayne Shepherd Kevin Burke Kevin Cronin Kevin Downey Jr.
Kevin Farley Kevin James Kevin Meaney Kevin Nealon Kevin Pollak Lachlan Patterson Lainie Kazan Larry Chance & the Earls Larry Gatlin Larry Stewart Laura Hayden LeAnn Rimes The Lennon Sisters Lisa Dawn Miller Lisa Gay Lisa Lampanelli Lorna Luft Louise Duart Lou Ragland Luenell Lynda Carter Marc Price Margaret Cho Marilyn McCoo Mark Mayer Marlon Wayans Marty Allen Mary Wilson Mathew Nelson Meat Loaf Melissa Manchester Michael “Wheels” Parise Michael Godard Michael Shane Michelle Johnson Mick Foley Mickey Gilley Mickey Jones Mickey Joseph Mickey Thomas Mike Saccone Mitchell Walters Mitzi Gaynor Monti Rock III Murray Langston Murray Sawchuck Nelson twins Neil Giraldo Neil Sedaka Nick Olate Nick Turturro Norm Johnson Olate Dogs Otis Williams Ottavio Gesmundo Pablo Francisco Paige O’Hara Paul Reiser Paul Rodriguez Pauly Shore Paul Williams Paula Poundstone Pia Zadora Ralphie May Randy Couture Ray Romano Restless Heart Reverend Bob Levy Rhonda Vincent Ricci Martin Rich Hall Richard Hatch Rich Little Rich Natole Richard Marx Richard Olate Ritch Shydner Richard Spasoff Richie Minervini Rick Faugno Rickey Smiley Rick Springfield Rita Coolidge Rita Rudner Robert Klein Rob Schneider Robert Nash Robin Jay Robin Leach Robin Meade Rod Man Ronn Lucas Rudy Ruettiger Russell Peters Sal Richards Sammy Shore Scott Record Shang Forbes Shawn Wayans Shayma Tash Sinbad Sommore Sonny Turner Stephen Sorrentino Steve Byrne Steve Howard Steve March-Torme Steve Mittleman Steve Rossi Steven Wright Sunda Croonquist Susie Essman Ted Lange Three Dog Night 38-Special Teresa Joy Terry Fator Todd Aaron Jenson Tom Cotter Tommy Davidson Tom Dreesen Tom Papa Tommy Roe Tom Stevens Tommy Savitt Toni Braxton Tony Butala Tony Drake Tony Orlando Tower of Power Uri Geller Vic Dibitetto Wanda Sykes Wayans Brothers Weird Al Yankovic Wendy Mazaros Wild Willy Parsons Willie Tyler & Lester Wilson-Phillips Whitney Cummings Wynonna Zan Aufderheide