Rob Schneider, Don Brewer, Russell Peters
August 31, 2017
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Rob Schneider guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Rob Schneider is appearing at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H & C, Sept. 2 & 3
After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, Schneider made his network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on SNL. During his four seasons on SNL, Schneider was nominated for three EmmyR Awards and a Peabody Award..
Schneider is well-known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.”
Schneider was the star of the new CBS show, “Rob,” about a lifelong bachelor who married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. Rob is a successful architect who elopes with Maggie in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance.
For more about Rob Schneider, click HERE.
Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
Don Brewer, original founding member, co-lead singer and drummer for Grand Funk Railroad guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and also has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Comedian Russell Peters
Russell Peters guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Russell Peters is a very funny guy.
And not just kind of funny.
He’s so friggin’ funny that his standup touring earned him, according to Forbes, a whopping $21 million last year.
With that in mind, it’s about time you get familiar with Mr. Peters because we think he really deserves to be more famous. In fact, his current international tour is called…Almost Famous.
Russell is working on new material and figuring out his new set in clubs across the United States. These are work in progress shows! You never know what’s going to happen. Lots of free-styling and improv. Watch for new dates to be announced soon and watch for new international dates in 2018 & 2019!
To see a complete listing of Russell’s upcoming shows, click here.
And be sure to register for Russell’s Emails to be notified about shows in your area ahead of the general public
TweetRita Rudner, Carl LaBove
August 10, 2017
Audio is posted below except on Internet Explorer
Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner, and Comic Carl Labove guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Rita explains what is most important to her these days in her very long career in comedy.
Known for her joke writing, with one liners like: “My mother buried three husbands – and two of them were only napping.”
Rita shares her method and inspiration of her day to day life.
Since 2001, Rudner has performed almost exclusively in Las Vegas, selling over one million tickets. She moved to a larger theater at The Venetion in January 2011. She also created and hosted the syndicated improvisational comedy show Ask Rita, which mimicked the format of a talk/advice show. For this she received a Gracie Allen Award from the American Women in Television and Radio. In May 2009 she performed for Senator Harry Reid and President, Barack Obama, at Caesars Palace, alongside Bette Midler and Sheryl Crow; a video of some of this performance can be found on Rita’s Facebook page or YouTube. Rita is currently on tour.
Carl Labove
Comedian Carl LaBove, is appearing at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H&C with Andrew Dice Clay August 11-13 at 10pm. Also, July 23, at 8pm, with Brad Garrett, and Landry.
Carl LaBove was born in Fort Worth Texas, grew up a military child, which required his family to move all around the world during his youth. At age nineteen he discovered stand up comedy with the man who would become his best friend, Sam Kinison. Together the two founded a Rock & Roll Comedy concept that would earn Billboard Magazines “Top Tour” honors by selling out theaters across the country for 5 straight years.
Skyrocketing to the biggest performance stages in the country as a founding member of “The Outlaws” in the late 80’s, and early 90’s, Carl would establish himself as an unparalleled comedic force during the biggest comedy boom of the last fifty years. Twenty years after “The Outlaws,” Carl continues to sellout venues and amaze audiences from coast to coast. With credits that include The Tonight Show, HBO, Showtime, two comedy CD’s, a concert DVD for Journey Records and much more. There is no end in sight for Carl.
TweetRob Schneider, Don Brewer, Russell Peters
June 29, 2017
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Rob Schneider guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Rob Schneider is appearing at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H & C, July 1 & 2
After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, Schneider made his network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on SNL. During his four seasons on SNL, Schneider was nominated for three EmmyR Awards and a Peabody Award..
Schneider is well-known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.”
Schneider was the star of the new CBS show, “Rob,” about a lifelong bachelor who married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. Rob is a successful architect who elopes with Maggie in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance.
For more about Rob Schneider, click HERE.
Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
Don Brewer, original founding member, co-lead singer and drummer for Grand Funk Railroad guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and also has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Comedian Russell Peters
Russell Peters guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Russell Peters is a very funny guy.
And not just kind of funny.
He’s so friggin’ funny that his standup touring earned him, according to Forbes, a whopping $21 million last year.
With that in mind, it’s about time you get familiar with Mr. Peters because we think he really deserves to be more famous. In fact, his current international tour is called…Almost Famous.
Russell is working on new material and figuring out his new set in clubs across the United States. These are work in progress shows! You never know what’s going to happen. Lots of free-styling and improv. Watch for new dates to be announced soon and watch for new international dates in 2018 & 2019!
To see a complete listing of Russell’s upcoming shows, click here.
And be sure to register for Russell’s Emails to be notified about shows in your area ahead of the general public
Bill Maher, Jarrett & Raja, Tommy Lama
September 1, 2016
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian Bill Maher, Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja, and Tommy Savitt, the comedian behind “Tommy Lama”, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Bill has set the boundaries of political humor on what is just about allowed on American television, yet still manages to push the envelope on a frequent basis. His combination of unflinching honesty and blunt observations have earned him a staggering 23 Emmy nominations, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and he will be showing off his stuff as he hits the Terry Fator Theatre in Las Vegas , NV , September 3 – October 1, 2016
Particularly known for his hugely critical views on religion, Maher’s humor squares to the left of center, and has more often than not set his cross-hairs on the right-wing political movement (particularly the Tea Party), and shows a vociferous support for universal health care, same-sex marriage and environmentalism. However, since the events of 9/11, he has supported racial profiling at transport hubs, and is a supporter of gun rights.
As well as his long-running television panel show Real Time With Bill Maher, he is still a keen participant on the political comedy circuit, often performing over 60 dates per year.
Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja
Vegas Magic Duo Jarrett & Raja guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, to promote the opening of their new show “One Epic Night” at The Plaza, for a limited run through January.
Jarrett & Raja, known as The Magic and Piano Guys, are set to open their show “One EPIC
Night” at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas at the end of August, 2016. Featuring 3 singers from the NBC hit
show “The Voice”, “American Idol”, and an all-star band, the guys are truly bringing magic with music in this
dynamic and very exciting show.
This ground-breaking duo just appeared on ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank” where they performed and stood
before Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec. Jarrett & Raja were
one of only 140 entrepreneurs selected from over 43,000 applicants to the ABC show, produced by Mark Burnett
Productions.
The charismatic magic duo has also been seen on NBC’s #1 hit show, “America’s Got Talent” as semi-finalists
and were Howie Mandel’s favorite Wild Card pick (season 7) where they produced a full orchestra on stage. They
also appeared in SyFy’s “Wizard Wars” with Penn & Teller (2014), BBC’s “The Slammer” (2013), and are
currently on their 3rd season of The CW’s “Masters of Illusion” hosted by Dean Cain (2014 – 2016).
The two talents came together in an impromptu performance at The Friar’s Club in NYC. They first performed as
a cabaret act in Greenwich Village, Lincoln Center, and at Hollywood’s prestigious Magic Castle. After moving to
Las Vegas, they immediately landed a residency at The Regent Hotel in Summerlin. They could also be seen in
the popular “Golden Rainbow” shows in Las Vegas.
For more info go to www.patreon.com/jarrettandraja
Comedian Tommy Savitt as Tommy Lama
Self-proclaimed Brooklyn Life Coach Stand-Up Comedian Tommy Lama, brings his unmatched and unorthodox wisdom to the Laugh Factory where he delivers this original comedy act to his “disciples” five nights a week. It is a parody of the motivational and spiritual speakers seeking to give his audience a backwards education in enlightenment. Equipped with a number of instruments, tarot cards, and his own custom-made underwear for protection when not in his presence, Tommy Lama’s new spiritually healing hilarity shows Thursday through Monday inside the Tropicana Resort and Casino.
Tommy Savitt, the comedian behind the Tommy Lama, is a multi-award winning comedian with 15 years of performing experience. Originally a lawyer, Tommy Savitt gave up his career in Real Estate Law to pursue stand-up comedy and acting in productions of Shakespeare in New York City. He has performed on the radio for the Bob & Tom Show as well as Blue Collar Radio. He has also been around the world performing for troops. Tommy Savitt’s alter-ego, The Tommy Lama, has proven a huge hit.
Tweet
John Mulrooney, Gerry McCambridge
Oct. 16, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Comedian John Mulrooney guests in a backstage interview on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. John is headlining The Laugh Factory at the Tropicana with Kevin Downey Jr. through Oct. 19.
Mulrooney began his career on the Comedy Tonight variety show in the ‘70s, where he wrote comedy for The Tonight Show, and also performed stand-up for the studio audience as the warm-up act for more than 165 episodes.
After Joan Rivers left as host of The Late Show on the Fox Network in 1987, Mulrooney was asked to replace her. After a few months the show was cancelled due to low ratings and competition with The Tonight Show and Johnny Carson. He hosted “Comic Strip: Live,” first for a year as a local show on KTTV in Los Angeles in 1988, continuing when Fox TV programming executives expanded the show to Fox network on Saturday nights for an additional year. He appeared many TV shows, including, “An Evening at the Improv” and “Hollywood Squares.” He often filled in as guest host for Pat Sajak on The Pat Sajak Show. Mulrooney wrote and starred for two seasons in a sitcom called “Midtown North,” which aired on Comedy Central. In 2007. He toured Israel on the Crossroads Comedy Tour, a series of benefit concerts for the Crossroads Center in Jerusalem. He can be heard daily on iHeartRADIO at, “Mulrooney in the Morning,” which he will be taping live from Las Vegas this week.
Gerry McCambridge
Gerry McCambridge aka The Mentalist guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Starting in October 2007 he appeared on Phenomenon with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
On June 25, 2008, Gerry McCambridge celebrated his 500th Las Vegas performance having been in that city for three years. McCambridge is the longest running mentalist show in Las Vegas history.
On May 12, 2004 Gerry had his first prime-time network TV special titled “The Mentalist.” Over 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the one hour special.
In 1999, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Decade”. Gerry was the first mentalist in history to receive the Merlin award for mentalism since the organizations inception in 1968.
In 2002 Gerry wrote his first TV script titled “The Mentalist” and took it out to Los Angeles to pitch it to the networks. Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC witnessed Gerry’s live performances many times, and instantly bought the show for his network. Gerry became the creator, executive producer and star of the hit prime-time network television show “The Mentalist” which started airing to millions around the world in May 2004.
In 2005 the Psychic Entertainers Association again awarded Gerry. This time he received the “Mentalist of the Year” award.
In June 2005 Gerry moved his one man show “The Mentalist” from New York City to Las Vegas. The show was an instant success in Sin City. The Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll nominated him “Best Magician” in all Las Vegas.
In October 2007 Gerry starred in the reality television series “Phenomenon” with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
In 2008 CBS thought the concept of merging the skills of a mentalist with a detective was so interesting, they contacted Gerry and asked him to help with a weekly TV series based on that concept.
In August 2008, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Year.”
In 2009 he was voted one of the “Top 10 Absolutely Have To See” shows in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Weekly Magazine.
In 2010 the Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll placed Gerry’s show as the “Best Bargain Show in all of Las Vegas.”
Gerry is performing at the V Theatre, Planet Hollywood H&C , nightly 7:30pm-dark Wed.
TweetJuly Las Vegas Backstage Talk Column
July 2014- Casino Player Magazine, Gaming Today
by Michele LaFong
(Click on article to enlarge)
After three years of trying, I finally scored an interview with Jay Leno. Although I had watched Jay countless times over the years on the Tonight Show, I never actually saw him perform his stand-up show live for a full 90 minutes till last month when I checked out his show at the Mirage, and I must say his set was even more impressive than I expected it to be. From the moment Jay hit the stage it was a laugh-a-thon. He opened with strong topical set-up/punchline type jokes that he would typically do in his opening monologue on television. He was like a joke machine for the entire first half of the show. I didn’t notice any notes on stage, nor did I see him using any cue cards, and it made me wonder how he can remember every joke and segue so effortlessly. He never stumbled or once had a “senior moment!” As much as I enjoyed the first half of the show, I loved the second half even more. Jay delved into the audience some, working the sold-out crowd masterfully. My favorite part of Leno’s show was when he told stories about his background, family, personal experiences with meeting celebrities for the first time, and referencing things and guests from events that happened on the Tonight Show. It was all meat and potatoes, without filler for the entire 90 minute performance. There aren’t too many comedians that can sustain that rhythm and flow of laughs so consistently with clean, smart thought provoking comedy…especially for an hour and a half. Jay returns to the Mirage on July 11 & August 8, and November 1, 21, 22. Our interview will air on Las Vegas Backstage Talk on July 3 & 5.
Wilson Phillips returned to the Eastside Cannery on June 7, and surprisingly put on a very different but equally entertaining show than when I saw back in October. Mixing in some of their famous parents’ hits from the Mamas and Papas and the Beach Boys from an album that they finally recorded at the request of their fans, I especially loved that part of the show and the stories they told of how those hits were born and came about. As usual, the show had lots of personality, and spontaneity.
Both Ventriloquist Willie Tyler & Lester recently guested on LVBST live in-studio. Willie Tyler is an icon in show business getting his first big break on Rowen & Martin Laugh-in. He also was then featured on The Jefferson’s, and many other TV shows as well as being the first ventriloquist to be booked on Late Night with David Letterman. It was a trip having a ventriloquist with his comedy partner in-studio live on radio! It was a throwback to the Edgar Bergan days. I hadn’t seen Willie in many years, not since we were booked together on a national TV commercial for Mercedes Benz. Willie hasn’t aged a bit…and neither did Lester! We used to share the same manager, Marty Fischer who also handled Senor Wences. An edited portion of Willie & Lester on LVBST can be seen on casinocenter.com
For the very first time and for one night only Talk Show Host Wendy Williams will be performing her comedic one-woman show which will debut at The Venetian. Last month, Williams revealed to her guest Comedian Joy Behar on her popular television talk show that she’s always wanted to be a stand-up comic and will finally take her shot at it on Saturday, July 11 at 10pm. That night will also mark the launch of the Venetian’s new Lipshtick Comedy series, which will feature an impressive weekend line-up of female comedy talent including Heather McDonald & Iliza Shlesinger, Rita Rudner, Caroline Rhea & Wendy Liebman, Lisa Lampanelli, Whitney Cummings, Joy Behar, Susie Essman, Jen Kirkman & Natasha Leggero, Jennifer Coolidge, and Loni Love. I’m sure this new venue will do well. There has always been a market for strong female comedians even back in 1998 which is why I produced and starred in “Funniest Females” back in the Comedy Theatre upstairs at O’Sheas, and currently co-star and co-produce Leading Ladies of Comedy with Judy Tenuta, and singing impressionist Bethany Owen in the Indian Casino market.
On June 7, 2014 Comic/Magician the Amazing Johnathan and fiancée Anastasia Synn tied the knot in one of the most off the wall weddings Vegas has ever hosted. Longtime friend and entertainer Gallagher became an ordained minister specifically to marry the couple for the star-studded event. The ceremony took place at “A Special Memory Chapel,” and had a circus atmosphere. David Copperfield, Carrot Top, Louie Anderson, and many other performers attended. Comedian Gallagher is developing a reality show where he marries couples by day and turns the chapel into a comedy club at night. “I have many clubs around the country that would like me to bring this reality show to their venue for an episode.” Gallagher said. On July 12, Gallagher starts a two-week run at the Golden Nugget in the main theater. He has proven from his last successful run in Las Vegas at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana that he is a very funny and relevant comic and a consistent entertainer. Due to health issues, June 30th – July 1st, the Amazing Johnathan will give his final performances at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, CA. After 35 years of bringing his unique style of comedy and magic to the world, the Amazing Johnathan is retiring from performing and these final four shows will be video tapped for a future documentary.
My Picks for July: Carlos Mencia, TI July 4, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Palms, July 5, Queen & Adam Lambert, Hard Rock, July 5 & 6, America, Cannery, July 6, Gallagher, Golden Nugget, July 10-19, New Kids on the Block, Planet Hollywood Resort, July 10-13, Wendy Williams, Venetian, July 11, Jay Leno, Mirage, July 11, The Bangles, Eastside Cannery, July 12, Bill Cosby, TI, July 18, Heather McDonald and Iliza Schelesinger, Venetian, July 18 & 19, Lady Gaga MGM Grand, July 19, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Planet Hollywood, July 19, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Cowsills, Eastside Cannery, July 19, Nick Swardson, Mirage, July 25 & 26, Rita Rudner, Venetian, July 25 & 26, The Voice Tour, Hard Rock, July 25, Boston, Cheap Trick, Hard Rock, July 26, Spinners, Cannery, July 26, Olivia Newton-John, Flamingo July 29- Aug. 30.
