Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine
August edition: by Michele LaFong
Digital edition of Las Vegas Backstage Talk column http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=169821
Hi again!
Last month, on casinocenter.com, we featured some short, edited, backstage interviews. Thanks so much for all your feedback. It is very much appreciated, and we are paying attention to your comments.
Update: I passed on every lead that came in from all of you to Gallagher regarding interest for his Gaming Software gambling technology that he invented to keep slot players in casinos as entertained as they are with online. I will keep you posted, especially if history is made, as a result of your interest and responses.
I was at Gallagher’s new show at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana last night, and was stunned that he had such a packed room on a Sunday night. Word must be getting out fast that he is still very funny even without smashing water-melons! He seemed fearless about trying new material on stage, and is masterful at working the crowd. He will continue to perform his 7pm show, at least through the summer.
Another very popular Headliner on the “casino circuit” is Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo. I was blown away with their performance at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms H & C last month. After my interview with Singer/Songwriter Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar’s long-time “hit-writing” husband, visionary, and co-star of over 30 years, I felt like I knew them both for years. I never considered myself a real fan of their music, but after seeing them live…I guess I am, and I cannot recommend their show enough!
Another star that didn’t at all disappoint in his performance was The Legendary Dave Mason, who was performing at The Pearl Theatre, the following week. When I interviewed him by phone, he seemed a little low key, but on stage he came out strong and sustained interest and energy throughout. I also liked that he explained how his hit songs came about. It was truly hilarious when Dave after singing a couple of songs revealed that he was not making a “fashion statement” by wearing shorts on stage… rather it’s that he forgot to pack his pants! (I can relate to that.)
Comedian/Actress Wanda Sykes also put on an excellent show at The TI, and had the packed room in stitches throughout. I am still laughing about her reference to what happens to a woman “downstairs” after menopause…“that no one ever warns us about!” I was very surprised when backstage, immediately following the show, Wanda told me that some of the material she did, was being tried out for the very first time. (No one would ever have known!)
Dr. Julio Garcia, Plastic Surgeon to the Stars, returned on LVBST to warn us about the many new in-office procedures, which promise us a look of “instant youth,” but may not necessarily make us look better. He gave some great tips on the best way to find a really qualified plastic surgeon, and the many ways we can shave-off years instantly, even without surgery. He has agreed to offer free consultations for “CP readers” for the month of August providing you mention CP Magazine at the time that you make the appointment.
August’s line-up of popular headliners appearing in Las Vegas includes Grammy® award-winning singer-songwriter Rick Springfield, mostly known for “Jessie’s Girl,” and his acting role on “General Hospital.” When he guested on my radio show last year, the response was amazing. Springfield was so popular with our listeners, that WROM Radio, one of our affiliate stations in Michigan reported that after 400,000 listeners clicked in …it shut down their entire site! Rick is performing at The Orleans Showroom, August 3 & 4.
Another recommended Headliner is Five-time Grammy® winner BJ Thomas, mostly known for the hits “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” BJ was one of the most genuine, unassuming, “down to earth” Stars that I’ve ever met. He is genuinely shy, has never been comfortable with his fame, and still always gets nervous when performing. It’s adorable! I witnessed him being really hard on himself last year back-stage, following a stellar performance, in which he received three standing ovations! Thomas is returning to The Suncoast Showroom on August 10 & 11, and plans to come in early to do a videotaped interview with me.
Another exciting show coming in is The Monkees. I was lucky enough to have opened for them on their first re-union tour at The Sands H & C, in Las Vegas back in ’94. It was only Davey Jones, and Mickey Dolenz that were from the original group but it was still a great show, and the crowds just loved it! It will be interesting to see all the remaining members of the original line-up, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork perform together. It’s such a shame that Davey Jones is no longer with us. He will always be loved and missed. The Monkees will perform at the Grand Events Center inside Green Valley Ranch Resort on Aug 10.
“Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theatre,” has returned to the “V” Theatre at Planet Hollywood with daily performances at 2:30pm. This Veteran of The Russian Circus, was a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” He is the only one I’ve ever seen that has so many trained cats doing amazing things in his show. He is scheduled to return on our program, and this time around bring some of his trained animals.
Actor- Impressionist Kevin Pollak, is headlining The Improv, at Harrahs, H& C, on Aug. 30 & 31. What a treat! I interviewed him last year at The World Series of Poker Tournament, at The Rio. Kevin was playing poker against Carl Reiner, and many other celebrity, and non-celebrity Poker-champs. (He is the only celebrity that placed in last year’s competition!) Pollak shared tips on having “the best poker-face,” and explained how different the game of poker is in tournaments. Some real good, and entertaining advice. Kevin Pollak’s edited video and others are now posted on casinocenter.com.
I’m always open to comments, feedback, and questions. Please stay in touch via facebook, twitter, or email. ‘Til next month…
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“Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Casino Player Magazine-by Michele LaFong
July edition
“Las Vegas Backstage Talk”- July online version
http://t.co/kvLJjkxwe7
Last month, we started putting up edited footage of some of my Backstage Interviews on Casinocenter.com. That footage included an edited interview with Tony Orlando, Melissa Manchester, and Myself on the topic of Bill Cosby.
This month, we will be featuring some very candid clips from different interviews that I did with my new friend, “Comedian Icon,” Gallagher, with topics that deal that with everything from fame & fortune, riches to rags, partying, health scares, divorce, kids, grand-kids, his new image, his early career as Road Manager of Country & Novelty Singer Jim Stafford, the invention of his new “Gallagher slot machine,” and finally…the real story behind his younger brother Ronny, who went out on the road, performing Gallagher’s Signature Comedy Act, billing himself as “Gallagher 2,” which lead to much public confusion, lost ticket sales, and damage to Gallagher’s brand. Videotaped footage of this exclusive, “never been told before” story of what really happened… will not disappoint!
Gallagher, mostly known for incorporating “watermelon smashing” in his comedy show, and fitted the audience in the first few front row seats with “protective bib gear,” was also recently featured in a successful, popular, National Geico Television Commercial.
This “Jack of all trades,” master of all, is a true genius, and completely out of his mind! Still full of energy, extremely creative, and always unpredictable, Gallagher has recently dusted off his engineering degree that he earned at USF many years ago, and finally put it to good use when he developed and patented Gaming Software for Slot Machines that is much more innovative, imaginative, and engaging than the slot machines that are currently in the casinos. This software incorporates the technology of computerized video games that are available online, and on cell phones, which Gallagher claims will leave the casino slot machines in the dust, if they don’t do something now to start to improve it, and compete in a much more entertaining, interactive, and contemporary way.
Gallagher, a truly experienced, all-around talented entertainer, and comedy writer, ranked in the top 100 on Comedy Central’s poll of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all Time, taped 14 Specials for Showtime during his 40 year comedy career…and isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon! On June 17, Gallagher opened a show on the Las Vegas Strip, with little lead-in notice, taking over the 7pm time slot, that RoseAnne Barr had left vacant back in May, after closing her successful, five month run at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H & C.
Aside from the staple headliners, July seems to be a ripe month for great name talent in the Casino Market.
Mathew Nelson, of The Nelson Twins, co-star of RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED FEATURING MATTHEW & GUNNAR NELSON, guested on my radio show last month, promoting their… (what turned out to be) “sold out weekend,” at The South Point Showroom, at The South Point H & C. They are now returning by popular demand, to Laughlin, NV, at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino’s Don’s Celebrity Theater, July 2-3 and 5-7.
Comedian/Actress, Wanda Sykes, was in Vegas last month performing at The TI. It’s hard to believe that she was my Feature Act, back when I was touring, and headlining Comedy Clubs. Even then, Wanda was a tough act to follow! She is a very strong stand-up comedian, and is definitely worth seeing. She has upcoming shows in Reno, and Atlantic City in November.
Paula Poundstone, is performing at The Orleans Showroom, on July 5 & 6 at 8pm, (immediately following her almost two hour show… she does a Meet & Greet.)
Comedian Carlos Mencia, a frequent recurring and LV favorite returns to The TI, on July 5. His fans “can never get enough” because Mencia always delivers laughs, with his consistent command of the stage, timing, and physical comedic sensibilities.
Speaking of which…Bill Cosby returns to Vegas, at The TI on July 19, His cerebral comedy, and slow story-telling technique require much more thought, and focus from the audience than most, as his “pay-off punch lines,” can literally often be located in the long pauses he takes when telling a story. His slow, annunciations, and hilarious facial expressions… really aid in getting his point across… (Getting sauced before seeing his show is not recommended!)
Another exciting, edgy performer that should not be missed is Comic/Actress Sarah Silverman. In between her busy taping schedule, she is squeezing in a performance at The Palms Hotel & Casino, on July 20, but if you’re more into nostalgia, and “Old Vegas,”…Singer, Deana Martin returns to The South Point Showroom on July 20, & 21 at 7:30pm. Deana has guested on my show several times, has many great and interesting show-biz stories about growing up around Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and her “Uncle Jerry” (Lewis.) She has many more tales to tell, in her multi-media show, complete with cool family footage, and of course… “Surprise celebrity guests” can always be expected. Or if Bobby Vinton is more your speed, he is also in Vegas on July 20, at The Eastside Cannery. I opened for him many years ago at Mystic Lake Casino in Minnesota. There’s no doubt about it. Bobby is a pro and puts on a great show!
Last but not least, the still very popular, and not so weird, Weird Al Yankovik, returns to Vegas once again… this time on July 6, at The Smith Center. He is a master entertainer that manages to stay relevant, and is committed to putting on an exciting, long crowd pleasing show for all the generations of his loyal fans!
Other interesting Headliners in town performing in July are: Ian Anderson, Joe Rogan, The Love n’ Spoonful, The O’Jays, Kellie Pickler, Yes, Jim Gaffigan, Craig Shoemaker, Sara Evans, Dion, Pablo Francisco, and The Wayans Bros.
I’m always open to comments, feedback, and questions.
Please stay in touch via facebook, twitter, or email…. ’Till next month…
TweetAdam Carolla, Rita Rudner, Carl Labove-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
March 28, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Adam Carolla, Rita Rudner, and Carl Labove are this week’s guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas and The Web.
Adam is a Radio personality, television host, comedian, and actor. He hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast which set the record as the “most downloaded podcast” as judged by Guinness book of World Records- Carolla was best Known for co-hosting The Man Show on Comedy Central.
REUNION TOUR Adam Carolla w/ Dr Drew @ House of Blues in Mandalay Bay H &C Friday,
March 29 @ 8pm For more about Adam www.adamcarolla.com
Rita Rudner
Rita Rudner guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele Lafong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas, and The Web. 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 Rudner and Adam Carolla were featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s “Getting Personal with the Stars” Syndicated Column in Gaming Today .
Rita Rudner at Venetion April 2 ritarudner.com
Carl Labove
Carl Labove does a Backstage Interview with Michele LaFong that is filled with surprises! It promises not to disappoint.
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.
Carl will be appearing at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana in LV till March 31. 8:30pm & 10:30pm
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