Las Vegas Backstage Talk column
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Feb. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.
by Michele LaFong
With the advent and popularity of Smart TVs, where it is now possible to watch web TV on your main set, alternative programming and new opportunities for entrepreneur talent for internet entertainment is growing daily. This new popular trend couldn’t have been more evident than at the IAWTV awards, “the Oscars” of the Internet Shows held at The Rio H & C last month.
Many familiar faces were seen on the red carpet like “Fitness Celebrity”, and “Infomercial King” John Basedow, inventor and star of “Fitness made Simple.” Basedow was a presenter, and was also nominated for three awards. When John guested on LVBST with Guinness World Record holder, Comedian Fran Capo, “World’s Fastest Talker, John explained what awards he was up for this year; “(Best Variety Series) is for CULTURE POP, my YouTube series where I take to the streets getting people’s opinions on the top entertainment, celebrity and pop culture news. The second is for FIT NOW with BASEDOW (Best Writing), in which I give fitness, exercise and nutrition tips for people to improve their bodies and lives, The third is for the work I do with Buzz60 Entertainment News (Best News Series) and that’s awesome since they’re one of the first companies to give me a job where I get to keep my shirt on.” Both Fran Capo, and John Basedow’s interviews are archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
Following a successful 7 month run at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana, Legendary prop comic and watermelon-smasher Gallagher quietly closed his seven-night a week show on December 30. It’s a wonder that this eccentric free spirited, flighty, highly creative, mad comedy genius could stay in one place for that long! I’m definitely going to miss him and the backstage drama that always seemed to follow him. I’m sure every comic that has worked at The Laugh Factory in the last 7 months, has a “Gallagher story” to tell! When I asked what his plans were after his out of state gigs were over, his response was “wherever I end up!” He explained his state of mind at this stage of his life quite well in a recent interview that I entitled “Getting really personal with Gallagher.” That video can now be seen on casinocenter.com.
Dana Carvey, one of my favorite and funniest guests returned on LVBST to promote his upcoming dates at The Orleans Showroom, Jan. 31 & Feb.1. Right off the bat, he did a very funny but scary impression of me…I hope it wasn’t as dead-on as it sounded! Not only is he always upbeat, freshly hilarious, and topical, but he’s also one of the nicest mega-talents in show business. Dana shared some of his comedy writing, and developmental process. “I tape all of my shows but it’s really hard to get myself to listen to it…yet it’s incredibly instructive. I’m really hard on myself.” After a show, from time to time, you might find Dana trying his luck out at The Black Jack tables. “Paul Anka taught me how to play… You gotta whack it. You really gotta whack it! I was reminded what Paul Anka sounds like when he’s talking…and I must say…it was a little eerie. We touched on many interesting subjects including Mike Meyers and the possibility of more Wayne’s World projects. The interview will air on Jan. 30.
Grammy Award-winning musician and acclaimed actor Meat Loaf will return to the RockTellz & CockTails stage at the PH Showroom inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Meat Loaf will perform 24 dates, beginning Feb. 13, kicking off the 2014 series. Shows will be every Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, Feb. 13 to April 8, at 7 p.m. Meat always delivers a dynamic and dramatic show and is a very interesting character. The legendary musical group and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Jacksons are the next legacy artists of the RockTellz & CockTails series. The Jacksons, including Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, will perform 40 shows, beginning Feb. 20. Thurs.-Sun. 9:30pm
I finally went to check out Golden Globe winner,Pia Zadora’s new nightclub show at Pia’s Place @ Piero’s. Her residency there started in Sept. and is open ended Thursday-Saturdays at 9pm. Pia Zadora is at home working the room, singing, telling funny stories, and even has special guest drop- INS like Jerry Lewis, Rich Little, Steve Rossi, and other notables. Pianist Vince Falcone, former musical director for Frank Sinatra heads her quartet in an intimate, throw-back setting that recreates “Old Vegas”. A great time! Pia invited me to do some comedy…and next time I will…
Another gem not to be missed of headline entertainment without a cover charge is Singer/Piano player/Funnyman Michael Shane. Shane was hand-picked by Steve Wynn, to perform at Wynn’s Tower Suite Bar, and is a regular on LVBST. Michael keeps the night moving from behind the piano with never a dull moment and lots of personality. He also takes requests and can’t be stumped. I love it! Like Pia, Michael is popular and puts on Special Guest Star drop-ins . He can be seen on some Thursdays at Bootleggers Bistro at 5:30pm. Be sure to check their schedule as they don’t give out dates too far in advance.
Other acts not to miss this month include Comedian Amy Schumer, Feb. 7& 8, The Mirage, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, Feb. 7-9, Clint Holmes, Feb. 8, Smith Center, Clint Black, Feb. 13, The Smith Center, Dion, Feb. 13 & 14, The Orleans, Crystal Gayle, Feb. 14-16, The South Point, Ron White, Feb. 14 & 15, The Mirage, The Eagles, Feb. 15 & 16, MGM, Boz Scaggs, Feb. 15, Eastside Cannery, Mike Epps, Feb. 15, The Palms, Helen Reddy, Feb. 15, The Orleans Showroom, George Lopez, Feb. 21 & 22, The Mirage, John Pinette, Feb. 21 & 22, The Orleans, Adam Carolla, Feb. 21, TI, Danny Wright, Feb. 23, The Smith Center, George Thurgood & The Destroyers, Feb. 27, The Smith Center, Rob Schneider, Jan. 30- Feb. 1, The South Point, , Ray Romano, Feb. 28 & March 1, The Mirage.
Your comments are always appreciated.
TweetBill Maher, Finis Henderson-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Oct. 31, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Comedian Bill Maher, a favorite guest on “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” radio show, with Comedian Michele Lafong which now airs on KLAV, 1230 am in Las Vegas, and The Web, answers questions about his personal experiences on other talk shows, his feelings on Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s treatment of him when he guested on “The View,” and Barbara Walter’s response behind the scenes. He also speaks about the republican party, President Obama, and the upcoming presidential election.
For the last 18 years, Maher has pushed the boundaries of how far political humor and satire can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect” (which first aired on Comedy Central before moving to ABC), and for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and scathing humor have garnered him 21 EmmyR nominations. In October 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” which went on to become the seventh-highest grossing documentary ever.
In addition to his television program-which has featured such regular visitors as Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Arianna Huffington, Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore-Maher has written four bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden” and most recently, “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer.”
Bill Maher is featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column, in Nov. issue of Casino Player Magazine. He will also be LaFong’s Cover/Feature Interview in “Getting Personal with the Stars” in November’s 2013 edition of CP Magazine.
For more about Bill Maher click here. For more about “Real Time with Bill Maher” click here.
Bill Maher is appearing at The Pearl at The Palms H&C Nov. 2 & 3
Finis Henderson
Singing Impressionist Finis Henderson guests on LV Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong. In a backstage interview at The Laugh Factory, Finis tells us in detail how he does those amazing impressions.
Being part of Finis Henderson’s audience is equivalent to being invited to a reunion of some of the entertainment industry’s greatest legends and contemporary favorites, Sinatra, Boyz II Men, Elvis Presley, Alan Jackson, Nat King Cole (and daughter Natalie!), Sammy Davis Jr., and many others gather on stage for an evening of music, dancing, and comedy. Weaving the comic personas of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rodney Dangerfield and Mike Tyson through the crowd, one is apt to forget they’re not watching a crazed chorus, but the versatile talent of one dynamic performer.
The sound is theirs… The voice is pure Finis Henderson. And as the evening draws to a close, it isn’t a legend that brings the audience to its feet, but the intensely melodic strain of Mr. Henderson’s own rendition of “Music of the Night.”
It was only natural that Finis would go into show business. His father was a successful song and dance man, and one time Vice-President of Sammy Davis Jr. Enterprises. Afterwards, he took his act to Los Angeles and polished it at the famed Comedy Store. He has also opened for such superstars as Jackie Mason, Smokey Robinson, Barbara Mandrell, and Alan King, to name a few.
In addition to live club, casino, and coporate appearances, his television credits include Make Me Laugh, The Jackson (mini-series), Nashville Now, Comic Strip Live, Crazy Horse Saloon, and A Little Bit Strange. Films encompass Wired and I’m Gonna Get You Sucka! – See more at: http://www2.eaglestalent.com/Finis-Henderson/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=example&utm_term=finis%20henderson#sthash.4uRCf6PD.dpuf
Finis Henderson is headlining at The Laugh Factory through Nov. 3, 8:30 & 10:30 nightly
TweetJon Taffer, Sunda Croonquist-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Oct. 10, 2013- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Star of “Bar Rescue” on Spike TV
Jon Taffer, Host and Executive Producer, “Bar Rescue,” returns live in-studio on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM, in Las Vegas and The Web.
In the summer of 2011, Spike TV debuted “Bar Rescue,” a documentary-style series spotlighting Jon Taffer as he gives struggling restaurants and bars a last chance to succeed. Focusing on one establishment each week, the series puts Taffer at the heart of the storm: helping to improve every facet of an American restaurant or bar: from its theming to staffing, pricing to promotions, menus to music. If there’s anyone who can save it from going belly-up, it’s Jon Taffer. If not, it’s toast. The series has been renewed and just returned for a third season.
Within the greater nightclub, bar and restaurant industry, there is no greater authority than Jon Taffer. With close to three decades of hands-on experience, Taffer is two-time winner of the Bar Operator of the Year award, among a myriad of other honors, and his renowned method of management, “Taffer Dynamics,” has become the gold standard of the industry. As chairman of Taffer Dynamics and President of the Nightclub & Bar Media Group, Taffer is a highly respected industry expert, management guru and television star as well. Taffer is a coveted keynote speaker at major industry conventions and events.
Jon Taffer will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Casino Player Magazine.
For more about Jon Taffer: tafferdynamics.com
Sunda Croonquist
Comedian Sunda Croonquist, recently seen on ABC’s “The View” guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong live in-studio.
She’s been featured on most stand up comedy shows and television’s top talk shows including: “The Today Show”, “Nick Moms”, Entertainment Tonight, Oprah’s, “OWN” “The Doctors” and recently featured on “The View.” Her recent international television appearance on “Sweden’s Next Top Model” was hilarious (when translated!)
Hailed in the NY Daily News as being: “The only female comic that makes Jerry Lewis laugh”, Sunda still performs stand up in her weekly show “All Star Comedy” and hosts “Laugh Factory Moms” Podcast at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. She is also the radio host of “Mothertainment” on RadioTitans.com. Sunda is appearing at The Laugh Factory Oct. 7-13.
For more about Sunda go to www.sundacroonquist.com
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Larry Gatlin, Ritch Shydner-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong
March 7, 2013- 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV, & The Web
Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music’s most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles (combining his solo recordings and those with his brothers). As their fame grew, the band became known as Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers.
Larry will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated Monthly Column “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Casino Player Magazine.
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers will be appearing at The South Point Showroom, at The South Point H & C March 8-10 at 7:30pm
For more about The Gatlin Brothers: http://www.gatlinbrothers.com/
Ritch Shydner (Backstage Interview)
Comedian- Writer- Actor Ritch Shydner guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas and The Web. In a backstage interview, Ritch shared his stories of struggle, and successes in his long career.
Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. He did an HBO half-hour special, “One Night Stand.”
He played Al Bundy’s co-worker on “Married with Children”, and made guest appearances on many other TV shows, such as “Designing Women” and “Roseanne.”
Ritch was able to translate his modest success on TV into an obscure film career, appearing in Steve Martin’s, “Roxanne,” and Eddie Murphy’s, “Beverly Hills Cop II,” before moving on to minor roles on smaller pictures.
Ritch wrote for sitcoms such as “Roseanne”, “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” and HBO’s “The Mind of the Married Man.”
Ritch wrote material for Jeff Foxworthy’s Grammy nominated comedy albums, “Totally Committed,” and “Big Fun.” He also wrote for Ron White and Jay Leno.
In 2010 Ritch produced and performed in an award winning documentary on the world of stand-up comedy, “I Am Comic”.
Jay Leno: “And remember, Shydner, don’t tell anyone you wrote those jokes for me.”
Jerry Seinfeld: “Ritch Shydner is a terrific comedy writer and definitely one of the good guys.”
Jeff Foxworthy: “Ritch helped me write two albums, both of which were nominated for Grammys. I’ve always thought that he was one of the best stand-ups ever.”
Bill Maher: Back in the day, in the dingy ratskellers in which we learned our craft, Ritch Shydner was always the comic the other comics came into the room to watch, because he was the funniest. That hasn’t changed, and I’m afraid neither have the ratskellers.”
Ritch Shydner Laugh Factory at Tropicana through March 10, 8:30pm & 10:30pm
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Bobby Rydell, Rich Hall-LV Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Jan. 10, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Former Teen Idol, Singer
Bobby Rydell guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio and Web Show with Comedian Michele LaFong this Thursday from 6:00pm-7:00pm PST on 1230am KLAV in Las Vegas and The Web.
Bobby Rydell “beats the odds” and overcomes a liver, and kidney double transplant. He is performing with a Big Band at The Suncoast this weekend.
This will be the first full show Bobby has performed in a year! Comedian Michele LaFong is his Special Guest Star. LaFong will be appearing with Bobby, and will be performing her Tribute to Señor Wences, with the original “Johnny,” the lipstick hand-puppet that Wences “handed off” to her as documented in LIFE Magazine.
Original Teenage Idol Bobby Rydell Brings the Music of a Generation to the Suncoast Showroom January 11-13 Las Vegas-Bobby Rydell, the international teenage sensation of the Baby Boom era, performs his carefree chart-toppers at the Suncoast Showroom January 11, 12 and 13. With good looks, fame and talent, Robert Ridarelli –better known as Bobby~–is considered an original American idol. After a teenage gig as drummer for Rocco and the Saints, where he played with trumpet player Frankie Avalon, Rydell launched his successful solo act in 1959. The hits flowed as Rydell rocked up the charts with “We Got Love,” “Kissin’ Time,” “Wild One,” “That Old Black Magic,” “I’ll Never Dance Again” and “Forget Him,” among others. Rydell recorded 34 Top 40 hits, and is recognized by Billboard as one of the Top Five Artists of the early ’60s.
Beyond selling millions of records, Rydell enjoyed fame as a regular on 1960s television, appearing on “American Bandstand,” “The Red Skelton Show” and “The Milton Berle Show.” In 1963, Rydell was also featured in the classic film “Bye Bye Birdie” as Ann-Margret’s boyfriend, Hugo Peabody.
Bobby will be featured in Michele LaFong’s “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today, and will soon be featured in LaFong’s “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine.
More about Bobby Rydell here–>
You can catch Bobby Rydell headlining at Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Suncoast Showroom, Fri – Sun, Jan. 11th – 13th 7:30pm
Comedian – Rich Hall
Rich Hall did a videotaped backstage interview with Comedian Michele LaFong, after his first show on Monday night at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana H & C.
As he said “No two shows are the same.” Rich shared his philosophies on his approach to comedy, and other things that you normally would not hear on stage that will give you insight into his psyche, and his approach to life.
Hall shot to prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. He also gained fame in the US with numerous appearances on Not Necessarily the News, The David Letterman Show, Fridays, Sniglets and the Johnny Carson Show. Hall’s brand of humor spread across the pond making him a top selling and in demand comedian in England, regularly performing to sold out crowds.
Critics have hailed Hall as one of the best acts in comedy and David Letterman says, “Rich Hall is the real thing.” No target is safe, from religion to politics to Tom Cruise
You can catch Rich Hall at Tropicana Las Vegas
Laugh Factory Las Vegas, Mon – Sun, Jan. 7th – 13rd 8:30pm & 10:30pm
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
