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.
TweetPaul Williams, Bob Cowsill-LVBST
July 17, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams returns 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.”
Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winning songwriter Paul Williams is recognized as one of America’s most prolific and gifted lyricists and composers. A ‘Hall of Fame’ songwriter and recipient of the 2004 National Music Publishers President’s Award, Williams’ standards have been recorded by such diverse musical icons as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, R.E.M., Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Torme and Diana Ross.
His songs have also found favor with Country legends including Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Pride, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Lynn Anderson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Rio and Neil McCoy. When asked which song is his favorite, Paul is quick to respond, “That’s easy! It’s “The Rainbow Connection.” It’s a thrill to hear my words interpreted by such inimitable talents as Sarah McLachlan, Willie Nelson, Judy Collins and Kermit the Frog!”
Williams will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine, as well as LaFong’s monthly syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.
More about Paul Williams here!
Paul performs at The South Point Showroom on July 19 & 20
Bob Cowsill
Bob Cowsill guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The chirpy, bubble-gum singing family from Newport, Rhode Island who inspired TV’s The Partridge Family (1970) (not to mention the sibling-oriented groups “The Jackson 5″ and The Osmonds”) would expand over the years to include siblings Billy (born 1948); twins Bob and Dick (born 1950); Paul (born 1952); Barry (born 1954); John (born 1956) and little sister Susan (born 1959), plus their mom Barbara (born 1929).
The group originally formed in 1965 with just two brothers (Billy and Bob) who were heavily influenced by “The Everly Brothers,” but Barry and John quickly joined in when their obsessions turned to “The Beatles.” Booked at school dances, college parties, church socials, hotels and clubs, their first recorded single was “All I Really Want to Be Is Me.” The boys were discovered by a producer for NBC’s “Today” show who booked them for an appearance. They soon came to the attention of Mercury Records who produced their singles “Party Girl,” “Most of All” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “A Most Peculiar Man,” all of which floundered. MGM Records picked them up after Mercury dropped them and released their debut album, initially started by Mercury, in November of 1967.
By early the following year the harmonic family had their first pop hit single “The Rain, the Park, & Other Things” (mom Barbara had joined in to sing on the record and stayed) which went to #2 on the pop charts and went gold. The “family” angle really kicked in after this and siblings Susan and Paul were quickly filtered into the group. Extensive touring ensued (billed as “America’s First Family of Song”) with plenty of network TV show appearances (“The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Tonight Show”). The wholesome Cowsills hosted their own NBC-TV special and even became spokespersons for the American Dairy Association, appearing in milk commercials and print ads. They also recorded the popular TV theme to the comedy anthology Love, American Style (1969). A couple more major chart hits came their way with “Indian Lake” (#6) and “We Can Fly” (#17). They even took a risk and challenged the popular theme to the counterculture rock stage musical “Hair” with their own spin and earned themselves another #1 hit. Also known for “Build me up Buttercup”
Under the strict management of patriarch and former Navy officer William “Bud” Cowsill, however, discontentment and major rifts quickly boiled over within the family structure. Bud was the one who pulled the plug signing the children up for the “Partridge” TV show when it was learned that Barbara’s role would be played by someone else (Shirley Jones). Billy, with designs on being a rock-and-roller, bucked the goody-goody teen idol image and was fired from the group for his defiance. Dropped by their record label, the group permanently disbanded in 1971. Barry and Billy went off to do solo work while Susan and three of the brothers, Bob (on guitar and organ), John (on drums) and Paul occasionally reunited on tour. Various family regroupings would occur over the decades with such cover names as “The Secrets” or “The Critics.”
Sadly, mother Barbara died of cancer in 1985 at age 56 and father Bud passed away in 1992 at age 67. Son Barry, the bassist and Danny Bonaduce-like prototype who battled severe depression and an acute, longstanding substance abuse problem, wound up a 2005 victim of Hurricane Katrina (along with over 1,100 others). Lead singer/guitarist Billy, also an alcohol and drug abuser, died from chronic health problems in 2006. Both brothers were only in their 50s.
The Cowsills will be on the bill with Paul Revere and The Raiders at Eastside Cannery on July 19.
TweetLarry Stewart, John Pinette-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong
April 10, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Larry Stewart, Lead Singer of Restless Heart guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote their upcoming engagement with Sawyer Brown on April 19, at The Eastside Cannery.
With over 27 years of musical history to their credit, the 5 original members of Restless Heart continue to thrill audiences nightly with their award-winning talent, showmanship and flawless harmonies on hits including “I’ll Still Be Loving You”, “Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)”, “Bluest Eyes in Texas”, and “Dancy’s Dream,” to name a few.
Led by Larry Stewart, with Dave Innis on keyboards, Greg Jennings on lead guitar, Paul Gregg on bass and drummer, John Dittrich, they brought a new, contemporary sound to Nashville—a sound with a touch of pop and country rock—the sound which so strongly influences popular country acts of today, including Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and Little Big Town.
Gold became the standard for the group with the release of their self-titled album. Three more gold albums followed between 1986 and 1991. With an additional six albums released through the years, Restless Heart has put 26 hits on the country charts with six climbing to #1 and nine others in the Top Ten. Cross-over success, rare in the music world, was also theirs with six songs making the adult contemporary charts. “When She Cries”, named BMI Song of the Year in 1993, was followed by another top ten crossover single, “Tell Me What You Dream”. Early career Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations culminated in Restless Heart being named ACM’s Vocal Group of the Year.
John Pinette
John Pinette, a favorite recurring guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk passed away on April 5, in Pittsburgh. He was 50.
The apparent cause was a pulmonary embolism, his manager, Larry Schapiro, said. Mr. Pinette, who had homes in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, was found dead in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, where he was attending a family function.
Known for his high-pitched voice, broad Massachusetts accent and trademark two-word condemnation (“Nay-nay!”) of all manner of deplorable things, Mr. Pinette toured widely and was a guest on “The Tonight Show” and “The View.” He dealt most often in comedy rooted in his own life — “the funniest thing that I can think of,” he often said.
He was also known for his brief but memorable turn in the series finale of “Seinfeld” in 1998 as the hapless victim of a carjacking. In that episode, seen by an estimated 76 million viewers, Mr. Seinfeld and his friends observe the crime but do nothing, leading to their arrest on charges of violating good Samaritan laws.
Mr. Pinette, whose first comedy album, “Show Me the Buffet,” was released in 1998, stood about 5 feet 11 and weighed, at his heaviest, some 450 pounds.
“I don’t do fat jokes per se,” he told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 2001. He added, “I’d rather talk about the trials and tribulations of a large mammal in our society.”
He was due to return on LVBST to promote his engagement at The Orleans Showroom next month. John will be greatly missed.
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Lainie Kazan, Bill Bellamy-LVBST w-Comedian Michele LaFong
Feb. 27, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230am KLAV in Las Vegas & streaming live
Lainie Kazan and Comedian Actor Bill Bellamy guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Kazan made her Broadway debut in The Happiest Girl in the World in 1961 followed by Bravo Giovanni (1962). She served as understudy to Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl, finally getting to go on 18 months into the run when the star was ill with a serious throat problem. Both had attended the same high school, Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn,New York. Kazan’s mother alerted the press and, encouraged by rave reviews for her performance, she quit the show and set out to establish herself in a singing career.
Kazan appeared in numerous supper clubs across the country, and she guested on Dean Martin’s variety series 26 times. Other television work includes a recurring role as Aunt Frieda on the Fran Drescher sitcom The Nanny and as Kirstie Alley’s mother on Veronica’s Closet, and guest shots on St. Elsewhere (resulting in an Emmy nomination), The Paper Chase, Touched by an Angel, and Will & Grace. She was also featured in My Big Fat Greek Life, a short-lived series based on the Nia Vardalos hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, in which she had also starred alongside Vardalos. She appeared in a scene as the mother of Adam Sandler’s character in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, but it was deleted in the feature film. It is, however, included in the special features on disc. Prior to this film, she had appeared with its co-star Kevin James in two episodes of his The King of Queens TV series as the once-renowned singer Ava St. Clair. For more about Lainie Kazan: www.lainiekazan.com
Lainie is appearing at The Smith Center on Feb. 28, & March 1.
Bill Bellamy
Comedian/Actor Bill Bellamy will be at the Suncoast Showroom, March 1 and 2.
After winning numerous comedy competitions, Bellamy made his television debut on “Showtime at the Apollo.” He caught the attention of comedy producers Bernie Brillstein and Russell Simmons, who signed him as a guest star of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” in 1992. Bellamy went on to star in his own Showtime comedy special, “Booty Call,” in 1996.
Bellamy became a staple of the MTV generation as host of “MTV Jams” in the late ‘90s. He continued his television career as the voice of the title character in “Cousin Skeeter” from 1998-2001, as a recurring character in “Men, Women & Dogs” in 2001 and 2002, and “Fastlane” in 2002 and 2003.
Bellamy made his feature film debut in 1997 in “Love Jones” and has gone on to star in numerous films, including “Any Given Sunday,” “The Brothers” and “Lottery Ticket.”
In June 2012, Bellamy’s “Crazy Sexy Dirty” comedy special debuted on Showtime and is available on DVD. Recently, he starred in the syndicated comedy “Mr. Box Office,” and launched his groundbreaking new comedy tour “Ladies Night Out.”
His numerous television appearances include “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Live! With Regis & Kelly,” “Today,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Chelsea Lately,” “Las Call with Carson Daly,” “Lopez Tonight,” and “The Wendy Williams Show.”
TweetLarry 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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World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, Norm Johnson-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Dec. 29, 2011 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Gregory Popovich guests on LVBST Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong. “Getting Personal with the Stars” is what LaFong does with this circus crew.
Comedy Pet Theater features an amazing cast of housecats, dogs, parrots. even geese and mice! Critics describe it as a unique blend of comedy, world-champion juggling, and the extraordinary talents of more than 30 performing pets. Gregory Popovich has rescued the animals from shelters all over the country and transformed them into Las Vegas stars! Popovich was a Finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent, and is a fifth-generation circus performer who learned early on how to develop strong bonds with animals. He released his first book “You CAN Train Your Cat” in late 2009 and has been featured on The Tonight Show, David Letterman and in USA Today, just to name a few. Comedy Pet Theater performs 4pm daily at The V-Theater. See below for schedule or for more information go to http://vtheater.com/cpt.htm or call (702) 260-7200
Gregory will be featured in Michele LaFong’s Monthly Syndicated Column, “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” in Casino August 2013 edition of Casino Player Magazine.
For more info about Popovitch, CLICK HERE!
You can catch “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater”live at Planet Hollywood At V Theater
Showtimes: December 17-29 – 4:00pm – no dark dates
December 31, 2011-Calendar Year 2012 – 4:00pm – Dark Wednesdays
Las Vegas’ Favorite Publicist – Norm Johnson
Norm Johnson will be highlighting what’s happening for New Year’s and the new year to come.
In 1965, he moved to Las Vegas and worked at the Las Vegas Sun as a sports writer before becoming a featured Las Vegas entertainment columnist. Most recently he was honored with the coveted “Meatball Award” for his journalistic career in Las Vegas, presented by the men and ladies who made Las Vegas famous.entertainers.
For more info about Norm, click here!
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