Tag Archives: comedy

Conan O’Brien to Star in Las Vegas Revue on May 1?

The recently deposed “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien has apparently lined up his first Las Vegas headliner gig. 

O’Brien, who took over Jay Leno’s spot last June only to lose it to him in January, has apparently a May 1 engagement at The Pearl, the Palms’ concert venue. 

But he’s reportedly still bound to his NBC contract, which paid him $45 million to walk away. His exit agreement with NBC reportedly prohibits him from any form of TV until September, when he is allowed to launch his own show. According to reports that surfaced after his departure from NBC, where he was a late-night host since 1993, he’s not even allowed to give interviews. 

But as a way to get around that, keep his name out there and interact with his fans, his people have been talking about some sort of national tour for the past few weeks. 

According to rumblings, he’s poised to use his new Twitter account, possibly to circumvent the contract language. 

Look for his announcement any day that his national tour will include a stop in Las Vegas. It will be called a revue because it will be a mix of music and comedy.

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Lily Tomlin Survives Fast Pace of Entertainment – and Prospers – after 70 years

Lily Tomlin is 70 years old.  But don’t tell her that.   Heavens, no!  For the past five decades, since her days performing on the Rowan and Martin sketch comedy TV show Laugh-In, she has been cracking up audiences without missing a beat, winning as an actress and comedian Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award’s galore. LilyTomlin

Starting today and running though November 14, Tomlin will be performing live at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

The aging funny gal says she’s “a little more flexible now,” adding “I think people got used to me.  I play casinos all over the place, and it’s no different than any other place.” 

Tomlin’s forte is her extended monologue, sticking with a character long enough to really sell it and not worrying about gaps between punch lines. 

Whether she’s costumed as Ernestine, the brassy switchboard operator, pictured, or playing Edith Ann, the little naïve girl that never seems to grow up, her performances are always riveting, as they are entertaining.

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Jeff Dunham Brings Insanity to Chilly Las Vegas

It’s not like we’re in short supply of insanity in Las Vegas, but Jeff Dunham “volunteered” to bring his Spark of Insanity tour to Caesar’s Palace December 11 and 12, 2009.  JeffDunham

This isn’t Dunham’s first visit to the Colosseum.  Both with a previous personal tour and as a performer at the 2008 Comedy Festival, Dunham voiced Walter, Melvin and Peanut from a LasVegas stage. 

Tickets for the Caesar’s performance are available now for $49.50-$89.50 and may be purchased at www.caesarspalace.com.

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Robin Williams’ Comedy Featured at CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas

Robin Williams is always a tough act to follow.  But at the 11th annual CineVegas film festival in Las Vegas from June 10 through 15 at the Palms Casino & Hotel he’ll be the last act. robinwilliams

His dark comedy “World’s Greatest Dad” directed by Bobcat Goldthwait will close the six-day film extravaganza.  The film features Williams as a high school poetry teacher trying to connect with his teenage son (Darryl Sabara) and an art teacher (Alexis Gilmore) – until a freak accident triggers both tragedy and opportunity. 

The very popular annual Las Vegas festival features a “Pioneer Documentaries” section featuring seven non-fiction films including the world premier of the poker documentary “All In.” 

“Diamond Discoveries” section spotlights new independent films available for distribution, among them “Palermo Shooting,” starring CineVegas chair Dennis Hopper, and “Vegas:  Based on a True Story,” about a compulsive gambler and his blue-collar family living on the outskirts of Glitter City. 

The festival’s “Area 52” is devoted to midnight showings of underground and cult films. 

A special section will also spotlight features and shorts produced in Nevada, or by Nevada filmmakers, including the world premiere of “Thor at the Bus Stop,” which follows a mythical creature on his final journey. 

More information is online at www.CineVegas.com

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Las Vegas’ Newest Headliner: Terry Fator at The Mirage

Terry Fator, 43, has come a long way.   The “America’s Got Talent” impressionist, singer, comedian, and ventriloquist went on from winning that competition in 2007 to land a five-year, $100 million deal The Mirage in Las Vegas, with an option for an additional five years.  terryfator1

“When I won Talent, my wife and I were broke,” says Fator, who has a new autobiography, “Who’s the Dummy Now.”  “Now I have to convince her that she doesn’t have to buy shoes at discount stores.”

Fator is the newest headliner at The Mirage.  His performances start today, Saturday, February 14, at the helm of the 1,265-seat Terry Fator Theatre (formerly the Danny Gans Theatre) for five shows a week.

Fator’s show is family-friendly and features a cast of seven puppets, including Cowboy Walter, Emma Taylor and Winston the Impersonating Turtle. Combining ventriloquism and impersonation, Fator performs the singing styles of an eclectic group of stars including Elvis, Maroon Five, James Blunt, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie.

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Comedy Icon Jerry Lewis Garners First Oscar

This momentous honor proves that if you work at something hard and long enough, it will eventually pay off.   Comedy icon and Las Vegas resident Jerry Lewis, 82-years-young, finally garnered his Oscar.  Lewis, who has never even been nominated for an Oscar before, will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Board of jerry-lewisGovernors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the 81st Academy Awards on February 22.    

Jerry Lewis will be presented with an Oscar statuette to honor his decades of work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association- an association where he’s been the chairman and their leading spokesman since 1952. 

Jerry Lewis’ untiring drive, ambition, and coordinative efforts to find a cure for muscular dystrophy have raised more than $2 billion since the 1966 kickoff of his annual Labor Day Telethon.

Lewis won a Golden Globe award in 1966 for his role in “Boeing (707) Boeing (707)” for Best Motion Picture Actor in a Musical/Comedy.

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