Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier-LVBST

March 13, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

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Tommy Davidson and David Alan Grier guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote their upcoming one night only “In Living Color Reunion Tour” at Aliante Casino on March 21, 8pm and 10:30pm.

Tommy’s elasticity as a performer has led him through a diverse array of roles including the lead in the Disney animated series The Proud Family and his hilarious character in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Tommy has starred in four successful Showtime specials to date (On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly and Takin’ it to DC and Chocolate Sundaes).  Most recently, Tommy has been working on the just-renewed second season of his hit series, Black Dynamite, Adult Swim’s #1 top-rated show. Next up on the feature film front is the extraordinary story of the international celebrity Sammy Davis Jr. whose outsize talent couldn’t save him from himself in, “Deconstructing Sammy,” which Tommy bought the rights to last year and is in development on.  

 Known for the indelible characters he created on the iconic variety show and spot-on impersonations from iconic figures like Sammy Davis Jr. and President Obama, Tommy is truly the ultimate all-around performer. Selling out every venue in which he performs, Tommy Davidson promises an unforgettable in-studio of incisive wit, hilarious panel, memorable takeaways and big laughs. 

David Alan Grier

David Alan Grier

The three-time Tony and GRAMMY Award nominee was trained in Shakespeare at Yale where he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.  Grier has enjoyed many accolades and awards throughout his career, not the least of which was his inclusion on Comedy Central’s list of the “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.”

On the big screen, David Alan Grier was recently seen starring in WE THE PEEPLES, produced by Tyler Perry, opposite Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson. Grier made his film debut in STREAMERS (1983), directed by Robert Altman for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. He also appeared in the Wayans Brothers’ spoof movie DANCE FLICK (2009).

Grier’s television work is highlighted by a turn as principal cast member on the Emmy Award winning In Living Color (1990–1994) where he helped to create some of the show’s most memorable characters, DAG (2000–2001) and Life with Bonnie (2003) which earned an Image and Golden Satellite nomination. David created, wrote and executive produced a show for Comedy Central called Chocolate News (2008). Last fall, David starred in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, a Hallmark Channel adaptation of Paul Curtis’ 1996 Newbery Award-winning novel by the same name.  Grier recently wrapped shooting a starring role as ‘Principal Carl Gaines’ in a new series for CBS, Bad Teacher.

Grier began his professional career on Broadway as Jackie Robinson in The First, for which he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award (1981). He then joined the cast of Dreamgirls before going on to star opposite Denzel Washington in A Soldier’s Play, for which both actors reprised their roles in the film adaptation, A SOLDIER’S STORY (1984).

In 2009/2010 Grier starred in David Mamet’s acclaimed play RACE opposite James Spader and Kerry Washington at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway for which he received his second Tony Award nomination. Grier received the third Tony Award nomination of his career in 2012 for his performance in the “stand-out role of the rakish, drug-dealing Sporting Life” (NY Times) in The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess. Grier received his first GRAMMY nomination when the cast recording of The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess received a 2013 GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.

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The Wayans Brothers, Pablo Francisco-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong

July 25, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV&Web

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The Wayans Brothers return on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM in Las Vegas, and The Web.

This time around I got to interview Shawn and Marlon separately, and it was very telling how different their answers to the same questions were.  Actually quite comical!

The Wayans family is filled with talented members, so there is no surprise that the two youngest brothers, Shawn and Marlon Wayans, have followed in their family’s footsteps as Hollywood icons. So far in their relatively short careers, these two comedic prodigies have topped box offices and toured successfully around the country.

Both Shawn and Marlon made their acting debut in 1989 in their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans’ feature film “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.” Immediately following their feature film debut, they joined the cast of the Emmy Award-winning comedy series “In Living Color.”

“The Wayans Bros.” sitcom, which Shawn and Marlon created and starred in, was the first WB show to be sold into syndication after heading up the WB network lineup for five years. Shawn and Marlon’s past film credits include the hit comedy “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood,” which they co-wrote, produced and starred in together.

More recently Shawn and Marlon starred in the box office hits “Little Man” and “White Chicks,” both of which they also co-wrote and produced. The brothers began co-writing this string of blockbusters with the smash “Scary Movie, where they also starred along side each other, and was directed by their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans. Co-written, produced and starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans, “Scary Movie 2” was the only sequel in the “Scary Movie” franchise with direct Wayans involvement. Shawn and Marlon were next seen on the big screen in “Dance Flick,” the comedy co-written with brother Keenen Ivory, which premiered in May 2009.

Shawn and Marlon, along with their brothers and sisters, created “Thugaboo” and the subsequent “Boo Crew” animated specials for Nickelodeon, which began premiering in August 2006. In addition to creating, the Wayans are also writing, directing and voicing the series which takes a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of nine inner city kids. TheBooCrew.com was released in fall 2009 and plans are underway to turn The Boo Crew into a daily comic strip. Marlon also starred in the 2009 blockbuster “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

In January 2013, Marlon wrote, produced and starred in the comedy hit, “A Haunted House,” an outrageous send up of the “Paranormal Activity” movie which also stars Cedric The Entertainer and Essence Atkins. Additionally, Marlon executive produced a comedy series, “Second Generation Wayans” starring his nephews, Damon Jr. and Craig which debut on BET Networks in January 2013.

When not on the road performing standup, Shawn and Marlon can be found hard at work in the “lab” where the Wayans siblings are busy concocting their next project.

Doors at the Pearl will open at 7 p.m. and show time is 8 p.m. The Pearl Box Office is open daily from noon until 7 p.m. with extended hours on select event days. The Pearl is now on Twitter. Follow @PearlatPalms for concert announcements and event information.

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Pablo Francisco

Comedian Pablo Francisco guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230AM KLAV in Las Vegas and The Web.

Pablo continues to bring his audiences to their feet with boisterous laughter and applause.  He weaves together his arsenal of characters, spontaneous outbursts, and clever insights to create a stand-up show that more resembles an hour-long comedic jazz
riff.  He is an off-the-wall, animated character that points out the absurdity in an illogical, pop-culture obsessed world.
His unmatched take on all things pop culture has taken him into the ranks of the most popular touring comedians worldwide.  Pablo’s enormous popularity continues to sour driving his Myspace Comedy page into the top three most visited on the site.  His outrageously funny material has hooked millions of viewers on his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/pablofranciscocomedy.

South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on May 25 – 27th

Shawn and Marlon Wayans, Estaban-LVBST w/Comedian Michele LaFong

Dec. 20, 2012  6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web

Shawn and Marlon Wayans guest together on Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show with Comedian Michele LaFong on 1230 am KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web.

Perhaps best known for their roles in the blockbuster hits “Scary Movie” and “Scary Movie 2,” The Wayans Brothers made their acting debut in 1989 in their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans’ feature film, “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.” Immediately following their debut, they joined the cast of the Emmy Award® winning comedy series “In Living Color,” and starred in the series until 1994.

Shawn and Marlon created and starred in the hit WB sitcom “The Wayans Bros.,” which was the first WB network show sold into syndication after heading up the network’s lineup from 1994 to 1999.

On the big screen, Shawn and Marlon have starred together in numerous hit films, including “White Chicks,” “Little Man” and “Dance Flick.”

Shawn and Marlon, along with their brothers and sisters, created “Thugaboo” and the subsequent “Boo Crew” animated specials for Nickelodeon, which premiered in August 2006.  Marlon appeared in the 2009 blockbuster “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” and stars in “A Haunted House,” scheduled for release in January 2013.

You can catch The Wayans Brothers at The Orleans, each performing their stand-up comedy separately.

The Wayans Bros. will soon be featured in Comedian Michele LaFong’s Syndicated Monthly “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” column in Casino Player Magazine.
Orleans Showroom, Sat. & Sun., Dec. 29th & 30th – 8:00pm

Reservations

Musician “Man in Black” – Esteban

Esteban and daughter Teresa Joy, return to Las Vegas Backstage Talk Radio Show on 1230AM KLAV, in Las Vegas, and The Web, to promote their new on-going stint in Las Vegas.

They call him the “Man in Black.” The magical guitar artistry of “Esteban,” will be in Concert, at the LVH (formerly the Hilton) hotel, in the Shimmer Cabaret, opening on Thursday, Dec. 27, and repeating the following night, Friday, Dec. 28. The world famous guitarist has signed a three month contract with LVH, to appear every Thursday and Friday evening, with show time set for 8:30 p.m.  The opening of this new show follows a very successful recent engagement at The Smith Center.

A Las Vegas resident, “Esteban” will perform along with his daughter, violinist Teresa Joy, a special selection of music ranging from classical, Flaminco, pop, to Broadway, and beyond.

Esteban’s concerts are memorable moments of the heart and soul. Spending an evening in his audience is an experience of the heart and mind, and one that will remain with you forever.

More about Esteban here–>

You can catch Esteban at the LVH hotel, in the Shimmer Cabaret – Thurs. & Fri. Dec. 27th & 28th – 8:30pm
Reservations

You can listen to a recording of our show below!

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