Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Nov. 11, 2010: Joy Behar And Colin Quinn Remember Michele LaFong “On The Air”

I was watching The Joy Behar Show last night. Colin Quinn was the guest. He was plugging his new hit one-man show on Broadway, when suddenly the conversation segued to “remember the old days of comedy?” Joy asked Colin, “when Michele LaFong would book all of us?” “Yes,” he giggled. (Of course Colin remembered. We used to perform in the comedy club, and college circuit together too.)

They both laughed and made fun of my name. Yes, Colin admitted that he had worked with me and for me too. Then Joy proceeded to tell a story about a particular gig that I had booked her on many years ago. As usual, she gave her version of it. She LOVES to tell that story!

No matter how many times I’ve explained that “I had nothing to do with how big, or not so big, Joy’s name was on the sign of the gig, where she was performing at, she insists on repeating this story over and over, “that when she walked in, she saw a sign that said in big, giant letters: MICHELE LAFONG PRODUCTIONS presents: (in tiny little letters,) Joy Behar.”

What I’ve tried to explain to Joy every time she tells that story is that I didn’t even know that the venue had printed a sign!

Back then, the fact was that I was the name that everyone in that venue knew! At that time, no one had ever heard of Joy Behar. Michele LaFong Productions was the name with the reputation! Maybe that’s why they chose to do it that way.

Hey, at least everyone still remembers my name! I love it!

All the comics I’ve worked with seem to have “LaFong” stories. I’ve always been talked about on television over the years. Even Joan Rivers mentioned me on her show way back when, and the producer of The Sally Jesse Raphael Show referred to me as the most memorable guest on Sally’s Show years later, when he was interviewed on another talk show. I just happened to catch that too!

Whether it’s Andrew Dice Clay, actor/director, Mike Nichols, or Kevin James, (to whom I gave his very first gig after he attended one of my comedy seminars,) they all have stories to tell.

I have quite a few of my own. Maybe I should write a book. Hmmm…