Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Debbie Reynolds, Shang Forbes

Feb. 26 & 28, 2015 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web

Audio of interviews are posted below

Debbie Reynolds (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie Reynolds guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  Debbie gave me my first running-show at The Debbie Reynolds H&C on the Las Vegas Strip in 1994.

For over six decades, our lives have been enriched by the talents of a singer, dancer and actress we know as Debbie Reynolds. With a rich life in talent and skills, she is a must see at The South Point Showroom whenever she comes to Las Vegas.

Debbie Reynolds gave me her first running-show in LV- “Vegas Live” starring Comedian Michele LaFong at The Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino on The LV Strip.

Debbie 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 Syndicated “Getting Personal with the Stars” column in Gaming Today.

Too much to list about the life and history of Debbie Reynolds here. For more about Debbie, click HERE.

Comedian Shang Forbes

Shang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comedian Shang Forbes guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

The charismatic comic has proven his premiere stand-up skills with appearances nationwide and abroad with one of the most memorable performances of 1995 on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” & won Two half-hour Comedy specials on BET’s “Comic View Grand Stand.

Shang has cemented his position as one  of the brightest funnymen in the business & his political and explosive humor has been showcased on HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival Special “Best of the Fest”. Other appearances include “Politically Incorrect,”& the BBC’s Funny Business,Mun2’s Loco Comedy Jam, NBC’S Comedy Showcase, MTV’s Choose or Lose,  National Lampoon’s New Faces, Comedy Central’s Jamie Foxx-presents “Laffapalooza”& was a Co-Host on Russell Simmon’s “One World Music Beat.

Shang also is a Co-producer & host of BET’S Access Granted & is a regular on Bet’s Comic View, which airs weeknights at 10pm. (Incidentally, BET reaches 80 million cable households according to Nielsen Media Research). In addition, he has displayed impressive comedic acting & writing ability as a series regular on the late-night laugh-fest ”The Newz” & a contributing writer for George Magazine.

Now Shang has been making headway into the acting field with recent guest starring roles on episodes of On CBS’s “NCIS”, ABC’s “Zack & Cody”, NBC’s “Passions,” WB’s The Jamie Foxx Show & just finished shooting a pilot for FOX TV Called “FACELESS” written & directed by hot new directorJoe Carmahan (“Narc” & Smoking Aces) & Produced by Tony Krantz ( “24″ THe PJ’s & Sports Night).

The debut of Shang’s first major release CD entitled “SHANGRY!!”, on Uproar Records is in stores now & has one of the most played Comedy Specials on XM Radio called “Live on Broadway” taped at the world famous Caroline’s on Broadway In NY. In addition, he will be featured in several Upcoming international televised shows in Japan, Ireland, London and Amsterdam. Shang will continue to rise to the top of the comedy ranks with high-profile acting & televised stand up & personal appearances.

His new comedy special is called Shang is…”SHANGRY!” and will be out next month on Showtime.

0:00

Rod Man, Al Bernstein, The Lennon Sisters

Sept. 11, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web

 Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

rodman LCS...2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Rod Man guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Rod’s television appearances include “Def Comedy Jam”, “Bet’s Comic View” and “Showtime at the Apollo”. Most recently, Rod appeared on “Premium Blend” on Comedy Central as well as the dvd’s “Big Black Comedy Show vol. 2” with Monique and “P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy”. He has been featured in the films “Love Chronicles” and “Player’s Ball”.

Rod has become an award-winning, quintessential entertainer. He has graced the stage at Caesar’s Place, The Gibson Amphitheater, and The Apollo Theater. Comedy Central gave him his own half hour special. And he has made many other television appearances, among them “The Bad Boys of Comedy” for HBO, Martin Lawrence’s “First Amendment” for Starz, Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘N Out” for MTV, “One Mic Stand” for BET, “The Funny Spot” for TV One, and “The World Stands Up” for BBC America and The Monique Show. Rod can be seen on the big screen in Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen for Universal Pictures.He even co-hosted a morning drive-time show in Los Angeles on Stevie Wonder owned KJLH Radio 102.3 FM

Rod Man is headlining at The Aliante Casino in The Comedians from “Last Comic Standing” with runner-up Lachlan Patterson, and Mark Normand on Sept. 13, 8pm & 10:30pm.
Al Bernstein

Al B. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Al Bernstein returns on LVBST.  He will be covering the Mayweather vs. Maidana fight for Showtime at MGM on Sept. 13.

For just over 30 years, Al Bernstein has been one of the most recognizable and respected sportscasters in America. In those three decades, the “voice of boxing” reported the funny, poignant, and bizarre events that helped shape sports television, ESPN, boxing, Las Vegas, and Showtime. With an eclectic cast of characters that includes every big name in boxing, including Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as such names in the entertainment world as Rodney Dangerfield, Sylvester Stallone, Russell Crowe, and Jerry Lewis, Bernstein’s memoir will have you in stitches.

Al Bernstein’s book, 30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Sports, Boxing and TV,” and has already received a great reception. People from the sports, entertainment and media world are talking about this book. Talks about female broadcasters, tells his “Mike Tyson story,”

The Lennon Sisters

Lennon S 2012_1381 8x10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy Lennon, of The Lennon Sisters, guests on LV backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

The Lennon Sisters made their TV debut on Christmas Eve 1955 on “The Lawrence Welk Show” when youngest member Janet was just nine years old. Following their successful debut, Welk professionally adopted the girls and The Lennon Sisters became regulars on the program every Saturday night for the next 13 years.

Later, the sisters entered the music scene with their first hit, “Tonight, You Belong to Me” reaching #15 on the charts in 1956. Labeled “America’s Sweethearts of Song,” they recorded their first album, “Let’s Get Acquainted,” in May of 1957.

In 1961, the group’s single “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” reached #1, becoming their highest charting record. Other popular recordings include “Scarlet Ribbons,” “Greensleeves,” and Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”

Throughout the ‘70s, The Lennon Sisters toured extensively and made regular performances on “The Andy Williams Show.” The group also appeared on “Family Feud,” “Hollywood Squares” and “Tattletales.”

The Lennon Sisters are comprised of original members Janet and Kathy and younger sister Mimi.

0:00

 

Sept. LV Backstage Talk column

By Michele LaFong

ayout 1Layout 1G.T.9-2-14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Click on article to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong-

monthly syndicated column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.

Coming off the heels of guesting on LVBST just two weeks earlier to discuss the exciting details of his new recording deal, Emmy Award winner Clint Holmes returned to LVBST to announce that Aug 1-3, would be his last weekend performing at his monthly resident weekend engagement at The Cabaret Room in The Smith Center before taking a hiatus in order to make time for his new gig… to star in GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles – at The Venetian Theatre this fall. Clint explained; “When the producer, Larry Rosen first asked me to do the show I said “you know…I don’t sound like Ray Charles, I don’t even sing like Ray Charles…Larry said “that’s not what we’re looking for. We want artists that do their interpretations of his songs. Co-Stars 10-time Grammy award-winning vocal group TAKE 6, six-time Grammy nominee and Downbeat Vocalist of the Year Nnenna Freelon, and Stella Gospel Award and Grammy award-winning saxophone star Kirk Whalum also do not sound like Ray Charles.” The show introduces the Las Vegas Mass Choir, under the direction of James R. Smith and Edie Aikels, and features the Las Vegas All-Star Big Band, under the direction of pianist and conductor, David Loeb. GEORGIA ON MY MIND, will be in the Venetian Theatre September 18 through October 29, 2014. Clint will return to The Smith Center in time to present his Christmas show.

Joy Behar may have retired as Co-Host from ABC’s The View…but that’s about all she’s retired from. In my latest interview with Joy she had this to say; “I lost about 18 pounds altogether after getting off The View…That show made me fat! Now that I’m off… it’s so much less stressful. It’s a whole new group over there. Let’s see how fat they all get!” That’s what I always loved about Joy…You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth next! “I’m doing more stand-up again, as well as working on a One Woman Show, which has more of a storyline than stand-up called “Me, My Mouth, and I.”  We’re currently looking for an Off-Broadway Theatre in New York.” When asked about other future goals in the works, she replied, “I’d be open to doing TV again…but it would have to be the right project.” Joy’s interview aired on August 14. A video clip of her and Colin Quinn on HLN, laughing about doing gigs for me back in the ‘80’s is posted on casinoplayer.com, gamingtoday.com, and is posted below.

Another popular, funny and exciting guest returning to LVBST is “the Voice of Boxing” himself, my next door neighbor and friend Al Bernstein. On Sept. 11, Al will be guesting in-studio giving us more backstage stories, celebrity updates and of course his take on the big upcoming Mayweather/Maidana fight at The MGM Grand that he is covering on Sept. 13 on Showtime.

Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe Winner Paul Williams returned on LVBST calling in from Dublin! Between being President of ASCAP, speaking to congress about songwriters getting paid in the digital age, and preparing for his new book release on Sept. 17th on Penguin called “Gratitude and Trust”, and winning another Grammy Award this year…we ran out of time before could hear the rest of what might be next for Paul Williams!

Rudy Ruettiger, whose life-story was the inspiration for the movie “Rudy,” one of the most inspiring movies of our time, guested in-studio together with his producer, Tony Sacca to promote the premiere of his new multi-media one-man show, “Rudy,” starring Rudy Ruettiger at the Troesh Studio Theater in The Smith Center Aug. 9. The show, like the movie is about his life story of how he accomplished his dream of going to Notre Dame and convinced Hollywood to make a movie of his life, which earned him an invitation to the White House. “After seeing Mike Tyson’s one-man show, I knew that I too could do this. The ultimate goal is Broadway.” Why Not?!
Here’s a treat: “End of Summer Bash,” a FREE concert featuring Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Brooklyn Bridge, The Rip Chords, 1910 Fruitgum Company on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 4pm at The Cannery.

Nevada’s 150th birthday is being planned for Monday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center. Proceeds will benefit The Smith Center’s education outreach programs. This variety show is a not-to-be missed event that will feature some of the best entertainers of the Las Vegas Strip as they come together for one night only to celebrate Nevada’s cultural heritage. Proceeds will benefit The Smith Center’s education outreach programs. Tickets are $25 to $100. Some of the names already scheduled to appear include: Bob Anderson, Susan Anton, Cirque du Soleil, Véronic DiCaire, Clint Holmes, Human Nature, Jersey Boys, Robin Leach, Jerry Lewis, Frankie Moreno, Penn& Teller and many more backed by The Lon Bronson All-Star Band and boosted by the Las Vegas Mass Choir.

The Best of Jethro Tull will be played by Legendary prog pioneer Ian Anderson at The Pearl inside The Palms Resort on Sept. 19. My two segment interview with Ian will air on Sept. 18.

Sept. headline entertainment really heats up in September as evidenced by the length and quality of the names in “My Picks” this month. LVBST should have great choices for interviews!

My Picks: Rock of The 80’s-The Romantics, The Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw, Tommy Tutone, Eastside Cannery, Sept. 5,
Jerry Seinfeld, Caesars Palace, Sept. 5 & 6, Jim Breuer, South Point, Sept. 5 & 6,Kevin Hart & Friends Comedy All-Stars, The Cosmopolitan, Sept. 5, Susie Essman, The Venetian, Sept. 5 & 6, Deana Carter, Sunset Station, Sept. 6, Neil Sedaka, The Orleans, Sept. 6 & 7, Gabriel Iglesias, The Mirage, Sept. 12-14, Arturo Sandaval, The Smith Center, Sept. 13, Deana Martin, South Point, Sept. 13 & 14, Marc Anthony, Planet Hollywood, Sept. 13, The Guess Who, Eastside Cannery, Aug. 16, Diana Ross, Caesars Palace, Sept. 19, Ray Romano, The Mirage, Sept. 19 & 20, REO Speedwagon, The Orleans, Sept. 19 & 20, Tony Orlando, South Point, Sept. 19-21, Tesla Eastside Cannery, Sept. 20, Joan Osborne, M Resort, Sept. 20, Rod Stewart, Caesars Palace, Sept. 19- Oct. 5,
Gordon Lightfoot, The Smith Center, Sept. 24, Bill Cosby, Treasure Island, Sept. 26, Daniel Tosh, The Mirage, Sept. 26 & 27,
Katy Perry, MGM Grand, Sept. 26, Paula Poundstone, The Orleans, Sept. 26 & 27, Ralphie May, South Point, Sept. 26-28, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Palms, Sept. 27, Jerry Lewis, Smith Center, Sept. 30, Lorde, Hard Rock, Sept. 30.

Russell Peters, Richard Hatch, Clint Holmes-LVBST

July 31, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web

 Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

Russell PeRussell Peters 8-24-13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell Peters returns on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Celebrated comedian Russell Peters returns to The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Aug. 2, 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49, plus any additional service fees.

Russell Peters is back and exploring new material! After the very successful release of Notorious on Netflix, Peters finds himself back on the road putting together new material as he works through a handful of 2014 dates. Fans can be prepared for some crowd work and…some randomness, all mixed with the comedic styling Peters is known for.

This year has been big for Peters who signed on to be a judge for this season’s NBC “Last Comic Standing.” He joins the likes of Roseanne Barr, Keenen Ivory Wayans and JB Smoove as they search for the funniest talent in America (premiered May 22).

Peters spent most of 2013 touring with the Notorious live show which followed a string of special performances and appearances including being the first comedian to play Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center in November 2012. More than 10,000 fans attended the show, making it the largest comedy show ever in the history of the New York City borough.

Peters’ special, The Green Card Tour LIVE From the O2 Arena, was recorded in London in 2010. The special was broadcast on Showtime, Comedy Central, Netflix USA and Netflix UK. In 2009, Peters set a UK attendance record for the highest attendance for a one-off comedy show with more than 16,000 fans attending his show at the O2 Arena. Peters also went on to have the highest attended comedy shows at Sydney, Australia’s Acer Arena and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in 2010.

Starting in 2008, Peters was one of the first stand-up comedians to self-finance, self-produce and distribute his own comedy specials and DVDs, with Red, White and Brown and 2011’s, The Green Card Tour LIVE from the O2 Arena. The DVDs went on to sell more than 250,000 units across North America. Peters is currently developing original programming for Netflix.

Listed on the Forbes List as one of the top ten Highest Earning Comics in the U.S. in 2009 and 2010, Russell Peters has spent the past 23 years building a career to become one of the biggest comics in the world.

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. Follow The Pearl on Twitter at @PearlatPalms for concert announcements and event information.

Richard Hatch

richard-hatch-headshotrichard-hatch-promoRH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Hatch has enjoyed international recognition for more than three decades. He has starred in such series as The Streets of San Francisco for which he won Germany’s Bravo Award (the equivalent of an Emmy Award), Battlestar Galactica for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award and the role of Philip Brent, which he originated on ABC’s All My Children. Hatch’s recent projects include a steampunk pilot, Cowboys & Engines with Malcolm McDowell, After the Harvest, and his role as Klingon General Kharn in Star Trek: Axanar.
Richard began his theatrical career with the Los Angeles Repertory Theater. He starred Off-Broadway in several plays and musicals including the Obie Award winning play, PS Your Cat Is Dead, in Chicago. In addition, Hatch has starred in such movies for television as The Hatfields And The McCoys with Jack Palance, Addie And The Kings Of Hearts with Jason Robards, Last Of The Belles with Susan Sarandon, The Class Of 65, The Hustler Of Muscle Beach, and the cult classic Deadman’s Curve, in which he portrayed Jan Berry of the musical group “Jan and Dean”.
Hatch’s directing credits include the iconic “Second Coming” BG movie trailer, a short for White Wings, a period piece set in the 1920’s, and an episode of the award winning web series Silicon Assassin. He has also written, produced and directed an infomercial for the securities industry and produced his own reality series, Who the Frak.
A published author, Hatch has co-written seven Battlestar Galactica novels as well as a BG compendium, So Say We All. Richard is currently working to finish his epic Sci-Fi novel, The Great War of Magellan (GWOM), a story he developed over the last decade. During that time, Hatch produced a trailer, wrote a comic book series and launched a role playing game for GWOM. Richard plans to produce a web series for GWOM later this year.
When not busy with directing, writing and performing, Richard teaches the art, craft and business of acting, sharing more than 40 years of professional experience teaching workshops and intensives around the country. He also teaches a weekly acting class in Los Angeles. In addition to acting workshops, Hatch offers personal development workshops such as Moving from Fear to Self Mastery, Creating a more Successful Life, Becoming a More Powerful Communicator.
An active participant in social media, Hatch can be found interacting with fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/Richard.Hatch.Actor) and Twitter (@thumbfighter) as well as the social network on BattlestarGalactica.com. For more on Richard Hatch, including information on his workshops, visit his website at http://richardhatch.com.

Clint Holmes

10553336_790367247663591_287715686685120035_nClint HolmesGeorgia-On-My-Mind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emmy Award winner Clint Holmes returns to LVBST to promote his last weekend, Aug 1-3, before taking a hiatus from his monthly weekend engagement at The Cabaret Room at The Smith Center to make time to star in GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles – at The Venetian Theatre this fall. This groundbreaking new show will also feature a host of esteemed stars including  10-time Grammy award-winning vocal group TAKE 6, six-time Grammy nominee and DownBeat Vocalist of the Year Nnenna Freelon, and Stella Gospel Award and Grammy award-winning saxophone star Kirk Whalum. The show also introduces the Las Vegas Mass Choir, under the direction of James R. Smith and Edie Aikels, and features the Las Vegas All-Star Big Band, under the direction of pianist and conductor, David Loeb. This dynamic ensemble of all-star performers will celebrate the genius of American music, Mr. Ray Charles, through GEORGIA ON MY MIND, in the Venetian Theatre September 18 through October 29, 2014.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling The Venetian Box Office at 702-414-9000 or online at www.venetian.com. For more information on GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles and the musical performers, please visit http://bit.ly/VenetianGOMM.

0:00

 

Don Felder, Kelly Hansen, Henry Fambrough

July 24, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web

 Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

don felder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singer/Songwriter Don Felder, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Best-known for his years as lead guitarist for the Eagles, during which time he co-wrote such classic tracks as ‘Hotel California,’ ‘Victim of Love’ and ‘Those Shoes.’ His outro solo with Joe Walsh on ‘Hotel California’ is widely considered one of the most important guitar solos of the rock era.
Felder was fired from the group in 2001 after a number of disputes with Don Henley and Glenn Frey. He later sued the group and recounted his experiences with the Eagles in a best-selling autobiography.
Last year he released a solo album titled ‘Road to Forever,’ which included an all-star cast of guest stars and saw the musician moving forward musically and personally.
After years of relative backstage secrecy, the Eagles officially sanctioned a documentary titled ‘The History of the Eagles‘ that premiered on Showtime.

Kelly Hansen

Foreigner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead Singer for Foreigner, Kelly Hansen guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Answering an ad seeking a lead vocalist, Kelly joined Hurricane in 1985. Signed to Enigma/Capitol during the late eighties and early nineties, Hurricane recorded three critically acclaimed albums, racked up five Top 20 MTV videos and landed the top 35 single, “I’m On To You”.

After Hurricane disbanded, Hansen worked in a group with Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille, toured as a vocal group arranger and backing vocalist with Liane Foly for her album, Caméléon and composed music for television.

As the new lead singer in Foreigner, Hansen explains, “the best part about being in this band is getting the chance to do something I feel I was meant to do. I feel extremely fortunate to be given this wonderful opportunity to play with such a substantial group of people, and it just keeps getting better. I think there are times in life where the right combination of people come together at the right time, through luck, timing or for some other unknown reason to create something magical. What happens onstage with this group of guys is something that is rare and palpable. It’s like the old saying, “if I have to describe it, you wouldn’t understand.”

For more go to http://www.foreigneronline.com/kellyhansen.html

Henry Fambrough-Original vocalist with The Spinners

Spinners Photo #1(2014)Henry Fambrough...Spinners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Fambrough is an original vocalist and current member of the R&B quintet The Spinners (aka The Detroit Spinners). He is the last surviving original member of the Spinners.
During the group’s heyday from the early to mid-1970s, Henry served as one of the group’s lead singers (along with Philippe Wynne and Bobby Smith ) and his rich baritone provided lead vocals for the Spinners classic, “I Don’t Want To Lose You,” as well as co-lead vocals with Wynne on “Living A Little, Laughing A Little.” He also was in a duet with Dionne Warwick on the Spinners’ “Just As Long As We Have Love,” from their album “Pick of the Litter,” and also sang lead on the classic album cut, “If You Can’t Be in Love,” from the album “Happiness Is Being with the Spinners.” Henry was noted for the handlebar mustache he wore at that time.

The Spinners will be performing at The Cannery on Aug. 26.

0:00

Lainie Kazan, Bill Bellamy-LVBST w-Comedian Michele LaFong

Feb. 27, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230am KLAV in Las Vegas & streaming live

Lainie Kazan

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

Bill Bellamy Headshot

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.”

0:00
Next Page »