Poker News

Len Butcher

Lots to talk about this week, so let’s get to it. Went to see Danny Gans a few weeks ago at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Haven’t seen him since he opened at the resort some five years ago. Place was packed, as it always is, and within five minutes he had the joint jumpin’. I love live entertainment of almost any kind, but I especiallylove it when an entertainer gives his all and has a great rapport with the audience.

Danny Gans has it, and does it all. I’ll be the first to admit that not every one of his impersonations is right on, but you know what, I, nor the audience, didn’t care. We’re there to be entertained and Gans lets it all out to accomplish just that — and succeeds.

So no surprise when the audience rose as one on the final number to give him a standing O, then did the same 10 minutes later when he responded to the audience’s request for “More.” A “must-see” show if you’re in town.

Don’t remember it I mentioned this to you previously, but I have been doing a tour of the Cirque du Soleil shows over the past six weeks, interviewing a cast member from each show to give us a glimpse of these talented people who don’t get the individual publicity of a headliner.

I started with “Mystere” at Treasure Island, moved on to “O” at Bellagio, then to “Zumanity” at New York-New York, before wrapping up with “KA” at the MGM Grand. As for the show itself, I could go on and on about the production, the sets, costumes, performers etc, and what will it all mean to you? I read entertainment critics who give every minute detail about a show, as if their readers are going to be able visualize what the hell they’re talking about.

It’s like trying to describe the Las Vegas Strip to someone who has never been here.

“Well, there’s the big pirate ship with lotsa girl pirates and there’s a big battle and the ship sinks.”

“But I thought Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert?”

“It is, but you kinda have to imagine all of this.”

“So where does the water come from and where does the ship go?”

“Okay, forget about the ship. Picture this. Dancing fountains in front of a beautiful hotel called Bellagio.”

“Hey, Ma, ever heard of fountains that dance? I think this young feller is pullin’ our legs. Dancin’ fountains. Damn it, boy, you been spikin’ that cider I gave you?”

So you see, you might as well save your breath. All readers want to know is whether the show, in the critic’s opinion, is great, good, so-so or lousy and is it worth seeing. I will condense”KA” into five words — It’s great, go see it.

You’ve seen her hosting the Johnny Carson show, having her own TV talk show, on the red carpet at all the awards show where she became a fashion maven, and hawking jewelry etc. on the shopping channel. I’m talking about none other than Joan Rivers, who will be bringing her stand-up act to the Stardust in Las Vegas Aug. 31-Sept. 3. I can tell you from experience that this is one of the funniest, hardest working, talented and nicest women you will ever meet.

I first met Joan a number of years ago when I went to interview her at the hotel — I forget which one — where she was performing.

She greeted me at her suite with glasses perched on her nose, pencil behind her ear and papers strewn all over the living room floor. She apologized for the mess, explaining that she was in the middle of writing a book — she is a successful author — and worked on it in between performances.

We had no sooner sat down then the phone rang and it was Melissa, her 11-year-old daughter at the time, calling Mom from New York. For the next 15 minutes I listened to a one-sided conversation that was filled with love from a mother to a daughter. When she ended the call, she told me that whenever she was away, she and Melissa called each other as many as 10 times a day, talking about everything from how Mom’s shows were going, to Melissa’s school work.

It was an informative, entertaining hour we spent together and as I said before, she is a very funny lady. Catch her show if you possibly can.

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