by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

As many of you know I love comedy. Laughing is good medicine for anything that's bothering a person, be it medical or in the mind! One of my favorites, for a long, long time has been a guy from Boston named Vinnie Favorito. We first met when I was working as the publicist for Bob Kephart's Comedy Stop at the Tropicana in the early 90's. He would crack me up every time.

What is fun about this guy is no one's safe. Playing on current events (boy does he have a lot of material these days) he plays with the audience like a jazz musician plays various riffs on his horn (I personally like the saxophone). No matter where one is sitting in the audience, he could find you. And before you know it you're involved and it's not for just a moment. You're his for the duration of the show.

Vinnie opened in his own room (once known as Benny's Bullpen) at the Horseshoe, downtown the other evening. I wasn't there (could've been, but thought I would let him get settled in first) so I'm planning on going within the next few days. He'll be performing Tuesdays-Thursdays at 8 pm., with two shows on Friday and Saturday at 8 and 10 pm.

As mentioned I first met him at the Tropicana in the early 90's, after he left Boston and began touring the comedy clubs around the country. Favorito began his career in 1986 and first came to national prominence as a WZOU Star Search champion. Vinnie has paid his dues over these 18 years and is a regular on most of the Comedy Central shows, The Late Show with Graig Kilborn and the Best Damn Sports Show Period. Believe me, gang, this is a funny, funny guy and one you'll really enjoy.

Mac King, afternoon headlining comedian and magician at Harrah's on the Strip, is popping up in the funny papers across the nation. Oh, yeah, must tell you gang, he's also co-producer of the Vinnie Favorito Show. Anyhow his syndicated comic strip "Mac King's Magic in a Minute" is now featured in the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Georgia. His "strip" features Mac King and his sidekick Lewis, a cute comical monkey, demonstrating one of his magic tricks including the secret of how to perform the trick. Of course none of the grand illusions are included (the Magician's Union would make him disappear should he break the oath) but lots of slight-of-hand, etc. I've seen the cartoon and it's really cute.

Went to the Tuscany Hotel / Casino the other evening to see a new show in its very up-close and personal "Stars Showroom." The show titled "Performing As... Live!" stars Sharon Owens, performing as Barbra Streisand and Sebastian Anzaldo as Frank Sinatra.

Let me be perfectly honest with you, gang, I think Ms.Owens is a tremendous talent and deserving of a major showroom all her own. I remember back in the days when the real Barbra opened at the Hilton Hotel for a week (on Paradise) and never returned. Sharon not only has the vocal range, but has her looks and mannerisms down perfect. I really enjoyed listening to her solos. Having personally known and watched "The Man" over some 40 plus years I was okay with Mr. Anzaldo's interpretation of Sinatra. But he did not blow me away like Sharon. As a duo they were top notch and I enjoyed. Every song, I'm sure, was very carefully selected and was right on the mark. The Stars showroom is a perfect venue for this type of production, as there's not a bad seat and service is great. Check it out.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: I've written about Judge Lloyd D. George and his sponsored Downtown Cultural Series, held each month in the courtyard of the U.S. Courthouse. This month it will feature Meadowlark, who melds Celtic, African and Mediterranean styles of music into a magical mixture of harp-like finger style guitar, flute and pennywhistles. That's Friday, Oct. 15 from noon to 1 pm., and admission is FREE. Light refreshments will be served... A very good friend of mine (well her husband is a terrific stand-up comedian named Cork Proctor) Carolyn Proctor has her first novel published. Titled "Elisabeth Samson, Forbidden Bride," the book is based on a true story that took place in the 18th century Dutch sugar colony of Suriname in South America. It tells the story of the first black woman, a rich plantation owner in her own right, to challenge Dutch law forbidding black to marry white. Carolyn and Cork were sent to Suriname in 1999 as Peace Corps volunteers. For info call Carolyn at (702) 361-5454 or the publisher, Joshua Tree Publishing at (702) 474-0384... Funnyman Rick Corso will be headlining this week at the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana along with Christine Stedman and Bruce Smirnoff... Another elder statesman and a dynamite singer (and a good friend), Al Martino will be at the Suncoast Showroom, opening tonight (Friday) through Sunday. This is a man who knows only one thing: to sing beautiful songs everyone will enjoy with little talk between... Another friend (geeze) Genevieve Dew is preparing for the big benefit show coming up on Thursday, Oct. 28th at the Orleans Showroom to help the Las Vegas Charter School of the Deaf. Tickets are only $19.95 and can be purchased by calling (702) 365-7070... The annual March of Dimes Star Chefs of Las Vegas fundraiser at the Rio Hotel kicks off this Friday at 6:30 pm., in the Pavilion Ballroom with "Art As Life" ( a new show starring Sheree Angelica and Vital) premiering at 7:30 pm. For info call (702) 454-2524...

Well, gang, that's it for another week. I'm outa here!

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