Hear him now: Nealon at Garrett’s Club
W
Ehave the first update to the Kats comedy column. We’ve switched the name to the Kats Comedy Corner. This is after much thought, market-testing and spitballing. We ruled that the previous name, Kats Comedy Hut, sounded like something Patrick Mahomes would call out during the Super Bowl.
Onward with the funny:
Nealon’s hike to LV
These days he doesn’t want to pump (clap!) you up! But he’ll get some cardio going while hiking with his comic friends.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Kevin Nealon, returning to Las Vegas for the first time in eight years, headlines Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 to 19 (also 10 p.m. Feb. 18).
Nealon is long removed from, but still well-remembered for, his part in “SNL’S” popular “Pumping Up With Hans & Franz” sketch with Dana Carvey. Not familiar? Go to the Youtube. Then hit LVAC. You can still find the characters’ inspirations.
Nealon joined “SNL” for the 1986 season and spent nine seasons total in the cast before departing in 1995. His famous characters included “Mr. Subliminal,” Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (Politically Incorrect Private Investigator) and, briefly, broadcast legend Brent Musberger. Nealon was also anchor of “Weekend Update” from 1991 to ’94.
His offshoot projects have since included “Hiking With Kevin,” venturing through the canyons of Los Angeles with an eclectic list of famous friends, including Conan O’brien, Adam Sandler, Lisa Kudrow, Donny and Marie Osmond (on separate hikes), David Spade and Garrett.
Nealon keeps himself physically and mentally fit. The routine is a counterbalance to his work at the home office.
“Sometimes I’m just sitting at a desk, writing, or someone will say something and I’ll add to it to make it funny,” Nealon says. “When I’m hiking, I’m always thinking about material. It’s kind of a meditative process for me.”
Nealon has retired his Franz sweatsuit, and that routine, from the “SNL” days. Even as a viewer he’s become detached from the show.
“I’m always rooting for that show to succeed, but I haven’t watched it really too much in the last decade or two. But you know, if I hear something good is on there, I’ll tune in and, you know,
I’m still friends with Lorne (Michaels, the series creator). I loved when Kate Mckinnon was on, who just left. But it’s such a big cast now (16 cast members). It was just eight when I was there.”
‘Dark’ at Oyo
“Laugh After Dark Live in Vegas,” the Amazon Prime and Tubi series, opens at Oyo’s Stand Up & Rock Showroom at 9 p.m. Feb. 19. The show runs Sundays in an open-ended engagement.
“Laugh After Dark” has recently filmed several rising comics on a national tour, including Las Vegas’ Trixx, Jozalyn Sharp, Stoner Rob and Patrick Melton. We love the club’s live music component, with the The Fremont Funk house band, led by keyboard great Chris Cadenhead (The Jacksons, KC and the Sunshine Band and Leslie Odom Jr.).
The former Hooters hotel-casino also stages the “Stand Up & Rock” series, hosted by Byron Kennedy at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Live music through the Outlaw Entertainment company follows at 9 p.m. on those nights.
“Laugh After Dark” premiered in Las Vegas at Notoriety Live before relocating to Oyo. Producer Kelsey Borland nods to the comics who drive the brand’s success. “We’ve had a lot of support from the comedy community here in Vegas, and we are really excited to be collaborating with Vegas Stand Up & Rock, where we can showcase more of the best comics than ever before.”
Skank is booked
Skankfest Vegas 2023 is on, or will be, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Notoriety Live. All-access badges and single-day passes are on sale April 10 at skankfest.com.
The event made its Vegas debut at Notoriety in October. This year’s lineup is being kept from the public until April 10. But past headliners have included Dave Attell, Doug Stanhope, Nate Bargatze, Whitney Cummings and Louie C.K.
Trammel revved up
Venerable Vegas comic Joe Trammel ends a three-year hiatus Feb. 18 at the Westin at Lake Las Vegas. Trammel promises a Knievel-style (that’s Evel, and Robbie) stunt at the lake.
On Feb. 25, he’s at Bonkerz Comedy Club at The Pass in Henderson.
Joe and his wife, Jessica, have created the Trammel Pro Entertainment company. Joe is planning the “Get Lost Tour” and a Las Vegas residency in January 2024 “TBA.”
The Trammels are familiar to longtime Vegas entertainment fans. Joe performed in the hit production “Splash” at the Riviera and “V — The Ultimate Variety Show” at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. Just before COVID hit, he’d signed on to perform the comedy break in “Crazy Girls” at Planet Hollywood. Jessica has performed in “V,” the “Show in the Sky” at Rio, “Jubilee!” at Bally’s, “Sin City Comedy” and “Nathan Burton’s Comedy Magic” at the V Theater.
Cool Hang Alert
A band to bring a smile to your face, Fandango, plays Naughty Ladies Saloon at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur at 8 p.m. Saturday. No cover. Why the smile? Fandango is a ZZ Top tribute act. As they say, we’ll have a party on the patio.