The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedy legend Pete Barbutti. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Pete talks about how he started in music and added comedy to his act; Shecky Greene’s influence on his thinking; why he decided to move to Las Vegas; his first experience on a Las Vegas stage; life on the road; and his relationship with Johnny Carson (and the impact of his Tonight Show appearances) and Steve Allen.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Brian "Damage" Forsythe from KIX (who’s performing in The Club at The Cannery Casino March 12). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brian talks about getting the rock & roll bug after watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show; looking to Keith Richards for style influence; struggling as KIX in the early years with record labels and management; how the group came up with its name; leaving KIX in the 90’s because of a change in the music scene; reuniting with Steve Whiteman ten years later; the challenges of touring and getting clean and sober in 1998; and the release of Midnite Dynamite Re-Lit.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedian Jocelyn Chia, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino through March 6. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jocelyn talks about her journey from lawyer to comedian; her parents’ reactions to her decision; growing up in Singapore and realizing she was funny as a teenager; her conflict with left brain vs. right brain in writing and performing comedy; developing her comedic voice; who she looked to for inspiration; and performing in her first Las Vegas gig.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Michael Shnayerson, author of Bugsy Siegel: The Dark Side of the American Dream. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Michael talks about how Siegel grew up on the lower East Side of New York; the beginning of his friendshhip with Meyer Lansky when they were kids; the reason Siegel became a major crime figure; the importance of loyalty to Siegel; his life in three parts: the lower East Side of New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas; how he beat back two government agencies while building the Flamingo; his greatest demon; and his biggest mistake with his prized Las Vegas hotel.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with veteran investigative journalist and Emmy winning filmmaker, Steven Leckart, who wrote, narrated and executive produced a new eight-part podcast series, “Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy,” available now as an Apple Original on Apple Podcasts. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Steven talks about his early interest in Siegfried & Roy as a child; how he jumped at the chance to be involved in this project ,which investigates how and and why Roy Horn was injured on stage during the duo’s performance in 2003 by Montecore the tiger; how the podcast team tracked down witnesses who have never been publicly interviewed and provided information and insight; why Siegfried & Roy still have an impact on Las Vegas and beyond; how the duo’s childhoods had an impact on their lives and careers; how the podcast was structured and why Apple decided to go with the series; and the lesson Steven learned at the end of the series.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Las Vegas artist Lee Lanier (whose show, “Bold & Beautiful” is at the Sahara West Library through March 5). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lee talks about his transition from full-time computer animation to seriously pursuing painting; moving to Boulder City to start a new life; co-founding the Dam Short Film Festival, (which opens February 10); the challenge of films to focus on story rather that just visual elements; how he approaches his art; and how his current exhibit features augmented reality.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Finnish comedian (and ultimate observer) Ismo, performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, February 4-5 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ismo talks about his obsession with jokes as a kid and mishearing lyrics; how Finns are more sarcastic than Americans; how he learned English at an early age; why his accent is great for his comedy career, but not so great for daily life; performing in English as opposed to Finnish; why he would like to rant, but finds it hard to rant with an accent; how he’s amazed at his success in America; and why he doesn’t think he will go Hollywood!

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Impressionist Rick Michel, who performs "Sinatra Forever” with an all star 12-piece orchestra, February 6 at the Italian American Club. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his earliest memories of wanting to become a performer; developing his talent for mimicking the voices of legendary entertainers; beginning his Las Vegas career; the importance of material in creating an act (impressions by themselves are not enough); his belief that you never stop paying your dues and learning; why he focused on Frank Sinatra and his immense catalog of classics; and why he considers the musicians who work with him as equal partners.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with interior designer Chris Barrett, who will be a panelist at Design West at the Las Vegas Market in Las Vegas January 23. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chris talks about her view of Las Vegas design; the future of design (more reusable and digital); how she works with clients; the first commission she received after transitioning from being an actor; her favorite celebrity client; and how COVID has affected thee world of design.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Karan Feder, curator of the new Barbie exhibition, Barbie®, A Cultural Icon: 60 Years of Fashion and Inspiration (located inside The Shops at Crystals). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Karan talks about how COVID (and her downtime from the Nevada State Museum) led her to put the exhibition together; how she met and relied on Las Vegan David Porcello and his extensive collection of Barbie dolls; why the exhibit is a deep dive into fashion; why culture and fashion cannot be separated; why the Ken doll came on the scene; the evolution of Barbie dolls; her favorite fashion year; the surprising discovery about the Mattel archives; and what the 250 vintage Barbie artifacts represent.

(Photo courtesy of Frank Molnar/Red Rock City Lifestyle)