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

Bob Anderson started a genre in show business that became one of the most popular forms of entertainment on stage today. Merv Griffin discovered Bob’s unique talent one evening at his Hollywood Hills home and decided to introduce him to the world on the next taping of his TV show from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Griffin introduced Bob as “The Singing Impressionist.” There were other impressionists doing movie stars and political figures, but no one was doing the great singers.

Amazing Johnathan, who performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 p.m. inside Windows at Bally’s Las Vegas, is an eccentric comic magician whose bizarre humor and unscripted antics have earned him widespread recognition as one of the most innovative and unique performers today. He started his professional career as a street performer in San Francisco, turning his boyhood hobby of magic into a full-time job. After polishing is act on Fisherman’s Wharf in the late '70’s, Amazing Johnathan moved onto nightclubs and colleges in the '80’s.

This week, Ira spoke with King Errisson. King Errisson received his first “big break” at the age of 23 when his talent with the congas was prominently displayed in a memorable night club scene in the James Bond movie, “Thunderball.” He left Nassau for drama studies in Canada, formed a jazz band in New York […]

This week, Ira spoke with Tom Cotter. Tom Cotter recently became the first  comedian to ever reach the finals  of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”  Now, he’s hosting “America’s Got Talent Live In Las Vegas” at Palazzo Las Vegas through November 17. Before his historic run on the world’s largest talent competition, Tom won the Seattle […]

This week, Ira spoke with Doc Severinsen. “Heeeeere’s Johnny!” That lead-in, followed by a big band trumpet blast, was the landmark of late night television for three decades. The ‘Johnny’ was Johnny Carson, the announcer was Ed McMahon and the bandleader was Grammy Award winning Doc Severinsen. Beginning in October 1962, The Tonight Show with […]

This week, Ira spoke with Don Rickles. Celebrated entertainer and Las Vegas legend Don Rickles brings his one-of-a-kind comedy back to The Orleans Showroom October 6 and 7. Rickles, who had appeared in top showrooms and concert halls for more than 55 years, earned the nicknames “The Merchant of Venom” and “Mr. Warmth” (coined affectionately […]

This week, Ira spoke with Gary Lewis. Gary Lewis and The Playboys will perform their greatest hits at the Suncoast Showroom, September 29 and 30. Gary Lewis was about as close to being an “overnight success” in the recording field as anyone can get. In this case, show business lightning struck twice in the same […]

This week, Ira spoke with Rich Little. Rich Little, a master mimic of more than 200 voices, is headlining his one-man show, “Jimmy Stewart & Friends,” at the LVH.  The show, an adventure through the life of the famed Jimmy Stewart, features more than 30 celebrity icon voices, including Cary Grant, George Burns, Ronald Reagan, […]

This week, Ira spoke with Jarrett & Raja. Jarrett and Raja, billed as “Master Illusionist & Piano Genius,” are celebrating their 10th anniversary in show business.  They recently competed on NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent” in San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York. The duo, now residents of Las Vegas, has performed on stages in New […]

This week, Ira spoke with Whoopi Goldberg, followed by an excerpt from a 2000 interview with Phyllis Diller. Whoopi Goldberg began her career working in theatre and creating characters that became “The Spook Show” and evolved into the hit Broadway show, Grammy® Award-winning album and HBO special that helped launch her career. During her Broadway […]