Thursday, October 23, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Comedy: Last comics standing

Second comedy fest bigger, funnier

By Andrew Kiraly

If there's anyone who can take comedy's temperature--the trends, the tricks and an explanation why Carrot Top is still alive--it's Las Vegas Comedy Festival co-producers Mark Allen and Mary Thomas.

"People who are doing it are taking comedy much more seriously these days," says Allen. "The people we've seen are more professional and well-rehearsed than we've seen before. And we're seeing a lot more comedy about current events. Between CNN and late-night news coverage and everything else, comics seem to be coming up with quicker, better humor about topical stuff."

One thing that hasn't changed is our collective need to laugh. "When times get tough, people want to laugh, they want to pay that extra nickel and just escape their daily woes."

These guys should know. Earlier this month, reps from the LVCF--now in its second year--spent two weeks on the road, seeing upwards of 1,300 comics in order to come up with this year's crop of funnymakers. Some were great, some were groaners, but it wasn't hard for festival organizers to winnow contestants down to 75 comedians; they hit town next week in a laugh-fest that'll draw big names such as George Carlin and the Smothers Brothers and industry guys alike. "It's not just about providing a service for the comics," says Allen. "It's also for managers and agents types to shop for new talent. It's like a shopping mart for them."

Those industry suits will have a veritable buffet of talent to choose from, as this year's crop of 75 runs the gamut from prop comics to topical wisecrackers to what the press material forebodingly describes as "comedy magicians." With the market busted wide open in recent years, variety is the rule. "There are more people who realize they have a format now," says Mary Thomas. "And they can come to Vegas and learn in three days things they would never learn to the end of their careers."

The seminars are just one highlight. Other events include:

¥ Wayne Newton, the Smothers Brothers, Rita Rudner and the Improv's Budd Friedman will be honored. The Smothers Brothers will receive the "Career Achievement Award"; Rita Rudner will receive the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's "Comedian of the Year Award"; and Wayne Newton will get the "Bob Hope Lifetime Service Award."

¥ A number of specialty comedy showcases, including Latino, Mainstream, Adults Only, Fresh New Faces of Comedy.

¥ Seminars for aspiring comedians include "The Basics of Comedy," "The Business of Comedy," "Showmanship," "How to Do a Talk Show" and "Comedy and Script Writing."

"These comics run the gamut--young, old, rich, poor--but they're all hilarious," says Allen.
George Carlin