Thursday, January 29, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Stage: Think tank

By Barbara Scherzer

George Wallace has been steadily standing-up for more than two decades, and along the way has opened shows for many A-list entertainers, including Tom Jones and Diana Ross. For some folks, he's better known for his myriad appearances on episodic TV, talk shows and feature films. After viewing his funny new show at the Flamingo, Wallace's days as an opening act are likely to be no more than a memory.

Wallace, who jump-started his comedy career as a writer for Redd Foxx, is an observational comic. Using no props or notes, he at times reminds me of George Carlin when he speaks about the dumb things that people and organizations do. Working virtually squeaky clean and keeping political humor to a minimum, Wallace repeatedly prefaces his comments with the mantra "I be thinking..." before launching into a riff.

He covers a diversity of subjects such as today's teenagers, the things people say, and why it is that you can find the First Baptist Church, but never the last. Wallace cites the common sign, "Slippery when wet," and points out that most things are. He grumbles that his good buddy Jerry Seinfeld told him he is building his new house from the ground up. Wallace asks, "How else are you going to build it, from the roof down?" His one impersonation--Julia Child-- is a surprising belly-buster.

There is plenty of interaction as audience members join in and repeat his mantra "I be thinking..." aloud many times during the show. At other times, they chime along with "Know what I'm saying?" Wallace closes with his Mom Joke Challenge and did not lack for participants trying to outdo the veteran comic in winning laughs.

For this Flamingo engagement, Wallace welcomes a variety of friends--comics and entertainers--to the stage as his opening act. Last week, Carol Siskind delivered a taut 20 minutes on men, women and their eccentricities. I last saw Siskind about two years ago and found her latest routine to be more acerbic and funnier than in previous stand-up performances.

For his first headliner gig in Las Vegas, George Wallace helps you to see the world through different eyes. Although he is still building toward a full 90-minute solo show, he is a genial performer whose numerous riffs and observations will keep you laughing.