Columnist Joe Delaney: Holiday weekend serves up a cornucopia of comedy

Joe Delaney

Friday, Nov. 27, 1998 | 10:01 a.m.

The day after Thanksgiving means leftovers and football for the men while the women, donning their black belts in shopping, head for The Forum Shops, Fashion Show and various other malls. ... In our house, the turkey carcass is saved for the weekend grand finale, turkey soup, a special treat for Saturday night, Sunday night, or both.

Bill Cosby, appearing in the Mirage showroom through Sunday, is this weekend's star policy special. ... Paul Anka plays there Dec. 2-5, then the Siegfried & Roy Theatre goes dark Dec. 6-24. ... Lionel Richie performs Dec. 25-28, and Siegfried & Roy re-appear in their showroom Dec. 29.

Cosby is the master monologist, a conversational comedian. ... Elsewhere, this weekend, Howie Mandel, a comedic actor, is at Caesars Palace; Carrot Top is in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre; and a column favorite, Rita Rudner, continues at the Sahara.

Anent Cosby

Bill Cosby, who was born in Philadelphia, in the projects, started his comedy career as a bartender who told funny stories to the patrons. ... This prompted a move to New York City where he played small comedy clubs and coffee houses, sharing an evening with Woody Allen, Dick Cavett and Joan Rivers, among others. ... Cos was a natural, a winner from the beginning.

Bill doesn't tell jokes or resort to the usual rapid-fire setup and punch technique prevalent today. ... He relates experiences that everyone can relate to, touching the common denominator in each of us. ... His comedy transcends color and categories; he is truly Everyman.

His Grammy-Award winning comedy albums led to his LV Hilton headline status from the 1970s into the 1990s. ... His first "The Cosby Show" sitcoms took NBC from a poor third among major networks to No. 1. ... Today, he ranks with the all-time comedy greats, Benny, Berle and Burns, to name just three.

Mandel and others

Howie Mandel was a salesman with a sense of humor, visiting Los Angeles with some friends. ... They decided to go to Mitzi Shore's L.A. Comedy Store. ... Getting up on a dare, Mandel knew immediately he had found his new calling, comedy. ... A starring role on the "St. Elsewhere" tv series built a national audience and he is now a Caesars Palace headliner.

Carrot Top has an outlandish getup, good television exposure and a derivative act, freely taken but not well from Rip Taylor, Harry Basil and Gary Mule Deer, spiked with an overload of scatology. ... It should be noted that mine may be a minority report.

Rita Rudner is a lovely talented lady with a demure presence, soft spoken but with a rapier-like wit, gentle but frequently deadly, always very funny. ... She is also a successful film actress and playwright. ... Rudner would be our first choice of those listed in this paragraph.

Local happenings

Check out "The Nutcracker" which opened Thanksgiving Day in the Luxor Hotel IMAX Theatre, using the latest in 3D technology. ... The Las Vegas Community Food Bank will benefit at the Tropicana Comedy Stop this coming week. ... Bring in non-perishable food items for either show starting Monday (except on Saturday) through Dec. 6 and receive two tickets for the price of one plus a certificate for a similar deal in January.

Opportunity Village's Magic Forest is a Delaney family "must," along with the Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker," every holiday season. ... Boulder Station is also offering a "Winter Wonderland" through Dec. 27.

Marty Allen, Lydia Cornell, Shirley Jones and Linda Purl will discuss national TV talk shows on UNLV's Di Palma Forum, Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on KLVX Channel 10. ... Classical guitarist Robert Bluestone performs next Wednesday at 8 p.m. in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

Friday addenda

The Four Freshmen will be making a special appearance at the Santa Fe, tonight and Saturday at 8 and 10:30 p.m. ... P.J. Belly's Texas Thunder is now at Charlie's Saloon Fridays and Saturdays, and at Arizona Charlie's on Mondays. ... Marv Koral's All-Stars at Carollo's Restaurant are an excellent way to spend a good-jazz Sunday, 5:30-9:30 p.m., food is good, too.

If you do enjoy jazz music, join the Las Vegas Jazz Society and you will know what's happening everywhere in town, plus receive the regular news letters. ... There's lots happening, for all tastes, be part of it. ... Enjoy.

Trust your Thanksgiving was pleasant and that you survive leftovers, football and shopping this weekend. ... See you next Thursday.