Columnist Joe Delaney: Mason, others have always been politically incorrect

Joe Delaney

Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 | 10:10 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com.

Political correctness in the area of comedy has been a negative force, doing more harm than good. ... Ethnic humor, once one of the richest sources of comedy, has been greatly inhibited. ... One person, Jackie Mason, currently appearing in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, has been a very funny, very successful exception.

Mason, ordained a rabbi, son of a rabbi, descended from a long line of religious scholars, is not effecting an accent. ... When he talks about the differences between Jews and gentiles, it is the truth told funny. ... When he discusses current events, it may not be politically correct in today's terms, but it is erudite and often hilarious.

For 25 years Mason was in limbo over an incident that occurred on an Ed Sullivan TV show. ... His renaissance as a performer began in the late 1980s on the legitimate stage in L.A. with a one-man show, "The World According To Me."

On to New York

Mason has since had four hit seasons on Broadway and won multiple awards for shows and his CD releases. ... His second show was entitled, "Jackie Mason: Politically Incorrect." ... He tackles problems of personal relations, cultural differences and political and social issues, very incisive, but most important, always funny, never appearing angry.

Another comedian, George Carlin, who started a three-week stand doing 10 p.m. shows at Bally's, addresses many of the same subjects and pushes the envelope as far as any comedian when it comes to being politically incorrect in these matters.

Carlin is a brilliant semanticist, but more and more he comes across as being angry, even if he did say in a recent interview that his stage attitude was really "theatrically exaggerated discontent." ... No matter what it is called, it still comes across as anger onstage.

Anent Buddy Hackett

We agree with Buddy Hackett when he states, "If it's funny, it ain't dirty, and if it's dirty, it ain't funny." ... We also feel if it comes across as angry, it becomes less funny. ... When something is funny, honestly funny, political correctness should not be a consideration. ... In such cases, let the exceptions be the rule.

Anent B.B. King

Bossman of the Blues B.B. King brings his eighth annual Blues Festival to Mandalay Bay's House of Blues on Wednesday. ... Kenny Wayne Shepard will perform along with King and his "best ever big band." ... B.B.'s next MCA label release will be a tribute to Louis Jordan, entitled "Let The Good Times Roll." ... It is due out in October.

Lisa Meyer and Mayhem, a blues-rock group that opens Monday in the Stardust Lounge, features one of the finest female blues guitarists in recent ken, Cheryl Justice. ... She would fit in nicely next year when B.B. puts together his ninth annual Blues Festival.

The Smothers Brothers (Orleans) make Las Vegas a nicer, much funnier place. ... They're here through Sunday. ... The original Smothers Brothers TV show was politically incorrect, entertaining and funny, long before being politically correct was a factor.

Local happenings

"Bowl For Kid's Sake," a benefit for a very good cause, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Nevada, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, this weekend and next. ... The Orleans, Sam's Town and Santa Fe are participating. ... The Orleans hosts two Saturdays, this weekend and Aug. 14; Sam's Town also hosts this Saturday and Sunday only; and the Santa Fe hosts all four days. ... Call 450-4120 or 731-2227 for details.

"Give Me Gershwin," a musical, will be performed tonight and Saturday at 8 o'clock, Pahrump Valley Winery, and "Put On A Hat, Too" goes at 7 p.m. Saturday in Sun City Summerlin's Starbright Theatre; both are worth seeing.

Mayor Oscar Goodman will be roasted by the Saints and Sinners on Wednesday in the Carribean Cabana Restaurant on West Sahara Avenue. ... Pat Cooper, Peter Anthony, Pete Barbutti, Sonny King, Nelson Sardelli, and Ira David Sternberg are among the scheduled roasters. ... Call 363-3768 for tickets.

Friday addenda

Actor-singer Tony Arias, featured as the Sultan in Caesars Magical Empire, presents a program of popular show tunes and standards, Monday at 7 p.m., Winchester Community Theatre. ... Check out the free Blues Nights, Mondays at Boulder Station, and Don Menza's Big Band, at the Riviera. ... Please support the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you next Thursday.