Columnist Joe Delaney: Topless shows are re-establishing their niche

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursday and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com.

So-called gentlemen's clubs are not only proliferating, but the older ones are enlarging and remodeling constantly ..."Midnight Fantasy" at the Luxor is a sexy topless show, but far from what is available in most of the gentlemen's clubs ... When the Luxor show first opened, we noted that "Midnight Fantasy" had a 10 p.m. starting time ... Since then midnight shows have been added on Fridays and Saturdays, a good sign.

Harrah's entry in the almost-unclothed department, "Skintight," is now advertised as "even spicier" with more of Playboy Playmate Cynthia Brimhall's skin visible.

"Pete Barbutti and his Naked Angels," really Karen Denise's Naked Angels, has six nubile, young females cavorting about in various stages of undress, topless at times and, apparently, bottomless as well for a fleeting moment in one of the scenes ... It is the most titillating of the three shows.

In re Rita Rudner

Rita Rudner has been a huge success in the MGM Grand Cabaret Theatre ... Rumor hath it that Rudner will depart if and when the MGM Grand brass brings in a Crazy Horse Revue (direct from Paris?) ... Query: Why can't it be Rudner early and the Crazy Horse later? ... If Rudner has to go, then someone should pick her up immediately ... What about the Luxor's Pharaoh's Theater when Bill Acosta takes his "Lasting Impressions" to the Flamingo Las Vegas this month?

The fact that the owner of the local Crazy Horse club is suing the MGM Grand, claiming that he owns the name, begs the question: Did he secure the rights from the original Crazy Horse in Paris?

It should be noted that I have never been in one of the local gentlemen's clubs and my knowledge of what goes on therein is secondhand ... I do notice the elaborate new facades and the number of cars and limos outside as I drive by, returning from reviewing a show at one of the hotels.

Afterthoughts

When Acosta does open, doing late shows at the Flamingo Las Vegas, he will have live music and dancers who will work topless ... "Bottoms Up," a hit in the afternoons at the Flamingo, also features topless dancers, which may be a first for LV afternoon shows. Of course, "Jubilee" (Bally's) and the "Folies Bergere" (Tropicana) have always had some upper nudity in certain scenes.

Is there a stopping point for all of this or will simulated sex scenes eventually be part of hotel showroom productions? ... Halfway through my 34th year with the Sun, I'm beyond being surprised.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); Afro-Cuban All-Stars (Blue Note); Honky Tonk Angels (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes, plus Mac King (Harrah's); Sinbad (LV Hilton); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Penn & Teller, plus Rita Rudner, plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theatres (Mirage) and Lance Burton (Monte Carlo).

Also, the Righteous Brothers (Orleans); "Pete Barbutti and his Naked Angels" (Plaza); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Shirley Austin Reeves, the Crystals and the Shangri Las (Stardust); Gary Puckett (Suncoast); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic (Venetian).

For a full evening and more of quality laughs, it's the Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and Cedric The Entertainer, plus the Queens of Comedy, Adele Givens, Monique and Sommore, 8 p.m. Saturday in the MGM Grand Garden Arena ... If you've seen the film, you should have your tickets already.

Two appreciations

Roger Ray was a professional performer, a first-rank comedian, an international favorite, who played top venues around the world and was the star act for a long period in the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere." He left show business on his own terms, took over a defunct sand-and-gravel company, made it whole and then earned a fortune in local real estate. He was a dear man and a good friend.

He took his final curtain a week or so ago at age 86 ... We're grateful for the many happy hours he gave us onstage and at his office and in his home ... Rest well, Roger.

Eileen Brennan Alvarez and I had in common our Irish heritage and Philadelphia origin ... Back when there was an active Musician's Wives Club, she was a catalyst, but I remember her best as a tireless worker for good causes and as a political activist ... A lifelong Democrat, she was a tough but fair campaigner ... Las Vegas has lost another original ... See you Friday.