Shore leads strong Riviera Comedy Club lineup

Joe Delaney

Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 | 9 a.m.

The Riviera Comedy Club, back in action after a hiatus following the tragic events of Sept. 11, usually presents the strongest comedy lineup in town week after week. This week is outstanding with Sammy Shore, co-founder of the Los Angeles Comedy Store in 1972, as well as Elvis Presley's opening act at the Las Vegas Hilton (then the International) in the 1970s.

Shore was this show's closer, with 30 minutes of high-energy laughs interspersed with brief nostalgic recollections of the many top acts for which he opened throughout the years. The audience responded especially to the Presley moments.

Michael French, long associated with the late Danny Thomas, with an impressive list of film credits, is an old-fashioned story teller, a gentile Myron Cohen, a high compliment. This is a genre sadly lacking in the current comedy club scene. French had a strong 10 minutes and then introduced Tanya Lee Davis, 3 feet 6 inches tall, who stood on a chair to do her 15 minutes.

Davis quickly disarmed the audience, had them laughing loudly -- and with her, not at her. Her description of life with her 6-foot-tall husband was the truth told very funny. Likewise, the bit about her first time wearing pantyhose. She also proved to be a master of physical punctuation, making the punch lines that much more effective. French told one story and brought on Lowell Sanders.

The personable Sanders has an easy ingratiating manner and a warm smile that enables him to explore politically incorrect areas easily. He writes his own material, taken from life, and relates his experiences as an opening act for Tim Allen, Kenny G., Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Vanessa Williams. Similar to the late Slappy White, Sanders can get as many as four laughs out of one punch line.

Laughter is so vital, particularly in these trying times. We must continue laughing, finding the humor. It's always there, especially this week at the Riviera. What a wonderful assortment of the various comedic styles led by Shore, one of Las Vegas' most versatile contributors these past four decades. Go, laugh and feel a lot better.