Columnist Joe Delaney: ‘Joke Man’ Martling returns to Top of the Riv

Joe Delaney

Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 | 8:20 a.m.

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

Jackie "the Joke Man" Martling, erstwhile head writer for the syndicated "The Howard Stern Show" on radio and television, is back in one of his favorite live haunts anywhere, the Riviera's Top of the Riv, at 10 tonight and 9 p.m. on Saturday ... Be forewarned that Martling's performances are adult-oriented, not for the faint of mind.

One of the outstanding features of his live performances is "Stump the Joke Man," where he challenges members of the audience to come up with a joke he doesn't know ... Winners are given prizes ... This idea had its origin as a filler on "The Howard Stern Show."

After a 15-year stand with Stern, Martling departed in early March, apparently as a result of Martling and New York radio station WXRK failing to reach agreement on terms of a new contract ... Martling was employed by Infinity Broadcasting, owner of WXRK, and not by Stern ... Stern was reportedly upset that Martling left the show without first contacting him.

Martling appeared as himself in the Stern film "Private Parts" and in the comedy stand-up movie "Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen" ... In addition, Martling has created two dozen comedy recordings, four stand-up comedy videos and is the owner of his own production company, Off Hour Rockers, Inc.

Among his best-selling CD titles are "Jackie Martling, the Joke Man," "Off Hour Rockers Holiday Comedy Sampler," "Jackie's Joke Button" and "Big Orange Marble" ... His three books are all active sellers: "Just Another Dirty Joke Book," "Raunchy Riddles" and "More Raunchy Riddles.

Martling is a joke repository ... He is constantly in an attack mode ... If you don't like a particular joke, the next laugh line hits you before you have time to think about it ... The laughter is continuous.

Weekend wrap-up

If you are intending to see a show this weekend, be sure to phone ahead first because some acts have canceled and regular productions may have reduced their number of shows through Sunday ... For locals, this may be a good opportunity to secure reservations for those tough-ticket productions ... We look for shows and scheduled one-night stands to be on regular schedules next week.

Actress and singing star Lisa Donovan, fresh from a successful tour in this country and Australia with "Judy, Judy, Judy: Lisa Sings Garland," will perform in Paris Las Vegas' le Cabaret during the month of October, backed by a Larry White-led group ... A few years ago Donovan was booked into the Desert Inn lounge for three weeks, stayed on seven months, opposite Keely Smith and Sam Butera.

Tumult comic Joe Trammell has left "Showgirls of Magic" for the Riviera's "Crazy Girls," starting date not set yet.

Come November, Happy Harry's, to be located in the Flamingo-Arville Plaza, could become the new day-night hangout to have hot-baked designer sub sandwiches named for and created by celebrities ... Mayor Oscar Goodman, Siegfried & Roy, Rita Rudner, Marty Allen, David Cassidy, Frank Marino, Melinda and Phyllis McGuire are a few of the celebs who have committed.

Happy Harry is the TV salesman who wants to "make everybody happy" ... Prior to his furniture-liquidation business, he owned nightclubs, bars and celebrity sandwich places in California ... He was also the owner of the Whiskey-a-Go-Go here back in the 1960s.

An Appreciation

Man for all seasons Buddy Pappas, a great local character, took his last curtain call, at age 86, a week ago Tuesday ... As Jesse James, he was a main-event wrestler; he was a casino host, a restaurateur, a prolific sign painter, a bon vivant ... Buddy was always up; he's part of a vanishing era here ... He'll be missed ... See you next Thursday.