Columnist Joe Delaney: Get your Phil of Brenner this weekend

Joe Delaney

Friday, June 21, 2002 | 9:07 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4066.

When I think David Brenner, appearing with Kevin Pollak through Sunday at Paris Las Vegas Le Theatre Des Arts, I think of Philadelphia ... When I think of Philadelphia, I think Philly steaks, Philadelphia cream cheese, hoagies, scrapple, soft pretzels and mustard -- and David Brenner ... "Soft Pretzels and Mustard" is the title of one of Brenner's best-selling books. (For more about Brenner, see page 5E.)

Few people know that Brenner was an award-winning documentarian ... Serving as a department head with Westinghouse and Metromedia Broadcasting, he was responsible for creating more than 115 documentaries, winning an Emmy for "On Call, Dr. Amato" ... The Broadcast Pioneers honored him as "Man of the Year" in 1969 when Brenner was 24 years old.

Taking a year off, Brenner moved to New York City and began frequenting comedy clubs as a paying customer ... The next step was the open-mike circuit, followed by becoming a regular ... He found his calling as a comedian one rainy night in Brooklyn at a club called Pip's ... The weather was so bad, no one left ... Brenner had only enough material for one show.

He started his second show by asking the holdover group what they would like to talk about ... Audience members began shouting subjects, mostly current events, and Brenner, an avid reader, improvised answers ... This worked ... It led to his first appearance on the "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, where Brenner was seen by Buddy Hackett, who recommended him for a booking in the Sahara Congo Room.

The Carson show appearance was on Jan. 8, 1971, less than two years after his decision to take time off and become a comedian ... In March of that year, Brenner appeared at the Sahara with Frankie Avalon opening the show, Brenner in the middle, and Sonny & Cher as the headliners ... I reviewed the show opening night ... Brenner still has a copy of that issue of the Las Vegas Sun.

Except for a three-year hiatus caused by an arduous but successful custody battle, Brenner has been a winner wherever he has performed ... Co-starring with Joan Rivers, Brenner made the all-comedy show a main showroom attraction at the Riviera, leading to Rivers' successful stand at Caesars Palace in the 1980s ... Brenner, always his own person, continued working solo.

Last year, he opened at the Golden Nugget for eight weeks and remained for 48 weeks ... After the events of Sept. 11, people stopped traveling extensively and Brenner decided to take his comedy to the people where they lived ... His shows vary from performance to performance ... Each show is that day's news told from his always intelligent, always funny viewpoint.

Weekend wrap-up

The Main Event this weekend takes place in Mandalay Bay's Storm Theatre at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday: Golden Rainbow's 16th annual "Ribbon of Life" stage spectacular ... This year's theme is "Freedom" and features more than 350 performers from the various production shows plus headliner stars as well ... All proceeds will benefit HIV/AIDS victims.

Happy 17th anniversary tonight to multiple award-winning "Splash" at Riviera ... "Splash" is continuing its two-for-one deal for Nevadans with valid photo ID through the summer ... "Bravo" starring Charo, a hit at the Sahara, is doing likewise but for a limited period ... Belated bests to Treasure Island's "Mystere" on its 4,000th performance on May 24.

Gale Baker will have a book signing for her excellent "Neon Queens," 2 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books & Music on North Rainbow Boulevard ... Several of the Neon Queens will also be on hand ... Nevada Theatre Company presents "Romeo and Juliet," under the stars at The Gardens Park in Summerlin, tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. ... Check out Community College Southern Nevada's Jazz Combo Camp, starting Monday.

Special treat: Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers, too long away, perform Saturday at 8 p.m. (Boulder Station's Railhead) ... Congratulations, DJ Larry Taylor on his 15th anniversary Black Tie Ball, ballroom dancing, 6 p.m. Tuesday (Gold Coast) ... Taylor's there regularly, 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 p.m. Sundays ... PS: The black tie is optional.

New this week: Ted Bergman's original comedy, "Whoops! How To Age Ungracefully," 1 and 4 p.m., today through Sunday, University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Judy Bayley Theatre ... See you next Thursday.