As if by magic: Hobson continues ascent as host of Money and Madness’

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004 | 8:34 a.m.

The weather forecast inside Merlin's Theater is that it will be raining money when "Money and Madness" premieres Monday.

Comic Jeff Hobson will run around the 400-seat room at the Excalibur for 70 minutes like Rip Taylor on speed, but instead of confetti he will be tossing greenbacks into the air.

"It's going to be me being my hyper self, relentlessly pummeling audiences with jokes, audience participation, shoving money in faces," Hobson said.

Bills will fall from the ceiling or be shot over the heads of the audience.

Hundreds of dollars will be given away during the course of each performance of the production, which is replacing the stand-up comedy showcase, "Catch a Rising Star."

How many hundreds will be given away?

"That will depend on the size of the crowds," Hobson said. "But we can't actually give away more than what people pay for tickets. We would go broke real quick."

But, he says, the chances are fans will walk away with a little cash.

"You can't win it," Hobson said. "It's not a contest, it's me doing my comedy show with a little bit of a twist -- I throw money at people.

"If I walk past you and feel you need a new shirt, I may stuff some money into your pocket. A lot of stuff I'll be doing I've never had the opportunity to do in other shows because my time was limited. We'll be doing a number of bits and pieces, money-themed stunts."

Hobson's one-man show will be filled with "outrageous stunts, uproarious comedy and crazy skits," he said.

It's the kind of comedy Hobson has become known for since leaving a life of near poverty behind in Detroit and becoming an entertainer.

"My cousins wonder how I ended up in show business," he said. "I should have been selling drugs. I had a lot of bad friends. I was involved in my share of fights."

But Hobson changed his path when he became enchanted with illusions and comedy.

"I grew up watching Red Skelton and Danny Kaye, who are among my favorite comedy people," Hobson said. "And Paul Lynde, whom I have been compared to. I like to think I'm carrying on the older style of comedy."

When he was getting started as an illusionist he said he frequently found himself in competitions with Lance Burton, now the headliner at Monte Carlo.

"He did his magic, I was sleight of hand and I was always coming in second," he recalled. "Finally, I said, 'Screw it. I'm doing comedy.' "

He wrapped his comedy around sleight of hand, fire eating and other illusions and became popular on the corporate circuit, earning a nice living and making people happy in the process.

Hobson has performed all over the world. He was popular in Australia. For 16 weeks in England he had his own TV series, "The Magic Comedy Strip."

Hobson loves what he does, especially when the unexpected happens.

"Every day of my life I live differently, even if it's just driving across town to shop at a new mall," he said. "My father was a tool and die maker in New York. He always complained about doing the same thing every day. When I was growing up I said I will do something different every day -- I never do the same thing twice any day."

In 1987 he came to Vegas to perform at a convention and the unexpected happened.

"It was my first time here and I was enthralled with the place," Hobson said.

While killing time between performances he hit a few jackpots on slot machines.

"I thought that was cool," he said.

And he checked out the "Catch a Rising Star" comedy club at Bally's. On a whim he auditioned, was hired and remained there for three years.

"You know the irony of this whole thing?" Hobson said, referring to his new show. "I'm taking over the 10 p.m. time slot at the Excalibur that was held down by 'Catch a Rising Star.' "

The comedy club went from Bally's to the MGM Grand to the Excalibur. It is now looking for a new home. "Thunder From Down Under" continues to share space in Merlin's Theater.

Hobson says his goal is to have fun every night with his shows.

"Some audiences, unfortunately, over the past decade have been so inundated with television that they can't decipher between what is a TV screen and what is live," Hobson said. "Every night I try and let the audience know that, 'Hello, I'm real.'

"Honestly, one of these days I'm going to hand out remote controls so they will feel more comfortable."

The one-man show is being presented by Dick Foster Productions.

Foster and Hobson go back several years.

In 1990 they teamed in Foster's "Spellbound" at Harrah's, a gig that lasted four years.

When that ended Hobson started his own production company, creating and starring in his own shows, "Before Your Very Eyes" and "Carnival of Wonders," which were performed in Atlantic City and Reno through 2001.

When "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show" premiered in 2002 Hobson was the host and one of the performers in the revue. In October he became the host of the "World's Greatest Magic Show" at the Sahara.

Hobson's last day at the Sahara is Thursday.

"We don't know whether it's going to be fun or pandemonium at the Excalibur," Hobson said. "No one has done anything like this before. I may have to caution everyone to be nice little boys and girls."

With Hobson onstage, the show is certain to be a laugh riot.

The question is, with all of the money floating around, will it turn into a cash riot?