Stand-in stand-up steps in for Anderson

Jerry Fink

Sunday, July 2, 2006 | 7:43 a.m.

WHO: David Brenner

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays through July 13; dark Fridays

WHERE: Excalibur's Thunder From Down Under Showroom

TICKETS: $45 ; 597-7600

Old-school, stand-up comedian David Brenner has had gigs - some long-term, some not so long - at the Golden Nugget, Suncoast, Westin and Las Vegas Hilton during the last six years.

Although he does not have a regular show in Las Vegas now, he still maintains a busy schedule, performing occasionally here and often around the country. But he is also looking at life outside of comedy, investing his money in various businesses.

For the next couple of weeks, he will be filling in at the Excalibur for his buddy Louie Anderson, who recently underwent surgery for diverticulitis.

How did this gig come about?

Adam Steck, who has the club where Louie performs, called my manager, Richard Super, and asked me if I would like to fill in. What I don't understand is why he couldn't have had the operation back in February, when business was good. This time of year isn't the apex of money-making for performers in Las Vegas.

You have a different following than Louie. How is that going to affect your performance?

The Excalibur is a different crowd than what I'm used to. And it's Louie's crowd, which also is different from mine. He has his own style. I work off of current events, what's happening in the news. So for this crowd I may have to do different stuff, material more about Vegas. I'll have to design something, at least get some ideas in my head and see what works. Just because I'm taking his place for a while doesn't mean I won't get my own fans, but mostly I'll be drawing from the people who are staying at the Excalibur.

Recently you did a monthlong engagement with comedian George Wallace at the Flamingo. How was that?

That's something I would have done on a long-term basis. I love the Flamingo showroom. It's built for a single entertainer, a singer, a comedian. It was built for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shecky Greene. And working with George was great. He brought in a lot of his own people; I brought in my own people.

Vegas has grown a lot since you first performed here more than 30 years ago. Is it for the better?

It has become too corporate, and corporate America is not my cup of tea. But I know we can't have the mob back with the handshake deals, back when people were treated better. This has become a corporate town, and I don't like to sign 40-page contracts.

How have you changed?

I think I'm mellowing. I'm not burned out, but I saw the handwriting on the wall years back, and so I started working on passive income - I have a major Internet project going, with a full team working on it now. I'm also involved with a sports management company, booking athletes in Vegas for meet-and-greets and autograph signings. If I didn't work stand-up anymore, I'd be fine financially.