Mandel: “AGT” stars still covet the stage in Las Vegas | Kats | Entertainment

Las Vegas has become the graduate course for “America's Got Talent.” It's a tough job and there is no Golden Buzzer.

For example, the high caliber of the show's former contestants performing in Las Vegas helped defeat “AGT's” own show, “America's Got Talent Presents Superstars Live” at the Luxor. That show, with its cast of “AGT” champions and finalists, was canceled in May after a 2/12 year run.

It quickly became clear that “AGT Superstars” was competing against performers who had become famous through the NBC show. Such “AGT” champions as Mat Franco, Shin Lim And Terry Fator have been the headliners of the theaters in Las Vegas for years.

Funny great Howie Mandel has noticed this trend for nearly 15 years. The show's longest-serving judge, since June 2010, returns to the stage of the Westgate International Theater in Las Vegas on Saturday, the room where an all-time superstar – Elvis – once gave his speeches.

Mandel says he is happy that the show “Superstars” has now gained a foothold on the Strip and understands the “AGT” saturation in Las Vegas.

“You can tell 'AGT' is there without it being on a single show,” Mandel says. “If you drive down the Strip — we've talked about this before — and look at any headliner, I promise you they have something to do with 'AGT.' They either performed or tried to get on the show.”

And imagine if you put together a list of these strip headliners like Franco, Lim, Fator, Piff, the magical dragon, tape face And Subscribe (yes, Season 2, 2007, the year Fator won) for a single “AGT Superstars” residency production. They would have a successful show that wouldn't have to compete with other “AGT” stars for tickets.

Even without the “Superstars” show, Las Vegas is still a destination for “AGT” winners – although the first prize for a performance in Vegas is no longer part of the prize.

“I can tell you, doing 'AGT' for so long, we ask, 'What's the dream?'” Mandel says. “And they say, 'Well, to win the million dollars, but also have our own headlining show in Las Vegas.' My last Golden Buzzer was for a Japanese dance group looking for a room in Las Vegas.”

So pay attention to Aerial footworkwho won the first season of “Japan's Got Talent” last year.

Mandel's own history in Las Vegas goes back to his first major appearance as a stand-up comedian, as the opening act for Diana Ross at Circus Maximus at Caesars Palace in 1981. Gene Simmons was involved in Ross' life, as he would be in 1981. The two were together. Simmons caught Mandel on “The Merv Griffin Show” and called the young comedian and offered him, “You're funny. Would you mind opening for my girlfriend in Las Vegas?”

“I didn't even know what he really meant. I didn't know he had a girlfriend,” Mandel says. “I was such a newbie. I said, 'Who's your girlfriend?' It turned out to be Diana Ross.”

Mandel was not an immediate success.

“The audience wasn't into me,” he says, laughing. “But over the years they got to know me, liked me and supported me. I can't think of a better place to spend Labor Day weekend than doing stand-up in Vegas.”

Carlos is out

Previous editions have been postponed Carlos Santana for his upcoming performance at the House of Blues from September 25 to October 6. Santana's wife and drum virtuoso, Cindy Blackman Santanaannounced the cancellation on social media.

The guitar legend, who turned 77 last month, is undergoing “corrective surgery” and is expected back on October 30.

The Nas Harmonic

At first glance, it seems to be a rare experience for dozens of local musicians (and also numerous hip-hop fans), because the members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Support for rap star Nas at the Encore Theater this weekend. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

But Nas sought out classical musicians this summer to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, one of the most influential rap albums of all time. In July, the 50-year-old recording star performed the album with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Filene Center in Wolf Trap in Virginia.

In 2018, Nas' performance of the album with the NSO at the Kennedy Center was broadcast on PBS.

But this show is unusual in combining rap and classical instrumentation on the Strip, with more than 30 musicians filling the stage for an entire album. “NY State of Mind,” “The World Is Yours,” “Memory Lane (Sittin' in Da Park)” and “It Ain't Hard to Tell” are all scheduled in the custom production.

The rapper and the Philharmonic Orchestra will also try out some cover versions; for example, “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson is expected.

The players from Las Vegas are ready for the task. As violin grandmasters By Ann Letourneau says Vegas musicians are known for their artistic dexterity.

“Most of the Philharmonic’s players play for everyone, from Celine to eagle To Adele, we have the Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns Guys. I mean, we're all over the place,” says Letourneau. “It's like everyone's a show musician. We're going to be better than half the orchestra that Nas worked with because we make this kind of music. It's going to be great.”

Cool Hang Alarm

A blanket recommendation for performances at Fat Cat in the Downtown Grand. I finally made it for Ted Sablay Show on Tuesday night, and the place delivers on its promises. Very cool New Orleans club vibe, the sound works well in a space that's in its second after-market design (it was the hotel's comedy venue for a while). There's an inventive menu (artichoke, olive and onion focaccia and the charcuterie platters are recommended) and specialty cocktails (available as a mocktail).

Only $5 admission, so consume and tip to support the band and know that Pepe Jimenez – Wikipedia And Groove culture are fully booked from 9pm on Thursday.

John Katsilometes' column appears daily in the A section. His podcast, “PodKats!”, can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.