We asked 100 people, “Name the comedian most in need of a venue-name change.”
The heat, the walking, airport security, smoking, growing older. Yep, Louie Anderson is a Vegas comic, all right (Robin Leach enjoyed the gambling material in particular).
In fact, he’s been a Vegas comic for a whole year now, celebrating his first anniversary of Louie: Larger Than Life this evening at the Excalibur’s Thunder From Down Under Showroom. The 90-minute set included an early visit and presentation of a congratulatory cake from comedic contemporaries Carrot Top, George Wallace and Roseanne Barr, the latter of whom has never looked better in her entire life.
On to some Excalibur-exec speechifying, a confetti explosion, and with an “I’m glad they got that cake out of here so I can concentrate,” riff, right back to the comedy.
Anderson’s always been harmless enough (a little grating on the ears, perhaps). His tales of growing up in a family of 13 – trash-dump frequenting father, kleptomaniac, butter-lovin’ mother – skewer, but they skewer with heart. The real key to his performances, however, is the subtle physical gestures. First, there are the facial expressions, ranging from the gap-tooth, baby-faced grin and the bewildered, slack-jawed stare to the faux-angry pout and “grotesque faces outta nowhere” he employs when detailing his struggles with Father Time. Then there’s the body language. Casually leaning on the mic stand with one hand absent-mindedly mussing his hair while he works the crowd, using his jacket to illustrate drapery frustrations, mimicking the loading of a musket – he’s in charge yet non-confrontational as can be. Anderson makes going to a comedy show a relaxing, as opposed to defiantly guarded, experience. And he’s got the infectious giggle of a little boy tying the whole likeable package together.
Anderson trying to “be” someone (most recent example: Family Feud) can come across as overly shticky. But there’s a reason Life with Louie won two Emmys; as an extension of himself is personality enough.
Cutting-edge Anderson ain’t, but he definitely is refreshing.
Highlights:
- “I wish I could pirouette. If I could spin, this show would be another $30.” “What’s it called?” “Circ du Lou.”
- An extended off-the-cuff riff on buckets during a crowd-work portion. Buckets!!
- [Reacting to an audience member’s shrill laugh] “When did you get out? That’s a lockable laugh!”
- The free desserts at the Octane Lounge after-party.
- Fun fact: His opening video monologue, set to Smash Mouth’s “Can’t Get Enough of You, Baby,” begins with an old Carson clip: Johnny’s introduction reveals him to be the first-ever comic appearing at the Dunes’ regular Comedy Store series.
