billryan
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July 6th, 2017 at 5:04:46 PM permalink
Was having some brews and discussing the state of Vegas entertainment and shows when someone offered what I at first thought was a rather silly idea but it grew on me.
His idea was a two man show, with a few extras, and re-enact classic comedy sketches of Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Marx Brothers Jackie Gleason and Art Carney, even Fred and Barney, maybe throw in a few Saturday Night Lives skits and so on and so forth. No idea if that stuff is copyrighted or somehow protected but if Raiding The Rock Vault can cover classic songs, shouldn't someone be able to cover classic sketches. Some sketches- Slowly I turn, Susquehanna Hat Company and the like have to be public domain.
Do you think such an act could succeed it Vegas?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
gordonm888
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July 6th, 2017 at 7:05:31 PM permalink
I like the idea. But you would need some very very talented physical comedians to do Jackie Gleason, Bud Abbott and the Marx Brothers. They might need to be voice impressionists too.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
billryan
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July 6th, 2017 at 7:36:16 PM permalink
They wouldn't be doing impressions, they'd be doing skits.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
rsactuary
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July 6th, 2017 at 9:08:48 PM permalink
How about classic episodes of TV shows, like "I Love Lucy"? I'd pay to watch that hilarity.

The chocolate factory... guaranteed laughs.
MrV
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July 6th, 2017 at 9:13:34 PM permalink
I'd pay to watch suicidal depressives set themselves on fire down on Fremont Street.

I wouldn't pay much, though: maybe a quarter.
"What, me worry?"
billryan
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July 6th, 2017 at 10:03:20 PM permalink
Exactly.
The poll room skit with Harvey, Who's on First, Coke, No Pepsi.
I don't think too many people could pull off A Samurai Butcher routine but many comedy skits seem easy enough to get down.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
monet0412
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July 6th, 2017 at 10:14:52 PM permalink
Times have changed. It wouldn't be profitable to the target demographic. For people like myself and others who enjoy these classic things, most of us want it in the original pure format with the original performers. Think about one example of how the Farley Brothers did a 3 stooges reboot. I think we can all agree nothing like the 1930's. I have all the original shorts on DVD and I don't want anyone copying them. I feel the same way with music. I refuse to watch cover bands do the Rat Pack, Beatles, Or whoever they want to make a buck off of someone elses coat tails. Either come up with an original show or story or get a different job. I feel the same way about paying 2 dollars to a street impersonator hustling pictures.
billryan
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July 6th, 2017 at 10:48:47 PM permalink
That cool, but how many Beatles, Rat Pack, Motown shows are running in Vegas right now? Plenty of people come to see these shows.
I understand it's not something you would go see, but people in Vegas seem to want comfort more than originality.
Spamelot was a huge hit, even though most people could recite much of the show. You couldn't do the Three Stooges today. I don't think their act would have been good live, back when they were making shorts.
I was at a place about ten years ago and some drag queen was performing. Hardly anyone was paying her/him any mind, until he came out as Lucille Ball and did the Vita Meta medicine routine word for word. Everyone knew it, but everyone still got a kick out of it. Five minutes later, no one was paying much attention.

https://youtu.be/AN4sN8NWS5E?t=20


https://youtu.be/d4iKoqHlxqk?t=31


https://youtu.be/1Evt6As72m4?t=12
Last edited by: billryan on Jul 6, 2017
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Rigondeaux
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July 6th, 2017 at 11:23:13 PM permalink
There used to be a show with a guy who did Red Skeleton. Lasted pretty little long.

There's a guy doung paul lind at bally's. I eant to see that.
gamerfreak
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July 7th, 2017 at 12:59:32 AM permalink
Quote: MrV

I'd pay to watch suicidal depressives set themselves on fire down on Fremont Street.

I wouldn't pay much, though: maybe a quarter.


I hope the guy that spit on my windshield for no reason is the first act.

This concept kinda sounds like Legends, but with comedy instead of music. I'm not sure how that would work. It's fairly "easy" to reproduce a music act with some degree of authenticity, but I feel like comedy is different. I don't think someone could reproduce a George Carlin set and do it nearly at the same level.
billryan
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July 7th, 2017 at 1:48:33 AM permalink
I think the hardest part would getting performers. Comedians ,I imagine, don't want to do other peoples material and actors might have a hard time with the timing.
I'd pay to see a Night of Abbot and Costello, with some other skits thrown in.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Mosca
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July 7th, 2017 at 1:26:37 PM permalink
There are some really impressive Abbot and Costello recreators. I've seen these guys a few times, the bits seem completely fresh.

https://youtu.be/2C3X1ocu2BI
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Ayecarumba
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July 7th, 2017 at 2:58:26 PM permalink
What is the "Target Demographic"? A lot of the 21 - 45 year olds don't even know who these "classic" comedians are, much less their "bits". There is a reason Vaudville and the Ringling Bros. Circus are taking dirt naps.
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billryan
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July 7th, 2017 at 3:30:57 PM permalink
Ringling Brothers went out broke because traveling expenses cut too far into revenues.
Many years ago, Bob Weir, of Dead fame proposed building a 10,000 seat arena and having their fans travel to it, rather than the Dead touring 250 nights a year. It never happened but many acts now take residencies rather than tour.
As for demographics, who knows.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
monet0412
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July 7th, 2017 at 4:09:22 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Ringling Brothers went out broke because traveling expenses cut too far into revenues.
Many years ago, Bob Weir, of Dead fame proposed building a 10,000 seat arena and having their fans travel to it, rather than the Dead touring 250 nights a year. It never happened but many acts now take residencies rather than tour.
As for demographics, who knows.



I empathize with your thoughts here but agree with Ayecarumba. Those days are over and aren't coming back. The nice thing is that you can get most of the material on DVD these days or watch it on YouTube. Years ago I was having a tough time finding "The Joker is Wild" with Sinatra or some know the movie as "All the Way" but I finally found a copy and recently I seen it was uploaded to YouTube. Great line in that movie about a Horse Room. It goes something like... What good is a home without a Horse Room?? Do you really want to watch some hacks knocking off A and C?? Those guys are funny but it's like my Bogey collection or Barbara Stanwick movies... best in its original format with the original players. Honestly the new generation has no idea about this stuff nor cares to know. Too busy listening to Hip Hop and Face Booking or whatever else they do. They aren't going to sit down and listen to who's on first? They would be bored stiff and texting or surfing on the cell phone missing the show. I took some young people to a hockey game a few years ago and they watched the iPhone and hardly looked at the game. Last time I took them anywhere. Also it seems people like to watch things while recording shows right in front of my seat and I can't see the show... mother @&$&@'s!!
beachbumbabs
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July 7th, 2017 at 10:41:59 PM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

What is the "Target Demographic"? A lot of the 21 - 45 year olds don't even know who these "classic" comedians are, much less their "bits". There is a reason Vaudville and the Ringling Bros. Circus are taking dirt naps.



I see it the other way. With good selection, the timeless funny stuff would be fresh and new to the kids who weren't around the first time. A huge amount of the stuff they find funny now is directly derivative of the classics.

Gotta agree with monet on part of his, too. I don't go to a show to look at the back of somebody's hands holding their phone high. I don't get all the second-hand living of their lives at all. Too busy taking selfies and making videos to actually experience something.
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FleaStiff
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July 8th, 2017 at 8:55:06 AM permalink
Alot of music gets released and becomes popular with a new audience but is in reality a top of the charts best seller from a bygone era.

I think music and standup comedy are pretty much the same in this way. You just have to update the parts about a nickle for a beer or a dime for a phone call or a car with a running board.
FatGeezus
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July 8th, 2017 at 9:03:52 AM permalink
Quote: beachbumbabs

I see it the other way. With good selection, the timeless funny stuff would be fresh and new to the kids who weren't around the first time. A huge amount of the stuff they find funny now is directly derivative of the classics.



Why pay to watch classic comedy acts on stage when you can watch the originals on the internet for free.
Puckerbutt
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July 8th, 2017 at 9:24:36 AM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

What is the "Target Demographic"? A lot of the 21 - 45 year olds don't even know who these "classic" comedians are, much less their "bits".

Were you doing a Bennett Brauer skit in written form?
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rsactuary
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July 8th, 2017 at 9:28:08 AM permalink
Quote: FatGeezus

Why pay to watch classic comedy acts on stage when you can watch the originals on the internet for free.



Because there is something about seeing a performance live that can't be beat.
Ayecarumba
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July 8th, 2017 at 10:23:28 AM permalink
Quote: Puckerbutt

Were you doing a Bennett Brauer skit in written form?


Hehe... I need an "air quotes" button.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
billryan
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July 8th, 2017 at 11:52:05 AM permalink
Quote: FatGeezus

Why pay to watch classic comedy acts on stage when you can watch the originals on the internet for free.



Why pay to see a Motown tribute? A Rat Pack tribute? A Neil Diamond tribute? A Beatles tribute?
Shall I go on?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
monet0412
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July 8th, 2017 at 4:48:01 PM permalink
Quote: billryan

Why pay to see a Motown tribute? A Rat Pack tribute? A Neil Diamond tribute? A Beatles tribute?
Shall I go on?



Tribute Bands are the Devil!

These people aren't good enough to write songs so they try to emulate someone else's genius from the past and it's just evil... pure evil. Another reason seems that it isn't cost effective to spend the time to be original which is why music and entertainment are pretty much lost forever now. It's not only the Internet that has killed both but the last few generations are just plain fat and lazy in all walks of life. Years ago people had work ethic and it showed in everything from comedy to factories. It's ok though... we're just headed towards collapse. Only my opinion though... it seems many suckers do enjoy hacked up shows and pay good money to watch them instead of demanding new material. Same thing in the Casino... the people continue to get raped and enjoy playing games that are 5% losers or worse.
Last edited by: monet0412 on Jul 8, 2017
billryan
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July 8th, 2017 at 5:10:28 PM permalink
Get off of my lawn!
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
monet0412
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July 9th, 2017 at 3:16:53 AM permalink
I could be wrong. Does anyone actually buy dvds of the tribute bands or shows or the merchandise? Would you wear a shirt of a tribute rather than buying the originals? Anyone stealing bootleg copies of tribute bands or shows off the net? I dunno... I have a friend who swears that it's all about seeing a show live instead of taped but if I'm going to a live show I'm gonna see something new and original. The only exceptions are the fine arts like operas, symphonies, musicals, ballets... etc etc... but those are timeless, lasting hundreds of years. Nobody hardly listens to the music or shows of the 20's through 40's... heck even the oldies from the 50's are dying! Rap and things like The Beatles will not can not stand the test of time like Mozart or Beethoven! I've seen tribute shows and the only time they were good is when some other strong original professional did a tribute show. A few years ago Cheap Trick did a Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club tribute show but it's a major difference compared to some no name cover band making it a career in Vegas copying others material... in my opinion that is... which is a conservative type of opinion mind you.
Last edited by: monet0412 on Jul 9, 2017
beachbumbabs
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July 9th, 2017 at 5:52:56 AM permalink
Actually, I agree. I can't be bothered to go to any of the countless tribute shows. I'm sure they have some value, but it escapes me.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
JohnnyQ
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July 9th, 2017 at 6:25:14 AM permalink
Quote: beachbumbabs

Actually, I agree. I can't be bothered to go to any of the countless tribute shows. I'm sure they have some value, but it escapes me.

Well, certainly, to each his own. I enjoy the LEGENDS in CONCERT show at Flamingo, depending on which "Legends" are performing:

I think every show has ELVIS and MICHAEL JACKSON. The best of the rest:

- Blues Brothers
- Taylor Swift

This has a market: High Energy, Lots of Dancing, Live Band on Stage, Songs you know and love, great back-up singers performing with the Legends, and a little dose of comedy.
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FatGeezus
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July 9th, 2017 at 8:23:03 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Why pay to see a Motown tribute? A Rat Pack tribute? A Neil Diamond tribute? A Beatles tribute?
Shall I go on?

My comment was in reference to a COMEDY CLASSIC and if people would attend. It's unfortunate that you misunderstood it.

I have attended many music tribute revues. There is a difference between music and comedy revues.

You cannot compare the original comedy acts with some unknown actors trying to duplicate them.
billryan
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July 9th, 2017 at 9:08:33 AM permalink
Quote: FatGeezus

My comment was in reference to a COMEDY CLASSIC and if people would attend. It's unfortunate that you misunderstood it.

I have attended many music tribute revues. There is a difference between music and comedy revues.

You cannot compare the original comedy acts with some unknown actors trying to duplicate them.



Why?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
boymimbo
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July 9th, 2017 at 8:03:48 PM permalink
Quote: rsactuary

Because there is something about seeing a performance live that can't be beat.



I don't find that that is true for large-venue comedians. Yes, there is the group and the social aspect. Spending $60 Seeing Louis CK in a 5,000 seat venue. No thanks. Seeing him at a comedy club in NYC where you are 10 feet from the stage and he's interacting with you? Priceless.
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