In case you missed it, here's my KNPR radio appearance with several other Vegas entertainment journalists and Gans' manager, Chip Lightman, yesterday on the death of Danny Gans. Last night, I also appeared on Las Vegas One with anchor Jeff Gillan and Greenspun Media guru John Katsilometes last night. Watch it below.
If you want to hear the full 2006 interview with Gans from "The Strip" that Gillan excerpted in that discussion, you can hear it by clicking here or download by right-clicking on here. I just finished my column for the Las Vegas Weekly on Gans and will post it when it is published on Thursday.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Petcast Recording Live Tomorrow
We're back in the LVRocks.Com studio Saturday from 10 am-noon PT to record four more episodes of "The Petcast." Our guests include vet dentist Tony Woodward, vet author Nancy Kay, library-cat documentarian Gary Roma and Duncan Birmingham, owner of PetsWhoWantToKillThemselves.Com. Plus, Review-Journal scribe Molly Ball returns as guest host filling in for a traveling Emily Richmond so we'll get an update on her cats, Stuff Stuff and Heavy, and we'll discuss the drama last week involving that lost blind dog I reunited with his owner. Join us Saturday and visit in the chat room or subscribe to the show (it's free!) via iTunes.
BREAKING: Gans Autopsy Inconclusive
A spokeswoman for the Clark County Coroner's office just told me an autopsy has been performed on the late Danny Gans but no cause of death has been determined. Further tests are being conducted and it could be two to four weeks before a cause of death is determined. The spokeswoman would not say on whether the need for further testing implies that nothing obvious -- i.e. a heart attack or brain aneurysm -- presented.
I'm not allowing comments on this post because I do not want people to engage in reckless or insensitive speculation.
I'm not allowing comments on this post because I do not want people to engage in reckless or insensitive speculation.
Danny Gans On His Own Mortality And Legacy
I've just reissued the March 2, 2006 interview on "The Strip" podcast with the late impressionist Danny Gans, which you can hear by clicking here or download by right-clicking on here. It's a now-poignant half-hour that ranges from his views on his critics to his health regimen to his memories of how his ticket prices escalated over the years.
But the part that was so interesting was this exchange in which he explained what he wanted to be remembered for and why he didn't mind not being more famous. Here's the transcript of what he said, responding to that very question:
No, it doesn’t [bother me] because it is by choice. For someone listening, that might be a hard thing to understand, but I have times, if I elaborated on it, you’d think I’d be making up all the things that have been offered my way from sitcoms to motion pictures to talk shows. I don’t want that. I’m a family guy and I really treasure my privacy. So it is more important for me to be home with my wife and kids and be able to play golf and be with my friends than be on the cover of TV Guide? I really love doing my show but I don’t step out and say, "OK, I’m going to do that sitcom and that movie and that thing." It’s going to take away from the time I have with my kids while they’re growing up.
A conscious decision that Garth Brooks made several years ago to pull back so he could be with his children, I made that decision 15 years ago when no one knew who I was and I stepped into an opportunity where I was offered a one-man show on Broadway for a limited engagement for three weeks. I did the three weeks and I was offered a year on Broadway. I had already started doing some of the TV stuff and I turned down a lot of it but since I was in New York I said I’d do it so I did “Regis and Kathie Lee” and I didn’t like it. I just didn’t like it. I didn’t like the attention that goes along with it.
I had friends in the business who said, "You have no idea how lucky you are to be able to do what you do and not have to worry when I go outside because there’s going to be paparazzi every place. Hold on to that because you’re going to regret the fact that 50 years from now, when you’re about ready to go on to the next side, you look back at your life and you can say, 'I had a fulfilling life because I had a successful marriage and had raised three wonderful children and I had a career that I loved to go to every day or my marriage didn’t last and I don’t even know what the heck happened to my kids but hey, man, I was on three sitcoms and I did 17 films, people are gonna remember me forever now.'
What’s more important? Well, to me, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, it’s the family and being able to get up every morning and living my life as opposed to being the guy on the cover of People magazine. I have absolutely zero interest in that.
Here’s just one example. Just before I came to the Mirage, Aaron Spelling was a friend of mine and he said, "Look you gotta do a sitcom for me." I said, "Aaron, I don’t have the time, what am I gonna do?" He said, "Look, sign a contract that you won’t do another sitcom for anyone except for me." I said, "OK, I’ll do that for you." So we signed this contract and he gives me a ridiculous amount of money just to not do anything. And he writes the treatment, we start getting a casting call together the whole thing. He wants to do a pilot. I said, “Aaron, let’s really talk about this. Let’s talk about the day in the life of a sitcom actor. You can’t film it in Vegas so I’ll have to go to L.A.” He said, "Oh, we’ll private jet you up and back and I guarantee you it will make it on the air, it’ll have at least 13 episodes, I’ll put millions of dollars behind this, everyone will know who you are, you’ll be on the cover of every magazine, it’ll be huge, believe me, it’ll be a huge hit."
To make a long story short, Steve, a typical day would have been on Monday morning fly to L.A., do a table reading for four hours. Then I would rehearse, jump on a plane, fly to Las Vegas, take a cab to the Mirage, do the sound check, do the show, by the time I get home it’s 2 o’clock. … Do that five days a week, then on Friday, which would be my day off in Vegas, fly to Los Angeles and film two shows in L.A., then they have the weekend off but I have to go work at the Mirage on Sat or Sunday. And then Monday, it starts all over again. In other words, what is your motivation here. If I was single, I would do that, but I’m not.
Well, Mr. Gans, if you are measuring your life based on your devotion to your family, you were certainly a success. I bet you were a heckuva dad.
But the part that was so interesting was this exchange in which he explained what he wanted to be remembered for and why he didn't mind not being more famous. Here's the transcript of what he said, responding to that very question:
No, it doesn’t [bother me] because it is by choice. For someone listening, that might be a hard thing to understand, but I have times, if I elaborated on it, you’d think I’d be making up all the things that have been offered my way from sitcoms to motion pictures to talk shows. I don’t want that. I’m a family guy and I really treasure my privacy. So it is more important for me to be home with my wife and kids and be able to play golf and be with my friends than be on the cover of TV Guide? I really love doing my show but I don’t step out and say, "OK, I’m going to do that sitcom and that movie and that thing." It’s going to take away from the time I have with my kids while they’re growing up.A conscious decision that Garth Brooks made several years ago to pull back so he could be with his children, I made that decision 15 years ago when no one knew who I was and I stepped into an opportunity where I was offered a one-man show on Broadway for a limited engagement for three weeks. I did the three weeks and I was offered a year on Broadway. I had already started doing some of the TV stuff and I turned down a lot of it but since I was in New York I said I’d do it so I did “Regis and Kathie Lee” and I didn’t like it. I just didn’t like it. I didn’t like the attention that goes along with it.
I had friends in the business who said, "You have no idea how lucky you are to be able to do what you do and not have to worry when I go outside because there’s going to be paparazzi every place. Hold on to that because you’re going to regret the fact that 50 years from now, when you’re about ready to go on to the next side, you look back at your life and you can say, 'I had a fulfilling life because I had a successful marriage and had raised three wonderful children and I had a career that I loved to go to every day or my marriage didn’t last and I don’t even know what the heck happened to my kids but hey, man, I was on three sitcoms and I did 17 films, people are gonna remember me forever now.'
What’s more important? Well, to me, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, it’s the family and being able to get up every morning and living my life as opposed to being the guy on the cover of People magazine. I have absolutely zero interest in that.
Here’s just one example. Just before I came to the Mirage, Aaron Spelling was a friend of mine and he said, "Look you gotta do a sitcom for me." I said, "Aaron, I don’t have the time, what am I gonna do?" He said, "Look, sign a contract that you won’t do another sitcom for anyone except for me." I said, "OK, I’ll do that for you." So we signed this contract and he gives me a ridiculous amount of money just to not do anything. And he writes the treatment, we start getting a casting call together the whole thing. He wants to do a pilot. I said, “Aaron, let’s really talk about this. Let’s talk about the day in the life of a sitcom actor. You can’t film it in Vegas so I’ll have to go to L.A.” He said, "Oh, we’ll private jet you up and back and I guarantee you it will make it on the air, it’ll have at least 13 episodes, I’ll put millions of dollars behind this, everyone will know who you are, you’ll be on the cover of every magazine, it’ll be huge, believe me, it’ll be a huge hit."
To make a long story short, Steve, a typical day would have been on Monday morning fly to L.A., do a table reading for four hours. Then I would rehearse, jump on a plane, fly to Las Vegas, take a cab to the Mirage, do the sound check, do the show, by the time I get home it’s 2 o’clock. … Do that five days a week, then on Friday, which would be my day off in Vegas, fly to Los Angeles and film two shows in L.A., then they have the weekend off but I have to go work at the Mirage on Sat or Sunday. And then Monday, it starts all over again. In other words, what is your motivation here. If I was single, I would do that, but I’m not.
Well, Mr. Gans, if you are measuring your life based on your devotion to your family, you were certainly a success. I bet you were a heckuva dad.
Tributes to Danny Gans Begin To Pour In
[UPDATE: The national press may not care much, but the public seems to. As of noon today, "Danny Gans" was the eighth most-searched term on Google News and Gans' death is the 5th item to come up on Google's Blogsearch homepage.]
The national media may be largely indifferent to the sudden loss of Danny Gans -- here's my AFP wire piece on this but the rest of the national press has not taken an interest -- but Las Vegas is clearly in mourning today. Also, I'll be on Las Vegas One at 9 p.m. PT tonight with host Jeff Gillan to euologize Gans.
I'll keep adding to this post as more reactions become available.
From Donny & Marie: The unexpected passing of Danny Gans is such a shock to everyone here at the Donny & Marie show. He was not only our producer but also a good friend; we would routinely call him for advice and direction regarding our production. We've lost an amazing entertainer. His friendship, charisma and talent will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to his wife, Julie and their 3 children, and our heartfelt condolences to our dear friend and partner, Danny's longtime manager Chip Lightman.
From Cher: "I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of such a unique and gifted talent."
From Celine Dion: "I'm very, very sad, and completely shocked to hear the news about Danny. Rene and I have loved him very much since the first time we saw him and met him at the Rio in 1997. Not only was he the best in his field, but he was such a kind and loving person. About a month before my last show at Caesars, Danny and his wife Julie, and their daughters came to see us. We talked and laughed for over an hour. I can't believe he's not with us anymore, and our heart goes out to his family. I wish them God's strength."
From Steve Wynn: "Elaine and I and all of us in the Company are devastated at the loss of our brilliant, talented and loving friend. One of the most unique human beings and entertainers in the world has been taken from us in an unexpected moment. A profoundly tragic event that leaves us all sad and speechless. The loss of Danny to his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew & Emily is at this moment impossible to comprehend. We will all try to go on with our lives without our dear friend. At this moment it seems almost impossible."
From Lance Burton, Monte Carlo headliner: "The news of Danny Gans’ passing is unbelievably shocking. Las Vegas has lost one of its best ambassadors. He was quite simply one of the greatest entertainers ever to step foot onto the stage. In my 27 years in Las Vegas, I have never seen anyone better. I first worked with Danny over 20 years ago in Palm Springs. President Gerald Ford was in the audience during the benefit at the Bob Hope Theater. As recently as last year I performed with Danny at a benefit show at the Mirage. He was a dear friend and I am profoundly sad today. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew, Emily and his longtime friend and manager Chip Lightman."
From U.S. Sen. Harry Reid: "Danny Gans brought joy to the lives of the millions of Nevadans and tourists who came to Las Vegas to see his show. He was a talented performer who used his celebrity to give back to our community and those in need. Las Vegas is a better place because of Danny Gans. He will truly be missed."
From U.S. Sen. John Ensign: "Danny Gans was a talented entertainer and a valuable member of our community whose contributions to help those in need will be greatly missed. Darlene and I will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn such a sudden loss."
The national media may be largely indifferent to the sudden loss of Danny Gans -- here's my AFP wire piece on this but the rest of the national press has not taken an interest -- but Las Vegas is clearly in mourning today. Also, I'll be on Las Vegas One at 9 p.m. PT tonight with host Jeff Gillan to euologize Gans.
I'll keep adding to this post as more reactions become available.
From Donny & Marie: The unexpected passing of Danny Gans is such a shock to everyone here at the Donny & Marie show. He was not only our producer but also a good friend; we would routinely call him for advice and direction regarding our production. We've lost an amazing entertainer. His friendship, charisma and talent will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to his wife, Julie and their 3 children, and our heartfelt condolences to our dear friend and partner, Danny's longtime manager Chip Lightman.
From Cher: "I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of such a unique and gifted talent."
From Celine Dion: "I'm very, very sad, and completely shocked to hear the news about Danny. Rene and I have loved him very much since the first time we saw him and met him at the Rio in 1997. Not only was he the best in his field, but he was such a kind and loving person. About a month before my last show at Caesars, Danny and his wife Julie, and their daughters came to see us. We talked and laughed for over an hour. I can't believe he's not with us anymore, and our heart goes out to his family. I wish them God's strength."
From Steve Wynn: "Elaine and I and all of us in the Company are devastated at the loss of our brilliant, talented and loving friend. One of the most unique human beings and entertainers in the world has been taken from us in an unexpected moment. A profoundly tragic event that leaves us all sad and speechless. The loss of Danny to his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew & Emily is at this moment impossible to comprehend. We will all try to go on with our lives without our dear friend. At this moment it seems almost impossible."
From Lance Burton, Monte Carlo headliner: "The news of Danny Gans’ passing is unbelievably shocking. Las Vegas has lost one of its best ambassadors. He was quite simply one of the greatest entertainers ever to step foot onto the stage. In my 27 years in Las Vegas, I have never seen anyone better. I first worked with Danny over 20 years ago in Palm Springs. President Gerald Ford was in the audience during the benefit at the Bob Hope Theater. As recently as last year I performed with Danny at a benefit show at the Mirage. He was a dear friend and I am profoundly sad today. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew, Emily and his longtime friend and manager Chip Lightman."
From U.S. Sen. Harry Reid: "Danny Gans brought joy to the lives of the millions of Nevadans and tourists who came to Las Vegas to see his show. He was a talented performer who used his celebrity to give back to our community and those in need. Las Vegas is a better place because of Danny Gans. He will truly be missed."
From U.S. Sen. John Ensign: "Danny Gans was a talented entertainer and a valuable member of our community whose contributions to help those in need will be greatly missed. Darlene and I will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn such a sudden loss."
Danny Gans, Dead at 52
[UPDATE: The Review-Journal has details of the drama at the Gans household that are somewhat different than the version of events related by Lightman in this post. Lightman said Julie Gans noticed him unresponsive at 1 a.m. but Henderson PD told the R-J they were called at 3:45 a.m. and that he was still alive but having trouble breathing.]Wow. This is a sad morning for Las Vegas.
I just got off the phone with Chip Lightman, Danny Gans' manager of 18 years. He confirmed that Gans was pronounced dead at his Henderson home at 3 a.m. PT today. He was 52. Lightman said Gans had been having trouble sleeping the night before so, having no show Thursday night, he went to bed late in the afternoon.
At 1 a.m., his wife, Julie, noticed he wasn't moving, which was odd for Gans while sleeping, she said. She called 911 and they declared him dead. An autopsy is pending. He had two daughters and a son.
"The guy was healthy as an ox," Lightman said. "I spoke to Steve Wynn several times this morning and both of us were shocked. I was with Danny the day before yesterday. Healthy as an ox. I mean, all he ate was egg whites and spinach and worked out religiously."
I'm scheduled to join Dave Berns on KNPR this morning at 9 a.m. to discuss the news and the legacy. Go to knpr.org to listen. You can also read my recent column on how much his show had improved since its recent move to the Wynn from Mirage.
Gans was successful to the end. Here's this week's TicketNews.Com rankings of Vegas' top shows by ticket resalers:
Developing...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
This Week's Col: How Top Chef Can Save Vegas
Here's this week's "Strip Sense" column. Eat it up. -sf
Now we're cooking
Top Chef is filming its latest season in Vegas -- could it be the answer to our prayers?
By STEVE FRIESS
Top Chef is filming its latest season in Vegas -- could it be the answer to our prayers?
By STEVE FRIESS
We’ve been waiting for a lifeline. The obituaries are being written, and, unless you’re Oscar B. Goodman or Pollyanna or someone allergic to statistics, they hardly seem premature. Las Vegas is drowning in debt and red ink, our houses are rapidly approaching worthless, our unemployment rate is speeding toward a record, our casinos are echo chambers, and our taxes are, regardless of what the Review-Journal thinks, going up. Pretty soon the obits are going to become autopsies.
Something needs to change. Something big. Something game-changing. And late last week, that wished-for antidote may have arrived.
Top Chef began filming Season 6 in Las Vegas on Monday. This could easily be the start of the recovery.
Stop. Hear me out. It’s not as ridiculous as it sounds.
Remember how seminal that 2002 season of MTV’s The Real World at the Palms turned out to be, not just for George Maloof’s nascent themeless off-Strip resort but also for kicking off the What Happens Here Stays Here Decade? Remember how watching those silly characters cavort and mate in that fantastical suite imprinted upon a generation the impression of Vegas as the coolest, most creative place on the planet to party?
Yes, one phenomenally successful TV show did all that. And it could happen again.
Read the rest at LasVegasWeekly.Com.
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