PodKats! Las Vegas Entertainment
118 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 93 ratingsPodKats! is a weekly hang with the biggest names in entertainment, hosted by man-about-town columnist John "Kats" Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can find his column on page 3A every day and online all the time at http://reviewjournal.com/Kats.
Thanks to longtime Vegas headliner Frankie Moreno for the PodKats! theme, 'Biggest Cat in Town,' from the album Broke Down in Paradise.
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Episodes
Penn's Sunday School (Pt. 1) | Ep. 67
March 23, 2020 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBThis week, we are joining forces with our friends at Penn’s Sunday School, the powerhouse podcast hosted by Las Vegas legend Penn Jillette, to release a crossover episode on both of our podcast feeds. Here is part one of my conversation with Penn and his co-host, Michael Goudeau. Part two will be up next Monday. (NOTE: This episode was recorded in February, prior to the coronavirus scare taking hold in Las Vegas and around the country.)
Raiders Owner Mark Davis | Ep. 66
March 16, 2020 10:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBOur guest this week is the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Mark Davis. He joined us at Sid’s Cafe inside Westgate Las Vegas to talk about the team's transition to Las Vegas, the coronavirus scare, free agency rumors, Neil Diamond and more. Note that this episode was recorded on March 9, and news on the coronavirus scare has moved quickly since then. For the latest news on the coronavirus, visit www.reviewjournal.com/coronavirus. All of the Review-Journal's coronavirus coverage is free for a...
Chumlee of 'Pawn Stars' | Ep. 65
March 09, 2020 10:00 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBOur guest this week is entrepreneur, fashion plate and fitness expert Austin "Chumlee" Russell. You may know him as an original co-star of “Pawn Stars” on History channel. The series originates from Gold And Silver Pawn in Las Vegas, where we sat down to talk about the Chumlee's weight loss journey, some of his side projects and the future of "Pawn Stars."
'Fantasy' Emcee Lorena Peril | Ep. 64
March 02, 2020 11:00 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBOur guest this week is Lorena Peril, the star of and lead singer in “Fantasy” at Luxor. Peril has been in the show for about seven years, off and on. She has worked in Las Vegas since the early 2000s, including stints at the lounge at Planet Hollywood, Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton and American Superstars at the Strat. She’s also a singer for Terry Bradshaw’s show at the Luxor. Peril talks of growing up in San Francisco, her time performing on cruise ships and how she became a star ...
Frank Marino | Ep. 63
February 24, 2020 11:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBOur guest this week is a Strip headliner since 1985, first at Evening at La Cage at the Riviera and later in Divas Las Vegas at Linq Hotel. His show was unceremoniously closed by Caesars Entertainment in June of 2018, amid a controversy centered on mismanagement of his relationship with Las Vegas charity Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. All sides have moved on, and he is now the permanent host of “Legends In Concert” reviving his famous Joan Rivers portrayal. Legends is also a Las Vegas instituti...
Las Vegas' First Lady of Jazz Michelle Johnson (Pt. 2) | Ep. 62
February 17, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBOur guest again this week is "Las Vegas' First Lady of Jazz" Michelle Johnson, a recurring headliner at Myron's Cabaret Jazz in the Smith Center. On Sunday, Feb. 23, she is bringing Sankofa, a celebration concert of African American music and history, to Myron's Cabaret Jazz. If you missed last week's episode of PodKats!, you'll probably want to check it out before continuing on with this one.
Las Vegas' First Lady of Jazz Michelle Johnson (Pt. 1) | Ep. 61
February 10, 2020 11:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBOur guest this week is "Las Vegas' First Lady of Jazz" Michelle Johnson, a recurring headliner at Myron's Cabaret Jazz in the Smith Center. Up next she is bringing Sankofa, a celebration concert of African American music and history, to Myron's Cabaret Jazz at 3 p.m. on Feb. 23. Part two of this interview will be available next Monday, so be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you're listening so you don't miss it.
Gordie Brown | Ep. 60
February 03, 2020 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBOur guest this week is star impressionist Gordie Brown. He joined us on stage at the Golden Nugget Showroom, where he will be opening his “Lasting Impressions” comedy show on Feb. 11.
Plaza Hotel & Casino CEO Jonathan Jossel | Ep. 59
January 27, 2020 11:00 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBOur guest this week is the chief executive officer of the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. Jossel took over at the Plaza in 2007, and the hotel is now home to the outdoor sports and entertainment venue Core Arena, a classically appointed showroom, a rooftop pool area where you can play pickle ball, a new sports book and Oscar’s Steakhouse, where we recorded this episode of PodKats!
Donald Trump Impersonator John Di Domenico (Pt. 2) | Ep. 58
January 20, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBOnce again, our guest this week is the esteemed John Di Domenico, who has gained fame for his impression of President Donald Trump. He has performed as Trump since 2004, but he performs many more voices and characters, among them Austin Powers, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, Ozzy Osbourne and Guy Fieri.
Donald Trump Impersonator John Di Domenico (Pt. 1) | Ep. 57
January 13, 2020 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBOur guest this week is John Di Domenico, who has become known across the country for his terrifically funny impression of Donald Trump. But he performs many, many more voices and characters, including Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, Ozzy Osbourne, Guy Fieri, Christopher Walken and others. Part two of this conversation will be available next Monday.
Styx Frontman Tommy Shaw | Ep. 56
January 06, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBWe're back, and we're kicking off a new year of PodKats! with guitarist, singer and showman Tommy Shaw, who has been a member of the rock band Styx since 1975. Tommy and the rest of Styx will return to Las Vegas on Jan. 19 for a single performance at Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort.
Composer Keith Thompson (Pt. 2) | Ep. 55
December 23, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBThis week, we are once again joined by Keith Thompson, founder of The Composers Showcase, among plenty of other things. If you missed last week's episode, be sure to check it out before tuning in to this one.
Composer Keith Thompson (Pt. 1) | Ep. 54
December 16, 2019 11:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBThis week, we are joined by Keith Thompson, a pillar of the Las Vegas entertainment community. He is the founder of The Composers Showcase, as well as the one-time music director for such musicals as We Will Rock You at Paris Las Vegas and Jersey Boys at Palazzo Theater and the Paris. Part two of this conversation will be available next Monday, Dec. 23.
Comic Juggler Jeff Civillico | Ep. 54
December 09, 2019 11:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBComic juggler Jeff Civillico, who is closing his 10-year headlining run in Las Vegas at the end of this month, joins us on PodKats! this week. Jeff opened at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and he is closing at Anthony Cools Experience theater at Paris Las Vegas. He talks of why he is ending that run now and what to expect in 2020.
Comic Juggler Jeff Civillico | Ep. 53
December 09, 2019 11:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBComic juggler Jeff Civillico, who is closing his 10-year headlining run in Las Vegas at the end of this month, joins us on PodKats! this week. Jeff opened at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and he is closing at Anthony Cools Experience theater at Paris Las Vegas. He talks of why he is ending that run now and what to expect in 2020.
Big Cat Entertainer Dirk Arthur | Ep. 52
December 02, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBOur guest this week is the last of the Las Vegas big cat magicians, Dirk Arthur. We last saw Arthur on stage at Westgate Las Vegas, where he closed his "Wild Magic" show in April 2018. Arthur is planning a return to the stage alongside his exotic cats in 2020.
Dayna Roselli (Pt. 2) | Ep. 51
November 25, 2019 11:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBThis week, we are once again joined by longtime Las Vegas broadcast personality Dayna Roselli. She talks with Kats about her options for the future, budding comedy career and more.
Dayna Roselli (Pt. 1) | Ep. 50
November 18, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBLas Vegas broadcast star Dayna Roselli joins PodKats! this week to discuss her departure from KTNV Channel 13, how she's spending her time and what's next for her. Part two will be released next Monday, so be sure to hit the subscribe button.
Shin Lim | Ep. 49
November 11, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBOur guest this week is sleight of hand artist Shin Lim, a Las Vegas resident headliner and the only two-time champion of America's Got Talent. He sat down with Kats in the nosebleeds of the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage, where his residency has been extended through next June.
Carrot Top (Pt. 2) | Ep. 48
November 04, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, we are once again joined by the city’s pre-eminent prop comic, Carrot Top. This is part two of a two-part interview, so if you missed last week’s episode, go check it out before listening to this one.
Carrot Top (Pt. 1) | Ep. 47
October 28, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBMy guest this week is none other than Carrot Top, the city’s pre-eminent prop comic. We talk about his upbringing, meeting some of his comedy heroes such as Jay Leno and George Carlin, and how he keeps his show fresh. The interview took place in his dressing room at Atrium Showroom, which is strewn with such assorted props as a disco ball, a Miami Dolphins flag, two framed platinum Pantera albums and Carrot Top action figures. You can watch the full video of this episode on the Review-Journ...
Piff the Magic Dragon (re-release) | Ep. 46
October 21, 2019 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBDéjà vu! This week, we are re-releasing one of our all-time favorite PodKats! interviews, an interview with John van der Put, the comic magician better known as Piff the Magic Dragon. We’ll be back with a fresh episode next Monday.
Tape Face | Ep. 45
October 14, 2019 10:00 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBOur guest this week is Sam Wills, better known as Tape Face. Wills is a silent comic and former contestant on America's Got Talent. He currently headlines at House of Tape at Harrah’s Las Vegas, where we sat down to *tape* this episode of PodKats!
Matt and Mattingly's Ice Cream Social | Ep. 44
October 07, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBOur guests (err, sort of guests) this week are Matt, Paul and Jacob of the podcast Matt and Mattingly's Ice Cream Social. We got together for a special crossover episode of our respective shows, and we hope you enjoy the result.
David Lee Roth | Ep. 43
September 30, 2019 10:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBOur guest this week is the longtime front man for Van Halen. He’s always been fond of Las Vegas, and he is headlining nine shows at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay beginning January 8th. He is none other than Diamond David Lee Roth.
The Amazing Johnathan Pt. 2 | Ep. 42
September 23, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBWe're back with part two of our interview with former Las Vegas headliner and notorious prankster The Amazing Johnathan. For part one, listen to PodKats! episode 41.
The Amazing Johnathan Pt. 1 | Ep. 41
September 16, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBOur guest this week is former Las Vegas headliner The Amazing Johnathan, a comic magician known for his dark humor, gory acts and drug references. The subject of two new documentaries, Johnathan remains with us after disclosing in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with a rare heart condition and given one year to live. Part Two of this interview will be out next Monday. Make sure you don't miss it by subscribing on Apple, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts.
Melody Sweets | Ep. 40
September 09, 2019 10:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBOur guest this week spent more than six years in the cast of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace, performing more than three thousand shows for 1.3 million people. Now she is embarking on a solo show on the Strip and has released a new single and video, "Flavor of the Month." She is Melody Sweets.
Brian Newman on performing with Lady Gaga | Ep. 39
September 02, 2019 10:13 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBOur guest this week is Brian Newman, the master trumpet player and bandleader out of New York City. Brian has risen to fame as the band leader for Lady Gaga, dating back more than a decade. Newman returns to Las Vegas on Oct. 17, when he will perform with Gaga in her Jazz + Piano residency at Park Theater.
Daniel Emmet of America's Got Talent | Ep. 38
August 26, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23 MBAmerica's Got Talent finalist Daniel Emmet joined me this week on PodKats. We sat down on stage at Cleopatra's Barge inside Caesar's Palace, where Daniel is currently headlining a six-show stint. We talked about the new show, "All That I Am," as well as his time on AGT, connections to other Vegas stars and future plans in Las Vegas.
Prince protégé Elisa Fiorillo | Ep. 37
August 19, 2019 11:00 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBMy guest this week knew the legendary artist Prince for 25 years and sang with Prince's backing band The New Power Generation from 2009-2014. She also won the contest show Star Search at the age of 15 and has become a favorite performer in Las Vegas with Kelly Clinton Holmes and the Bruce Harper big band. She is Elisa Fiorillo, and she sat down with me inside Myron's Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center in Las Vegas. Don't want to miss next Monday's episode? Be sure to click 'subscribe' or 'foll...
Spiegelworld Founder Ross Mollison | Ep. 36
August 12, 2019 14:30 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBOur guest this week is Ross Mollison, the founder of live entertainment production company Spiegelworld, which brought “Absinthe” to Caesars Palace and “Opium” to the Cosmopolitan. We caught up with Mollison at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where Spiegelworld is premiering "Atomic Saloon Show." The new wild-west satire, which has been described as "Blazing Saddles" meets "America's Got Talent" meets "Westworld," opens in Las Vegas on Sept. 8th at the The Venetian Grand Canal Shops. New episode...
David Copperfield Pt. 2 | Ep. 35
August 05, 2019 14:37 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MBDavid Copperfield joined us from the hangar where he parks his private jet on this episode of PodKats! Copperfield has been headlining in Las Vegas for nearly 40 years. He is legendary for making the Statue of Liberty disappear, and for walking through the Great Wall of China on his national TV specials. He has headlined 10 world tours, and currently performs 15 shows a week at the theater named for him at MGM Grand. This is Part 2 of our interview conducted at the hangar where he parks his...
Terry Bradshaw | Ep. 34
July 29, 2019 14:20 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBTerry Bradshaw joined PodKats! before rehearsals at MDV studio in Las Vegas. A four-time Super Bowl champion, he’s a host on Fox Sports NFL broadcasts. He is also a TV and film actor, as well as a very good singer. On Thursday through Sunday, he will be headlining “The Terry Bradshaw Show” at the Luxor’s Atrium Showroom. Join us next Monday for another installment of PodKats!, and hit ‘subscribe’ to make sure you receive a notification each time a new episode becomes available.
Al Bernstein | Ep. 33
July 22, 2019 16:39 - 43 minutes - 59.1 MBNEW SCHEDULE: New episodes of PodKats! will be released every Monday. My guest on this episode of PodKats! is a legendary boxing analyst and broadcaster who has called many title bouts in his four decades in the sport, including Hearns vs. Hagler and Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. A member of several halls of fame, he is also a very good singer, and you can catch him performing at Tuscany Suites on Aug. 2. He is my friend, Al Bernstein.
Oscar Goodman | Ep. 32
July 18, 2019 15:15 - 48 minutes - 65.9 MBMy guest in this episode of PodKats! is a Las Vegas legend, the mob attorney who defended such reputed Mafia members as Herbie Blitzstein, Meyer Lansky, Lefty Rosenthal, and Tony Spilotro. He’s a former three-term mayor, and this week he’s being celebrated on Fremont Street for his 80th birthday with an 80-martini toast. He is Oscar Goodman, and we sat together at the restaurant named for him at the Plaza.
David Copperfield Pt. 1 | Ep. 31
June 29, 2019 20:46 - 27 minutes - 37.8 MBMy guest in this episode of PodKats! is a legend in the world of magic and a long-running Strip headliner: David Copperfield, who performs at the theater named for him at MGM Grand. Copperfield still sells out up to 15 shows per week. He’s best-known for making the Statue of Liberty disappear, and walking through the Great Wall of China on national TV in the 1980s. Most recently he returned the missing 15th star to the original Star Spangled Banner during a routine at the Smithsonian Museum o...
Jen Kramer | Ep. 30
June 17, 2019 17:09 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MBOur guest on this episode of PodKats! Is the headlining magician at Westgate Las Vegas, Jen Kramer. She is not only the only female magician headliner in Las Vegas, but also the only magician to hold a Yale degree. She has just celebrated her one year anniversary and has signed on for another Two years at Westgate Cabaret.
Adam Steck | Ep. 29
June 06, 2019 17:12 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBOur guest on this episode of PodKats! is the founder of SPI Entertainment in Las Vegas, Adam Steck. He produces such shows as Boyz II Men at the Mirage; Human Nature at the Venetian; and Thunder From Down Under and the Australian Bee Gees. He has a new act, who is also a familiar figure to magic fans. Hans Klok! Who opens his “World’s Fastest Magician,” show on July 29th inside the newly renovated Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur. Steck moved to Vegas in 2002 and has become one of the city’s...
Wayne Newton | Ep. 28
May 24, 2019 23:09 - 31 minutes - 18 MBOur guest on this episode of PodKats! is Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, who on May 16 celebrated his 60th anniversary of performing in Las Vegas. The 77-year-old Newton is currently headlining at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. He talks of his recent back surgery, his upcoming hip-replacement surgery, his relationship with his late brother Jerry, and his plans for possible move back into Casa de Shenandoah.
Piff the Magic Dragon | Ep. 27
May 18, 2019 00:34 - 51 minutes - 47 MBOur guest on this episode of PodKats! is the man who famously reminds us he is the loser of “America’s Got Talent.” But he’s no loser. He is Piff the Magic Dragon, the comic magician dressed as a dragon at Flamingo Las Vegas. The showroom where he performs at 8 p.m. has just been re-named for Piff. The man whose legal name is John van der Put shares his inspirations, how he sometimes performs out of the costume and the night a kid threw sidekick Mr. Piffles into the crowd. Piff was so upset, ...
Linda Smith | Ep. 26
May 11, 2019 01:35 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MBMy guest on this edition of PodKats! is one of the co-founders of Opportunity Village, Linda Smith. She has just released the book “Unwanted, How a Mother Learned to Turn Shame, Grief and Fear Into Purpose, Passion and Empowerment. Linda helped raise a half a billion dollars at Opportunity Village in Las Vegas from 1978 through 2016, and lauched such initiatives as the Great Santa Run, Camelot and Magical Forest. Opportunity Village, of course, is the organization that provides assistance for...
Daniel Lamarre of Cirque du Soleil | Ep. 25
May 06, 2019 15:20 - 24 minutes - 21 MBMy guest on this episode of PodKats! is Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, opening “R.U.N” at Luxor on Oct. 24th.
Perez Hilton & Nina DiGregorio | Ep. 24
April 27, 2019 00:21 - 34 minutes - 63.8 MBMy guests on this episode of PodKats! are Perez Hilton, a trailblazer in the world of celebrity journalism with his Perezhilton.com website, which he launched in 2004. And also his podcast with Chris Booker, which he is taping at The Space on Saturday afternon. Also joining us is Nina DiGregorio, founder of Femmes of Rock starring Bella Electric Strings. The rock-violin act is performing over three Saturday nights at Westgate Cabaret.
Scott Bradlee of Postmodern Jukebox | Ep. 23
April 18, 2019 00:33 - 24 minutes - 44.9 MBMy guest on this episode of PodKats! is the founder of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Mr. Scott Bradlee himself. The show has opened its residency at 1Oak Nightclub at the Mirage. The show runs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. PMJ, as it is known, is an artistic time machine. The band re-imagines popular music into vintage genres. Including swing, Motown, doo-wop, and jazz. The music is from artists ranging from Lady Gaga to Adele, The Strokes to Katy Perry and the White Stripes....
Craig Ferguson | Ep. 22
April 12, 2019 01:41 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBMy guest on this episode of PodKats! is TV and stage performer Craig Ferguson. He left his late-night talk show in December 2014 after a decade on CBS. Ferguson set ratings records and earned a Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As the host of “Celebrity Name Game,” Ferguson was awarded the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host two years in a row. He is at Green Valley Ranch Resort at 8 p.m. Friday.
Brad Garrett | Ep. 21
April 02, 2019 15:15 - 34 minutes - 62.3 MBOur guest this week on PodKats! is a column favorite and a dear friend. Comic actor Brad Garrett, who runs Brad Garrett’s comedy club at the MGM Grand! Garrett has performed on the Strip since the 1980s, as an opening act for such legends as Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. Of course, he was a co-star with Ray Romano in the long-running sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” and more recently on ABC’s “Single Parents.” Garrett is closing in on his 5th anniversary at the club in the hotel’s underg...
Christie Brinkley | Ep. 20
March 26, 2019 23:09 - 14 minutes - 26 MBOur guest this week on PodKats! is supermodel Christie Brinkley. She is starring as Roxie Hart in the national tour of “Chicago” at The Venetian Theater from April 10-14. She talks about how she first performed the role on Broadway, her memories of Las Vegas, her fitness program and how she wound up as a boxing photographer and correspondent. Starting with the 1980 Muhammad Ali-Larry Holmes title bout at Caesars Palace.
Verdine White & Brody Dolyniuk | Ep. 19
March 19, 2019 23:19 - 26 minutes - 49.2 MBOur guests on PodKats! No. 19 are artists who appreciate classic contemporary music. Earth Wind & Fire is onstage for 6 shows at Venetian Theater. Founding member and bassist Verdine White talks of his longevity, on and off the stage, and what inspired him to play the bass. AND, a good friend of the Kats! Column for years, Yellow Brick Road founder Brody Dolyniuk is back in town.