Radio Guy Paul Harris writes to answer a question that I posed here the other day: Does George Carlin still have Dennis Blair opening for him when he performs in Vegas? According to Paul (who by the way, is heard weekday afternoons on KMOX in St. Louis)…
Just back from a long weekend in Vegas (which I'll blog about in a day or two when I find the time), but with a moment free, here's an answer to a question you posed: Yes, Dennis Blair is opening for George Carlin in his current Stardust run — he even gets billing on the sign out front.
That's nice to hear, and not just that Blair (who's very funny) is still gainfully employed. It's nice to hear that Carlin allows him billing, which some headliners might not do. One of the things that helped kill off opening acts was that in the seventies and eighties, a lot of stars decided it was beneath them to share the marquee. It had to just be their name out there, as large as possible.
This is a rotten thing to do to a fellow performer and also to the audience. The folks paying megabucks for seats have a right to know what they're going to get for their money and to get the best possible show. They don't get that with a surprise opening act. They sit there all primed for the headliner and suddenly, a voice says, "Would you welcome…" and the opening guy becomes this unexpected obstacle between them and what they paid to see. It's kind of like you're all poised and ready to eat Porterhouse steak and just when you think you're about to be served, they say, "Whoa! First, you have to eat this salad you didn't ask for." If he's billed, he's part of the show. If not, not. A comedian friend of mine who opened for several superstars at Caesars Palace told me once that he got half the laughs when he was unbilled. Same routine…half the laughs because he had suddenly become an intrusion. That's annoying, above and beyond the obvious insult.
If you get to Vegas and Carlin's there, go see him. His act has gotten angrier but he's still the best stand-up working today, maybe the best one ever. And Dennis Blair is more than worthy of sharing that stage with him.