He’s 88 years old and he did an hour and a half. He had a 14-piece orchestra and a few highlight clips of his career that he played throughout the show. He is Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth, and I had the incredible pleasure of seeing him live in Las Vegas.
I never need an excuse to go to Vegas, but seeing Don Rickles was a great one. You could say it was sort of a bucket list thing, which I had to expedite since he is 88. I doubt that I will be able to express here what it meant to me to be able to see him live. The only person that would have meant more to me to see live is Richard Pryor. Sitting in the theater at the Orleans Casino, I couldn’t believe that he was actually in the building. Forget that he’s been in show business for 70+ years or that he’s been playing Vegas for 50+ years or that he’s been on TV and in movies so many times you can’t count them; he’s in the freaking building. I got to see a true legend and I’m still beaming.
Mr. Rickles is a powerful force when he works. You can’t really describe it. Unfortunately now (I mean, he is 88), he has been almost totally confined to a wheel chair because of a bacterial infection in his leg. So, the curtain opened and he was sitting down. But that didn’t matter. The band played his typical intro made famous by Johnny Carson and then he got to work. “Stop the goddamned band,” he yelled and then proceeded to kill the conductor. Then he turned to the audience and started picking off people like a sniper. It was glorious. “Hey, pal, get rid of that shirt, you look ridiculous.” “Where did all these hookers come from”? “Great, 50 years in Vegas and I finally play a hotel that going to crumble.” “How much you weigh, tiny”? “Don’t just say yes to me, call me King Jew.”
You really can’t write his jokes or copy them because they only fit him at the time he’s telling them. I spent most of the night in a state of disbelief. His body was frail but his tongue was sharp as ever. He also didn’t mind drinking a big glass of scotch which he had the conductor hand to him whenever he demanded it. Mr. Warmth was still all there.
Mr. Rickles also said some things that people today might find offensive. He said some things that would cause some jerk losers to boycott Mr. Potatohead because he played him in Toy Story. You know what was nice? Mr. Rickles didn’t give a shit. This was a comedy show, he’s a comedian and as far as I’m concerned, anything goes. The reason he gets away with everything he says is because of his smile. After a particular “edgy” joke, he breaks out that smile that no one could ever hate. The man is never serious or malicious. He ends every show or speech with a few sincere words that you can hear in the clips in this post. When he said the kind things to us at the end of his show it brought tears to my eyes. Mr. Rickles murders you and then helps you clean up the blood.
I doubt I’ll ever get to see him again, but the memory of that night will live with me forever. The man is such a gift. We take ourselves so seriously today that it’s like we are trying to eradicate humor. Thankfully, there are people on earth like Mr. Rickles that won’t let that happen.
Here’s to Mr. Warmth. Thanks for being you.
PS: I recommend everyone watch the John Landis directed documentary, “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.”
Thomas, your Ads do suck,Did you ever see Carson live ?
He retired when I was 6, so no.
I thought so, he was still on when I got out of college..so I am an old lady with good memories of late night television.
Tha’ Don rocks!
I LOVEDDDDD this post ! I watched the clips and cried laughing. You are right – this is the way humor should be ! Loved the way he ended all his routines.
Thomas…. I too have always been a total devotee of Rickles. I’ve been fortunate to see him multiple times in Vegas..(I just wouldn’t go to sin City if the D.I. didn’t get me tickets) In each and every show, as you have said, he uses ethnicity and cultural differences within the audience to assail his willing victims…all in an effort for each of us to begin to better understand the people we share this earth with. As you know, at the end of every show, he tells the audience, if we can’t laugh and poke fun at each other, we’ll never be the nation we are destined to be. I simply love the man. And all too soon, Don will be gone…as is Robin….and we will be without our laugh buttons….then I will be very sad. Rusty Page Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:43:16 +0000 To: rustypage@live.com
You do such a good job of recreating the ambiance. I felt as though I had been transported into the audience. Thanks for following Spirituality Without Borders, Thomas.
That is a very nice comment, thanks.
Wonderful post!!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you
Even though I’ve missed seeing the greats because I was born too late, I do enjoy reading about them, and this provided some perspective into another big star that I was missing.
Maybe the nicest thing ever written about my work not from my Mom on your re-blog. Thanks.
One of my favorite! He has a dig for everybody!!
Wow! Who knew?!
Love that man!
Thanks.
Now…let me tell ya about Lenny…
http://texantales.com/category/lenny-bruce/
Reblogged this on The mind is an unexplored country. and commented:
Here’s one comedian who’s getting the praise BEFORE he kicks the bucket.
Reblogged. After Joan and Robin slipped away so quickly, good to see a hardy old performer like Don Rickles getting some praise before he goes.
Mr. Cochran,
Thanks for another visitation of memories. No, have never seen Rickles “live” but have enjoyed his style of humor in film, and especially on the “Dean Martin Roasts” not certain that is the official title. Also, appreciate your passions for iconic members of entertainment that were before your era. And lastly, thanks for the follow.
ichibon
No, thank you.
Huh?
ichibon
Thanks for your comment
Love that “Merchant of Venom!” I never tire of watching that clip of The Don surprising Frank Sinatra on Carson! lol
Glad you liked it. I’m headed back to Vegas next week to see Andrew Dice Clay. Might be a less nostalgic, more R-rated blog post to follow.