Friday, October 01, 2004 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Return of Service

Robin Williams among performers repeating their efforts to help Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children

"You make it as easy as possible for somebody to give their time," Andre Agassi says of the top stars who line up to perform at his annual benefit. Photo by Christine H. Wetzel. "You have to kind of pick and choose (causes)," Robin Williams says, "but yeah, I'll do it again for him in a second." COURTESY PHOTO Faith Hill Tim McGraw Ray Romano John Mayer Josh Groban

The biggest spenders at Andre Agassi's annual benefit concert and auction have paid more than $100,000 each to have dinner with Robin Williams.

Is there anyone Williams would pay that kind of money to dine with?

"Stephen Hawking," the actor-comedian says without hesitation. "Just to meet the greatest mind of the 20th century and now the 21st."

But high bidders at the Grand Slam for Children are willing to settle for probably the fastest comic mind. "At that point you just feel like, `What kind of lap dance can I do?' " Williams says by phone recently.

"It is astonishing, but we've never had anyone come away going, `Thanks for nothing!' We've actually had repeat (bidders). I guess as they say in the city, `You're go-o-o-d. ' "

Aside from the seventh appearance by Williams, this year's MGM Grand event Saturday also sees return visits from Josh Groban, Ray Romano and married country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, along with Grand Slam newcomer John Mayer.

"It's a pretty wild night, and I'm always shocked at the amount of money he raises," says Williams.

The first benefit in 1995 raised an announced $1.8 million. Last year's topped $6.3 million, which was doubled in a surprise pledge by Beanie Baby creator Ty Warner.

"I'm kind of on the benefit SWAT team all around the country, and (other events) are kind of backing off and he's going forward," Williams says of Agassi.

"He's such a good guy, unless you're playing against him, then he turns samurai," he adds. "It's amazing to see, all of a sudden, this very sweet person's eyes change. With Andre, it's `Yes sir, thank you ma'am,' and then all of a sudden, `Die!" "

For a time, the Agassi benefit was a rare opportunity to see Williams performing stand-up comedy.

But in 2002, he hit the road again, and occasionally performs at the MGM Grand Garden.

"I went back out because (stuff) happened. A lot in the world went on, and there's a lot to talk about, and to not talk about it would be insane," he says.

Last year's benefit stoked some controversy when comedian Dennis Miller filled his set with swipes at the Democratic presidential candidates, the French and others who didn't support the war in Iraq.

That prompted an onstage retort from Elton John, who told the audience, "When people say, `Why do they hate us so much?' (The answer is) Dennis Miller."

"That's kind of the joy of a democracy: You can say one thing and then somebody can give a point-counterpoint," Williams says. "At a benefit you don't normally get that kind of `Hey, I'll tell you ...' Whooo, throwin' it down, WWF, full-contact comedy. But it's part of the drill. Someone says something, someone's gonna respond."

That episode won't make him reconsider his own left-leaning comedy at the benefit.

"It's the call, you know. Can you speak what you think?" he says. "Some people get offended and other people go, `How can he say those things?' Because you have to. Or you feel the need to.

"Do you want to drive people from the place? No, it's Andre's night. So you make a call. But you can't suddenly turn off and go, `How about those cling peaches?' If you take it all away, you come across like a Ken doll."

The controversy and Warner pledge weren't the only things making last year's event an unusual day for Agassi.

The concert came the day after his wife, Steffi Graf, gave birth to their second child, daughter Jaz.

"I was going on 40 hours in a row (without sleep), which I don't think I've done since ... ever," Agassi recalls by telephone last week.

"There's a tradition of after the event, Emeril (Lagasse) opens up his kitchen and cooks for all the artists who want to come. He fires up food for everybody, and we stay there until four o'clock in the morning and we all take cabs home," he explains.

Agassi seemed more ill at ease in the event's early years than he ever looked on the tennis court.

"We took some big chances, but a lot of people took chances with us. There's a lot to live up to," he says.

Since then, he's learned to relax. "I have a seat in the audience, but obviously I'm backstage a lot," he says. "For the most part I try to enjoy part of it.

"The night of the event has gotten to the point where we have so much support, so much momentum, so much community involvement, that it is about enjoying it. It is about sort of reaping the benefits of watching a community come together. And I get a chance to feel those things."

The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation contributes to a dozen local organizations. But the thrust of the fund-raising goes to the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a charter school that receives state funding, but operates as an independent public school.

The school, at 1201 W. Lake Mead Blvd., has 300 students in grades three through eight, and is in the design stage for a high school targeted to open in the fall of 2006.

"When you ask somebody for their time, you want to make sure that it's being used very specifically," Agassi says. "I think what these artists believe in more than anything is the trust and the word of mouth. They know what's going on with it. They believe in what's going on with it."

Some guest stars, such as Miller and singer India.Arie in 2002, have taken time out to tour the charter school.

"To get somebody in that school," Agassi says, "is a sure way of getting somebody's support for a lifetime, that's for sure."