Poll results full of one-vote wonders

If you think it's not such a big deal to win Best of Las Vegas, look at those who didn't.

Or, more specifically, who drew just one vote in the readers' poll that runs in a special section today.

I know what you're thinking: If Nicolas "Kopy" Kopatich was the lone vote for Best Comedian, he must have cast it himself. No one else knows how to spell the name of the guy who runs the Jest Serendipity improv troupe each Saturday at Alexis Park.

Kopatich says it was actually a troupe member who runs his website.

"I know some of the guys who are heavy into that stuff. They'll put it on their Facebook page and try to get people to vote for them," he says. "I don't know if making a big case for yourself really warrants anything. If a couple of your friends won you that award, it doesn't mean anything."

Kopatich's noble approach has proud company: Bill Cosby. Chris Rock. Craig Ferguson. Tracy Morgan. Bill Engvall. Don Rickles. Dennis Miller.

All drew just one vote in the comedian category won by Carrot Top. Did they vote for themselves? Or do they have just one motivated fan each in Las Vegas? Given Harry Reid's approval ratings last year, you'd think Fox News could have delivered more than one Nevada vote for Miller.

Trolling the bottom finds wide definitions of Best All-Around Performer (won by Terry Fator): Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Botti, Brandon Flowers and Chazz Palminteri included.

Marie Osmond works for me. She sings opera and "Paper Roses," not to mention her great performance in "Goin' Coconuts." She got three votes. That's starting to look good, until you see Tony Felicetta also got three.

Felicetta plays Ringo in the local "Beatleshow." But how come he didn't get four? Did one of his partners vote for himself? Another quartet, the Scintas, also wound up with three. Who was out of town?

Single votes for Best Concert (won by Lady Gaga) are a great equalizer. Tony Orlando holds his own with last summer's James Taylor and Carole King tour. Justin Bieber fans can thank the one person who voted for him instead of that obscure jazz musician.

Joke votes for Yo Mama and "my husband" could fill another column. I made room for one, because I already thought of it. The staff does its own picks, but cheers to whomever voted Wayne Newton as Best Casino Mascot.

As the Vegas legend's voice got more trashed over the years, I suggested he skip the show entirely and just do photos. He would make more money posing for $25 a throw than he would still trying to sing.

Let's see Lucky the Leprechaun try to get $25.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.