Ralphie May back in action at South Point

If ever a comedian was entitled to treat himself to a stock line, it would be Ralphie May saying, "It's good to be here. At my age, it's good to be anywhere."

The comedian is only 40, but his last booking at South Point was canceled when he was hospitalized from a combination of ailments, including pneumonia and blood clots, related to his obesity.

He has battled his weight since his first Las Vegas headline run in 1983, which came soon after he did not win the TV contest "Last Comic Standing," but reaped more reward from the exposure than the winner, Dat Phan.

His weight never became the main focus onstage, though. "The comedians I always loved and respected the most were always filthy degenerates," he noted a few years back, and his edgy view of the world has more to talk about than eating.

May's fourth Comedy Central special, "Too Big to Ignore," is now on DVD.

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