Oscar Goodman ready to rebut roasters
Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman served warning Thursday: Some poor souls planning to zing him at next week’s Showbiz Roast better pray he’s unconscious.
Because, Goodman said, “They (the organizers) tell me if I’m sober at the end, I may have an opportunity to rebut.”
He added, “I’m the cleanup hitter. They better behave.”
One way or another, it’s going to be ugly.
A dozen or so roasters, maybe even his wife, current Mayor Carolyn Goodman, have signed up to take their best shots at a man known for his rapier wit and oversized martinis.
It’s not Oscar Goodman’s first rodeo.
“I’ve been roasted so many times, I’m well-done,” he said in a telephone interview.
One of the best was in the 1990s at the Desert Inn. The occasion was built around his 25th year of practicing law in Las Vegas.
The lineup included politicians, lawyers and no shortage of gangsters whom Goodman had defended.
When actor Tony Curtis’ turn came, he brought down the house with an epic line: “I don’t know why I’m here. I didn’t murder anyone.”
By Goodman’s account, no one skewered him better than Henri Lewin, a legendary gaming executive.
“He was a great raconteur,” Goodman said. “He was merciless.”
Taking on Goodman will be roastmaster and comic magician Murray SawChuck, headliner at the Tropicana’s Laugh Factory. Others include: Clint Holmes, Pia Zadora, Rich Little, Mac King, Steve Rossi, the Amazing Johnathan, chef Carla Pellegrino, Rick Dale of “Rick’s Restorations,” Michael “Wheels” Parise, KLUC’s man-about-the-community Chet Buchanan and yours truly.
The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, with the roast firing up at 10:45 p.m., in the Stratosphere theater. Tickets are $30 and $40 and can be ordered at the Stratosphere box office or by calling 702-380-7777.
CURTAS: NOT A SLUR
No one should hold their breath waiting for Las Vegas attorney and food critic John Curtas to apologize over his use of the word “Jap” in a recent tweet.
It was, he said in an email this week, “an improper abbreviation to describe a music video I liked.”
“I innocently used an improper abbreviation in complimenting something,” said Curtas, referring to Japanese yodeler Takeo Ischi.
“I refused to apologize for using a racial slur because 1) I didn’t use a racial slur; 2) I never use racial slurs; 3) I’m not a racist — in fact I’m probably the most culturally-accepting white guy you or anyone you know, knows; 4) by apologizing, I would simply reinforce (in some people’s minds) that I did something wrong — which I did not.”
The Travel Channel, in a statement to vegas.eater.com last week, said the decision not to air a six-episode reality show featuring Curtas and fellow food critic Al Mancini was made before last month’s Twitter controversy.
Curtas said he was informed that the show, “All Forked Up,” was shelved in April.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Kate Middleton is now four days overdue. Which means in just a few more days, the royal baby watch will surpass Gwyneth Paltrow as the most annoying thing in London.” — Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
