Louie Anderson

Titled "Louie: LOL", Louie Anderson's new show is a guaranteed good time for those looking to see a little comic action while in Las Vegas.

Once a counselor to troubled teens, the versatile Anderson is the author of three books and lists an impressive history of media appearances including "The Tonight Show", Letterman, Leno as well as his own HBO and Showtime specials and numerous television and movie appearances.

The genius of Anderson's comedy is the coupling of his subject matter and his delivery style, with neither being as powerful without the other. With a conversational, almost casual delivery style, Louie connects with the audience through his pointed observations and stories centering on everything from his Midwestern childhood, to his known issues with smoking, weight, and aging, topics many in his audience can relate to.

Entertaining audiences with his imitations of his parent's voices, Anderson spares no one from his humor - especially not his family. Louie's honest and down to earth personality shines through the skits calling out his mother's packrat ways, his late father's idiosyncrasies, and the oddities only found in Midwestern families.

Along the brightly lit Vegas strip, Anderson is seen as an open, accessible face in the sea of Vegas entertainers, and is known to sometimes personally greet incoming audience members with a handshake and to pose for photos with fans. After the show, Louie often hangs around to sign autographs and meet anyone he missed on the way in; he's just that kind of guy.

In a town filled with comedians and entertainers relying on shock and awe to make an impact on their audience, Anderson refrains from excessive language and extreme topics, and focuses on the everyday mundane situations, bringing to light the comical side most of us haven't yet pondered. Whether he's discussing Midwest hunters using cars instead of guns, or the entire state of Minnesota standing up and telling him to go to North Dakota when he lights a cigarette, Louie brings a sarcastically funny slant to every situation.

Warm and undeniably funny, Louie's show is family friendly, though most appreciated by adults who understand what it is to deal with aging parents and insane family dynamics and obligations. Younger adults can also relate to Louie's experiences with sibling rivalry; as the tenth of eleven children, Louie knows a thing or two about the subject, and true to style, he has plenty to say about it.

Be aware that seating at the Louie Anderson Theater on W. Sahara Avenue features long tables and chairs rather than traditional theater seating. The upside with this arrangement is that it allows Louie to interact more easily with his audience, which the entertainer himself says he prefers. Reservations and pre-show ticket purchases are recommended, as Louie's shows often sell out early.

Louie Anderson is one Vegas performer unafraid to share his humble beginnings with his audience, oddly making him all the more successful in a city full of glitz and glam.