Kathleen Madigan Is Back In Las Vegas At The Venetian

Comedian, Kathleen Madigan, returns to Las Vegas this weekend.

Kathleen Madigan was a mainstay at the Mirage Hotel and casino. But the doors closed at the Mirage, making way for the Hard Rock Hotel. Madigan will be at The Venetian, Summit Showroom, two nights - Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31.

The Mike and Carla Morning Show's own Carla Rea will be opening for Kathleen Madigan, once again.

If you don't know this by now from listening to the Mike and Carla Morning Show - or if you have no idea who Mike and Carla even are - Kathleen Madigan is an old friend of Carla's, and a good friend of the Mike and Carla Morning Show.

Madigan and Carla Rea became friends back in the 90's, while working at the Comedy Stop at The Tropicana - also now being imploded. Yes, they worked all the places that have been, or are being, blown up.

According to Carla Rea, "Kathleen Madigan is one of the funniest, most talented comedians on the planet." There's the expression, "some people say funny things, and some people say things funny." Both are important - but the second is most important when doing comedy. With her matter of fact, conversational, in the moment delivery, Kathleen embodies both.

Her most recent special "Hunting Bigfoot" can be seen on Amazon Prime, and it's a must see for fans of Madigan, and comedy fans in general. Her album, “Bothering Jesus” special, is the highest selling comedy album, and most played comedy album on streaming services since 2014.

Kathleen Madigan won the American Comedy Award for "Best Female Comedian" and "the Phyllis Diller award for "Best Female Comedian," and she has done multiple USO tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kathleen says, "The USO shows are the best. Trust me, no crowd is as appreciative and fired up to see any entertainer. I'm glad I have the chance because God knows I don't wanna have to do their job!"

Kathleen spoke to Mike and Carla this week. They talked about all those Las Vegas oddities, and the 'anything goes' nature of things in sin city.

Did Madigan plan a career in comedy? "No. Like that guy in the Joy of Painting used to say, it was a happy accident. This whole thing just started out as a reason to drink, and wow - what a great drinking accident." Great for all of us, because she is truly hilarious.

Kathleen's 30 plus years comedy career isn't slowing down. She still spends the better part of her time on the road, still doing comedy clubs, along with huge marquee theaters with sold out shows. She has over 40 appearances on late night talk shows, and multiple comedy specials on Netflix, Prime, Comedy Central and HBO.

She also made the most of the pandemic by launching her podcast, "Madigan's Pubcast." You can find it on on all streaming outlets.

Madigan is also an advocate and fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis and Autism.

Get tickets to see Kathleen Madigan (and a few minutes of Carla Rea), back in Las Vegas, Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31, at the Summit Showroom, at The Venetian

Where are the best happy hours in Las Vegas?

It's always five o'clock somewhere, right? Especially in Las Vegas. But when it comes to happy hour, let's face - you want a bargain. You want to save a little money on that drink, and those nachos.

The Las Vegas Strip isn’t exactly known for its bargains these days. Gone are the days of cheap drinks, and 99 cent shrimp cocktails. So let's leave the Las Vegas Strip, and be a true local.

There are some great happy hours in Las Vegas, and you don't have to go anywhere near the strip. Some of your favorite restaurants offer a great happy hour, that you may not have even known about.

In Las Vegas, restaurants with some of the best happy hour menus are no where near the Las Vegas Strip. They are in neighborhoods, strip malls, or your favorite brewery. Yes, of course, many resort restaurants have happy hours. But as a local, we're not going to the strip, or even necessarily a casino -unless we have to. Or, those cousins are visiting from Milwaukee, and they have to get a yard of margarita, and see the KISS street performers, in ass-less chaps.

You can thank the US Navy for Happy Hour. In the 1920s, after World War I, happy hours were periods of time on naval ships where sailors could participate in relaxing activities, so they could remove themselves from the toll of life at sea. Those activities were supposed to be morale boosting - mostly boxing, and other athletics.

Of course the US was in the midst of prohibition. But Americans got around that (shhhhh) by going to speakeasies to get a drink before dinner. Happy hour as we know it today!

These are just 5 of the better happy hours in Las Vegas - at least some of my favorites. Remember though, happy hour deals change often, so be sure to check the restaurant’s website or social media for updates before popping in for a drink.

Great 'hoppy' hour specials include $5 LVBC drafts, $13 LVBC flights, $5 house wine, $6 well drinks. Sloppy Joe Sliders, fried pickles - that are AWESOME - and a really great "pubcuterie." I'm not the biggest beer drinker, but this place has some of the best beers in Las Vegas. Do a flight, and try a few!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/D3fbda77Y85kPssBA

The Spot has some GREAT food! And one of their favorites, and mine, is offered on their happy hour menu - their pork belly burnt ends. YUM!!!! Six chicken wings for $8. Happy hour is in the bar only, of course, and they do it from 3pm-6pm, AND again at 9pm-close.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4wUdypZ61HvMh9aA

Yes, the Cheesecake Factory. They have always had a great happy hour menu! Sliders, pot stickers, hot pretzel bites, spinach and cheese dip, fried zucchini, a happy hour burger, and tons more. Several delightful cocktails for $8.50, draft beers $4.95, bottled beer $3.95. Seriously - you can't go wrong! Try the fried zucchini - just like my grandma's!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZCVFTo4LpRVKoGr7

Lazy Dog is just a fun place overall - and you can bring your dog! Happy hour lettuce wraps, crispy brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower. $4 wine, $1 off their draft beers. Woof!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2dYo9a83JBBtmvaF6

Echo & Rig is one of the best off strip steakhouses in Las Vegas, and in my opinion - still fairly reasonable. Their happy hour food menu is small, but mighty! A $3 Hotdog - the best hot dog ever! $4 Steak and egg, and Butcher fries with prime steak, homemade teriyaki, and scallions. Half off all draft & bottled beers, half off premium well liquor, $5 house wine, and always a $3 cocktail! It's great, but get there early, it gets busy!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjAGMT4w7XbXqzfm9