Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas

I watched the Garry Shandling Alone in Las Vegas videotape so many times in the 80's I can't even count. It is utterly amazing how good his stand up is in this special. There is not a week that goes by that I don't quote some sort of joke from that routine. I guess that proves how many subjects he touches on. I happen to like every single minute of the tape; even the stuff that happens before the stand up and after the stand up. You have to love his self-deprecating humor; especially when he continually calls his girlfriend "Patty" in Los Angeles and his buddy "Dave" is always there. I'm paraphrasing: "Hello Patty? Oh Dave it's you. Is Patty there Dave? Oh she's right next to you? Can I speak with her? Oh she's sleeping? No don't wake her Dave." I also love … "My friend Chuck in LA gave me 10 dollars to put on number 7 in roulette. (Watches ball spin and reminds audience not to watch the spinning wheel because it can make you nauseous) Dealer yells Number 7. Garry says "Wow, Number 7, That's … What? 350 dollars? Wow? (looks at camera and says) Now I'll play my friends 10 dollars." This is a funny show. If you can get a copy, watch it and you'll laugh yourself silly.

Although the set-up (the 1st 15 minutes) and the ending (last 15 minutes) are extremely needy (not really funny at all) The middle portion of the video is probably; and I try not to exaggerate here; the funniest continuous 30 minutes of stand up comedy I have ever seen. I have rented it from time to time telling friends the same thing which they come up with the most flowery expletives and yet after viewing it are in complete agreement. Larry Sanders, agree..funny, Shandling stand up...again...pretty darn funny...but "Alone in Las Vegas", the middle 30 minutes..some of the funniest, if not thee funniest, ever put to tape.