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Vegas - 2015 - Issue 7 - November - Natalie Dormer

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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photography by Christopher polk/NbC/NbCU photo baNk via getty images Funnyman Jay Leno returns to his favorite Vegas stage at Mirage this November. Stepping down from The Tonight Show in February of last year has not slowed Jay Leno down a bit. The 65-year-old comedian and TV host recently launched Jay Leno's Garage, an hour-long series about all facets of the automo- tive industry, running through December 2 on NBC. The show is an updated version of his YouTube series of the same name, which grew to a one-hour special on CNBC last year. In the midst of this trek to network primetime, Leno is playing his favorite Vegas haunt, Mirage's Terry Fator Theatre, on November 20 and 21. He's long served as an anchor in Mirage's "Aces of Comedy" series, fying between Vegas and LA on the nights he performs. "I have always been a stand-up comedian," he says. "I love it. I remember when I would go places, and nobody would want to see you. Well, now people actually show up." Still, he remains "stunned" that fans would stop him and ask for an autograph. "I like people. I am not one of those entertainers who kick people away and say, 'I'm not signing autographs,'" he insists. "The more interaction you have, the better you are as a stand-up, because most of your comedy comes from people. The bigger you get in show business, the more isolated you become. I don't want that to happen to me." He also contines to work to make sure he doesn't get stale. "If I tell a joke in Vegas, I go home and listen to the recording and go, 'I'll bet if I add this to it, it'll be better. Lemme work on that and do it tomorrow night.'" And he's just as tireless in mentoring young comics. "When I was com- ing up, people like Steve Martin, Robert Klein, and George Carlin were very kind to me and helped me get work," he shares. "Consequently, when I go to places, I say, 'You should hire this guy, or you should hire that guy.' People think [the comedy business] is a cutthroat thing, but it's really not a bad environment at all. It's not as competitive as sports, or selling insurance." For tickets, call 702-792-7777 or visit mirage.com. V Chin Up Now appeariNg twice moNthly at the mirage, there's No slowiNg dowN for comedy's Nice guy, Jay Leno. by Joh atsiLometes vegasmagazine.com  57 Culture Hottest ticket

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