Russell Peters has been bringing the funny for more than 35 years. He’s earned the right to stop chasing a concept. His most recent Las Vegas run had a theme. This one doesn’t, unless you consider the “theme” an absence of one.
“Let’s just f- – – – – – relax and laugh,” Peters says in a phone chat previewing the show. “You know, if you’re a hired gun, you do your job. Make them laugh. Sell some tickets. Make the Encore some money, and get some money for yourself. It’s a win for everybody.”
Peters calls his current series the “Relax World Tour.” He lands back at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Kristeen von Hagen, the opening comic for “Puppetry of the Penis,” is Peters’ opener. (The two have been friends for 30 years.)
The 55-year-old Peters has established his name in comedy over the past two decades. He is the first comic to create a Netflix original comedy special, “Notorious,” in 2013. He’s been named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Comics of All Time. He was the first comic to sell out Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in 2007, and he set attendance records at venues from Madison Square Garden to the Sydney Opera House to London’s O2 Arena.
“Relax” has drawn more than 200,000 fans across 65 cities in 25 countries since kicking off in October 2024.
Peters has toured relentlessly around the world and jokes he’s from “this third-world country called Canada.” He refers to himself as a “nowhere citizen, a ‘No-Vada’ resident.” He splits time between L.A. and Vegas when not on the road. He owns two homes in the valley, one in a high-rise and another in Henderson.
He tries to stay away from partisan political opinions. He can’t vote and says weighing in on public policy would be like a coach potato commenting on an MMA fight.
“It’s like when you see these 300-pound fat dudes, ‘I could have kicked that guy’s a- -!’ Dude, you’ve never been in a fight in your life,” Peters says. “That’s how I feel about politics. I know nothing about it. I have been around enough politicians and world leaders to know I could never do that job. They’re running countries. I can’t even run my household.”
Peters recalls a moment backstage at the 2005 Las Vegas Comedy Special, which ran for two years at Caesars Palace. He was just on the cusp of national fame and was chatting with his friend and fellow comic, the late Patrice O’Neal. Peters had been sleeping on O’Neal’s couch not long before his career blew up.
At 6 feet, 4 inches tall, O’Neal was a towering figure, on and off the stage.
“There was a lot of buzz about me at the time, and we’re standing backstage and Patrice says, ‘Yo, I’m not saying you’re not funny, but you’re not funny enough to be getting all the s- – – you’re getting right now,’” Peters recalls. “It was a very Patrice thing to say. I knew not to get upset, because I knew him. I just started laughing.”
And he used the tease as motivation.
“Two years later, I was playing arenas,” Peters says. “I’ve been doing arenas for 19 years now. I’m just having fun, in arenas, coming into Encore … Give me a mixed audience who wants to be there, and I’m good.”
Pharoah, magic and a Blue Man
Comic actor Jay Pharoah, known for his six-year run on “Saturday Night Live,” headlines the seventh “Summer Comedy Series” show at 8 p.m. Saturday at Aliante Casino’s Access Showroom. Pharoah has appeared in “The Blackening,” “Spinning Gold” and Netflix’s “Resort to Love,” and he hosts the Fox game show “The Quiz With Balls.”
Joining Pharoah on the bill: Dewayne Hill, who fuses magic and comedy in his kinetically paced set; and a bona fide Blue Man, Vinnie Masteghin, who juggles stand-up with his role in Blue Man Group at Luxor. Veteran emcee and comic Alex Just hosts. Go to aliante.boydgaming.com to book or purchase day-of tickets at the Aliante box office.
They fit the vibe
A combination catchphrase here is, “You might be a redneck who can get ’er done.”
Longtime stand-up favorites Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy are teaming for a one-off show Dec. 4 at PH Live at Planet Hollywood. It’s a big room for comedy, which is why you need two icons. The performances are tied to National Finals Rodeo week. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.
Hit(s) show rescheduled
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ final dates in their “Nothing But Hits” production at Voltaire at The Venetian have been moved from this month back to Sept. 23, 25, 26 and 30 and Oct. 1, 2 and 3.
The original August dates were “back by popular demand,” which we expect will hold for another few weeks.
“American Idol” champ Ruben Studdard and “Star Search” winner Shanice Wilson are back for the next and final run. The show is remarkable for the sheer volume of recognizable songs that Jam and Lewis have helped create. Samples from their 42 Billboard No. 1 hits include “Escapade” (and the balance of Janet Jackson’s best-selling albums), “Can You Stand the Rain,” “Human” and “Saturday Love.”
Cool Hang Alert
Story of the Year is the headliner in the next Fremont Street Experience Downtown Rocks Summer Concert Series show at 9 p.m. Saturday. The rockers out of St. Louis are expected to uncork such familiar cuts as “Until the Day I Die,” “Anthem of Our Dying Day” and “Take Me Back.” The show is a free-for-all-(ages) experience. Hit the First Street Stage and hold on tight.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
Who: Russell Peters, “Relax World Tour”
Where: Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets: Starting at $68.73
Information: Ticketmaster.com
***
Who: Jay Pharoah, Dewayne Hill, Vinnie Masteghin, “Summer Comedy Series”
Where: Aliante’s Access Showroom
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $60.30.
Information: aliante.boydgaming.com