Oscar Goodman gets "Showbiz Roasted" at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas

On July 23, producer Andy Walmsley presented The Showbiz Roast of Oscar Goodman, the second in a series of shows that feature well-known Las Vegas figures roasted by the Las Vegas show business community (Photo credit: Khanhx.com).

Former Las Vegas mayor Goodman easy handled a few light jabs from the roasters. After all, who is going to criticize a former Mob lawyer who probably has few holes in the desert reserved for any “wise guy” roasters?

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

The roasters, lead by Roastmaster and Tropicana headliner Murray SawChuck, blasted each other relentlessly, providing plenty of laughs with even more entertainment provided by surprise guests including dead-on Robert De Niro impersonator, Robert Nash.

Former Roastee, Zowie Bowie (aka Chris Phillips)

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

The previous Roastee, singer Zowie Bowie (aka Chris Phillips), returned as an official roaster, along with Mac King (The Mac King show, Harrahs), Chef Carla Pellegrino (Bravo Top Chef ), Clint Holmes (The Smith Center), The Amazing Johnathan (magician), Heidi Harris (790 Talk Now), Lola The Showgirl (aka Penny Wiggins), Chet Buchanan (98.5 KLUC), Geechy Guy (comedian) Norm Clarke (Review Journal), Rick Dale (American Restoration), Micheal “Wheels” Parise (comedian) impressionist Rich Little and actress/singer Pia Zadora. Also featured was The Lon Bronson Band and electric violinist Lydia Ansel.

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

Goodman agreed to be subjected to this abuse in return for the proceeds going to his favorite charity, The Miracle League of Las Vegas. President Tim McGarry started this local branch of the nationally known organization that enables children with cognitive and or physical challenges to play baseball on a unique cushioned field at its facility The Miracle League Engelstad family park in Las Vegas.

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

Producer Walmsley refined the show’s format to address the fact that the previous Roast ran nearly four hours. The new podium flashed lights and emitted smoke to alert the current speaker that their time was up. Fast-talking Roastmaster Murray SawChuck also kept things moving at a quick pace.

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

Walmsley also added a pre-show with Elvis and Liberace impersonators, Las Vegas show girls and a red carpet walked by all the celebrities, Oscar Goodman himself, and other local celebrities including former Roastmaster and 4 Queens headliner Mike Hammer, magician Ben Stone, singer Jasmine Trias, Fantasy dancer Chloe Louise Crawford, beauty queens Mrs. Nevada, Mrs. Washington and Mrs. U.S. Globe and Stratosphere PINUP headliner and former Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman also made an appearance at the event.

Photo credit: Khanhx.com.

Seeing all these celebrities and performers on stage is great fun, and at the end of the show Roastmaster Murray SawChuck announced the next Roastee. In October, the Showbiz Roast will take on female impersonator Frank Marino, star of Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas at The Quad Resort and Casino. Marino is Las Vegas’ longest running headliner, performing as comic icon Joan Rivers with an all-star cast of superstar female impersonators.