Las Vegas Weekly

May 21, 2010 · 3:32 PM

Exclusive photos: Backstage with the stars at Mike Huckabee’s TV specials

By Robin Leach

Mike Huckabee, Frank Caliendo, Taylor Makakoa and Terry Fator backstage at the filming of Fox News' Huckabee at The Venetian on May 20, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Two episodes of Fox News’ weekend primetime series Huckabee hosted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee were filmed yesterday at The Venetian, and we have exclusive photos right here at Vegas DeLuxe. It was an all-star turnout for the former GOP presidential candidate that included Rita Rudner, Wayne Newton, Terry Fator, Frank Caliendo and the casts of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo and Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian.

The Venetian/Palazzo Chairman Sheldon Adelson talked with Mike onstage, and I had the privilege and pleasure of handling both show openings and appearing in the episodes. In the first show, I was teamed in a hysterically funny Q&A with Wayne, Frank and Mike, and in the second with Rita and Terry. The theme of the shows was “Vegas Fights Back” after President Obama, who was soundly booed by the audience, twice slammed Las Vegas before visiting here in February.

It was the first visit of New York-based Huckabee to Las Vegas. “It won’t be the last,” executive producer Woody Fraser pledged. “We’ve really had a great visit, and the people of Las Vegas have been friendly and terrific in every way.”

“They were a wonderful and enthusiastic audience,” Mike added. He met fans for more than an hour at the conclusion of the two tapings.

I assisted the Fox production team with advance planning for the shows and this morning received an email saying it had all been a great success. From a TV production viewpoint, it was flawless despite the amazing logistics. Everything -- except for the five cameras -- was controlled from New York! I had a director and control room crew from Manhattan in my earpiece and only Woody and one technical director here. That was a real remote first for me in 30 years of TV shows: No trucks, on-premise prompter, wires, cables and satellite dish. Woody told me that he’d love to see a Monday-through-Friday TV show broadcast from Las Vegas.

The green room was packed with guests as we mingled and prepared for our appearances on Huckabee. Thanks to contributing photographer Tom Donoghue and The Venetian’s Dawn Britt, while I added my own candid snaps. I chatted with Wayne about his two new movies he’s just completed, and we’ll have that story Monday. Before Wayne went onstage, he chatted with Gov. Jim Gibbons and took photos with the Jersey Boys and Phantom casts.

One of the funniest moments occurred when in the Q&A, one fan asked Wayne to sing for the 170,000th time his hit “Danke Schoen.” Wayne explained that his throat was damaged from the heavy rain during location filming, but I persuaded Wayne to hide behind Frank’s back and scratch out the song while the impressionist mouthed the words! I almost got stumped and sideswiped when veteran funnyman Mr. Double Talk tried to outsmart me with one of his weird audience questions.

The shows are two hours of incredible promotion for our entertainment, restaurant and shopping Mecca. The first episode airs tomorrow and repeats Sunday on Fox News, and the second episode air June 12 and repeats June 13.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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