David Cassidy in the News
"The Mr. Vegas All-Night Party. . .": As part of my...
June 28, 1997
By Steve Johnson
Chicago Tribune
"The Mr. Vegas All-Night Party. . .": As part of my continuing research into the mysterious popularity of the ABC sitcom "The Drew Carey Show," I plugged into the VCR a preview copy of this HBO comedy special (9:30 p.m.), whose title continues with the phrase ". . .Starring Drew Carey." The chunky, buzz-cut comedian--whose usual look is Corporation Man Circa 1954 but here dons an ill-fitting white dinner jacket--plays "Mr. Vegas," a man about America's most neon-friendly town. His stand-up material is cruder than fans of the sitcom might expect--and less unfunny than the show's detractors would predict. There's only a smidgen of it offered, though: This is more variety than comedy show, as Carey steps aside to feature Wayne Newton, a magician, David Cassidy, The Reverend Horton Heat and more. The Mr. Vegas conceit is offered without much conviction on the part of the star and quickly moves past labored and into pointless. But the special at least earns major points for keeping that character with the blue eyeshadow out of the picture.
