Last Comic Standing Stars Featured in Buddy Hackett Charity Tribute Show

We've just received word at RNO about an event coming up that may be of interest to fans of Last Comic Standing. On November 3 at the International Cultural Center in the Scottish Rite Theater, there will be the Sixth Annual Night of Comedy. It is an event presented by LCS executive producer Barry Katz with all proceeds going to the Buddy Hackett Singita Animal Sanctuary in Los Angeles. The 10,000 square-feet cattery and kennel for homeless cats and dogs is to be built on a 22-acre site in the foothills of Angeles Forest in Los Angeles County. Unlike some other organizations like it, Singita has a no-kill policy and allows for free-roaming in designated areas for the animals instead of being held in wire cages before being put down if not adopted like some associations do.

Having worked as "foster caretakers" for a cat sanctuary when my wife and I lived in Columbus, Ohio; and having just adopted two former racing greyhounds, I can understand completely the type of dedicated work involved in such an organization. There are a lot of dogs and cats that are homeless and it is hard for a non-profit organization to stay on top of the bills involved when you have so many animals and limited space. The Night of Comedy is a chance for fans to not only have a fun night out, a chance to get to see some up-and-coming and well-known comics perform, and a chance to help an organization that Buddy Hackett had been deeply involved with during his last few years.

Sherry Hackett was kind enough to give us some information about the event planned for November 3rd: "The Hackett family is very grateful to these wonderful comedians who have been doing this show for the past six years. Some comedians would come just to hang out with Buddy, who hosted it and mentored; but the comedians all came out of the goodness of their hearts as every dime taken in goes to the animals. None of the money raised is spent on fund raising or administration."

Hosted this year by Buddy's son, Sandy Hackett - who has two regulars shows currently in Las Vegas - and dedicated to Buddy, the November 3rd charity event will also feature Jay Mohr, Dane Cook, Jeffrey Ross, Louie Anderson, Paul Rodriquez, Dom DeLuise and Friz Coleman. Having Jay, Ross and Anderson there, besides being connected to LCS1 judge Hackett, already gives the event enough of a LCS connection, but the show will also feature several LCS comics: Ralphie May, John Heffron, Corey Holcomb, and Tammy Pescatelli.

Jay Mohr was kind enough to give us his take on the charity, some thoughts about how Buddy would have loved seeing the Night of Comedy continue, and why readers should check it out if they can:

One of the most beautiful things about Buddy Hackett was his compassion. He truly loved one and all. He loved a bird in a tree as much as a long lost cousin. He and I would be getting his car washed and we would see a dog roaming the parking lot. Buddy would call out, "Hello Cupie!" as if that was the dog's name. The dog would approach us and for the next ten minutes Buddy would have an actual conversation with the animal. It seemed one sided at first but as Hackett continued to talk, I started looking deep into the animals eyes. They were definitely communicating. Eventually Buddy would say, "See you later pal!" and the dog would jog away. Days later I was on the phone with Buddy Hackett and asked him what he and the stray dog from the carwash were talking about. He exclaimed, "You mean Cupie!?!?" he paused, "We pretty much covered everything."

Singita is a continuation of Buddy and Sherrie Hackett's vision of a humane and beautiful sanctuary for animals. They are free o roam and given lots of love. Please join us if you can for an amazing night of comedy that will directly benefit this wonderful place. If not for Buddy than for Cupie.

My fellow writer Mike DeGeorge talked to Ralphie May about the event and he had some comments to share about Singita and his memories of Buddy as well:

The charity is awesome. They allow cats and dogs to live out their lives and they are a really phenomenal charity that Sherry Hackett is really spearheading. I got to be in the first one, the first big show because Jeff Ross and Jay Mohr vouched for me, and Buddy didn't know how funny I was and I went up there and killed, and Buddy said {imitating Buddy} "I want you to do my show long after I'm gone," and I said I'd love to. He says {voice} "Hey, c'mere, we're takin a picture. You drink tequila?" And I never drink tequila. But when Buddy Hackett gives you tequila, you drink tequila.

Every time I take the stage it's a tribute to Buddy. He made Jeff Ross and Jay Mohr promise to make me famous. He said I was worth it. He made me an honorary Jew. He rubbed a copy of the Kabbalah on my left shoulder and told me now I've got good luck, and made me do a couple of Jewish prayers, and ta-dah, he goes, "Now you're just as good as Jewish." He taught me a lot in the short time I knew him. He taught me a ton about how to be a man, and how to treat people and doing the right thing. And he said the most beautiful thing of all time: never hold a grudge. Because while you're holding a grudge, the other guy's out there dancin'. And you know what? He was absolutely right. It's just an awesome way to think about it. He was phenomenal.

With such endorsements from Jay and Ralphie, fans would be foolish to miss out on this night of comedy. If you get a chance, don't miss it!

For ticket information, call 310-275-1432. And tell 'em RealityNewsOnline sent you!

You can e-mail Dale about this column or his other projects at justabob@iglou.com. You can also click here to buy his book, The Urban Legends of Rock and Roll: You Never Can Tell, or any of his other books.

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