I attended the grand opening of the Paul Rodriguez show at the Tropicana.  The hotel sponsored free food and booze for the media in attendance.  There is no question that when I think of free tacos, I think of Paul Rodriguez.  The “meet and greet” was held in the famous Celebration Lounge, where a LOUD Salsa band was playing in the background.  The band stopped just long enough for Paul to say a few words to the visiting media.  But since my ears were still ringing, we couldn’t hear him ask, “Who doesn’t speak Spanish?”  No one raised their hand since they couldn’t hear, so the entire introduction was performed in Spanish.  Since I don’t speak Spanish (I took Latin in HS... I know, I know, it’s a dead language...  Tell that to my teacher, Mr. J Caesar... for real!). So not understanding anything, I was fortunate to get one minute with him to ask him some questions. Unfortunately, it was in the same area, so once the Salsa band started up again, I couldn’t hear a thing! 

Here’s my 60 sec interview with the famed comedian/actor.

C: Paul, you’ve been here (in Las Vegas) before. What do you expect this time around?
PR: …to stay longer.

C: You’re here for at least 30 days (through the end of June). Would you like to extend it?
PR: The last time I spent 30 days, I was in jail.

C: How do you like Las Vegas in the hot summer?
PR: I don’t! That’s why I stay North!

C: You have a super hot opening act (Lorena Peril and 3 other female dancers) and Shayla Rivera.  Did you pick her or did she pick you?
PR: I picked her, but hopefully tonight, she’ll pick me.

C: What do you expect to get out of this (you’re new at the Tropicana)?
PR: Pay my bills…I hope to get a run.

C: Are you staying in the Tropicana?
PR: Yes, sir—where else?

C: Where else are you eating?
PR: I’m eating at the BBQ um, what’s the name of it? I hate to tell you. It’s called Alice’s, no uh, anyway a BBQ joint that’s really, really good. I wish that I could remember the name of it, it’s called uh, Alice… I think it was Bezio, something, but BBQ.

C: You appeal to a large Spanish audience. Are you going to go to the San Gennaro Festival with all of the Italians?
PR: No, I’m going to go to Paloma, and have a _ _ _ _ up my _ _ _ _!

Now, you may be asking: “What’s “blank up my blank?”  I don’t know.  Even though I recorded it, I couldn’t make it out, due to the loud Salsa band. So in order for me to complete my interview, please mail in your response as to what you believe he might have said and maybe we’ll publish the results in next’s month issue. SLV

Issue 50 featuring: Lela Star, Faye Reagan, Carli Banks