Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

With Funny Bones, Sammy Shore is still working doggedly to help the canines

Sammy Shore

Photo courtesy the Palms

Veteran comic Sammy Shore, shown Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at his “Funny Bones” canine benefit variety show at the Palms.

Maybe opening for Elvis at the International and Las Vegas Hilton was an omen for Sammy Shore.

Specifically, that song about a hound dog. Shore has certainly grown to love the canines.

The master comic (and father of Pauly Shore) is putting on his annual Funny Bones comedy show at 2 p.m. Sunday at Orleans Showroom to benefit Nevada SPCA's advanced medical care fund, which is set up to save and rehabilitate animals in Southern Nevada. Vinnie Favorito, “Shades of Sinatra,” Billy Gardell (of “Mike and Molly”), Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie, Geechy Guy, The Amazing Johnathan and Tony Orlando are all scheduled (emphasis on “scheduled”) to appear. All seats are $25.

Shore owns two young dogs, both female: A bichon frise named J.J. and a cocker spaniel named Talula. He has some doggie material in his comic arsenal. My favorite: “I have a pitbull-collie mix. After it mauls you, it runs for help.”

I know, pitbulls are typically well-behaved if trained properly. Still, it’s some good shtick from The Sam Man.

Shore is still an active performer, set up as headliner, with a boost from his comedy partner Pete Barbutti, at “Legends of Comedy” in Clarion hotel’s Wolf Theater. This is the oldest old-school comedy show in town, as Shore (86) and Barbutti (79) have amassed have more than 120 years in the entertainment industry. Barbutti also is scheduled to be onstage at The Orleans for Funny Bones. There is still no better storyteller than Barbutti, who was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson decades ago on “The Tonight Show.”

The Funny Bones foundation was founded by Shore and his wife, Suzanne, to raise money for animal rehabilitation. It’s a great investment of time for the couple, but it is well worth the effort.

As Sammy says, “When I meet someone, I ask if they have a dog. If they have a dog, I have time for them.”

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy