Stand-up, by seat of his pants

“You never know what I’m going to do,” says comedian George Wallace, who’s injured but not sidelined from his act

Thu, Jan 10, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Chris Morris

If George Wallace’s routine looks a little like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats these days it isn’t because this is the political season (which it is) or because the comedian uses presidential politics for fodder (which he does), it’s because Wallace tore his Achilles tendon and is performing his act from a chair.

“It’s the worst injury you can have,” Wallace says from a chair in Atlantic City, where he went for surgery to repair the tendon. “It takes a year to heal, so I do my act sitting.”

The accident happened about three weeks ago during a private show at the Bellagio.

He took some time off from his gig at the Flamingo to have the operation but returns to the stage Tuesday. His special guest for two weeks will be War, the popular funk band from the ’70s.

Each month Wallace invites entertainers to be part of his show. The list has included David Brenner and Sly Stone, the reclusive leader of the Family Stone.

“You never know what I’m going to do,” Wallace says.

Taking potshots at politics is a good bet with the presidential race heating up. He hasn’t thrown his support to any camp yet.

“I’m a Democrat, so whoever represents the party, that’s who I’m going to support,” Wallace says. “I’m just for some change. Even if we wind up with (Mike) Huckabee or (Mitt) Romney. They’re not bad. They’re better than what we have. I bet even John McCain is good, but I’m just tired of old people in office. You know, he’s ready to go to war and I don’t want that.

“We’re looking to have a great time the next eight years with Hillary in. Huckabee, I don’t know if I could vote for someone named Huckabee. Barack (Obama) seems like a wonderful candidate.”

Wallace says it’s time for young people to take over.

“You take 10 young people from Africa, 10 young people from Canada and Cleveland and China and Australia, give them a boom box and a keg of beer and come back an hour later, and they’ll have everything worked out,” he says. “Young people don’t care about war. They can talk it out. It’s the old people who make war.”

Ten billboards around Vegas tout Wallace for president.

Wallace has some ideas of what he’d do if elected. “The Lincoln Bedroom? An open-door policy there. For $10,000 a night you’re welcome to stay there, and I’ll leave the lights on for you.”

He says the president makes only $400,000 a year, so he should have perks.

“When I go to Home Depot, I’m going in Air Force One and I’m taking the whole family with me,” Wallace says.

IF YOU GO

Who: George Wallace

When: 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays

Where: Flamingo

Tickets: $65.95 to $82.50, 733-3333