Glenn Pinkerton / Las Vegas News Bureau
Saturday, March 26, 2016 | 3 p.m.
In a highly coincidental development, or rather a coincidental reduction, Penn Jillette and Jeff Beacher have shed a combined 330 pounds dating to 2014.
And both of these recently svelte entertainment figures have been detailing that process across the country over the past week. Their styles of conveying that message are unalike, of course, with Jillette holding court as a jester on a nationally syndicated TV show, while Beacher has exposed the grief of losing track of his male member in an interview with the New York Post.
The title of the Beacher’s column posted Thursday by the Post: “I got so fat, I lost my penis.” And if anyone can dial up a search party for such an event, it is Beacher …
Conversely, Jillette turned up on “The Dr. Oz Show” on Tuesday afternoon. The verbose and juggling half of Penn & Teller appeared with host Dr. Mehmet Oz to promote his new book, “Presto: How I Made 100 Pounds Magically Disappear.” But the number in the book title is actually less than what Jillette has actually shed.
“You never weigh yourself at your heaviest, but I must have been upwards of 340,” Jillette said during the broadcast as Dr. Oz stared at him in astonishment. “Now I’m down to about 220 to 230, so it’s about a third of my weight. … It’s shocking even to me.”
Jillette, characteristically, has taken an unorthodox approach to his diet. In short, he prepares foods that are healthy and eats as much as he wants — then eats some more.
“I have no respect for moderation at all for anything,” Jillette said. “You should have foods that are so good for you, you can eat all you want.”
As evidence, Jillette prepared a favorite recipe of his own invention: An oversized bowl of blueberries (Jillette seems not to measure anything but his own weight) dusted with cocoa powder and cayenne pepper. For Jillette, this bowl of magic is one meal.
He offered it to the doctor with, “Eat like a man, Dr. Oz! Eat like a man! This is like a flourless Mexican chocolate cake.” Oz coughed a bit but did nod approval.
Unorthodox, sure, but a vast improvement on Jillette’s pre-diet diet, which consisted of 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day with a typical lunch of two grilled cheese sandwiches, fries and a slice of cake for dessert. For dinner, it was often a thick steak, two appetizers (deep-fried mozzarella sticks and cheese-slathered potato skins), fries and more cake.
“You need to take in a lot of calories to carry 340 pounds,” Jillette said, adding that he rationalized his size by considering his height (6-foot-7) and using the adjective “big” in place of “fat.”
“But I was wicked fat,” Jillette said, but quickly reminded, “I have been at this weight for almost two years.” Oh, and his exercise program?
“Juggling!” Jillette said. “That’s about it.”
Meantime, Beacher, whose “Beacher’s Madhouse” is to be last performed May 7 at MGM Grand (the show’s schedule at MGM diminished about as rapidly as the host’s weight), has dropped to 195 from a high of 415.
As Beacher shared in the Post piece, “I’d always been fat, but it’s something else when you’re so fat, you can’t find your penis."
That’s what happened to me. At more than 400 pounds and 5 feet 7 inches tall, I’d have to hunt around in my flab to locate it before I went to the bathroom or attempt to have sex.
“It’s not something I’m proud to admit, but it’s important to break the taboo. I’m convinced that, in common with a lot of obese men, for every 20 to 30 pounds I gained in weight, I lost an inch from my manhood.”
Beacher suffered from sleep apnea, saying he was nearly “choking” on his extra flab. In September 2014, he was encouraged by entertainment manager and friend Larry Rudolph to attend a holistic clinic in Palm Beach, Fla., which did take some 80 pounds off, but Beacher began to again add tonnage.
Finally, he submitted to gastric-sleeve surgery, which shrank the size of his stomach, and also curtailed his partying lifestyle. His weight loss includes 10 pounds of excess skin he needed to have surgically removed.
Lighter and clear-headed, it’s happy to report that the lord of the party has once again found his piece. Or peace. Or, in this instance, both.
MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond resort, offers 5,044 rooms and suites.
MGM Grand features KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club; and world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Theatre.
The resort offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Joël Robuchon.
As part of its ongoing “Grand Renovation,” MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013).
MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, "CSI: The Experience" and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic.
Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow Kats on Instagram at Instagram.com/JohnnyKats1.
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