Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Harry Connick Jr. takes a TV timeout for some musical nights at Wynn

Harry Connick Jr.

Chris Pizzello/AP

Harry Connick Jr. at this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards.

Recording artist and actor Harry Connick Jr. added a new title to his resume last year when he launched his syndicated daytime talk show “Harry” on CBS. As it turns out, a talk show requires quite a bit of work. “I didn’t have a lot of time to do much else because we were figuring a lot of stuff out,” he says, but he’s back onstage for two shows this weekend at Encore Theater. “Now I have time to play and I’m thrilled. I play with my band every day on the show but there’s nothing like taking it on the road, and I love Vegas and I love that room. I’ve always had a terrific time out there. What I love most is you can do nothing or you can do tons of things. There are so many choices.”

Here’s the rest of my conversation with the New Orleans born pianist, singer, bandleader and more:

You’re getting your own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. Congrats! It’s incredible. I’m just blown away, because that’s something I’ve never really thought about. It’s an incredibly pleasant surprise.

You’re being inducted with some great company: Snoop Dogg, Weird Al, Jack Black, Jennifer Lawrence, Richard Branson, and Erick McCormack, your co-star from “Will & Grace.” That I didn’t know. That’s terrific.

What was it like to reprise your role as Leo in the “Will & Grace” reboot? It was so fun even though I only did one episode. The cool thing was that it was almost like time stopped—the set looks he same, the cast looks the same, many of the writers are back. It’s an experience I’ve never had before in show business. To be part of a monumental hit like that one time is unusual, to have the experience twice was novel and I was thrilled to be invited back.

You’ve got a year of doing your daytime talk show under your belt. How has it evolved? We learned a lot the first year. It was a time for us to find out exactly what we are trying to say and how to say it, and we tried a lot of different things and had a great time doing it. We kinda figured it out and were raring to go for the second year whether we got picked up or not, and we were fortunate to get five Emmy nominations and got picked up [for another season], so I’m just thrilled. I feel like we know the show and everyone is having a great time.

And you’re planning on having a great time in Vegas? Me? For sure. The restaurants out there, the shows, plus it’s a great family town … there are so many diverse things to do. If you want to you can just chill out by the pool, or you can see some amazing performers. I love it out there.

You’re staying busy with TV but are you planning to get back in the studio to create a new album any time soon? I have some ideas floating around in my head. At some point in the near future I’ll be making a record, and I’m also looking at scripts for film and Broadway. I just have to decide what the next thing is going to be and keep sorting through them. But it won’t be long before we’re back in the studio.

Harry Connick Jr. performs at Wynn’s Encore Theater at 8 p.m. November 17 and 18 and December 1 and 2. For information, visit wynnlasvegas.com.

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