Flexibility a factor in Rudner move

It fits the recent drift of the town that news of comedian Rita Rudner moving over to The Venetian was soon followed by ... drum roll please ... news of comedian Tim Allen moving over to The Venetian.

But sharing the Showroom at The Venetian with Allen and other stand-ups is no problem for Rudner, the rare performer willing to step back from the madness.

"We want to do less shows," says Rudner's manager-husband Martin Bergman. "We've had enough. It's 10 years (on the Strip) and we're getting old," he adds with a laugh.

"I looked at what I had done to my wife over the years. There was one year at New York-New York where she did 385 shows. I don't want to break her."

On Saturday, Rudner launches a residency that might be six months or might be 18 months, Bergman says. "At some point we want to move full time back to our house in California."

Allen tested his drawing power last year at The Mirage and now is up for 10 weekends at The Venetian starting Feb. 5, with scattered dates through November.

David Spade and Joan Rivers remain in the mix for the 742-seat theater that has an ideal layout for stand-up. On Saturdays, you're likely to see Rudner performing at 6 p.m., followed by one of the other comics.

"The flexibility was the thing that most appealed to me," Bergman says of picking the days and times that make the most sense. "It's pointless to do six shows if there isn't the business for six shows. I'd rather do three well-sold shows," he says.

Rudner's show was one of the early innovators of upgraded "VIP" tickets that include a meet-and-greet and other perks. The latest is a free ring, which may be a first in Las Vegas ticketing. "It's not like Rita doesn't talk about dresses and jewelry," Bergman says.

There also is a locals offer for $22 tickets, which allows advance purchase and has no box-office fee. ...

It's turning out to be the season for veteran comics still going strong: Gilbert Gottfried, who has the best Disney-to-filth range since Buddy Hackett, works the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton Wednesday through Jan. 23, and Jan. 26-30. And Tom Arnold works The Orleans Feb. 19-20. ...

Magic Monday on TV: Criss Angel plays himself on Monday's episode of "Rules of Engagement" on CBS. And Murray, the magician who competed on "America's Got Talent," promises to turn up on Monday's season premiere of "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel. ...

Tickets go on sale Saturday for the next five months of Garth Brooks shows at Wynn Las Vegas. Much was made of the prices going up recently, but less said about the supply going down. Brooks is doing just one weekend per month from March through July, and he is dropping Sundays, doing two shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Twyla Tharp's "Sinatra Dance With Me" has been extended through April 2. Locals can get two tickets for $100, and everybody can buy a combo ticket packaging the show with the Sinatra restaurant in Encore for $145. ...

Crank up the Wilson Pickett song and break out the Red Bull, the midnight hour is getting popular again. Last week brought news that New Kids On The Block's Joey McIntyre will do a midnight showcase at the Palms. Now, juggling variety comedian Todd Paul is starting "The Midnite Rock 'n' Roll Comedy Show" on Feb. 16 at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.

It features Screaming at Yoko, a band made up entirely of comedians: Paul, Todd Paul, Mat Black, Rob Sherwood and Ian Stewart. Last month, Paul ended his solo show at Hooters Hotel but he remains in "The Dirty Joke Show" there. ...

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.