Neon Nights and Open Mic Frights: The Vegas Comedy Scene
The year is nineteen seventy-two. Elvis is king. Glitter and sequins dominate the stage. And amidst the predictable glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, a young, unconventional comedian is diligently honing his craft, armed with a banjo, an arrow through the head, and a uniquely absurdist sensibility. That comedian was Steve Martin, and his time in Vegas was a pivotal, though often overlooked, chapter in the making of a comedic icon.
Before he became the household name synonymous with film classics like *The Jerk*, *Planes, Trains and Automobiles*, and *Father of the Bride*, before he authored acclaimed novels and graced Broadway stages, Steve Martin was a stand-up comedian relentlessly working the Vegas circuit. While many associate him with Hollywood glitz or his more recent sophisticated persona, Las Vegas played a crucial role in shaping Steve Martin’s comedic genius, providing him with the testing ground and platform to develop his unique brand of absurdist humor. This article explores those formative years, examining the Vegas environment, his comedic evolution, and the lasting impact of that era on his career and the world of comedy.
Neon Nights and Open Mic Frights: The Vegas Comedy Scene
Las Vegas in the late nineteen sixties and early nineteen seventies was a world unto itself. Dominated by established headliners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Junior, the city offered a seemingly endless stream of classic, polished performances. The entertainment landscape catered to a specific, often older, demographic seeking familiar comforts and predictable routines. Securing stage time in this environment presented unique challenges for any aspiring performer, especially one like Steve Martin, whose comedic vision veered sharply from the established norm.
Many comedians worked as opening acts for singers or larger stage shows, playing to audiences who were primarily there for the main event. They often performed in hotel lounges, smaller showrooms, or even during afternoon matinees. These smaller venues offered valuable opportunities to practice and refine their material, but the audiences could be tough. They wanted polished jokes, easy laughs, and predictable punchlines – something Steve Martin, especially later in his career, decidedly was *not* offering.
Steve Martin played at various Vegas spots in the early stages, grinding it out to try to make it. These included smaller comedy clubs, the backs of bars, and the occasional opening slot. He learned about the importance of timing, connecting with an audience, and reading a room. However, his material was not yet the style that led to him being the big name he is today. Early on, much of his material fell into the category of observational humor and some one-liner style jokes, many of which did not land well with audiences.
From Conventional to Crazy: The Birth of Absurdism
The turning point in Steve Martin’s career, and in his relationship with Vegas, came with the conscious decision to abandon conventional stand-up comedy altogether. He realized that trying to be just another joke-teller in a sea of joke-tellers was not going to work. He needed to be different. He needed to be *weird*. And so, he embraced the absurd.
This shift was not a sudden transformation but rather a gradual evolution that took shape over time, influenced by his experiences, his artistic sensibilities, and his growing understanding of what resonated with *him*, even if it initially perplexed audiences. This is when Steve Martin’s time in Vegas started to pay dividends. He was learning what connected, and what did not. This led to the Steve Martin we know today, who embraced comedy, not for laughs, but to explore the absurdity of what we perceive life to be.
He began incorporating elements that were utterly unexpected: banjo interludes, prop comedy taken to illogical extremes (who can forget the arrow through the head?), and a deliberate subversion of comedic expectations. He would start jokes without punchlines, deliver rambling monologues that led nowhere, and engage in bizarre physical antics. He was essentially deconstructing the very idea of stand-up comedy, and in doing so, he created something entirely new.
Central to Martin’s act was his banjo playing. He wasn’t just adding music; he was using it to punctuate jokes, create awkward pauses, and generally disrupt the flow of the performance. It became an integral part of his comedic persona, a symbol of his playful defiance of expectations. The incorporation of props, like the aforementioned arrow, served a similar purpose. These weren’t just sight gags; they were visual representations of the absurdity he was trying to convey.
Most importantly, he embraced what is now called meta-humor, or anti-humor. He joked about his own jokes, pointing out when things did not land or did not make sense. This approach was radically different from anything else on the Vegas stage at the time. Steve Martin recognized the importance of trying new things and experimenting with how to deliver his comedy. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not. Steve Martin’s time in Vegas gave him time to experiment and test out his style of comedy.
Vegas: A Laboratory for Laughter (or Confusion)
Las Vegas, with its demanding audiences and constant pressure to entertain, became Steve Martin’s comedic laboratory. The city provided a unique environment where he could test his unconventional material, gauge audience reactions, and refine his act night after night. While the initial responses were often mixed, sometimes bordering on bewilderment, he persevered, gradually building a following of those who appreciated his quirky, intellectual, and often self-deprecating humor.
The feedback he received, whether positive or negative, was invaluable. He learned what resonated, what fell flat, and how to adjust his performance to maximize the comedic impact. The Vegas audiences, accustomed to more traditional forms of entertainment, inadvertently pushed him to become even more innovative and daring in his approach. If a joke bombed, he didn’t abandon the concept entirely; he analyzed why it failed and tinkered with it until it worked, or until he realized it was truly unsalvageable.
By performing in different venues, he learned the different ways to connect with different people. Some of the venues in Vegas drew in tourists from around the world who were open to seeing new styles of entertainment and other venues drew in life-long Vegas residents who did not like change or experimentation. In Vegas, Steve Martin had the opportunity to try his act on a wide range of individuals.
From Vegas Stages to National Stages
Steve Martin’s Vegas experience was instrumental in his eventual national breakthrough. The skills he honed, the confidence he gained, and the unique comedic persona he developed in the city’s clubs and showrooms laid the foundation for his success on television, in film, and beyond. He took the lessons he learned and applied them to bigger stages.
His appearances on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*, a career-making platform for aspiring comedians, were a direct result of his growing recognition on the Vegas circuit. Carson, a legendary figure in comedy, recognized Martin’s talent and gave him the opportunity to showcase his unique brand of humor to a national audience. Those appearances catapulted Steve Martin to stardom, transforming him from a Vegas performer into a national comedic sensation. In fact, Johnny Carson was quoted as saying, “He was the most exciting new comedian I had seen in years.”
The Lasting Laughter: Steve Martin’s Enduring Legacy
Steve Martin’s influence on comedy is undeniable. His willingness to challenge conventions, embrace the absurd, and experiment with different comedic forms paved the way for countless comedians who followed in his footsteps. He inspired a generation to think outside the box and to find humor in the unexpected. Think of modern shows that include absurdist humor like *I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson*. Without Steve Martin, perhaps shows like these would not have been created.
His impact extends beyond the realm of stand-up comedy. His films, novels, and plays are all infused with the same quirky sensibility and intellectual wit that characterized his early Vegas performances. He has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged expectations, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Even today, Steve Martin’s work continues to resonate with audiences. His comedy is timeless because it speaks to the human condition in a unique and insightful way. He reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to find humor in the everyday absurdities of life. His current partnership with Martin Short highlights his timeless style.
A Vegas Visionary
Steve Martin’s Vegas story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of artistic experimentation, and the transformative potential of a unique comedic vision. The bright lights of Vegas may seem a world away from his current sophisticated persona, but his early years in the city laid the foundation for his unparalleled career, proving that even a “wild and crazy guy” can become a legend, and that Las Vegas can be a breeding ground for comedic innovation. It was in Vegas that Steve Martin truly discovered his voice, and it is in that voice that his comedy continues to make a difference in the entertainment world today.
