Rickles Still Crackles

It had been 42 years since I last saw Don Rickles.

You heard me right: forty-two years!

That was at The Sands in Las Vegas where I managed to convince the keepers of the gate that I was actually old enough to be in a casino let alone at a Don Rickles performance.

Well, The Sands is gone now and it's been decades since anyone has carded me.

Still, when Rickles' show began last night at The Borgata's Music Box in Atlantic City I almost expected Mr. Warmth to glare into the audience, settle his gaze on me and bellow: "What the hell took you so long. If I relied on guys like you I'd be on the bread line by now!"

But I wasn't that close to the stage and, at 82, Rickles' vision and memory are not that sharp.

I wish I could tell you that Don Rickles is as good in 2009 as he was in 1967. But I can't.

Because Rickles is actually better today that he was then.

Time has been kind to Rickles' brand of humor. Though his rapid-fire insult fest was still controversial when I first saw him, today he's almost lovable - almost. And Rckles himself is the first to admit this. "In the beginning, there was a lot of rejection," Rickles says. "Somehow, even being politically incorrect, it somehow caught on."

Rickles appeared last night with a full 18-piece orchestra, a Sinatra sound-alike named Michael Martocci as an opener and all the bells and whistles that only The Borgata can summon in what is a jewel of a theatre just off the casino floor.

But it was Rickles and his lines, his wit, his jabs and his timing that held sway. And all of that was not only intact but fresh and plentiful as well. The lines come so fast that you almost have to see the show twice. On top of all that Rickles even sings a few songs ("I'm A Nice Guy" and "I Am What I Am" among others) and does an admirable octogenarian soft shoe.

And yes, be forewarned: If you are sitting in the first five or six rows you are fair game. But there's sentiment in the show too and all's well that ends well.

Now, here's the best part: These days Rickles is actually attracting audience members who are closer to my age 42 years ago then they are to my age now. In fact, I went to see the show at the behest of Adam Cirucci who's a Big Time Don Rickles Fan. Twentysomethings like Don Rickles.

It's great to see a legendary entertainer endure - to watch him grow and adapt and still delight in his talent and his craft. Rickles' love of comedy and show business is palpable; it's contagious.

Really great live entertainers are rare.

Don Rickles is in the pantheon and he and his legion of followers are enjoying every moment of it. Good for them - and us!