The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

Las Vegas wasn’t just a stop on Johnny Carson’s itinerary — it was his second home.

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, co-author (with David Ritz) of "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend," for a fascinating deep dive into Carson’s unique and lasting bond with Las Vegas.

Drawing from hundreds of interviews and years of research, Mark reveals previously un-known stories about Carson’s life and career, including who persuaded Johnny to first perform in Las Vegas and why his debut at the Sahara was an instant sensation. Mark also explores how Carson’s relaxed, playful stage persona in Las Vegas differed from the carefully calibrated host audiences saw nightly on The Tonight Show.

The conversation uncovers Carson’s legendary friendship with Don Rickles, his love of discovering and championing new talent on Vegas stages, and the curiosity that fueled his creative life.

Mark also shares how he teamed up with famed biographer David Ritz to bring this definitive portrait of Carson to life — and offers new details about Johnny’s earliest shows originating from New York.

For fans of classic Vegas, television history, and the entertainers who helped shape the city’s golden era, this episode offers a rare and intimate look at Johnny Carson away from the desk — and under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
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Talking With Alex Cuba – January 12, 2026

Photo by Uriel Moreno

Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Juno Award–winning Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba brings his signature blend of Latin soul, pop, jazz, and heartfelt storytelling to Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 16 at 7 p.m., and he joins Ira for a revealing conversation on this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira.”

Born in Cuba and shaped in Canada, Alex opens up about what it means to carry Latin culture inside you, even when you live far from a traditional Latin music hub. He shares how moving to Canada gave him the creative freedom to become the artist he is today — and why he chose the challenging but rewarding path of remaining fiercely independent.

n this wide-ranging conversation, Alex reflects on everything from wanting to be a doctor as a child, to the life-changing moment at 14 when he saw someone play electric bass and realized music was his destiny. He talks about building his own studio, becoming his own producer, creating music for Latin ears around the world, and developing his own record label to support both his own work and other artists.

Alex also reveals how melodies come to him — not through force, but through openness — describing himself as a “vessel” for music, guided by instinct, emotion, and story. Singing in both Spanish and English, Alex brings his full musical identity to the stage, and his Myron’s performance (he’ll be speaking English), making this a perfect introduc-tion for new fans.
It’s an intimate, inspiring look at an artist who followed his own path — and found a global audience along the way.
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Talking With Syndee Winters – January 5, 2026

Ira sits down with powerhouse vocalist and performer Syndee Winters, currently starring in “Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne: The Makings of a Lady” in Myron’s at The Smith Center on January 10.
Syndee shares her unique and deeply personal journey—from growing up in Queens as a first-generation American with Chinese-Jamaican roots, to discovering jazz through reg-gae, thanks to an uncle with a record label in Jamaica. With a background that spans musical theater, dance, and Broadway (including making a dream come true in “The Lion King”), Syndee’s artistry defies easy labels.
In this conversation, she opens up about being compared to Sarah Vaughan, finding Lena Horne through “The Wiz,” and why she doesn’t try to imitate Lena’s voice—but instead captures her spirit, strength, and elegance. Inspired by a suggestion from friend and Broadway star Chester Gregory, Syndee created a Broadway-style jazz concert in which she portrays nine different artists, all filtered through her own creative lens.
The episode is also a powerful reflection on believing in yourself, honoring mentors, showing up “properly,” and the importance of family—especially her parents who still physically show up for almost every performance. Syndee also explains why she’ll never “age out” of her Lena Horne tribute and how the jazz community welcomed her with open arms.
This is more than a show—it’s a celebration of legacy, identity, and artistry, told by an artist who knows exactly who she is.
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Talking With Ron Futrell – December 22, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Ron Futrell, 8NewsNow sports anchor and reporter, for a wide-ranging, no-spin conversation about one of the biggest years in Las Vegas sports history.
From Major League Baseball officially coming to Las Vegas, Ron breaks down why locals were skeptical, what went wrong in Oakland under owner John Fisher, and why Vegas operates with a very different mindset: “Let’s make things happen.”
They dive into the Formula 1 race, the Raiders’ on-field struggles, UFC turning Allegiant Stadium into a boxing venue, and how the new baseball stadium could double as a game-changer for concerts that don’t quite fit Allegiant’s scale. Ron also tackles a topic locals feel deeply — Strip fees that drive residents away, and why places like South Point continue to thrive with free parking and reasonable prices.
The conversation widens to the big picture:
Are we getting too corporate in sports?
Will Las Vegas host another Super Bowl?
Is an NBA team inevitable?
Ron also highlights sports figures who made a real impact this year, including A’ja Wil-son, and reflects on gaming legend Bill Paulos’ lasting contributions to UNLV. Plus, he shares details on his new weekly show with George Knapp, “Mystery Wire,” now streaming via the 8 News Now app.
If you want to understand where Las Vegas sports have been — and where they’re headed next — this episode is a must-listen.
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