The Halves of the Staff touched down in Vegas late Thursday afternoon, then, after dining on pho noodles at Little Saigon, we skittered partway across the desert to stay at Whiskey Pete's near the Nevada/California border ($15 per nite, $16.80 with tax). Our eventual goal: Van Nuys, CA, and the Airtel Plaza Hotel-- our base for two days while we performed at the Laugh Pack comedy clubs in Hollywood (Friday) and Van Nuys (Saturday).

That's The Male Half, Jimmy Pardo and empresario Bruce Fine, desperately trying to recreate the Rat Pack pic.

Comedian Bruce Fine is determined to plant "A little bit of Vegas right here in Hollywood" via his Laugh Pack concept-- ample parking, no drink minimum, all-star lineup, etc. The Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill (also the site of the Maria Bamford/Melinda Hill-hosted What's Up Tiger Lilly showcase on Mondays) may not be the ideal venue for Fine's scheme. Too much competition from other venues on a Friday night in the heart of H-wood, perhaps? (So far, the Hollywood location has only been once a month. There is some talk of experimenting with a different venue for the Friday. That's unofficial.)

Friday's show featured Both Halves of the Staff along with Jamal Doman and Brian Scolaro with guest sets from Randy Kagan and Stu Kamens.

That's Darren Carter on the left, with Vinnie Coppola (who dropped by to take in the show)

No matter what the status of the show on Sunset Blvd., the Van Nuys venue is chugging right along. Last night's edition featured Both Halves of the Staff with Jimmy Pardo, Darren Carter and a guest set from Toogie Jackson.

From left: The Male Half, Bruce Fine, Darren Carter

All shows are hosted by Fine. The atmosphere is upbeat, the "joint" is "classy" (to use the Rat Pack-ian vernacular). The audience is treated to a vocalist who kicks off the show with three or four tunes and the comedians ride a wave of old school, Vegas-tinged good will.

That's Toogie Jackson on the left with the Female Half of the Staff

They even name a drink after each comic. Among the cocktails were Brian McKim "Nice And Dry" Martini and the Traci Skene "Blog-Her!"