Brad Garrett rolls toward L.V. with sitcom pilot

By John Katsilometes

Brad Garrett is a part-time businessman, but playing funnyman is a full-time job.

As his club at MGM Grand’s Star Lane Shops retail corridor moves toward its March 30 opening, Garrett is in rehearsals for a sitcom pilot for ABC titled “How to Live With Your Parents for the Rest of Your Lives.”

The show stars Garrett as the stepfather of Sarah Chalke from “Scrubs,” along with Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”). Chalke plays a recently divorced mother who moves back in with her parents, played by Perkins and Garrett. Garrett’s character, named Max, is a cancer survivor.

Garrett has been busy this week in rehearsals, and the pilot begins shooting Monday. He also is cast in the upcoming Steve Carell-Jim Carrey film, “Burt Wonderstone,” in which Carell and Carey play rival Las Vegas magicians. Garrett has a small role, as Carell’s accountant. Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde and James Gandolfini also are cast in the film, which is helmed by “30 Rock” director Don Scardino.

Garrett returns to Las Vegas to headline the March 30 opening night at MGM Grand, joining Ralph Harris, Michael Somerville and Geechy Guy for dates through April 1 (Guy has just moved his “Dirty Jokes Show” from Hooters to the Plaza). Garrett remains as part of the lineup April 2-4, joined by Butch Bradley and Drew Thomas.

As was the case at Tropicana, Garrett’s club is expected to attract more robust business when Garrett is onstage than when he’s not. Ticket prices account for his presence: Rates at MGM Grand are set at $86.90 and $64.90 when Garrett is on the bill; $64.90, $53.90 and $42.90 when he is not. Garrett’s club was either sold out or nearly so when he appeared at the Trop, where he ended his residency in December.

Meanwhile, the Laugh Factory announced today that it is taking over operation of the mezzanine-level space at the Trop that was formerly home to the original Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club. In a news release, plans call for a multi-venue comedy showcase at the Trop, with a regular rotation of stand-ups appearing at the club and a series of shows for the Tropicana Theater.

A series of comedy specials titled “Laugh Factory’s Supreme Court of Comedy” are to air on DirectTV. Plans also are for the Laugh Factory and Tropicana to produce a Comedy Walk of Fame, a Comedy Wall of Fame and a Stand-Up Comedy Interactive Museum.

No dates or locations for these comedy attractions have been specified, but it is clear there is a lot of comedy unfolding at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue beginning this spring.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWithTheDish.