Frank Caliendo

Caliendo's fast-paced show leaves a lasting impression

By Kristine McKenzie 

If you sit back, close your eyes and listen to Frank Caliendo’s show at the Monte Carlo, you might think that John Madden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are actually in the room with you. Caliendo’s impressions of celebrities are that dead-on, from their voices to their facial expressions.

The comedian/impressionist has a repertoire of more than 120 different characters that he impersonates and he brings many of them out in rapid-fire succession during his fast-paced live performance.

Most people know Caliendo from his work on Fox’s “MADtv” where he became famous for his impressions of Bush and Madden.

His success earned him his own gig on TBS called “Frank TV,” which ran in 2007 and 2008. He both hosted the show and performed in comedic sketches as some of the characters he impersonates. Caliendo is also a regular on “FOX NFL Sunday.”

The Monte Carlo signed Caliendo to a 10-year contract this year and he now shares a showroom with Lance Burton four days a week, bringing his live show to fans.

Caliendo’s show begins with a band that performs favorite TV show theme songs to warm up the audience. There is also a quick opening act by a stand-up comedian before Caliendo takes the stage.

His impressions run the gamut from political figures like Clinton, Bush and Dick Cheney to sports stars like Charles Barkley and Mike Tyson and actors including Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.

Caliendo’s show isn’t all about the impressions though. His live band also throws in a few songs and he mixes in plenty of funny comments on the people he is impersonating to keep the audience laughing.

“Jay Leno’s the only guy on earth that could have a bobblehead made of him that would bobble less than his actual head,” jokes Caliendo as he then flawlessly imitates Leno’s voice and mannerisms.

Caliendo remarks about Clinton’s amazing ability to get people to believe everything he says. “Bill Clinton was so smooth it was almost sickening,” Caliendo says. “He could stand here, look you right in the eye and say ‘I am not here. You do not see me. I don’t know what it is you’re looking at, but it’s not me.’”

The audience favorite and Caliendo’s most famous impression has to be NFL commentator John Madden and Caliendo entertains the audience with jokes about things like Madden’s love for quarterback Brett Favre and the sometimes nonsensical comments that he has made during live football broadcasts.

Madden once said about quarterback Troy Aikman, “Here’s a guy who when he puts his contacts in, he can see better,” Caliendo says in Madden's voice.

Although his impression are mainly of real people, Caliendo mixes in some cartoon voices as well including Scooby Doo, a song from Kermit the Frog and Cartman from South Park.

At one point in the show, Caliendo pulls out a trunk filled with wigs and props that further enhance the effect of his uncanny takes on people like Donald Trump and Dr. Phil.

Caliendo wraps it all up at the end with a song in which he uses dozens of voices, switching from one to another instantly with each verse. 

If you like what you’ve seen of him on TV you won't want to miss seeing Caliendo live in Las Vegas.