Talking With Shang Forbes – August 24, 2026
Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas, August 24-30
What happens when a $50 bet changes the course of your life?
For comedian Shang Forbes, it happened when a friend challenged him to perform at an open-mic comedy night. Forbes took the bet, took the stage, won the $50—and discovered a career he never saw coming.
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira talks with Shang Forbes, who brings his distinctive, avant-garde and socio-political brand of comedy to the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas, August 24–30.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Shang graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with his sights originally set on becoming an illustrator. But that fateful open mic sent him in an entirely different direction. Rather than simply trying to be “funny,” Shang set out to develop his own voice, embracing comedy that pushes boundaries while resisting being pigeonholed into one particular style.
Shang talks about why he wasn't nervous during his very first stand-up performance, how he learned the craft, and why he performs under the single name “Shang.” He also shares how working as a comedy-club barker gave him an unexpected advantage: more opportunities to get onstage and hone his material.
His approach is anything but conventional. Shang describes his natural stand-up style as “pushing the envelope,” while also maintaining a family-friendly set. He explains why he doesn't want to be narrowly defined as simply a “funny” comedian, but instead wants to be “broad funny.”
We also discuss his move from New York to Los Angeles, his use of television acting appearances to introduce audiences to his personality and drive them toward his live comedy, meeting legendary comedian George Carlin, and the thought process behind creating his material.
And when it comes to politics, Shang doesn't pick a side—he takes aim at both. His comedy gives Democrats and Republicans equal time, while he explains why a simple smile can help make edgy material more accessible.
We also get into one of the great challenges of stand-up comedy: hecklers. Why does Shang rarely get heckled?
It's a fascinating conversation about comedy, creativity, performance, risk-taking and finding your own voice.
ABOUT SHANG:
Shang, a transplanted New Yorker whose carefully nurtured evolution from stand-up comedy to socio-political satire gives heavy flight to the spoken and outspoken word. The 2011 Famecast Comedy Winner, Shang has been seen on CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” 2X BET's “Comic View,” Grand Stand Winner HBO's “Def Jam & Def Poetry,” “Gotham LIVE, etc. Shang also has guest starred on NBC’S “Heroes,” CBS’ “CSI” & “NCIS.”
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