The SnakeBabe hosts Comedy Central’s “Friday Night Stand-Ups” on February 20th
by Anonymous
February 14, 2004--Last weeks host was Ray Romano, prior to Ray the list goes on like a “Who’s Who” in comedy but never before has Comedy Central had a woman as glamorous and dangerous as America’s sexiest magician, The SnakeBabe!
She cut a naked woman in half on Jerry Springer. Her “Drop Dead Gorgeous “ beauty stole the show on David Letterman. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not called her a “Sexy Seductress”. To Tell The Truth asked, “Will the real SnakeBabe please stand up?”
Maria Gara is The SnakeBabe, a Las Vegas entertainer whose sexy yet comical style of magic has put her on television over and over again. Along with her long-haired juggling side-kick and husband, Steven Lee August, Maria introduces each comedian with an almost forgotten kind of magic. Not the standard Las Vegas glitz and glamour illusions A’la David Copperfield but the distinctive magic in a loving relationship between husband and wife.
If you are my age your first thoughts will be reminiscent of the one of a kind rapport between Sonny & Cher for their famous 70’s television series. Maria and Steve recapture that sometimes naughty and sometimes nice feeling with a comedic magical twist. That magic becomes larger than life when it features Maria’s unbelievable collection of Snakes!
“Maria is so much more than just a pretty face,” reveals her comical co-star and husband Steve August, who, with hair that reaches past his knees, performed dangerous fire stunts on “David Letterman” with Maria. “What many of Maria’s fans do not know is that she operates a rescue for unwanted reptiles.
“There are hundreds and hundreds of groups like PETA for furry and fluffy animals” Insists Gara ”But in comparison only a few places for reptiles. This is awful, snakes feel pain just like any other animal does”
She goes on “I adopt these sick, dying reptiles and try to nurse them back to health. Many times I have been successful but too often by the time they reach my facility, the animal has been ignored for a very long time. Poor things are too far gone to do anything but make comfortable until their passing or sometimes just put to sleep if it is beyond hope”. This is a very sad dilemma that Maria and Steve face willingly every day because of their love for animals. But why snakes? Maria replies, “I just have an unusual soft spot for reptiles and I am allergic to fur!”
So each day our magical duo awakens to care for a barn full of snakes, lizards, tarantulas and other exotics that were once someone’s pets. Many belonged to pet shops, breeders and even other performers who, for reasons she refuses to divulge, no longer want them. The financial responsibility is tremendous. Adding the income from all their television shows does not come close to cover the expense of caring for these reptilian orphans. Maria is the sole source of funding. Her magic shows and sale of her erotic Internet photos pays the balance of the care of over 60 animals. As long as she can afford it Maria has a “no questions asked” policy when it comes to accepting animals. Her only desire is to take them from a neglectful situation and place them in loving homes.
Maria also provides her pets for television shows such as Penn & Teller’s Showtime specials. If you want to see some of her success stories watch “Family Business” on Showtime this February. Look for the healthy snake that magically appears in a man's pants. It was given to Maria covered from head to tail in mites and ticks. Each rescued reptile has its own history. Eight-inch burns are long gone form the boa constrictor she held on “America’s Most Wanted” and “Animal Planet”, only tiny scars remain on the python she posed with on “Blind Date”. These happy endings go on and on.
Television and the stages of Las Vegas aren’t the only places to see these animals. Aside from her websites (currently receiving 30-50 thousand hits a month) Maria takes her menagerie to schools teaching the proper care of reptiles. “Kids see shows on TV that demonstrate irresponsible snake handling along with awful husbandry. It makes them think snakes are easy to care for but when they get them home and get bit a few times they no longer want them”.
The SnakeBabe leaves my interview with this “Maybe one day I will get that multi-million dollar show deal but until then I’m only one girl and I can only do so much. I would just like to say to anyone reading please think before you get a reptile. A pet is a long-term commitment and responsibility. Don’t get one unless you’re dedicated to go the distance.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Contact:
Bruce Merrin Public Relations
Las Vegas (702) 367-033l
merrinpr@aol.com
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