I put on a Billy Fellows show from a cruise ship, and for a while I couldn’t decide what kind of show I was watching. He does a whole monologue about being a “dyslexic anorexic,” sings about getting older, then starts doing impressions. When he put on sunglasses for Ray Charles, I thought, okay, that’s one way to do it. The Muppets impressions were something else. I wasn’t convinced, but I kept watching.
The band gives him a proper stage show, which makes the stranger bits even better. “Alottawatta” brings Noah’s Ark and the Titanic into a song performed on a ship. Later, “Suitcase” turns into a fight with an onstage censor who won’t let Fellows finish a line. By the end I was still trying to work out whether he was done, and he kept finding another song. That’s a pretty good way to experience a cruise show when you’re free to get up and leave the room.
On this tape
- Opening introduction and “Dyslexic Anorexic.” The introduction calls Fellows a longtime entertainer. His monologue moves through weight, a doctor’s visit and a jacket that didn’t fit.
- “Bein’ Bald.” Song and video about baldness and aging.
- “Alottawatta.” Band-backed nautical song with a Noah’s Ark / Titanic passage and an audience response.
- “As Soon As I Grow Old.” Fellows introduces this as a serious song written for his senior friends; the orchestra accompanies him.
- Ray Charles impression. Piano and vocal medley; Craig notices the sunglasses.
- Redd Foxx impression. Sanford and Son routine.
- Rod Stewart impression. “Maggie May” routine.
- Muppets impressions. Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Swedish Chef and Animal.
- “Suitcase.” Song/video interrupted by a character called Ken, who objects to Fellows’ double meanings.
- “All Those Years of Rock & Roll.” Musical number.
- “Old Dog, New Tricks.” Closing number.
The sleeve also lists “Bein’ Ugly Ain’t That Bad” and “American Love Song” with video. Their positions in the viewed performance are not established.
About the program
Billy Fellows: Old Dog, New Tricks was recorded live aboard Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. The sleeve advertises a one-hour performance with original songs, music videos and impressions of Ray Charles, Redd Foxx, Rod Stewart and the Muppets. It carries a 1999 copyright for The Topaz Collection / ASCAP; that is not an independently established retail release date. Craig watched the performance on May 28, 2026.
