Karu F. Daniels | New York Daily News
A California casino is criticizing comedian George Lopez for walking off stage during a sold-out show allegedly because of hecklers.
Eagle Mountain Casino, located in the central California city of Porterville, took to social media Friday to call out the veteran funnyman for disappointing his paying fans.
“Tonight George Lopez let down his fans and sold out audience by walking out and ending his show 30 minutes early. George hired his own private security that could have easily escorted any hecklers out,” the casino wrote on Facebook.
Noting that Lopez previously re-scheduled the show in April due to a medical emergency, the venue said pre-performance protocols were in motion for his security to take action if necessary.
Reps for the 63-year-old TV trailblazer shot back that “it’s the venue or casino’s job to provide a good experience for both the artist and the fans, but the casino failed in this regard. The audience was overserved and unruly, and the casino staff was unable to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the artist and guests.”
“George’s personal security team worked with the venue security staff to maintain order, ensure safety, and eject disruptive individuals,” they told TMZ. “Unfortunately, the casino security team was not adequate to accomplish this task. George is not obligated to perform in an unsafe environment. He feels badly that those who came to see the show were unable to do so as a result.”
In a lengthy statement issued Sunday night, Eagle Mountain Casino’s marketing director Joey Perez cited surveillance footage and dismissed the claims: “Under the casino’s discretion no guests were unruly or providing an unsafe environment.”
Issuing a public apology “for the recent experience during the George Lopez show,” the venue offered all attendees a full refund and free tickets to any 2024 show.
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