The Don Marrandino roast: Beware of Vinnie and ‘The Silent Assassin’

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabik.com

Marie Osmond and Don Marrandino.

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Donny & Marie

Don Marrandino is wary of Vinnie Favorito, for good reason. Favorito is one of the comedy world’s master roasters. He’s the Kenny Rogers of comics. Favorito has performed at so many roasts, he might roast you even if you’re not the actual roastee. During a Friars Club roast of Magic Johnson in June 2008, Favorito turned to Lakers owner Jerry Buss, seated one chair down from Johnson on the dais, and said, “Jerry Buss, nice to see you! I’m glad we cleared that up, I thought you were Rip Taylor!”

So when Marrandino is roasted tonight at the Flamingo’s Sunset Ballroom in an invitation-only celebration of Marrandino’s birthday, he’ll know Favorito is going to empty the chamber. Or at least tell a bunch of off-color Italian jokes.

“Italians can be really hard on other Italians,” Marrandino, president of the east-Strip Harrah’s hotels Flamingo, Imperial Palace and O’Shea’s, said today in a phone conversation. “Vinnie is the great roaster. But the thing that works in my favor is I’m Vinnie’s boss. I can end that contract, any second.” Favorito hurls the insults at Flamingo’s Bugsy’s Cabaret.

Marrandino, one of the city’s more carefree resort executives, turns an age on Monday. That’s the reason for the event, to celebrate this milestone. But Marrandino is not eager to specify which age he’s turning. Hint: He’s not 40. Another hint: He’s not 60. Yet one more hint: It’s a benchmark age significant enough to stage a Dean Martin-style roast featuring a good number of Strip entertainers, Harrah’s execs and even a Vegas media rep (Channel 3’s Alicia Jacobs). Monti Rock III will be there, and if it is a birthday party and the Mont-ster is involved, “it’s usually something unusual,” as Bill Murray put it in “Stripes.”

Marrandino says he’s not sure precisely what will unfold, though many Harrah’s Entertainment celebs are among those expected to take part. George Wallace, Nathan Burton and Donny & Marie -- all of the Flamingo -- are on the list of performers. Video clips from Toby Keith and Sammy Hagar are on the agenda; both are friends of Marrandino (Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill is doing recession-resisting business at Harrah’s). The performer Marrandino is most concerned about is the guy he calls "The Silent Assassin.” “Donny Osmond has me worried,” Marrandino said. “I’ve gotten to know him since they’ve been here. He can surprise you.”

If he tells the crowd to tip the waitresses, enjoy the veal and “put your hands together for Jimmie 'J.J.' Walker,” it would be a singular moment in Vegas entertainment history.

Kats Report

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