Dan Gross: Chef Martorano to spice up 'Kimmel'

SOUTH PHILLY native chef

Steve Martorano

, not to be confused with the former 610-WIP host, will cook meatballs, braciole and more Italian specialties on Wednesday night's "

Jimmy Kimmel Live

" on ABC. Martorano owns and operates Cafe Martorano locations in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Scarfo doc premieres Friday

That Biography Channel "Mobsters" special about 1980s Philly mob boss Nicky Scarfo premieres at 9 p.m. Friday.

We told you last month that Scarfo, now 79 and a guest of the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, did not cooperate for the special, but that retired Police Capt. Frank Friel, retired FBI agents Michael Leyden and James Darcy, retired federal prosecutor Lou Pichini are among those interviewed. An unidentified mob associate is in the program as are author/historian Celeste Morello, who wrote the "Before Bruno" series about the Philly mob, and Inquirer reporter George Anastasia, who has also written books about Scarfo and the mob.

Wing Bowl tix on sale

They're sure to sell out fast, but tickets are on sale at 9 this morning for Wing Bowl 17, taking place at 6 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Wachovia Center. 610-WIP's annual celebration of gluttony and strippers this year features only local amateur eaters. Tix are $7.50 and available at ComcastTIX.com, 800-298-4200 or at the Wachovia Complex box office.

Speaking of strippers . . .

It's still 2008, but Keira Riley has already been named Miss Nude World 2009. She'll perform Wednesday through Saturday at Center City's World Famous Gold Club (1415 Chancellor), which will also be open at 9 a.m. New Year's Day just a few drunkenly stumbled steps away from the Mummers Parade route.

Out and about

* Eagles punter Sav Rocca and

wife, Rose, having caprese salad and a New York strip steak at Davio's (111 S. 17th) a couple nights back.

* Singer Bobby Rydell and

former WOGL host Don Cannon were part of a large party dining at Ralph's (760 S. 9th) the other day, washing down veal dishes and calamari with Grey Goose and a few bottles of red.

Want Uncle Charlie's autograph?

Phils skipper Charlie Manuel signs team gear and more from 6 to 8 tonight at Forman Mills (2500 Grant) in the Northeast.

Movie mentions

Character Driven Productions is now selling director Shawn Swords' documentary "The Wages of Spin," about the Philadelphia music scene between 1952 and 1963 and about "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark's pay-for-play activities from which he emerged unscathed.

The film features interviews with Chubby Checker, Connie Francis, Fabian, Jerry Blavat, Frankie Avalon, Len Barry, Charlie Gracie, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Danny and The Juniors, The Dovells, Stephen Caldwell and more industry folks from that era.

For info, or to order, visit CharacterDrivenFilms.com.

* Lower Merion High graduate

Dave Herman will hold a Q&A session after a screening of his 9/11 conspiracy thriller "Able Danger," at 7:30 Wednesday night at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (824 W. Lancaster). Herman directed the film under the alias Paul Krik. It has screened at the Cannes and Philadelphia film festivals and the Brooklyn Film Festival, where it won an award. You can watch the trailer at abledangerthemovie.com.

Tix are $9.50, or $6.75 for seniors, $4.50 for BMFI members, and are free for students with ID.

Charitably minded

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart performs a five-show benefit for his Kevin's Kids Toy Drive and Giveaway, which will distribute toys Dec. 22 at the Marcus Foster Recreation Center (1601 W. Hunting Park) and Dec. 23 at the Myers Recreation Center (58th and Kingsessing). Shows are Friday and Saturday night at the Laff House (221 South).

Visit Laffhouse.com for info.

* There's a benefit for Mayfair's Kevin McCloskey - an Army specialist who in June lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan - being held from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Egg's Nest Sports Bar (7605 Roosevelt). Tickets are $25 and all proceeds to go McCloskey, says organizer John Lambert. For info, call 215-423-7111. *

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest stories. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963,

or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.

For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.