Las Vegas Weekly

October 26, 2009 · 1:22 PM

Vinny Blue and Vinny Red compete for job at New York, New York

By Robin Leach

Vinny Red and Vinny Blue ( Jon Paul Raniola and Tom Cassell, respectively) in front of New York, New York.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

They’re both irreverent. They’re both uniquely fun. They’re both called Vinny. But in the end, the public will decide if Vinny Red beats out Vinny Blue to become the official spokesman of New York, New York on the Strip.

As we reported in Strip Scribbles last Tuesday -- click HERE for that post -- Vinny Red Jon Paul Raniola and Vinny Blue Tom Cassell, the two final candidates to become the ultimate go-to guy for guests, were introduced to fans at a hot dog-eating contest and firefighting fundraiser. It was all part of a challenge continuing through Nov. 12 to see who does the New York walk and talk better.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Vinny Red (Jon Paul Raniola) takes on Vinny Blue (Tom Cassell) for the title of Vinny the Man at New York, New York.

The contest continues tonight at ESPN Zone, when the two Vinnies compete in a videogame arcade contest followed by a wing-eating contest. The challenge wraps with a sports trivia contest. You can vote for your favorite Vinny on New York-New York’s Web site or on the Vinny vs. Vinny Facebook page.

They will meet again on Friday for a Nine Fine Irishmen challenge when take part in a drinking song competition, an Irish jig contest and an improv comedy standup battle. On Nov. 6, there will be a casino challenge with a “rascal” race at the resort’s center bar and a steak challenge at Gallagher’s N.Y. Steak House.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Vinny Blue, real name Tom Cassell, competes in a hot dog-eating contest at New York, New York.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Vinny Red, real name Jon Paul Raniola, competes in a hot dog-eating contest at New York, New York.

On Nov. 12, one Vinny will leave the contest defeated, and the other will start to walk the swagger of a spokesman in advertisements as the resort’s new spokesman.

Click HERE for our Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ column covering the two Vinnies, and his revelation that they both acted in The Sopranos’ Last Supper at the Tropicana.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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