Wise Guys Cooking: Restaurant Row

Larry Capeloto

Big Band singer Larry Capeloto, who crooned for 17 years with the "Ted Herman Big Band," has become a Palm Springs legend. He loves to sing and perform and is known for his charity work in the Palm Springs area. During Wise Guys hiatus, Larry's been traveling the world, from Palm Springs, Nashville to Rome with his best friend, beautiful wife Jenny, they've been inseparable. She's a great audience. She'll laugh at any of his jokes, funny or not. Larry still loves performing. Besides playing Frank DiSalvo's sidekick, ala Ed "Ed MacMahon" on Wise Guys Cooking Larry sings Monday nights during the tourist season at the Indian Wells Resort. You can also catch Larry on episodes on Amazon Prime's "Mark's Place" and on the "Mark and Tony Show" on KPSE Palm Springs. Larry's performed on more than 20 episodes of our Wise Guys Show. He's one of the reasons why "Zany Wise Guys Cook up Laugh's" on Wise Guys Cooking is so popular.

Tony DiJerlando

Anthony Dijerlando "The Godfather." Tony Dijerlando began his singing career singing "Ole Sole Mio," when he was only 3 years old in his parents basement. They recognized he had "raw" talent and encouraged him to keep the vibes going through his early grammar school, high school, and college days. His days in Viet Nam did not stop him from entertaining the troops, hoping for a shot in one of Bob Hope's visits. Flash forward, Tony's been very active in the movie and TV business. If you watch closely you can catch him in reruns of some of your favorite shows on METV. I met Tony after he "hooked" up with his "pallies" Frank DiSalvo, Michael Diangelo, Larry Capeloto and Tony Pomponio. They performed under the name "The Sons of Italy." I like to call them the "Desert Rat Pack." I asked Tony if he and Larry would like to do "Godfather" sketches on Wise Guys Cooking. Those segments have been very popular with our viewers. Tony "is a Big Man," and his heart is way bigger. His wife Robbin is always by his side. Watch for Tony in new episodes later this year. Wiseguyscooking.com

Frank DiSalvo

Frank DiSalvoIf it sounds like Frank Sinatra, walks like Mr. S, looks like "Ole Blue Eyes, then it must be Frank DiSalvo. When you're looking for one of the most sought after talents in the Desert, DiSalvo "Mr. D" is your man! He's considered the Deserts "Premier Entertainer," and has the "props" to prove it. Singing the "American Song Book" and "twanging" Country Music , Frank was the perfect fit for a TV Show son Rocco and I've been working on for years called "Wise Guys Cooking." His website says it all. FrankDiSalvo.com. We assembled a cast of Frank's "Pallies" from his days at "Frank's Place" Indian Wells like singers and funny men like Larry Capeloto, Tony Pomponio, Frank Montiforte, Tony Dijerlando, Michael Dees, Paul Elia, Johnny Morris, Denny Pezzin, and the late Morris Diamond and Pete Astorino. We added a segment from famous cooking towns in Sicily hosted by creators Eszter Vajda, and Alfred Zappala, to complete our "Zany Show." Frank, an accomplished guitar maker, and his wife, the "stunning" Addy Walker, make Wise Guys Cooking, one of the most popular TV Shows on Palm Springs TV. Watch it on NBC's KPSE Channel 20 3:30 Saturdays or catch it on WiseGuysCooking.com if you're out of the Desert area.

Tony Pomponio

Tony Pomponio is a natural. I met Tony through the "infamous" Frank DiSalvo. We contracted shows for the Starlite Bistro at LaQuinta Country Club. A beautiful venue for entertainment. When we decided to produce Wise Guys Cooking, Tony was up for any character we came with. Since Tony played the accordion and won awards as a kid in several amateur talent shows, we knew he was talented . He's the Wise Guys Band leader. He can "spin a yard" and make something simple into an hilarious monologue. Tony not only appears on 20 episodes of the Wise Guys Show here in Palm Springs but has branched out co-hosting "The Mark and Tony Show" on local Palm Springs Television Saturday mornings. He' got the spirit and the drive. He's headed for future roles on "Soprano" type TV shows. You'll know it's Tony, cause "he gets no respect!" Watch Tony on WiseGuysCooking.com during our hiatus when we resume taping later this year.

Michael Dees

Michael Dees is a rare talent. He plays Franklyn C. Stiff on Wise Guys Cooking. As president of the Chicago Funeral Parlor Assoc. Stiff's motto is to "let's put the word "Fun" back into the word Funeral." His sketches keep our cast in stitches and his dry sense of humor has everyone rolling in the aisles. Dees, in his past life was a lounge singer Voted Best New Male Singer at the International Popular Song Festival in 1968. He's gone on to sing in films as "A Walk in the Rain, Day of the Locust, The Happy Ending, Buddy Buddy, Sabrina" and Dee's re-created the vocals of Frank Sinatra HBO special The Rat Pack in 1998. On "Wise Guys," Franklyn's wife Stella and daughter Stilla Stiff take credit for attracting families of "The Terminally Still" with Groupon specials for funeral services. The fictional "Sunny Side Up" Cemetery, on the South Side of Chicago, is a thriving place of rest above and below the ground. Don't miss Michael Dees on WiseGuysCooking.com and look for new episodes this fall on NBC's KPSE Channel 20 Saturday's in Palm Springs.

Frank Montiforte

Frank Montiforte is a very funny man. After a Sunday afternoons, working the Dean Martin Show, and weekdays on Hollywood Squares, Hope and Benny Specials, my fellow NBC Pages and I would drive off to Hollywood "Hot Spots" like PJ's and Whiskey A-Go-Go for an "adult beverage" before trekking home. Those were the Frankie Randall, Eddie Cano, Trini Lopez days. Little did I know Montiforte tended bar at Whiskey's. After the Hollywood bar scene, Frank opened a "swanky" dress shop in Beverly Hills. His clients included Sophia Loren, and the infamous Linda Lovelace to name a few. Years later, when I moved to Palm Springs, I bumped into Frank a few years ago at weekly "lunch bunch" group of retired agents, screenwriters, and old movie legends. The room is always buzzing with stories about the "Golden Age of Hollywood." You'd love to be a fly on the wall! Now Frank is one of the stars on our Wise Guys Cooking Show here in Palm Springs on NBC. Check it out on WiseGuysCooking.com

Wise Guys Cooking

Wise Guys Cooking is produced by Mike Colonna and Rocco Colonna. Contact WiseGuysCooking@gmail.com 714-747-5670

“Wise Guys cook up laughs.” Wise Guys Cooking, a variety show on NBC/KMIR Palm Springs is based on a group of fictitious Wise Guys guys from Chicago. Frank DiSalvo the host and Larry Capeloto interview recurring guests.

Wise Guys Band Leader Tony Pomponio, Frank Montiforte, a man for all seasons, Tony Dijerlando, the Godfather, who delivers opinions about love and marriage, Franklyn C. Stiff (Michael Dees), the President of the Chicago Funeral Parlor Association, and Pete Astorino (Jimmy Durante look alike) who delivers a weekly segment, “Walter Windshield and the News You can Fogetabout.”

Wise Guys Cooking is an Italian light version of Wise Guys meet the Tonight Show.

Recurring guest comedian Rick White (Frank Digabliano), Morris Diamond, author and music supervisor, Addy Walker, (Judge Addy), are frequent guests on WGC.

Cooking Segments are hosted by Rebecca, (Rebecca Romano), Frank DiSalvo, Tony Pomponio, Frank Montiforte, Tony Dijerlando, Chef Nicola, Nick Colonna and Vanessa Colonna, (Cooking w/Queenie).

Each character delivers a comedy driven interview with hosts DiSalvo and Capeloto.

Janeil Austin, associate producer with Desert Screen Writers Guild coordinates the production of WGC. The Film crew from Coachella Valley High School, Studio 55, Thermal, California is supervised by instructors Monica Perez and Lisa Sylvester.

Frank DiSalvo

Frank DiSalvo has been a professional entertainer ,singing and playing guitar for 53 years.He is the headliner at Frank’s Place in Indian Wells Ca.His show features all the “boys” from the crooner era. Frank started out from seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show which got him loving the guitar,playing in Rock and Blues bands thru the years. Born in San Jose Ca. and raised in Santa Cruz Ca. He is now an 8 year resident of the Coachella Valley and enjoys being known as it’s “Premier Entertainer”.

Tony Pomponio

Born in Detroit Michigan in 1955 to Italian immigrant Parents Rocco & Littoria Pomponio and the oldest of 3 brothers. As a child lived together with my Parents and Grand Parents Nonno Nicola & Nonna Domenica . At 6 years old began taking Accordion lessons and at age 13 became a Champion in Michigan and later in the Eastern States. I started playing accordion again with our Group The Sons Of Italy as well as a regular at a local Country Club and playing professionally in the Palm Springs area for special events.

Wise Guys Cooking Show came into my life in 2017 with my Italian Brothers and I have enjoyed every minute of my participation in the Comedy Show. Acting is new to me. I am having a lot of fun with the challenge of performing in front of cameras and injecting Comedy in my role as the Band Leader!

Frank Montiforte

He co-produced Dan Gordon's adaptation of Bose Hadleigh's book, "Bette Davis Speaks," at the Indian Wells Theater in Palm Desert, California with Linda Gray (Bette Davis); Kathleen Noone (Bette Davis); Rolf Saxon (Bose Hadleigh) and Salome Jens (alternate for Bette Davis) in the cast. T.J. Castronovo was director. Mike Carazza and Heather Hundley were producers. William Gilinsky was stage manager. Jeff Rack was set designer. Cary Tyler was sound designer and operator. Gil Trevino was light designer. Ana Castronovo was costume designer. Earl Wilson was Tech Team Leader. Mike Singer was publicity manager. Penni Thompson, Vicky Espin and Helen Machtolf were Box Office. Bill Gray was house manager.

Morris Diamond

This is the story of 70 years in the music/entertainment business which began when he went to work at 19 as band boy with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the same time Frank Sinatra joined the band. After this, he served 3 years in the Air Force - after being discharged in 1945, he was a song plugger, after that a record plugger as both an independent and record company exec. 1962 was the beginning of a 4 year stint as national Promotion Director of Mercury Records. 1966 took him to Hollywood where he served as music supervisor/consultant for films & TV beginning with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. From Mid '80s, for 15 years he promoted concerts in Turkey, schlepping such luminaries as Michael Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, and Shirley MacLaine.

Michael Dees

With his ultra-smooth vocals and easy going persona, Michael Dees is the consummate lounge singer. Voted Best New Male Singer at the International Popular Song Festival in 1968, Dees has gone on to sing in such films as A Walk in the Rain, Day of the Locust, The Happy Ending, Buddy Buddy, Sabrina, and Slow Dancing in the Big City. His vocals were featured in two episodes of the Simpsons. Michael's ability to recreate the vocals of Frank Sinatra came in handy when HBO produced the original screenplay the Rat Pack in 1998. He currently plays the President of the Chicago Funeral Directors Association, Franklyn C. Stiff on NBC/KMIR's Wise Guys Cooking.

Rick White/Frank DiGambliano

Rick White / Frank DiGambliano Rick White is a comedic genius. Just ask him. His videos, books, characters, songs and standup routines are not only ridiculous, they are also very, very silly. Rick created the character, Frank DiGambliano, based on many family friends and relatives that he was exposed to as a child in New Jersey. Rick is also a professional musician. He is proficient on guitar, piano/keyboards, bass, and drums. Rick has played at churches, night clubs, casinos, and at Mile High Stadium as a member or the Denver Broncos Band. He has been writing and recording original music for over 40 years.

ATTN: TV and Film Makers!

WiseGuysCooking@gmail.com

Camera crew, Director, Camera operators, Film Editors, Photogs, Script Writers, Lighting, Set, Location, Special Events, Craft service folks ready to create your project and place on local Television or work with distributors to "show run it" to the big screen. All under one roof!

Credits include production crew from "Dancing with the Stars," "National Geo's Port Protection, The Last Alaskan" and "Wise Guys Cooking" on KMIR/NBC 12:30pm Friday's and 11:30 Sunday nights in Palm Springs.

TV and Mini series projects in development.

Rates commensurate with low budget Indie productions. WiseGuysCooking@Gmail.com or contact Mike Colonna @ 714-747-5670

Larry Capeloto

LARRY CAPELOTO NIGHT CLUB PERFORMER IN SEATTLE FOR 35 YEARS BEFORE MOVING TO THE DESERT. HAS APPEARED IN LAS VEGAS, RENO AND LAUGHLIN NEVEDA CLUBS. FEATURED VOCALIST WITH THE “TED HERMAN BIG BAND” FOR 17 YEARS. CURRENTLY APPEARING EVERY MONDAY AT THE “INDIAN RESORT HOTEL” 6-9PM VOCAL STYLINGS OF SINATRA, MARTIN, DARIN WITH A LITTLE COUNTRY AND SOME ROCK & ROLL. RECORDING CREDITS INCLUDE SINGLES OF “CHARM BRACELET” AND “HOW MANY”. RECENT CD ALBUMS “THE MAN AND THE BAND” AND “THE STORY OF MY LIFE”

Frank DiSalvo "Franks Place."

Morris Diamond "Record Producer."

"This book is the real deal... Morris was there, he heard, saw, listened and was a great friend! The Smothers Brothers owe Morris Diamond a big thank you for his efforts in their career. The Name Dropper is about an exceptional man and his friends... It is a book worth reading!!!!!" - Tommy Smothers "Morris, the stories of your travels through the life of our business are fascinating, and bring back many memories of our times together. I cherish the approaching 50th anniversary of our family friendship." - Quincy Jones "Witty, wise and winning. I'll take more Diamond any day." - Lesley Gore "Hooray for Morris! Thanks for sharing your memories. Life is good." - Johnny Mathis "Thank you for your years of friendship and loyalty, Morris - it was fun! What is that saying? In life we meet people for a season, a reason or a lifetime! I guess we covered all of those!" - Olivia Newton-John

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Restaurant Row

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