These housewives offer a new reality

Some unconventional candidates have surfaced for today's reality show auditions that could lead to a groundbreaking role in "The Real Housewives of Las Vegas."

Female impersonator Frank Marino has tossed his boa into the ring. Also confirmed: exotic dancer Virginia Cooper, who co-founded a swingers club with her husband in 2003.

"How could they have the 'Housewives of Las Vegas' and not have the queen of the Strip as one of 'em?" said Marino, who has been the city's top drag star for 25 years.

Both Marino and Cooper, if chosen, would bring a whole new dynamic to the "Housewives" franchise.

Virginia Cooper has been married to David Cooper for almost 21 years, but she shares a home and family with him and his girlfriend of seven years.

The girlfriend, Alayne, recently had a child, which means "we take turns creating meals, cleaning, shopping and raising our three children," Virginia Cooper said.

Both have been regular performers at Treasures strip club.

In a letter, Cooper told me she has "relentlessly questioned" her sanity, "yet love has prevailed, and we are still together."

Marino, the star, owner and producer of "Divas Las Vegas" at Imperial Palace, said he thinks it would be a great idea for "Housewives" to have its first gay couple.

He added, "I don't know another woman in this town who has a crazier life than I do. If nothing else, I will add great entertainment value.

"I really, really want that job," he said. "There are two things left on my bucket list: seeing my wax figure at Madame Tussauds and having a part in 'Housewives.' I would like that even more than having my own reality show."

Organizers of the audition could not be reached for comment.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Rio headliners Penn & Teller will lead the way as grand marshals of the 21st Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas Sunday at the World Market Center. The event is a benefit for Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN). Sign-ins begin at 8 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. The walk gets under way at 10:30 a.m. Entertainment includes: The Jabbawockeez, Jersey Boys, the On with the Show glee club, "Peepshow" star Josh Strickland and comedian Hal Sparks.

Tropicana headliner Gladys Knight has been named national spokesperson for Amtrak's 40th anniversary celebration on May 7, which has been declared National Train Day. Knight's biggest hit, "Midnight Train to Georgia," was No. 1 for 16 weeks in 1973. Knight, a Las Vegas resident, will host the anniversary event at Union Station in Washington, D.C. ...

Impressionist Rich Little has become one of the biggest boosters of E Bunny, the volunteer community outreach program that delivers Easter baskets to the 3,500 to 10,000 homeless children in the valley. Little and two close friends recently made a 150-basket donation in the name of his late wife, Marie, who died last year. E Bunny founder and local publicist Barbara Kenig is taking orders at 498-9808. The deadline is Wednesday.

SIGHTINGS

Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, dancing in a VIP suite during Arcade Fire's concert Thursday at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). Also spotted at the show, which marked The Joint's second anniversary: the band Mumford & Sons, singing and dancing up a storm. ... BMX legend T.J. Lavin, having a Kobe filet at STK (Cosmopolitan) on Thursday. Claire Sinclair, who will be unveiled as Playboy's Playmate of the Year next month, throws out the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Cashman Field. She's a regular on Holly Madison's "Holly's World," the face of the Bettie Page fashion line and appears as a special guest with the Crazy Horse Paris revue at the MGM Grand April 20-27.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The most recent episode happened in Reno. I've been to Reno, and not landing at Reno is not the worst thing in the world." -- Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.