By Seth, 9:29 PM on Wed May 3 2006, 651 views (Edit, to draft, Top, Slurp)

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Unlike many of his fellow cast members, The Sopranos' Big Gay Vito has managed to steer clear of the law since abandoning his lucrative barbiturate distribution venture years ago. The actor has instantly shot up in visibility since his character's assless-chaps-wearing proclivities became known to the rest of the wiseguys.

Towleroad noted a segment from Jimmy Kimmel Live last week (we found the clip on YouTube) in which Joseph Gannoscoli, the actor who plays Vito, was sent with a camera to West Hollywood's best known gay bar, The Abbey. Why? We're not exactly sure—something about interviewing the owner about membership in the "pink mafia." (In Kimmel's world, adding "gay" to anything makes for instant comedy.) Other highlights include a heated discussion with porn star Max Grand over whether or not Vito is his type (he isn't), and a provocative encounter with a bowl of sliced apples ("Get a load of this fruit!") Luckily, no whack jobs transpire, unless you count a brief interaction between clientele at the bars' furthest urinals.

• Sopranos Cast Doing Real World Research [Towleroad]
• Jimmy Kimmel skit at the Abbey [YouTube]