Dan Gross: 'Today' probes our prison

NBC "Today" weekend hosts Lester Holt, Amy Robach and Jenna Wolfe (who formerly worked as a sports reporter for WB17) joined the cast of SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" to investigate Eastern State Penitentiary last night. We're told their coverage of the visit, featuring "Ghost Hunters" paranormal investigators Grant Wilson, Jason Hawes, Britt Griffith, and Adam Berry, will air on both Saturday and Sunday's episodes of "Today."

Speaking of Eastern State, Eagles Brent Celek and Todd Herremans stopped by its Terror Behind the Walls tour Tuesday.

Robert De Niro is commuting from New York while he's shooting "The Silver Linings Playbook" around town. The screen legend was met by three guards Sunday night when he got off an Amtrak train at 30th Street Station. The private security whisked him out a side door near the valet parking area of the station. While De Niro has been seen eating at Parc on Rittenhouse Square, most days he's back and forth to his New York home, as he was last year when he shot "Limitless," which, like "Silver Linings," also co-starred Rydal-raised Bradley Cooper.

Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels enjoyed a burrito outside Chipotle (4030 City Ave.) Tuesday afternoon. Hamels shook hands with a fan in line for his food but was left mostly undisturbed while eating outside.

94WIP's Glen Macnow and Inquirer crime reporter George Anastasia are just out with "The Ultimate Book of Gangster Movies." In addition to their list of the 100 best gangster movies, the Running Press paperback features contributions from Joe Pistone, the former FBI agent who inspired the film "Donnie Brasco," and actors Chazz Palminteri, Viggo Mortensen, Tim Roth, Joe Mantegna and Michael Madsen.

The authors discuss their book at a signing at 6 tonight at the Penn Bookstore (3601 Walnut).

* Kris Jenner will be in West Chester at 7 Monday night to pitch her new book, which should be called "How to Turn Your Hottest Daughter's Sex Tape into a Multimillion-Dollar Family Empire," on QVC. The memoir, which is autographed for QVC viewers, is actually titled "Kris Jenner And All Things Kardashian." Jenner also offers the Kris Kardashian Kollection of women's fashion for QVC.

Comedian Joe DeRosa, who has recently appeared on FX's "Louie" and HBO's "Bored to Death," is among performers at the Laff House (221 South St.) New Faces of Comedy Contest running Nov. 9 to 12 at the club where Kevin Hart got his start.

Fellow local funnymen such as TuRae Gordon, Richie Redding and Buck Wild also take part in the comedy festival. For more info, visit laffhouse.com.

Manayunk is hosting a rain-or-shine kids' Halloween costume parade Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. along Main Street where many shops will be offering sweet treats. From 2-4 p.m. there will be an all-ages Jack-o'-lantern carving contest for amateurs and pros. For more info, manayunk.com.

Only four tickets remain: Daily News food writer Jason Wilson, also a Washington Post liquor columnist and author of "Boozehound," leads a seminar/tasting on brandy called "XO: Cognac and Beyond" from 7:30 to 9:30 tomorrow night at the Wine School of Philadelpha (127 S. 22nd). Tickets are $55 at vinology.com or $75 at the door.