Sopranos On Ice???

[Michael]

I heard this news second hand from my wife....Tony Soprano wants a Million large per episode...He now gets $400.000 per...Shooting is scheduled for March 24th? and supposedly he will not cook the gravy or stir the sauce unless he gets his spicy Mill...
Whadda ya think?
I think he's worth it...Light years ahead of the "Friends" Cast in pure talent alone! And look what they demanded! Pay up Dominic...Tonys the -Man-...

[rontokyo]

Originally posted by Michael
I heard this news second hand from my wife....Tony Soprano wants a Million large per episode...

Jeez. I feel for the guy. A mill, huh? Still, that's more than I make *in a whole month.*

[Ed Bishop]

This story's been getting worse by the day--and it's been several since the news broke. Greed aside, James Gandolfini IS the series, and to kill it now might not be suicide for HBO--they do have SIX FEET UNDER:thumbsup: and Bill Maher:sigh: to fall back on--but why this hasn't been negotiated quietly, and in good faith, only HBO and Gandolfini's agent know for sure.
The best series, ep per ep, on TV, IMO, and a terrible waste if it's scuttled, without a sensible plot resolution. Given the tens of millions in revenue the show has generated in HBO subcription fees and DVD/VHS box sets, hard to figure this hardball approach--from either side.

ED:cool:

[Ian Lascell]

What ever happened to honoring a contract you signed in good faith? He was nobody before this series. Why not honor the final year of your contract and then go make some serious cash in Hollywood? I have no sympathy for him.

That said, I do hope he stays. Sopranos is probably the best show on television in my view. But if they need to "whack" him in the first episode and move everybody else up a rung, I think it could survive. The writing is the strongest part of the show, and those guys probably get paid peanuts and aren't complaining. Just my opinion.

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Ian Lascell
What ever happened to honoring a contract you signed in good faith?

Uh, Ian....he's a capo. :D In mob films and TV, he either makes the rules or dances deftly around them. Obviously Mr. Gandolfini and his agent believe they are in a position of strength--and they are! It will be on HBO's, ahem, head(insert horse's style of your choice)if that series isn't ready for SEP 2003. If HBO wants a few million viewers who pay $10 a month(or more)to have the package suddenly drop their service(if not for SIX FEET UNDER, I would)and blow all the prestige and power they've built, let 'em. This is a classic Power Play, plain and simple, beyond us humble folk of modest means, but we will be the worse if both sides don't come to terms.

ED:cool:

[Michael]

Originally posted by Ian Lascell
What ever happened to honoring a contract you signed in good faith? He was nobody before this series. Why not honor the final year of your contract and then go make some serious cash in Hollywood? I have no sympathy for him.

That said, I do hope he stays. Sopranos is probably the best show on television in my view. But if they need to "whack" him in the first episode and move everybody else up a rung, I think it could survive. The writing is the strongest part of the show, and those guys probably get paid peanuts and aren't complaining. Just my opinion.


The Sopranos casting is superior! all fine actors...This always happens when the head honcho starts living to large...Hey, maybe he needs that mill a show...Being famous is expensive. Just think ole Tony was getting his *** kicked in 'Get Shorty' by Travolta and playing a sleeze bag in 8MM...and a few other non memorable roles...He paid his dues...now it's time to pay up...It's his time to shine and shine he does!

[Michael]

Originally posted by rontokyo


Jeez. I feel for the guy. A mill, huh? Still, that's more than I make *in a whole month.*

You gotta nice job there!

[Michael]

Originally posted by Ed Bishop
This story's been getting worse by the day--and it's been several since the news broke. Greed aside, James Gandolfini IS the series, and to kill it now might not be suicide for HBO--they do have SIX FEET UNDER:thumbsup: and Bill Maher:sigh: to fall back on--but why this hasn't been negotiated quietly, and in good faith, only HBO and Gandolfini's agent know for sure.
The best series, ep per ep, on TV, IMO, and a terrible waste if it's scuttled, without a sensible plot resolution. Given the tens of millions in revenue the show has generated in HBO subcription fees and DVD/VHS box sets, hard to figure this hardball approach--from either side.

ED:cool:


In my Own opinion, The Sporanos is the biggest show HBO ever had or will ever have period! They struck gold on that one...

[rjp]

the soprano's without gandofini would be like the beatles without john.

[lsupro]

What a great show.. I hate it that he is doing this.

[Jimbo]

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought the Ice Capades had come up with a new touring company!!;) :laugh:

[Michael]

Originally posted by Jimbo
When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought the Ice Capades had come up with a new touring company!!;) :laugh:


:laugh:

[Michael]

Originally posted by rjp
the soprano's without gandofini would be like the beatles without john.


I agree...but I love the other players just as much. I'd miss any who left!

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Jimbo
When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought the Ice Capades had come up with a new touring company!!;) :laugh:

:laugh: ...no, Disney does that with every movie that does well for them...
but give HBO time, they'll think of it....

I wish this were funny, but it isn't...as HBO will find out if they let this nonsense go on much longer. As much as everybody in the house loves SIX FEET UNDER, without THE SOPRANOS, HBO has lost me as a customer, and it's been in this house since '76....that's a lot invested. And while it's easy to blame Gandolfini and his agent for greed, this show gave HBO a credibility they never had before, and, if they muck it up now, may never have again.

All around, this just sucks, totally.

ED:cool:

[Evan L]

I agree ED, the Sopranos is the only thing HBO has that makes it worth subscribing. What happened to all of the current movies? They show one or two modern day blockbusters, but otherwise it's all eighties movies no one cares about anymore. I hope they don't whack Gandolfini!

[MMM]

I've heard the reason Gandolfini is asking for more money is that HBO quietly did some dealings (I think for more $$$) with Chase or someone else closely involved in the show, that supposedly violated the contract that already existed with Gandolfini. The way I understand it, Gandolfini claims his existing contract stated he was supposed to be informed of such dealings, but he wasn't. I'm not sure in what manner he was supposed to be informed of such things, but supposedly whatever was done or the manner of how things transpired was not in accordance with his existing contract.

[Ian Lascell]

I would definitely keep HBO even if the Sopranos is "iced". I agree the feature films that eventually make their way to HBO are basically not what keeps me a fan. But in the last couple of years, the Sopranos is not even the best programming on HBO in my opinion. Band of Brothers was incredible. Six Feet Under, though not as exciting as the Sopranos, is a fine show with excellent and consistent writing. The Wire was great and I am happy a new season is on the way. Curb Your Enthusiasm is no Seinfeld, but I never miss an episode. Mind of the Married Man, one of their weakest shows, is still better than most of television. Dennis Miller Live was awesome. It may be gone now, but Bill Mahar's new show is pretty good. Chris Rock. I don't really like Sex in the City, but I know a lot of women who do. George Carlin comedy concerts, Robin Williams comedy concerts, etc. Reverb is pretty awesome and has introduced me to some great artists. America Undercover, Taxicab confessions, etc. I know this is not just about the Sopranos, but I think HBO has done a great job in recent years and I have definitely become a fan. Partly because of the Sopranos, but not them alone.

[Michael]

Originally posted by MMM
I've heard the reason Gandolfini is asking for more money is that HBO quietly did some dealings (I think for more $$$) with Chase or someone else closely involved in the show, that supposedly violated the contract that already existed with Gandolfini. The way I understand it, Gandolfini claims his existing contract stated he was supposed to be informed of such dealings, but he wasn't. I'm not sure in what manner he was supposed to be informed of such things, but supposedly whatever was done or the manner of how things transpired was not in accordance with his existing contract.

Hmmm, Maybe they should have another sitdown...

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Michael


Hmmm, Maybe they should have another sitdown...

The word is, they have, and Season 5 will start filming in April. Nothing official yet, but I would guess the deal has been done. Good; now we can start worrying about more important things...

ED:cool:

[Evan L]

Gandolfini has dropped his lawsuit against HBO, and reportedly will receive a small raise. This is great news. I think he just wanted to test the waters, and should be satisfied with amount of money he'll receive.

[Michael]

Originally posted by Ed Bishop


The word is, they have, and Season 5 will start filming in April. Nothing official yet, but I would guess the deal has been done. Good; now we can start worrying about more important things...

ED:cool:

Do you have a link for
that great Sopranos news? Appreciate it.

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Michael


Do you have a link for
that great Sopranos news? Appreciate it.

Sure:

N.Y. Post Entertainment News (http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/71313.htm)

ED:cool:

[Michael]

Originally posted by Ed Bishop


Sure:

N.Y. Post Entertainment News (http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/71313.htm)

ED:cool:

Bene Gratsia!

[Jeffrey]

Hi,

The Sopranos and West Wing are my two fav. shows on TV. W/ that said, even if Sopranos went bye-bye, i would still pay for HBO. I think they have done an excellent job w/ many of their new series such as Six Feet Under and The Wire. I LOVE the research they have done for these series which is obvious from how realistic and informed the plots have become..... kinda like West Wing. :thumbsup:

-Jeffrey

[Michael]

I do have to say the Sopranos casting is right on the money! Near perfection. Can you imagine anyone else as Tony? or any of the other actors played by someone else? Amazingly believable. Sure wish they would make more than 13 shows a season.