Shook the Spot

March 15, 2006

"The Light + Heartbeats," Common feat. Erika Badu (Dert Remix)
"Two Words + Slow Moves," Kanye West feat. Mos Def & Freeway (Dert Remix)

"YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST ENVELOPE" . . . TONY NETS $1 MIL PER EPISODE FOR FINAL EIGHT . . . CAPTAINS LOOK TO RE-UP AS WELL . . . SPAT WITH HBO — IT'S NOT TV, IT'S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS . . . JOURNAL, TIMES TRY THEIR HANDS AT LAME MAFIA PUNS

Key Sopranos news out of The Wall Street Journal ("'Sopranos' Actors Take Another Whack At Their Contracts") and The New York Times ("Mob Moss Takes Hit; Housewife Implicated") today . . .

— Ratings for Sunday night's premiere (9.5 million viewers) were down from the premiere of the fifth season (12.1 million) nearly two years ago. HBO execs blame Desperate Housewives, On Demand, and 9/11. (Actually, not so much 9/11, which showed remarkable restraint. Unlike ABC execs, who blamed a small dip for Housewives on "four small stations in the Midwest that pre-empted the show due to severe weather.")

— James Gandolfini will get "in the neighborhood of $1 million an episode" for the final eight episdoes of The Sopranos. Edie Falco and Lorraine Braco are also renegotiating their contracts. Other regulars—including Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt, and Steven Schirripa—want to see some extra cash as well.

— But HBO contends that the bonus eight episodes, which begin production in June, do not constitute a separate season, so the captains don't have a right to renegotiate. Chrissy, Paulie, and the gang say that's bullshit. The Journal has no idea who's right, and concludes only, "If an actor chooses to call HBO's bluff and walk off the show, it could play havoc with plot plans for future scripts."

— Still, an HBO spokesman said, "We're confident that everyone will be signed for the last eight episodes." Unless, of course, David Chase coveniently ices them.

# hustle hard on the block (3) 8:36 PM

Comments:

Did anyone see Lorraine Bracco on 'Colbert Report' last week? (I would look up the date and a clip but I am in the 'brary ostensibly doing work that is due tomorrow, so I'll let someone else do the legwork this time.)

Anyway, she was CRACKED OUT. First off, she blew up. Maybe it's for a role, but this was a plus-sized Melfi. Those legs that the camera loves to ogle -- not so leggy.

However, M. Twist ain't no misog -- if Bracco's looking bigger, that's no biggie. What caught our attention was the fact that she was acting out of her mind. She giggled uncontrollably at Colbert's jokes and could hardly carry a coherent conversation. She started talking en francais and forced S.C. into a French dialog. She appeared to be hardcore flirting with him. And her side of the interview was a string of non sequiturs.

HUH?! Wha'happen? Either she's very zany in real life, or she got really really high before going on. Take a look at the clip (if you can find it) and judge for yourself.

# posted by

Anonymous : March 16, 2006 1:38 AM

Right here, baby.

# posted by

Anonymous : March 16, 2006 9:48 AM

Did no one learn the lesson of Tom Hagen? Duvall was totally worth the bucks anyway but even if they thought he wasn't, they destroyed the story over a few million. George Hamilton as consigliere? Gimme a break. Then and now, pay the fucking money, it's almost over anyway. OTOH, I won't cry if they off Bobby Bacala (who is he kidding -he's lucky he has a job).

# posted by

teevoz : March 16, 2006 2:04 PM

Shook the Spot

March 15, 2006

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