From left: Edie Falco, James Gandolfini, Robert Iler and Jamie-Lynn Sigler star in 'The Sopranos', which returns with new episodes tomorrow night at 9 on HBO.A mob is only as strong as its soldiers. They do the dirty jobs, they take the bullets, and they're loyal to the death.
Expect plenty of death as HBO's The Sopranos begins its final nine episodes tomorrow night.
Though the attention usually shines on the mob's first family, Tony and Carmela Soprano (James Gandolfini, Edie Falco), and their children, Meadow and AJ (Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler), the show that won 18 Emmy Awards has a brilliant supporting cast. Four of them talk exclusively with Tribune Media Services over lunch at HBO's Manhattan offices.
They are Frank Vincent, who plays mob boss Phil Leotardo; Sharon Angela, who plays Rosalie Aprile, Carmela's best friend; Tony Sirico, better known as volatile captain Paulie Walnuts; and Steve Schirripa, who plays loyal foot soldier Bobby Bacala.
Edie Falco says she becomes Carmela putting on fake nails. How do the costumes help?
SA: My ring - I always kiss it, my Rosalie wedding ring.
TS: Bobby, his first year, that was a pillow under there.
SS: They sent me the whole script. And I'm thinking, "I'm not that much fatter than Jim." There's all these lines: "You fat bastard." "You're a calzone with legs." Then they told me, "You gotta wear a fat suit." I paraded around with a fat stomach and a fat ass, then they took that out. It was makeshift. Then they sent me to a Broadway costumer. Then, I guess he thought I was fat enough on my own.
TS: We did a film called Gotti for HBO. Frank was with us. We have a 15-year gap going, it starts early. I grew some of my white hair just to age along with the years, and I liked the look. I had the wings. I came in with my shoes (puts white shoe on table).
What research did you do?
SS: I'm from Bensonhurst (in Brooklyn).
FV: I played music in clubs for 25 years, and that's who came to see me.
SS: Crime is down on Sunday nights when the show is on because it's the real thing.
SA: I pulled from family. She's a combination from a few women, a lot of different mind frames for me.
Do people recognise you?
SS: Being in the city and being on The Sopranos is like being on the Yankees. We have gotten to doso many things. Jimmy (Gandolfini) was doing an ALS speech, and he met (Yankees owner George) Steinbrenner. He invited us to throw out the first pitch. We were in his box. We got to bring friends and family and meet the guys in the dugout. I was the only one who made it on the fly. He bounced it.
TS: ... him.
Do you watch it, and how?
FV: I want to be alone, with my wife.
SA: Me and my boyfriend, and don't call during it because we are fans.
SS: I want to watch alone. A guy I barely know asked me to come to his 50th birthday party and watch it with him. What am I, a party clown?
TS: I watch it at home. I am a real big fan.
What's your response to Italian-Americans' protest of the show?
SA: These people really want press.
TS: It's a television show, what the ... ?
Who would you like to whack?
TS: Right there (gesturing to Vincent). I like my friend, and he's the boss of New York, and I would have loved to whack him.
FV: Tony. I've been wanting to whack him for a long time.
SS: I'd like to whack Tony Soprano.
SA: I would do Tony for what he did to Carmela.
How do you want it to end?
FV: I would want it to end that Phil would become the overall boss of everything. I would want it to go and become a movie. I think it's entitled to have a longer life.
SS: I always thought that Adriana would come back and I die of a heart attack in bed with her.
TS: It's already ended. I would like it not to end.
SS: I'd like to see Paulie dye his hair back.
TS: I'd like to whack Bacala. I'm heartbroken. You are probably talking to a dead guy right now. I'd like to see it on the big screen, where it belongs. It would have to be a lot of flashbacks. I'll never work again.
SA: Nothing will ever come close to this.
How do you want the show remembered?
SS: It really is, if not the greatest show in television history, one of them. If there was one show you could be on, this is what I wanted to be on. I'm sure on other shows you could make more money. These eight years will never be repeated. Twenty to 30 years from now, they will be watching this the way they watch The Untouchables or I Love Lucy. If I am Bobby Bacala forever, so be it. I got very lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. It's been great.
FV: I would like it to be remembered for what it is, part of the popular culture. I am very pleased that it happened to me in my career. It gave me a big lift in the latter part of my career. The characters will be eternal.
TS: Some of the greatest work I've ever done. It was the greatest trip of my life. It was the best adventure I've ever gone on in my life.
SS: One thing about this show, you never really relaxed. We didn't know if it would continue.
TS: It was always: Are you dying?
SS: The more they give you, the better the chance. Or you could get that call that David (Chase, the series' creator and executive producer) wants to talk with you.
FV: I came home to one of those, and it was too late to call him back. All night, I was worried. He asked me about this guy in Bloomfield. Whew.
What's it like to see your picture plastered all over the city?
FV: It's awesome. You don't know how to react.
TS: We had shot the pilot. I was walking and right above this building, there was a giant picture of all of us. I fell in love.
FV: He fell in love with himself.
SA: Once again.
TS: It was wonderful. Now I am sick of looking at myself.
TS: For "Sopranos" fans it's a heavy-duty year. It's going to be a collage of emotions. I think you'll enjoy the ... out of it when it ends.
- Jacqueline Cutler, Zapit
