Talking Sopranos

Episode #41 "For All Debts Public And Private"w/

Michael and Steve kick off season four by welcoming Federico Castelluccio (Furio Giunta). Federico talks about his incredible career as both an actor and a painter. How he got the role on the Sopranos, and how he originally read for the part of Johnny Sack. When he walked into the audition with an Italian accent, and said he was born in Naples but grew up in Patterson NJ, he was destined to play Furio. Federico shares a great story about his first day on set and the infamous brothel scene. T...

Episode #40 "Army of One"

In this episode of Talking Sopranos Michael and Steve wrap up season three. Can you believe we’re already through 40 episodes! They kick things off by talking about some of their friends and colleagues in the business. What it took for them to achieve success, what they have to do to stay on top. Then they break down the Sopranos season three finale. In this one everybody is out for themselves and Jackie Jr. is gonna pay big time. Paulie and Ralphie are at each other’s throats and Adrianna m...

Episode #39 "90 Minutes w/David Chase"

Michael and Steve spend 90 minutes with the Sopranos series creator David Chase. This Talking Sopranos special holiday episode is dedicated entirely to this exciting and revealing interview. David shares his intimate thoughts about the show, many of which have never been heard before. He answers questions about how he got the idea for the series, his complicated relationship with James Gandolfini and of course the ending. There’s no better way for Talking Sopranos to wrap up 2020 than spendi...

Episode #38 "Amour Fou"

This week Michael and Steve are joined by the incredible and talented Annabella Sciorra (Gloria Trillo). Annabella’s role of Gloria was one of the most memorable characters on the series and she was nominated for an Emmy for her performance. Annabella talks about how she got her start in the business, how she landed her first big role in True Love and her early days with Aida Turturro. Then she talks about her incredible time on the Sopranos. Originally she read for another role but she fell...

Episode #37 "Pine Barrens"

This week it’s Pine Barrens with guest Steve Buscemi…need I say more? This episode of the Sopranos is one of the greatest hours in the history of television. Now Michael and Steve are going to break it down scene by scene. We kick things off with an interview with Steve Buscemi who directed the episode and was nominated for an Emmy for his work. Steve talks about how the idea for the story came from a dream by Tim Van Patten, and how the episode randomly dropped to him to direct. He shares s...

Episode #36 "To Save Us All From Satan's Power"

      Michael and Steve are joined by guest Max Casella (Benny Fazio). Max is a show business veteran who has appeared in a number of hit movies and TV shows including; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Inside Llewyn Davis, Blue Jasmine, Doogie Howser and of course the Sopranos. He talks about how he got his start in the business and what it was like to work with Woody Allen, The Coen Brothers and to perform the Lion King on Broadway. He also shares his story of auditioning for David Chase and how ...

Episode #35 "The Telltale Moozadell"

Michael provides some amazing insight into the story as this was the second of five episodes he wrote. He tells us where the title came from, the story behind the Lollipop Lounge and how he came up with many of the ideas. This one also includes a short scene with an actress who at the time was a complete unknown but went on to become none other than Lady Gaga. She’s one of the girls by the pool watching AJ and friends trash the place. Adriana’s dream might come true, Jackie Jr is headed down...

Episode #34 "He Is Risen"

Emmy award winner Martin Bruestle joins Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa for Talking Sopranos Ep #34 “He Is Risen”. Martin was a producer on the show, head of all post-production and responsible for selecting much of the show’s incredible music. In essence he was in charge of everything from when the director said cut until the show hit air. He shares some fantastic stories about how the series was made, his directorial debut and what went on behind the scenes. Martin tells us how the S...

Episode #33 "Second Opinion"

Emmy award winning Cinematographer Phil Abraham joins Michael and Steve for another exciting episode of Talking Sopranos. Phil worked on all six seasons of the Sopranos and shares some great stories from behind the camera. He talks about how James Gandolfini was once  leery about a director so he tanked the scene just to see if the director would notice. He also talks about directing his first episode, and what it was like being part of crazy Soprano's family.  Then Michael and Steve get i...

Episode #32 "University"

Michael and Steve are joined by Ariel Kiley (Tracee) the Bada Bing dancer who was featured in this episode. In this extremely compelling interview Ariel talks about how working on the Sopranos was actually her first acting job. How she was able to play such a difficult role and the incredible advice she got from James Gandolfini that changed her life.  After Ariel’s interview Michael and Steve break down one of the Sopranos most controversial episodes. At this point in the series David Cha...

Episode #31 "Another Toothpick"

This week on Talking Sopranos Michael and Steve take on another dramatic and exciting Sopranos episode. This is one of Michael’s favorites, and a big one for Steve because it’s the first time Bobby Bacala was featured as a main character. Michael and Steve kick things off by talking about their favorite books, what they’ve read and what they’re reading now. It’s no surprise their tastes are completely different but it’s a great reading list so definitely take some notes. After that they get ...

Episode #30 "Employee of the Month"

Emmy award winning writers Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess join Michael and Steve for a special episode of Talking Sopranos. They share stories about how they first met David Chase and their work together on Northern Exposure. Then they talk about how they got the gig on the Sopranos and what is was like in the writer’s room early on. How Tony Sirico freaked out when a character referred to him as a bully and made Robin and Mitchell change the script to call Paulie a psycho. There are more ...

Episode #29 "Fortunate Son"

Aida Turturro (Janice Soprano) joins Michael and Steve for this week’s hilarious episode of Talking Sopranos. Aida chats about her early days with James Gandolfini and how he had to put his clothes in garbage bags when he moved from place to place. But even back then Aida always said he was destined for greatness. When the role of Janice came up it was Jim, or James as she calls him, who put her up for the part. She said fate would determine if she got the role or not but either way Jim had ...

Episode #28 "Proshai, Livushka"

This week Michael and Steve are joined by Jason Cerbone (Jackie Aprile Jr). Jason talks about what it was like to join the cast of this incredible show and how he was absolutely in awe of the amazing talent on set. He also talks about how he got the news his character would get killed off and how his relationship with the cast grew after he got whacked.  Michael and Steve also talk about the concept of fame, how it affected them, and how people began to treat them differently after the Sop...

Episode #27 "Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood"

Kathrine Narducci (Charmaine Bucco) joins Michael and Steve for the Talking Sopranos Season 3 premiere. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, Kathrine talks about working with them all. But her most amazing story might be how she took her son on an open casting call, and ended up walking away with her first role playing opposite Robert DeNiro in A Bronx Tale. Kathrine is a great guest and certainly had a lot of fun working on the Sopranos. Then the feds are listening as Michael and St...

Episode #26 "Funhouse"

In our amazing Season 2 finale Michael and Steve welcome the one, and only “Big Pussy”, Vinny Pastore. He was a killer, a rat, a gangster and audiences absolutely loved him. Definitely one of the best episodes of the season. Vinny talks about what it was like to be on the best show of all time, and then get whacked at the end of season two. He was devastated at the time but ended up being the first Soprano to take on Hollywood. Vinny is a fantastic guest! Then after months in the shop the ...

Episode #25 "The Knight In White Satin Armor"

   The evil Richie Aprile (David Proval) joins Michael and Steve for this week’s episode of Talking Sopranos. David is an emotional guest who talks about his incredible career, his big break with Martin Scorsese on Mean Streets, and how he got the gig on the Sopranos. He also shares an amazing story about his first audition with James Gandolfini, and how he used his anger and rage at the entertainment industry to create Richie’s Aprile’s character.     Michael and Steve also talk about act...

Episode #24 "House Arrest"

Guest Louie Lombardi (Agent Skip Lipari) joins Michael and Steve for this week’s amazing episode of Talking Sopranos. This is truly a family affair as Louie talks about growing up with Vinny Pastore, and how they both ended up on the same incredible show, playing opposite each other! He also knew Frank Pellegrino from the neighborhood who ended up playing his boss on the Sopranos. How crazy is that?  Then Michael and Steve break down another fantastic episode of TV’s greatest series. Tony ...

Episode #23 "Bust-Out"

Michael and Steve are joined by John Ventimiglia (Artie Bucco) one of the Soprano’s most lovable characters. John talks about the early days with Michael and how he got his start in the business. Then he shares some stories about how he originally read for the role of Tony Soprano, his inspiration for the character of Artie and how he once sent an actor to the hospital sort of by accident.  Then Michael and Steve dig into this week episode which has some of the best acting of the series. T...

Episode #22 "From Where to Eternity"

This week on Talking Sopranos Michael and Steve take on one of the most memorable episodes of the Sopranos ever. This one is extra special for Michael because wrote it! Originally it was a spec script he created in between season one and two where Christopher OD’s. David read it, loved it, and thought it would work perfect in an episode where Christopher gets shot. The story is fantastic and there’s lots of inside info as Paulie Walnuts is haunted by ghosts from his past, and a vision of lif...

Episode #21 "Full Leather Jacket"

     Sopranos director and producer Allen Coulter joins Michael and Steve for this week’s exciting episode of Talking Sopranos. Allen is a Sopranos insider who directed 12 episodes and was the producer for 20 more. Allen shares his incredible story about how he got his very slow start in the business, and how his life was changed the day he met David Chase. He also talks about the challenges of working with James Gandolfini and of course the craziness of directing the one and only Tony Siric...

Episode #20 "D-Girl"

Let’s put one thing to rest, the end was the end…or was it? In this episode of Talking Sopranos Michael and Steve discuss some inside info about the famous cut to black, and the lengths David Chase went to confuse the public. Then they take on the film business and talk about some of the pros and schmos they’ve met along the way. After that Michael and Steve dig into this week’s episode of HBO’s groundbreaking series. This was a big one for Christopher who has to decide if he wants to make h...

Episode #19 "The Happy Wanderer"

This is a great one! Lorraine Bracco (Dr Melfi) joins Michael and Steve for a very special Talking Sopranos podcast. She reveals how David Chase originally wanted her to play Carmela, but she said it was Melfi or nothing. She talks about how she was absolutely blown away when she first saw The Sopranos pilot, and shares some crazy stories about what James Gandolfini used to do to her off camera.  This week the Pundit returns and Steve goes absolutely ballistic. Is there really anything to ...

Episode #18 "Big Girls Don't Cry"

This is an exciting episode with Terry Winter. He talks with Michael and Steve about how he got his start in the business, how he came up with many of the ideas for the show and writing the script for The Wolf of Wall Street. It’s a great interview! Then a second special guest joins the show as Michael and Steve reminisce about their love of baseball. In a crazy moment they discover they may have actually crossed paths at a famous game over 50 years ago.  Then Michael and Steve breakdown t...

Episode #17 "Commendatori"

Michael, Steve and the infamous fat suit take on this week’s episode of the Sopranos. This one was shot in Italy and Tony Sirico, aka Paulie Walnuts, had more than a few issues dealing with the Italian people, the food and the bathrooms. Michael tells the story of how he was completely hung over and almost missed the plane and did David Chase actually got robbed in Naples? Then Michael and Steve breakdown this week’s episode and talk about what it’s like to appear on network talk shows both ...

Episode #16 "Toodle-F**king-Oo"

Evil has arrived and its name is Richie Aprile! In this episode Michael and Steve get into the dramatic appearance of this season’s villain and Meadow’s insane house party. They discuss how Tony is now getting it from all sides. Janice is conniving her way through the family, Meadow is playing the Mob boss like a fiddle and Melfi is now using Tony as her therapy. Watch out Beansie the car is in high gear it's headed for you. Plus Michael and Steve talk about what it’s like to audition for a ...

Episode #15 "Do Not Resuscitate"

A double barrel episode! Bobby Bacala makes his first appearance on the series and Sopranos Costume Designer Juliet Polcsa joins Michael and Steve for some incredible conversation. Juliet talks about fitting Steve for the infamous fat suit, how an ill-fitting costume got James Gandolfini in just the right mood and how Tony Sirico’s hair, of course, defined his clothes. Then Steve talks about his first day on set and how Michael may, or may not, have high hatted him. The s**t is going to hi...

Episode #14 "Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office"

Michael and Steve take on the Season 2 Premiere ….and this episode does not disappoint. The Sopranos series is getting bigger, there are more characters, more plot twists and more downright evil for Tony Soprano to deal with. His best friend might be a rat, indictments are coming down, his uncle and mother tried to have him killed, his crazy insane sister is coming, his goomah, his wife wants him back in therapy….It’s insanity! All this plus Michael and Steve share stories about how it all s...

Episode #13 "I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano"

Emmy award winner Edie Falco (Carmela) joins Michael and Steve for the exciting Talking Sopranos season one finale. Edie talks about how she got her start in the business, her first thoughts about the Sopranos script, and how she thought she had absolutely no chance at the role of Carmela. She also reminisces about all the fun she had on the set, the show’s amazing success and what it was like to work with James Gandolfini. Then Michael and Steve breakdown the incredible finale of season one...

Episode #12 "Isabella"

This one is a shocker in more ways than one. Michael and Steve discover an outlandish theory about Tony Soprano. They also talk about the ridiculous Paulie Walnuts anthrax scare, Steve’s views on assassination and what movies influenced their lives. Michael and Steve also remember James Gandolfini and talk about when they first heard the devastating news about his death. This episode is packed with tons of inside info about the script and the production of one of the Sopranos wildest episode...

Episode #11 "Nobody Knows Anything"

Steve and Michael reveal a story about how Tony Sirico was horrified when he saw the script for this episode. He complained to David Chase who changed a line about Paulie Walnuts. Then Michael and Steve are joined by director Henry Bronchtein. He explains how he shot the amazing scene with Detective Makazian plunging to his death and the dramatic moments between Tony and “Big Pussy”. Who was telling the truth, who was the rat? Even Henry and Vinny Pastore didn’t know for sure. This is a wild...

Episode #10 "A Hit Is a Hit"

Casting directors Georgianne Walken and Sheila Jaffe join Michael and Steve to talk about how they cast James Gandolfini, Steven Van Zandt and the rest of the Sopranos characters. They also share stories about Tony Sirico, Aida Turturro and how Jerry Stiller almost became Hesh. Then Michael and Steve breakdown this week’s episode which was a break out for Drea de Matteo. It’s all this and more on Talking Sopranos Episode #10 “A Hit is a Hit”. Go to Talking Sopranos.com to post AMA questions ...

Episode 9 "Boca"

This week Michael and Steve take on the Sopranos S1 Ep 9. Michael tells how David Chase brought in a retired mobster to help the writers develop the concept for this episode. He also shares a crazy story of a night that got completely out of control when he and John Ventimiglia (Artie Bucco) sublet an apartment from a real duke in NYC. Steve gives new meaning to the term “Beatle Wig” and explains why real mobsters won’t do what Junior Soprano is so good at. Then Michael and Steve head into t...

Episode 8 "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti"

Jamie Lynn-Sigler tells Michael & Steve how she got the role of Meadow Soprano, what it was like to work with James Gandolfini and her amazing time on the groundbreaking HBO series. She talks about how she originally thought the Sopranos was a musical and asked David Chase if he needed her to sing at the audition? Then Michael and Steve breakdown the Sopranos S1 Ep 8 “The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti”. Michael talks about how this episode was a turning point for his character and his first...

Episode 7 "Down Neck"

Guest Robert Iler (AJ Soprano) joins Michael and Steve to talk about working with James Gandofini, his incredible time on the Sopranos, and being a professional poker player. Did he really shave his eyebrows in season 5? Then Michael and Steve break down the Sopranos S1 Ep 7. They discuss the flashback to 1967 and some of the David Chase’s interesting music choices. Tony tells Melfi he was always proud to be Johnny Soprano’s son but was it Livia who was the real gangster? It’s all in this th...

Episode 6 "Pax Soprana"

A Talking Sopranos exclusive! Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa read all new lines written by HBO series creator David Chase for the Soprano’s characters as if they were in quarantine. Then Michael and Steve breakdown this week’s episode discussing Junior’s move to the big chair, Tony’s love for Melfi and whether Livia is now pulling the strings. They also discuss what some of the Sopranos actors were really like off screen. Is Edie Falco as good a cook as Carmela and was Jim Gandolfini ...

Episode 5 "College"

Sopranos S1 Ep 5 – Michael and Steve breakdown one of the most incredible Soprano’s episodes ever. This was the one HBO was worried about and David Chase had to fight for what he felt had to be done. Plus what the heck is the deal with Father Phil. Talking Sopranos #5 “College”. Remember to subscribe and send your Ask Me Anything” questions to Michael and Steve at talkingsopranos.com.

Episode 4 "Meadowlands"

Sopranos S1 Ep4 - Guest Michael Rispoli (Jackie Aprile) talks to Steve and Michael about how he almost landed the role of Tony Soprano and his on-going friendship with James Gandolfini. Then Michael and Steve breakdown Episode 4 and tell stories of the cast’s infamous Eckle awards. What does the dream sequence actually mean, how is Tony putting Melfi’s advise to work and what was it really like to work with Dominic Chianese? It’s all in this episode of Talking Sopranos #4 “Meadowlands”. Reme...

Episode 3 "Denial, Anger, Acceptance"

Episode 2 "46 Long"

Michael and Steve open the books and discuss the intricacies of how this incredible show was made.  What it was like on set, read throughs, tone meetings and David Chase’s incredible attention to detail. Michael talks about the moment he realized the show was going to be a hit and what it was like working with the amazing cast. Then, Michael and Steve break down the episode scene by scene giving us some backstory on the main characters and their thoughts about the script. There’s another Ask...

Episode 1 "Pilot"

Welcome to the premiere episode of Talking Sopranos! Michael and Steve go back to the beginning and talk about how they got involved in this ground-breaking series. They discuss their initial thoughts about the show and their first auditions with David Chase. They’ll share some of their favorite stories about the cast and give us an inside look at what was going on behind the scenes. Then Michael and Steve break down the Pilot episode of this iconic series scene by scene. They discuss the li...

Trailer

Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa team up to bring you the definitive Sopranos re-watch podcast. Check out a sneak peek of Talking Sopranos premiering this April.