Talking Sopranos

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 Chase thought fans were starting to glorify the characters and needed to be reminded that these were brutal gangsters. The mother, the daughter, the goomah, the sister, the hooker and the dancer. They all play an important role in this dramatic story of power, privilege, violence and misfortune. When this episode originally aired it got a huge amount of pushback and many fans dropped their HBO subscriptions and boycotted the series. This one gets a bit heavy.

Then Michael and Steve lighten things up with some hilarious stories of insane parties that last for days. Michael also talks about his favorite cars on the show including the beautiful Maserati. It's all on this episode of Talking Sopranos #32 "University" S3 Ep 6. Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and remember to go to talkingsopranos.com to ask Michael and Steve questions and order official Talking Sopranos merchandise.

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 into some of their most embarrassing moments. Steve shares a few stories from the club and the church, while Michael remembers how he ruined a wedding when he worked at a catering hall. Then they get into this week's episode which is a great one. Steve talks about working with the incredible Bert Young and what he was like on set. They share an incredible story about an actor who had "One Line on the Sopranos" and turned it into a viral video and a part on Boardwalk Empire. Michael and Steve also talk about their superstitions, Bigfoot and why you should never pour wine overhand. Lots to take in on Talking Sopranos Episode #31 "Another Toothpick" S3 E5. Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to post questions and buy official merchandise.

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 crazy stories about setting a bar on fire and some wild times with James Gandolfini.

Then Steve breaks out Bobby Bacala's infamous train hat as he and Michael take on this week's episode. It's a dramatic, brutal and emotional show that got a lot of blowback when it first aired. Many people cancelled their subscription to HBO after seeing it. Michael and Steve also share some thoughts about their approach to acting and how they're able to remember all those lines. There's stories of how Tony Sirico actually went on an expedition to find the Dutchman's lost gold and a crazy Sopranos open casting call that drew over 15,000 people. It's a jam-packed episode! Talking Sopranos #30 "Employee of the Month" S3 Ep4. Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to post questions and buy official merchandise.

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 to lend her rent money. Then Michael, Steve and Aida share a bunch of really funny behind the scenes stories you just have to hear. How Jim and Aida fought like brother and sister on set, the infamous chicken salad incident and a great story about Nancy Marchand.

Then Michael and Steve break down this week's episode which is a big one for both their characters. They also talk about how the real life underground gambling business works and what it's like to be a "Made Man".

It's all this week on Talking Sopranos Ep #29 "Fortunate Son" S3 Ep3. Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to submit questions and hear Michael's original music.

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 Sopranos. Then they get into this week's episode which is a big one. This was the last episode with Nancy Marchand and with her passing the show took a monumental shift. Janice is back in the picture, Ralph is filling the void left by Richie and Tony and Meadow are completely at odds. So how come the entire cast couldn't stop laughing? It's all on this week's episode of Talking Sopranos, Proshai, Livushka S-3 Ep-2. Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to ask Michael and Steve questions, get official merchandise and hear Michael's original music.

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 Steve break down this week's program. Lots to talk about as David Chase tried something a little different in this episode. The feds are front and center and Tony better watch what he says because the basement is now wired for sound. Don't miss Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood, Talking Sopranos Episode #27 (S3-Ep1). Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Send your questions to Michael and Steve and buy official Talking Sopranos merchandise at talkingsopranos.com.

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 Wing-O-Meter finally makes its historic debut.

After that Michael and Steve break down one of the most iconic Soprano's episodes of all time. Never before had TV audiences seen a main character go out like this. Was it really the vindaloo or was Tony just sick about having to take out his best friend. It's all in Talking Sopranos Episode #26 (Sopranos S-2 Ep #13) "Funhouse". Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and visit talkingsopranos.com to ask questions and buy official merchandise.

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 actors and entertainers who worked their whole lives to become what seemed like an overnight success….It ain't easy folks!

Then Michael and Steve break down this week's episode which is definitely a shocker! Audiences were stunned when Janice pulled the trigger and lots to unpack 20 years later. Both David Proval and Aida Turturro deserved Emmys for this one. Don't miss Talking Sopranos Ep #25 "The Knight in White Satin Armor". Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and go to talkingsopranos.com to ask questions, get official merchandise and hear Michael's original music.

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 is getting it from all sides as everything is starting to build up to the season two finale…Don't miss Talking Sopranos Ep #24 "House Arrest". Subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and please give us a good rating. Get your official Talking Sopranos merchandise and submit questions to Michael and Steve at talking sopranos.com.

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. Tony wrestles with the thought of spending life behind bars, Carmela almost makes a huge mistake with the wall paper guy and Richie attempts to make his big move with Junior. It's all on Talking Sopranos Episode #23 "Bust-Out". Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to get your official Talking Sopranos merchandise at talkingsopranos.com