Gandolfini Shares His Wealth with Cast...

[Guest Mole]

From People.com

 

TV fans may know James Gandolfini as New Jersey Mob boss Tony Soprano, but his fellow cast members on HBO's "The Sopranos" may now think of him as Santa Claus.

Gandolfini, 41, whose recent clash with the network resulted in a healthy pay hike, handed out five-figure checks last week to Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Tony Sirico and others, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

 

All told, about a dozen people benefited from Gandolfini's generous gesture, which cost him $500,000 -- all his own cash, says the trade paper. It reportedly was his way of acknowledging that the show's success hinges on the strength of its ensemble cast.

 

The check-dispensing took place on the first week of filming season five of the show. The Reporter adds that HBO (which, like PEOPLE, is part of AOL Time Warner) and "Sopranos" creator-executive producer David Chase are currently discussing the possibility of a sixth season.

 

That may take some doing. HBO's option for picking up the actors' contracts for a sixth season expired Tuesday, but the cast reportedly agreed to a one-week extension. An HBO spokeswoman declined comment.

 

Meanwhile, because filming is only now underway, the fifth season of "The Sopranos" will not hit the air until February or March of next year. Chase told New York's Daily News that he may extend this next season beyond the typical 13 episodes, because he's finding there's a lot of ground to cover.

 

This is nice of James, and it is sweet that Sopranos might be more than 13 episodes and a sixth season.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

I don't know how "sincere" this gesture was. I think he wanted to do something nice publicly after looking a big asshole after his contract dispute. His negotiations practically screamed "I am the lynchpin of this series and more important than everyone else", so going back months later and trying to convince everyone else that they are important to by giving them money seems...very Tony Soprano-like, if I do say so myself.

 

I like the Sopranos but I wouldn't want it to continue for another season. I think five should end it. I'd much rather see an extended season five to wrap things up in fifteen episodes than a whole 'nother 13 episodes we'd have to wait a year and a half for.

 

At any rate, Mole, I don't think you'll see an extended season five AND a sixth season, you'll either get one or the other, not both. The extension would be to prevent a sixth season, not just an added bonus before it.

[NYU]

Right. Let's give the money to the CAST, which have high-enough contracts as it is. To someone who's pulling in 500G's a year, what the hell is an extra 15,000 dollars ? Why didn't he give it to the people who needed it more ? Perhaps the wardrobe or the set designers ? You know, people who aren't paid as much but would appreciate the money a lot more.

 

Gandolfini is an asshole and did this to get extra publicity. He held out for more money, and now the public sees him for the bastard he is, and I am pretty grateful.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

definitely a PR move...although its a nice gesture.