There were some terrific dramas on television in 2024. Shogun (FX Networks/Disney+ in Canada) was a big budget movie a week, an impressive, uber subtitled effort and an example of Vancouver crew work at its finest. Kudos as well to Golden Globe nominated Hiroyuki Sanada as lead actor. Franklin, on AppleTV+, was another international, historical
Am I disappointed in the new HBO/Crave documentary “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos”? Fagettbout it. The two-part film, streaming now on Max in the US and Crave in Canada, is brilliant. Oscar winning director Alex Gibney (“The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicone Valley”) turns the tables by putting Chase, now 79, in
Think casting The Sopranos was easy? Fagetaboutit. Tony Sirico originally read for the part of Uncle Junior on the award-winning HBO series. After the audition, creator and executive producer David Chase called the actor at home with a “good news, bad news” scenario. The bad news was that Sirico did not get the part of
CHML mid-morning host Bill Kelly called Friday to talk about the 20th anniversary of The Sopranos. The landmark HBO series launched in January of 1999. Did we fagetaboutit? Fagetaboutit! The two Bills agreed that the late, great James Gandolfini had a lot to do with the success of the series. While others may have been
It was 20 years ago today that The Sopranos grabbed TV by the Paulie Walnuts. In January of 1999, executive producer David Chase’s groundbreaking drama about a mob boss, his shrink (Dr. Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco) and his two “families” took the antihero into a whole new direction. Emmy winner James Gandolfini kicked down
In the history of television, Sid Caesar goes so far back he might as well be Julius Caesar.He was guesting on Milton Berle’s Texaco Star Theater in 1948 and headlining the Admiral Broadway Revue with Imogene Coca in 1949. In other words, he dates back to when sponsors owned shows. That was not such a