Alright listen up you Sopranos fanatics! It seems like even years after the show ended Tony and the crew are still making news. From cast reunions to pizza shop sightings and even real-life mobsters weighing in The Sopranos legacy is alive and kicking. Let's get into all the latest buzz about our favorite New Jersey drama.
'Conversations with Sopranos' is Coming to Town Get Ready for a Hilarious and Honest Night
For all you folks in the Hudson Valley area you are in for a treat. Some major players from The Sopranos are heading to Peekskill New York for a live event you won't want to miss. "Conversations with Sopranos Live" is hitting the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater and it's going to be a night of comedy and behind-the-scenes stories.
Who can you expect to see? We are talking Bobby Bacala himself Steve Schirripa the one and only Christopher Moltisanti Michael Imperioli and of course Vinny Pastore aka Big Pussy Bonpensiero. These guys are legends and together on stage it's bound to be both funny and insightful. Plus comedian Joey Kola will be there too to warm up the crowd. Mark your calendars for Saturday April 5th at 8pm and grab your tickets fast for this Sopranos reunion.
Vito Spatafore Walks Into a Pizza Place... No Joke It's Joseph Gannascoli at DeLucia's Pizza
Speaking of Sopranos stars Joseph R. Gannascoli who played Vito Spatafore on the show recently made a surprise visit to DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza in Raritan New Jersey. Yes Vito Spatafore just casually strolled into a pizza joint in Jersey. How cool is that?
Christian DeLucia the owner was totally surprised and said he didn't even know Gannascoli was coming. Apparently Gannascoli is a fan of good pizza maybe? He hung out in the kitchen chatted with the staff and of course enjoyed some of DeLucia's famous pies. DeLucia mentioned Gannascoli was a "very nice guy with a great personality" and that it was awesome meeting someone from The Sopranos since he grew up watching the show.
DeLucia's Pizza has become a bit of a viral sensation itself after getting a near-perfect review from Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports. Ever since then people have been flocking to Raritan for a slice and even celebrities are stopping by. Before Gannascoli NFL legend Joe Montana and some New York Jets players had also visited DeLucia's. So if you want to eat like a Sopranos star or an NFL legend you know where to go DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza in Raritan.
Real Mobster Rates The Sopranos Realism: Find Out What's Fact and Fiction
Ever wondered how accurate The Sopranos actually is when it comes to portraying Mafia life? Well now we have a real former mobster giving his take. Anthony Ruggiano Jr. a former proposed member of the Gambino crime family has been reviewing Mafia scenes in movies and TV shows and of course he weighed in on The Sopranos.
Ruggiano who is now a counselor and host of the "Reformed Gangsters" podcast broke down how gangsters turn into informants on The Sopranos. This is a key part of the show with characters like Tony Soprano constantly dealing with the threat of rats and betrayals from within their ranks. Ruggiano's insights give a fascinating look at the reality behind the drama.
He also reviewed other famous mob movies and shows like Goodfellas The Godfather and Donnie Brasco separating fact from fiction in their portrayals of Mafia life. While The Sopranos is known for its gritty realism it's always interesting to hear from someone who actually lived that life and can say what Hollywood gets right and wrong.
Godfather Scene Gets Mobster Fact-Check: Restaurant Killing Not So Realistic?
In another video Ruggiano specifically analyzed Michael Corleone's infamous restaurant killing scene in The Godfather. This is a HUGE scene in movie history where Michael takes out Sollozzo and McCluskey. But according to Ruggiano the scene is not totally true to life especially the part where Michael kills a police captain.
Ruggiano says killing a police captain even a corrupt one was "unheard of" in the real Mafia world. He also doubts the gun would have been hidden so casually in the bathroom and that a mobster would leave the murder weapon behind at the scene. Despite these inaccuracies Ruggiano still gives The Godfather a decent score of 7 out of 10 for realism saying "a lot of stuff in The Godfather would not happen. It was really Hollywood.”
Even with some Hollywood exaggerations The Godfather and The Sopranos remain iconic and compelling crime dramas. But it's always fun to get a real-world perspective on how these shows compare to the actual Mafia life they depict.
Upcoming Sopranos Events and Content to Check Out:
- Conversations with Sopranos Live: Catch Steve Schirripa Michael Imperioli and Vinny Pastore live on stage in Peekskill NY on April 5th. Get tickets now!
- DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza: Visit Raritan NJ and try the pizza that even Sopranos actors love. You might even spot a celebrity!
- Anthony Ruggiano Jr.'s "Reformed Gangsters" Podcast: Get a real mobster's take on your favorite Mafia movies and TV shows including The Sopranos on YouTube.
- Re-watch The Sopranos: Feeling nostalgic? It's always a good time to revisit the entire Sopranos series on HBO Max and dive back into Tony's world.
Still Crazy After All These Years: The Sopranos Enduring Appeal
So even though The Sopranos ended years ago the show and its stars are still making waves. Whether it's cast reunions celebrity pizza runs or real-life mobsters offering their opinions The Sopranos continues to fascinate and entertain. It's a testament to the show's lasting impact and why it remains one of the greatest TV dramas of all time. Now if you'll excuse me I'm suddenly craving some gabagool and a cannoli.