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blingbling
03-13-03, 04:26 PM
The Associated Press
Thursday, March 13, 2003; 9:35 AM

HBO has suspended filming of "The Sopranos" due to a contract dispute with the show's star, James Gandolfini, newspapers said.

Network executives told cast members that work on the fifth season of the hit show about a New Jersey mob family has been postponed indefinitely, the Daily News and the New York Post reported in Thursday editions. Filming had been scheduled to begin on March 24.

Gandolfini, who plays mob boss Tony Soprano, is reportedly seeking upward of $1 million an episode, while HBO has offered $800,000. Gandolfini currently earns about $400,000 an episode.

"Every year he asked for a raise," HBO lawyer Bert Fields told the Daily News. "They didn't have to pay a dime more than they did last time. They offered him a huge raise."

But Dan Klores, a spokesman for Gandolfini, said the actor is asking for what he deserves.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19838-2003Mar13.html

TNGTony
03-13-03, 05:43 PM
$800,000 an EPISODE???? Good gravy! That is some serious change. Considering it's a 100% pay raise over last year... Okay, show of hands...who here would tell your boss, "No...a 100% pay raise is not enough. I want more 150% pay raise!"

See ya
Tony

blingbling
03-13-03, 09:53 PM
Originally posted by TNGTony
$800,000 an EPISODE???? Good gravy! That is some serious change. Considering it's a 100% pay raise over last year... Okay, show of hands...who here would tell your boss, "No...a 100% pay raise is not enough. I want more 150% pay raise!"

See ya
Tony

I agree with you Tony but this is Hollywood and normal rules don't apply ;). An extra $200K per episode is chump change for HBO. I say pay him what he wants, tell David Chase to write the final season and hopefully the best season, and finally put a stake through the heart of this tired primetime soap opera. It started out great but its been drawn out too long and the story line has become too diluted.

Ciao!

SamC
03-14-03, 05:46 PM
Another Hollywood out-of-touch with reality type wanting more money.

STXJim
03-14-03, 08:54 PM
Hey...
If the weak-ass show 'Friends' members can make a million.......
Why can't a man who really WORKS for his money make a million?
Comparing the two.......
Give Tony Soprano the money he deserves.
I'd love to watch another season...
As long as it isn't another soap opera. :rolleyes:

RichW
03-18-03, 11:53 PM
This is extortion!!! :)