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All Happy Families... (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"All Happy Families..." is the fifty-sixth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos
and was the fourth of the show's fifth season. It was written by Toni Kalem
(also plays role of Angie Bonpensiero), directed by Rodrigo García and originally aired on March 28, 2004.
. Little Carmine becomes extremely upset by the news and is advised by fellow capo Rusty Millio to take action. Together with Rusty and Angelo Garepe, Little Carmine tries to devise a plan to overtake Johnny and Phil Leotardo, which is likely to result in complete turmoil.
Tony hears the news of Lorraine Calluzo's murder and advises his captains and soldiers not to get involved in the New York feud. Feech La Manna then recalls when Tony and Jackie Aprile, Sr
made their first major move by robbing his card game. Tony laughs at this, but Feech asks if he can run the executive card game once again. Tony considers the offer, since it is now run by his Uncle Junior
's crew.
Anthony Jr.
is having a difficult time in school and is being extremely resentful to his mother because of his parents' separation. When Tony
and Carmela
go to a conference with A.J.'s guidance counselor, Mr. Wegler, he advises him to improve his SAT
scores and to do better with his classwork. A.J. learns he was once almost diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A.J. suggests that he could get into college with a learning disability angle. If he did have ADD, then he would get unlimited time to complete his SATs. A.J. is sent back to class, when Wegler begins to talk to Tony and Carmela privately about his academic record. Carmela puts part of the blame on the separation, but says that A.J. should be devoting more time to his studies. After they leave the office, the secretary informs Mr. Wegler that two students were involved in a car accident coming to school that morning, with one being killed and the other left in a coma. A.J., still in the office talking to a friend, overhears the news.
Dr. Melfi finds a basket of expensive Dr. Hauschka
toiletries and a bathrobe in her office waiting room from Tony. Later, she reads the gift card to her psychologist Dr. Elliot Kupferberg about the basket which was an apology for using a certain word -- "cunt
" -- to her the last time they spoke in person. He tells her it represents ablution.
Tony decides to buy A.J. a new Nissan Xterra
as a "motivational tool" to get better grades. Tony then tells A.J. that Carmela will keep the keys until his grades are up. Later, in an argument with Tony, Carmela points out that he doesn't have many friends, just "flunkies" who would laugh at his jokes only because he is the boss and they fear him.
At the card game, Feech continues to recall events from the past and makes jokes, generating uproarious laughter from Tony's crew. This causes Tony to become extremely frustrated. To test Carmela's suggestion, Tony makes an obviously unfunny joke to the card players to see if they laugh. The only person not laughing is Feech, which suggests that Carmela was right about his "friends". More importantly, it proves that Feech is not afraid of him and is, therefore, dangerous.
The following day, A.J. asks his mother if he can attend a Mudvayne
concert in New York City
with a few friends. Carmela refuses because A.J. and his friends are planning on staying overnight at a hotel. Angered, A.J. gives Carmela the silent treatment. Carmela gives in on the condition that after the concert he must go to Meadow
's apartment and be back at home by 10:30 AM the following day. A.J. agrees and continues to look at his car manual.
On the night of the concert, A.J. calls Meadow to tell her that he will not be coming to her apartment afterward. Meadow reluctantly gives in, since she is in the middle of making out with Finn. A.J. and his friends then arrive at the hotel, where they get high and drunk shortly afterward. The next morning, A.J. and his friend Matt both wake up when a worried Carmela rings A.J.'s cell phone. A.J. doesn't answer it; his face is Krazy Glued to the carpet, and his eyebrows have been shaved off and redrawn with a permnanent marker. Matt helps A.J. pry his face off the carpet. A.J. and Matt manage to get themselves cleaned up and leave the room.
Carmela becomes extremely worried and frantically calls Tony to go look for A.J. Almost at that same moment, A.J. arrives back home, with his eyebrows shaved off and cartoon ones drawn in their place. A.J. refuses to explain to his mother what happened. When he tries to go to his room, Carmela tries to hold him back. He shrugs her off saying "fuck you" and runs up the stairs. Carmela runs after him, but she trips and bangs her shin on a step. A.J. stops to look back, but continues to his room instead of helping her. Tony arrives and Carmela, upset, gives an accurate rundown on what happened between herself and A.J. Then A.J. comes down taking out the trash (after seeing his father pull up). He has washed off his cartoon eyebrows but Tony notices "something different about him". Carmela points out that his eyebrows have been shaved off. Horrified, Tony says A.J. should come clean with whatever "sexual proclivities" he may have with him and that teacher, meaning his tutor. He also questions his son about drug usage. However, A.J. comes up with lies including a false alibi. He denies he was taking drugs and only had a few beers. Tony believes A.J.'s false story, and starts to side with A.J. about Carmela's "overreaction". Tony states that it's normal teenage behavior. Carmela is resentful for Tony taking up A.J.'s side. After Tony sends A.J. outside Carmela discusses how it may be her fault A.J. is the way he is because she tries to compete with Tony for his affections by indulging him like Tony. Tony denies it but Carmela then says that Tony should take him and live with him. At Tony's, A.J. enjoys himself, bonding with his father, Artie Bucco and his uncle Tony Blundetto
, watching "The $99,000 Answer
" episode of The Honeymooners
.
When Feech's hired goons carjack a wedding of the daughter of Tony's close friend, Dr. Ira Fried, by robbing a valet parking service (in which only foreign cars were stolen), Tony reluctantly decides that Feech -- although well liked and highly respected -- must go since he is causing nothing but problems, and he is worried that Feech will try to usurp his authority, just as Richie Aprile
had done.
Christopher Moltisanti
and Benny Fazio visit Feech at his home and ask him where they can hide a set of flat screen televisions. Feech recommends that they store them in his garage, and charges them a TV for the service.
Carmela has lunch with Mr. Wegler. They discuss A.J.'s troubles as well as her own. He recommends the novel Madame Bovary
by Gustave Flaubert
, given some apparent parallels between Carmela and the book's protagonist.
The following day, Feech is ambushed when a substitute parole officer, Supervisor Curan, arrives at his house even though a previous inspection happened the week before. He suspects that the flat screen television on Feech's wall was stolen. The officer then asks Feech to show him his garage, and Feech has no choice but to comply. For violating his parole by receiving stolen merchandise, Feech is immediately returned to prison on a bus. On the bus, Feech looks forlornly at the last glimpses of the outside world through the bus window's wire, possibly realizing he was set up by Tony.
Carmela, while unlocking the door to her house carrying groceries, has a flashback of the time when A.J. careened down the driveway and out into the street on his Big Wheel. She frantically screams "Anthony!" Snapping back to the present, Carmela looks at the driveway, contemplating the memory of A.J's now-gone innocence. She turns and opens the door and enters. She stands in the foyer
, groceries still in arm, realizing how profoundly alone she is in that big house with Tony, Meadow, and now A.J. gone.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
and was the fourth of the show's fifth season. It was written by Toni Kalem
Toni Kalem
Toni Kalem is an American actress, screenwriter and director. Kalem is best known for her portrayal of Angie Bonpensiero on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
(also plays role of Angie Bonpensiero), directed by Rodrigo García and originally aired on March 28, 2004.
Guest starring roles
- Ray AbruzzoRay AbruzzoRay Abruzzo is an Italian-American actor, noted for his appearances on television.He made regular appearances in the following series: Dynasty , The Practice and The Sopranos .Other TV credits include: Falcon Crest, Murder She Wrote, L.A...
as Little Carmine Lupertazzi - Chris Caldovino as Billy Leotardo
- Patti D'ArbanvillePatti D'ArbanvillePatricia "Patti" D'Arbanville is an American actress and former model.-Early life:D'Arbanville, born May 25, 1951 in New York City, New York, is the daughter of Jean , an artist, and George D'Arbanville, a bartender, and attended PS 41 on Eleventh Street...
as Lorraine Calluzzo - Robert LoggiaRobert LoggiaRobert Loggia is an American film and television actor and director.- Early life :Loggia, an Italian American, was born on Staten Island, the son of Elena Blandino, a homemaker, and Benjamin Loggia, a shoemaker, both of whom were born in Sicily, Italy...
as Feech La Manna - Joe Maruzzo as Joe Peeps
- John PleshetteJohn PleshetteJohn Pleshette is an American actor, perhaps best known for being an original cast member of the long-running primetime television drama Knots Landing playing Richard Avery...
as Dr. Ira Fried - David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
as Himself - Joe SantosJoe SantosJoe Santos is an American film and television actor.-Biography:Santos was born Joseph Minieri in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Rose and Joseph Minieri. He began his film acting career in the mid-1960s, appearing in films directed by his cousin, Joseph W...
as Angelo Garepe - David StrathairnDavid StrathairnDavid Russell Strathairn is an American actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for portraying journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck...
as Robert Wegler - Lawrence TaylorLawrence TaylorLawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
as Himself - Frankie ValliFrankie ValliFrankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
as Rusty Millio - Frank VincentFrank VincentFrank Vincent is an American actor, musician, author and entrepreneur. He is a favorite performer of director Martin Scorsese, having played important roles in three of Scorsese's most acclaimed films: Raging Bull , Goodfellas and Casino . He often plays a gangster and works both in features and...
as Phil Leotardo - Gina LynnGina LynnGina Lynn is a Puerto Rican pornographic actress.- Biography :Lynn was born to Puerto Rican and Italian parents in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Jackson Township, New Jersey; she currently resides and operates Gina Lynn Productions in Reading, Pennsylvania...
as herself - Bernie BrillsteinBernie BrillsteinBernard J. "Bernie" Brillstein was an American film and television producer, executive producer and talent agent.-Life and career:...
as Himself
Episode recap
In New York, Lorraine Calluzzo and her boyfriend, Jason Evanina, are murdered by Billy Leotardo and Joe Peeps after they refused to give their collections to Johnny SackJohnny Sack
John "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was the longtime underboss and later the boss of the powerful Brooklyn-based New York City Lupertazzi crime family...
. Little Carmine becomes extremely upset by the news and is advised by fellow capo Rusty Millio to take action. Together with Rusty and Angelo Garepe, Little Carmine tries to devise a plan to overtake Johnny and Phil Leotardo, which is likely to result in complete turmoil.
Tony hears the news of Lorraine Calluzo's murder and advises his captains and soldiers not to get involved in the New York feud. Feech La Manna then recalls when Tony and Jackie Aprile, Sr
Jackie Aprile, Sr
Giacomo Michael "Jackie" Aprile, Sr., played by Michael Rispoli, was a fictional character on the HBO original series The Sopranos. He was the first Acting Boss of the DiMeo Crime Family, after longtime reputed Boss Ercole 'Eckley' DiMeo was sent to prison in 1995...
made their first major move by robbing his card game. Tony laughs at this, but Feech asks if he can run the executive card game once again. Tony considers the offer, since it is now run by his Uncle Junior
Junior Soprano
Corrado John Soprano, Jr., played by Dominic Chianese, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually referred to as "Junior" or "Uncle Jun", he is the mentor and surrogate father for capo Tony Soprano. A younger Corrado sometimes appears in flashbacks and is played by Rocco...
's crew.
Anthony Jr.
Anthony Soprano, Jr.
Anthony John "A.J." Soprano, Jr. , played by Robert Iler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually just called "A.J.", he is the son of Carmela and Tony Soprano. He is a prototypical underachiever and is a constant source of stress and anxiety for his parents...
is having a difficult time in school and is being extremely resentful to his mother because of his parents' separation. When Tony
Tony Soprano
Anthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely...
and Carmela
Carmela Soprano
Carmela Soprano née DeAngelis, played by Edie Falco, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the wife of Mafia boss Tony Soprano and the program's most prominent female character.-Character biography:...
go to a conference with A.J.'s guidance counselor, Mr. Wegler, he advises him to improve his SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
scores and to do better with his classwork. A.J. learns he was once almost diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A.J. suggests that he could get into college with a learning disability angle. If he did have ADD, then he would get unlimited time to complete his SATs. A.J. is sent back to class, when Wegler begins to talk to Tony and Carmela privately about his academic record. Carmela puts part of the blame on the separation, but says that A.J. should be devoting more time to his studies. After they leave the office, the secretary informs Mr. Wegler that two students were involved in a car accident coming to school that morning, with one being killed and the other left in a coma. A.J., still in the office talking to a friend, overhears the news.
Dr. Melfi finds a basket of expensive Dr. Hauschka
Dr. Hauschka
Dr. Hauschka is the brand name given to the range of skin care and cosmetics made by the German company WALA Heilmittel GmbH.The brand name originates from WALA's founder Dr. Rudolf Hauschka....
toiletries and a bathrobe in her office waiting room from Tony. Later, she reads the gift card to her psychologist Dr. Elliot Kupferberg about the basket which was an apology for using a certain word -- "cunt
Cunt
Cunt is a vulgarism, primarily referring to the female genitalia, specifically the vulva, and including the cleft of Venus. The earliest citation of this usage in the 1972 Oxford English Dictionary, c 1230, refers to the London street known as Gropecunt Lane...
" -- to her the last time they spoke in person. He tells her it represents ablution.
Tony decides to buy A.J. a new Nissan Xterra
Nissan Xterra
The Nissan Xterra is a compact SUV built on the Nissan F-Alpha platform. The Frontier-based vehicle is named after the XTERRA off-road triathlon race series that Nissan sponsored through the end of 2006.-Introduction:...
as a "motivational tool" to get better grades. Tony then tells A.J. that Carmela will keep the keys until his grades are up. Later, in an argument with Tony, Carmela points out that he doesn't have many friends, just "flunkies" who would laugh at his jokes only because he is the boss and they fear him.
At the card game, Feech continues to recall events from the past and makes jokes, generating uproarious laughter from Tony's crew. This causes Tony to become extremely frustrated. To test Carmela's suggestion, Tony makes an obviously unfunny joke to the card players to see if they laugh. The only person not laughing is Feech, which suggests that Carmela was right about his "friends". More importantly, it proves that Feech is not afraid of him and is, therefore, dangerous.
The following day, A.J. asks his mother if he can attend a Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
concert in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with a few friends. Carmela refuses because A.J. and his friends are planning on staying overnight at a hotel. Angered, A.J. gives Carmela the silent treatment. Carmela gives in on the condition that after the concert he must go to Meadow
Meadow Soprano
Meadow Mariangela Soprano , played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos.-Character:Meadow is the first-born child of Tony and Carmela Soprano...
's apartment and be back at home by 10:30 AM the following day. A.J. agrees and continues to look at his car manual.
On the night of the concert, A.J. calls Meadow to tell her that he will not be coming to her apartment afterward. Meadow reluctantly gives in, since she is in the middle of making out with Finn. A.J. and his friends then arrive at the hotel, where they get high and drunk shortly afterward. The next morning, A.J. and his friend Matt both wake up when a worried Carmela rings A.J.'s cell phone. A.J. doesn't answer it; his face is Krazy Glued to the carpet, and his eyebrows have been shaved off and redrawn with a permnanent marker. Matt helps A.J. pry his face off the carpet. A.J. and Matt manage to get themselves cleaned up and leave the room.
Carmela becomes extremely worried and frantically calls Tony to go look for A.J. Almost at that same moment, A.J. arrives back home, with his eyebrows shaved off and cartoon ones drawn in their place. A.J. refuses to explain to his mother what happened. When he tries to go to his room, Carmela tries to hold him back. He shrugs her off saying "fuck you" and runs up the stairs. Carmela runs after him, but she trips and bangs her shin on a step. A.J. stops to look back, but continues to his room instead of helping her. Tony arrives and Carmela, upset, gives an accurate rundown on what happened between herself and A.J. Then A.J. comes down taking out the trash (after seeing his father pull up). He has washed off his cartoon eyebrows but Tony notices "something different about him". Carmela points out that his eyebrows have been shaved off. Horrified, Tony says A.J. should come clean with whatever "sexual proclivities" he may have with him and that teacher, meaning his tutor. He also questions his son about drug usage. However, A.J. comes up with lies including a false alibi. He denies he was taking drugs and only had a few beers. Tony believes A.J.'s false story, and starts to side with A.J. about Carmela's "overreaction". Tony states that it's normal teenage behavior. Carmela is resentful for Tony taking up A.J.'s side. After Tony sends A.J. outside Carmela discusses how it may be her fault A.J. is the way he is because she tries to compete with Tony for his affections by indulging him like Tony. Tony denies it but Carmela then says that Tony should take him and live with him. At Tony's, A.J. enjoys himself, bonding with his father, Artie Bucco and his uncle Tony Blundetto
Tony Blundetto
Anthony "Tony" Blundetto, played by Steve Buscemi, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is Tony Soprano's cousin who is released from prison at the beginning of the show's fifth season. Tony Blundetto first appears as a calm, composed, and reformed criminal ready to pursue...
, watching "The $99,000 Answer
The $99,000 Answer
The $99,000 Answer is the 18th episode of the TV series The Honeymooners. Ralph practices to be on a game show to win $99,000.In 1997 TV Guide ranked the episode number 6 on its 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time list.-Plot:...
" episode of The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners is an American situation comedy television show, based on a recurring 1951–'55 sketch of the same name. It originally aired on the DuMont network's Cavalcade of Stars and subsequently on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show hosted by Jackie Gleason, and filmed before a live...
.
When Feech's hired goons carjack a wedding of the daughter of Tony's close friend, Dr. Ira Fried, by robbing a valet parking service (in which only foreign cars were stolen), Tony reluctantly decides that Feech -- although well liked and highly respected -- must go since he is causing nothing but problems, and he is worried that Feech will try to usurp his authority, just as Richie Aprile
Richie Aprile
Richard 'Richie' Aprile, Sr., played by David Proval, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Richie was a capo and the older brother of former DiMeo crime family acting boss Jackie Aprile, Sr...
had done.
Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:...
and Benny Fazio visit Feech at his home and ask him where they can hide a set of flat screen televisions. Feech recommends that they store them in his garage, and charges them a TV for the service.
Carmela has lunch with Mr. Wegler. They discuss A.J.'s troubles as well as her own. He recommends the novel Madame Bovary
Madame Bovary
Madame Bovary is Gustave Flaubert's first published novel and is considered his masterpiece. The story focuses on a doctor's wife, Emma Bovary, who has adulterous affairs and lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life...
by Gustave Flaubert
Gustave Flaubert
Gustave Flaubert was a French writer who is counted among the greatest Western novelists. He is known especially for his first published novel, Madame Bovary , and for his scrupulous devotion to his art and style.-Early life and education:Flaubert was born on December 12, 1821, in Rouen,...
, given some apparent parallels between Carmela and the book's protagonist.
The following day, Feech is ambushed when a substitute parole officer, Supervisor Curan, arrives at his house even though a previous inspection happened the week before. He suspects that the flat screen television on Feech's wall was stolen. The officer then asks Feech to show him his garage, and Feech has no choice but to comply. For violating his parole by receiving stolen merchandise, Feech is immediately returned to prison on a bus. On the bus, Feech looks forlornly at the last glimpses of the outside world through the bus window's wire, possibly realizing he was set up by Tony.
Carmela, while unlocking the door to her house carrying groceries, has a flashback of the time when A.J. careened down the driveway and out into the street on his Big Wheel. She frantically screams "Anthony!" Snapping back to the present, Carmela looks at the driveway, contemplating the memory of A.J's now-gone innocence. She turns and opens the door and enters. She stands in the foyer
Foyer
A foyer or lobby is a large, vast room or complex of rooms adjacent to the auditorium...
, groceries still in arm, realizing how profoundly alone she is in that big house with Tony, Meadow, and now A.J. gone.
Deceased
- Lorraine Calluzzo: shot by Billy Leotardo on orders from Johnny SackJohnny SackJohn "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was the longtime underboss and later the boss of the powerful Brooklyn-based New York City Lupertazzi crime family...
- Jason Evanina: shot by Joe Peeps on orders from Johnny Sack
First appearances
- Rusty Millio: A capo in the Lupertazzi family.
- Dante Greco: an associate/Soldier in the Aprile crew
Title reference
- The episode's title is taken from the famous opening sentence of Leo TolstoyLeo TolstoyLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
's Anna KareninaAnna KareninaAnna Karenina is a novel by the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, published in serial installments from 1873 to 1877 in the periodical The Russian Messenger...
: "All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." It refers to the breakup of the Soprano household. - It may also refer to the inner struggles within the Lupertazzi crime family following Carmine's death, as well as to internal strife within Tony's family (e.g., with Feech La Manna and Richie Aprile).
Production
- The episode's script was written by Toni KalemToni KalemToni Kalem is an American actress, screenwriter and director. Kalem is best known for her portrayal of Angie Bonpensiero on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
, who also plays Angie Bonpensiero, and serves as story editor on several episodes of season five. - The character of Dr. Ira Fried was recast in this episode with actor John PleshetteJohn PleshetteJohn Pleshette is an American actor, perhaps best known for being an original cast member of the long-running primetime television drama Knots Landing playing Richard Avery...
. The role was previously played by Lewis J. StadlenLewis J. StadlenLewis J. Stadlen is an American stage and screen character actor.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York to voice actor Allen Swift, Stadlen studied acting with Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler...
. - This is the first time that Frankie ValliFrankie ValliFrankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
portrays Lupertazzi capo Rusty Milio. Valli was mentioned before in the season four episode, "Christopher". - Bernie BrillsteinBernie BrillsteinBernard J. "Bernie" Brillstein was an American film and television producer, executive producer and talent agent.-Life and career:...
, who plays himself at the card game, is the business partner of Sopranos executive producer Brad GreyBrad GreyBrad Alan Grey is the Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, a position he has held since 2005. Under Grey’s leadership, Paramount has finished No.2 in market share in 2008, 2009 and 2010 despite releasing significantly fewer films than its competitors.Since arriving at Paramount in 2005,...
. Also appearing in the card game is New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Lawrence TaylorLawrence TaylorLawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
and, in a separate card game, Van HalenVan HalenVan Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
vocalist David Lee RothDavid Lee RothDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
.
Music
- Edison LighthouseEdison LighthouseEdison Lighthouse was a UK pop group, initially a studio-only assemblage that served as a vehicle for session vocalist Tony Burrows and songwriter/record producers Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason, are best known for their 1970 UK chart-topper and million-selling record, "Love Grows ".-Career:The...
's "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)"Love Grows " is a popular song by "one-hit wonder" Edison Lighthouse. The single hit the number one spot on the UK singles chart on the week ending on 31 January 1970, where it remained for a total of five weeks.- Song profile :...
" is played in the background, probably on a radio, while Lorraine is murdered. - As Tony and Carmela see Mr. Wegler about A.J., Tony asks what A.J. did: "Did he call the teacher 'Daddy-O'?" This was based on a line from The CoastersThe CoastersThe Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
song, "Charlie BrownCharlie Brown (song)"Charlie Brown" is a popular Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song that was a top-ten hit for The Coasters in the spring of 1959 . It went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts, and was the first of three top-ten hits for the Coasters that year...
". - One scene in the Bada BingBada BingThe Bada Bing! is a fictional strip club from the HBO drama television series The Sopranos. It was a key location for events in the series, named for catchphrase "bada bing", a phrase popularized by James Caan in The Godfather. The popularization of the fictional club benefited the real-life go-go...
features The CarsThe CarsThe Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
' "Moving in StereoMoving in Stereo"Moving in Stereo" is a song originally recorded by the American rock band The Cars, featuring lead vocals by Benjamin Orr. It appeared on their self-titled debut album released in 1978...
" — an appropriate song for a topless bar, as it featured in a famous fantasy sequence featuring a topless Phoebe CatesPhoebe CatesPhoebe Cates is an American film actress, model, and entrepreneur known for her roles in several teen films, most notably Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins.-Early life:...
in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont HighFast Times at Ridgemont HighFast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe and adapted from his 1981 book of the same name...
. - In the scene where Tony is arguing with Feech, Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixJames Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
's "Who KnowsBand of GypsysBand of Gypsys was a blues rock band led by Jimi Hendrix and backed by Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Hendrix formed the band after the dissolution of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Band of Gypsys is also the band's eponymous live album recorded on two separate nights, 31 December 1969 and 1 January...
" can be heard in the background through the entire scene. - As A.J. and his friends smoke marijuana in the hotel room, "Trouble" by West Coast rapper RoscoeRoscoe (rapper)David Williams , better known by his stage name Roscoe, is a rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California. His 2003 album, Young Roscoe Philaphornia, appeared on Billboard's Billboard 200 at #148....
can be heard playing in the background. - The music played over the end credits is "La Petite Mer" by Thierry RobinThierry RobinThierry "Titi" Robin , is a French musician influenced by gypsy, tzigane and Arabic music, and by the musicians Camaron de la Isla and Iraqi oud player Munir Bashir. Robin plays the guitar, oud, and bouzouki...
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