It's been 18 months since James Gandolfini and "The Sopranos" were last seen on TV, and they've returned with a bada bang in last Sunday's premiere. With a dozen episodes in the can and next year looking to be the last, Tony Soprano's mob family are threatening to put the screws to HBO during contract negotiations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, some of the actors want to return to the negotiating table where they will ask for huge pay raises before they shoot the final eight episodes. Mob boss Gandolfini is rumored to already be receiving around $1 million dollars per episode.
The Journal said that cast members with smaller roles were pushing HBO for new deals following reports that the show's leading cast members have signed new contracts. Those who have negotiated or are negotiating raises include Edie Falco, who plays Tony's wife, Carmela, and Lorraine Bracco, who plays Tony's shrink, Dr. Melfi.
Actors looking for a new contract deal include Tony Sirico, who plays Paulie Walnuts, Steven Van Zandt, who plays Silvio, and Steven R. Schirripa, who plays Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri. The Journal reported that "major cast members" make in the low six-figure neighborhood per episode, while those with smaller roles get $35,000 to $50,000.
But before the cable network can tell the cast to fugetaboutit - because ratings were down in last Sunday's premiere due to head-to-head competition with "Desperate Housewives" - they'll have to watch the show's impact on their bottom line. HBO typically reports about a 30% jump in HBO subscribers every time a new season for "The Sopranos" premieres.
