The supporting players who play minor but important roles on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos" are holding out for more money just as the final season is set to begin filming next month. Among the hold-outs are Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Meadow Soprano), Robert Iler (A.J. Soprano), Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Jennifer Melfi), Tony Sirico (Paulie "Walnuts"), Steven Van Zandt (Silvio Dante) and Steven R. Schirripa (Tony's brother-in-law, Bobby Bacala) who are all seeking big raises and remain unsigned.
The actors are furious that they've yet to get offers they can't refuse, a source said. "It's coming down to the wire. HBO just doesn't want to pay. No one has deals and they're very far apart. [Show creator] David Chase has tried to help the actors, but even his pleas have fallen on deaf ears."
Sigler`s character was sent to California in the season that just wrapped and was not seen in last Sunday`s season finale. She told Sunday`s New York Post she has not been contacted by the show`s producers or offered a contract for the final eight episodes, which start shooting this month.
'They never tell you what they`re planning in advance, but I couldn`t say if I knew anyway,' Sigler told the Post.
It's not as if HBO can't afford to give raises to the supporting cast for the final eight episodes: HBO sold the rerun rights to A&E for $195 million and continues to rake in millions more in DVD sales of "the Sopranos".
