By luck I was able to catch one of the recent eps on HBO Sunday Morning at work. I don't have TV at home so this was nice little surprise.

It was the ep were Pauly is “attacked by the chainsaw”. Anyway, I see they have Robert Loggia playing a wise guy, Steve Buschemi playing Tony’s cousin, and even the great Frank Vincent doing what he does best in the scene with phone book and the gun. I knew these actors would be coming to the show before the season opened. However, this got me to thinking about how I always thought that one of the great things about The Sopranos was how, with a few exceptions like Joe Pantoliano (Ralph Cifaretto) and David Proval (Richie Aprile) they stayed away from casting “the usual suspects” or well known actors to play wise guys. I thought using lesser know actors to play the roles gave the show a very realistic feel.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Don’t get me wrong, I love all the additions this season because they’re all great at what they do.

Comments?

Heh - did you know that will be on tonight? Now that's stunt casting...

The thing about putting guys like Buscemi on the series is that you just know they're get whacked sooner or later just like Joey Pants.

I, for one, think that it's great that so-called 'lesser knowns' get casted for the supporting roles. After all, look at James Gandolfini...before this show, he was pretty much an unknown to the masses.

I agree to an extent, feeling that they cast the right "lesser known guys" to achieve the authentic feel. For starters, a great number of the cast consists of east coast italian american actors whom we've seen in films like goodfellas (tony siricio, vincent pastore, michael imperioli, lorraine bracco, etc) and godfather (dominic chianese). So unless you're expecting the Pacinos, DeNiros, or even Chazz Palmentieris, yes they're unknowns. But many of the actors are recognizable to fans of the mafia genre.

If you look at other MAFIA based shows or movies that have NOT been as successfull, I believbe it's because they've usually cast total unknown guys, probably out of LA. Does anyone remember the short lived Donnie Brasco show, "Falcone"?

Ohh yeah, on a side note, I heard David Chase asked Ray Liotta to appear on the show, and Liotta declined, stating something to the effect of "i've already been there, and done goodfellas, which cannot be topped."

Yeah, I see what you mean Doc. I'm a mafia movie fan and of course I've recognized many in the Sopranos from other movies. I guess I'm just talking about how this season the "well known actor gauntlet" has been thrown down and we're seeing more of them than in past seasons.

I remember when BATMAN was a big deal back in the 60's....well, I don't "remember" because I wasn't born... but I read how when the show was on, all the "A LIST" celebrities wanted guest shots on the show because it was such a big show.

Do you guys think some of today's "A LISTERS" are all lined up to be on The Sopranos?

i'm sure many well known actors have called david chase and asked to be on it, but he seems to be the type of guy who'll only use them if he sees an adequate part, instead of just adhering to the falvor of the month...

i wouldn't worry about it becoming like batman...

anyone else catch frankie vallie as one of the henchmen? who'll wee see next week, fabian?

Forget David Lee Roth...Frankie Valli as one of Carmine Jr.'s henchmen - that's cool casting!