In the final episode of the first season of Friends, Ross has to go to China, and Joey tells him to go to China and eat Chinese food. Chandler then quips, “'Course in China, they just call it food.” That kind of sums up how I feel about Chicago stunt-casting. It's just “casting” now because it's the norm, not the exception. (Of course, that doesn't stop me from commenting on it.)

But, amazingly, the latest Chicago casting news is actually pretty good. At least it's not really bad, and that's about as much as I can ask. Former Sopranos stars Aida Turturro and Vincent Pastore will be taking over the roles of Matron “Mama” Morton and Amos Hart in the Broadway production beginning November 13.

From a strict Broadway perspective, the casting is a little flawed. Aida Turturro has some stage chops — in 1992, she performed on Broadway in A Streetcar Named Desire — but she's never had a singing/dancing role. And Vincent Pastore has not been on stage since his early community theater days.

But from a character perspective, this makes more sense. Janice Soprano as Mama Morton works. … continue reading

What is it about Tina Fey that has all of Hollywood wanting to appear on her show? Notable appearances have been or will be made by many a LaLa Land celeb, including Isabella Rossellini, soon-to-be View co-host Sherri Shepherd, Rip Torn, Stephanie March and Jerry Seinfeld, who will appear in this season's opener. And now this news: Carmela Soprano alter ego Edie Falco has been added to that illustrious list.

It will be Falco's first TV gig since The Sopranos faded to black and her first network guest appearance since 2004, when she popped in on Will & Grace. So again, I ask you, what has Tina Fey got that keeps enticing such talent to sit through anything with Alec Baldwin?

OK, you're right. I already know the answer to that question. … continue reading

As you've probably already heard, The Sopranos got a whopping 15 Emmy nominations this morning. Meanwhile, the HBO movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee did even better, with 17. (I missed that one entirely, so for me it's more like Scratch My Head at HBO Monopoly.)

Here are the big ones:

2007 Primetime Emmy Nominations

Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal (ABC)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Heroes (NBC)
House (Fox)
The Sopranos (HBO)

Outstanding Comedy Series
30 Rock (NBC)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Ugly Betty (ABC)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters (ABC)
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
Partricia Arquette, Medium (NBC)
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer (TNT)
Minnie Driver, The Riches (FX)
Edie Falco, The Sopranos (HBO) … continue reading

As you've probably heard, earlier this week TheEnvelope.com leaked a short list of Emmy nominations. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has made no comment on the list's accuracy, choosing instead to remind academy members that they have signed a confidentiality agreement (the Academy will mess you up, Emmy voters!) and also reminding the public that nominees won't be officially announced until July 19.

I don't know why it matters, really — we're used to hanging chads and other forms of disenfranchisement in the U.S., so what's a little spilled ink among TV fans? Plus, who really tunes in for the nominee announcements anyway? (There's a motivating factor this year, though: Kyra Sedgwick will be one of the announcers. Won't it be weird if she has to announce herself?)

Anyway, whether these nominees are guesses or sure things, I'm happy to post some photos. The Emmy Awards ceremony airs Sept. 16 at 8/7c on Fox. (Visit TheEnvelope.com for the full, unverified short list.)

1. Possible nominees for Best Comedy Actress:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

America Ferrera … continue reading

I love this. Hillary Clinton as Tony Soprano, announcing the winner of her campaign song contest (after the jump):

… continue reading

As is my wont on Mondays, I woke up thinking about two things: coffee and The Sopranos. Usually there's a lot for me to ponder as I grind the coffee beans — plenty of themes, whacks and pop culture references to get the blood flowing, almost as effectively as if Carmela herself were making me breakfast.

… continue reading

But now it's over. And what are we left with? [Warning: Spoilers ahead.]

Therapists are speaking up about Dr. Melfi's (Lorraine Bracco) behavior in the most recent episode of The Sopranos. [Warning: Spoilers ahead.]

Before we get to that, let's take a moment to appreciate Bracco's legs:

I really don't think I'd be able to concentrate if she were my therapist. I do know I'd never miss an appointment. … continue reading

Actress and undeniable (but possibly unwitting) lesbian icon Edie Falco will grace Late Show With David Letterman tonight.

… continue reading

She'll no doubt be touting the final season of her long-praised HBO show The Sopranos, on which she plays endearingly put-upon mob wife Carmela Soprano, who tolerates her lovable thug of a husband and his immoral, illegal actions — not to mention his goomahs.