Michael Imperioli - Apple Podcasts

Talking Sopranos

Talking Sopranos

talkingsopranos@gmail.com (podjams)

04/06/2020

Episode 1 "Pilot"

Welcome to the premiere episode of Talking Sopranos! Michael and Steve go back to the beginning and talk about how they got involved in this ground-breaking series. They discuss their initial thoughts about the show and their first auditions with David Chase. They'll share some of their favorite stories about the cast and give us an inside look at what was going on behind the scenes. Then Michael and Steve break down the Pilot episode of this iconic series scene by scene. They discuss the little details, their favorite moments and give us a unique POV on what it all means. Plus our first Ask Anything Me Segment and more than a few surprising moments. Don't forget to submit your questions at TalkingSopranos.com. Enjoy Sopranos Fans, this is only the beginning! Sopranos co-stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa host the definitive Sopranos re-watch podcast. Michael and Steve follow the Sopranos series episode by episode giving fans all the inside info, behind the scenes stories and little-known facts that could only come from someone on the inside. Talking Sopranos also features interviews with additional cast members, producers, writers, production crew and special guests. Along with talking about the Sopranos, Michael and Steve will also share candid conversations about the entertainment business, their friendship and all the folks they've met along the way. This is a must listen for all Sopranos fans.
09/21/2020

Episode #26 "Funhouse"

In our amazing Season 2 finale Michael and Steve welcome the one, and only "Big P***y", Vinny Pastore. He was a killer, a rat, a gangster and audiences absolutely loved him. Definitely one of the best episodes of the season. Vinny talks about what it was like to be on the best show of all time, and then get whacked at the end of season two. He was devastated at the time but ended up being the first Soprano to take on Hollywood. Vinny is a fantastic guest! Then after months in the shop the Wing-O-Meter finally makes its historic debut. After that Michael and Steve break down one of the most iconic Soprano's episodes of all time. Never before had TV audiences seen a main character go out like this. Was it really the vindaloo or was Tony just sick about having to take out his best friend. It's all in Talking Sopranos Episode #26 (Sopranos S-2 Ep #13) "Funhouse". Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and visit talkingsopranos.com to ask questions and buy official merchandise.
06/18/2025

Talking Sopranos Ep #92 "Catching Up" and a Big Announcement!

What do the Little Rascals, King Kong and the Sopranos have in common? Find out as Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa talk about some of their favorite clips, their latest projects and the BIG UK TOUR. A hilarious conversation as usual. Don't miss this episode of Talking Sopranos, and find out how you can see the guys live in the US and UK. Here's links to upcoming shows. Tickets for 2026 UK Tour https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ Aug 16th Sony Hall - NYC https://sonyhall.com/shows/?eid=13705414 September 6th Athenaeum Center - Chicago IL https://athenaeumcenter.org/events/2025/talking-sopranos/ October 11th Shubert Theatre - Boston MA https://www.bochcenter.org/events/detail/talkingsopranos November 8th Rivers Casino - Philladelphia PA https://www.riverscasino.com/philadelphia/entertainment/the-event-center/InConversationwiththeSopranos November 29th Wellmont Theatre - Montclair NJ https://wellmonttheater.com/shows/talking-sopranos/ January 10th Warner Theatre -Washington DC https://www.warnertheatredc.com/shows
04/08/2020

Episode 2 "46 Long"

Michael and Steve open the books and discuss the intricacies of how this incredible show was made. What it was like on set, read throughs, tone meetings and David Chase's incredible attention to detail. Michael talks about the moment he realized the show was going to be a hit and what it was like working with the amazing cast. Then, Michael and Steve break down the episode scene by scene giving us some backstory on the main characters and their thoughts about the script. There's another Ask Me Anything segment and lots of history about the cast. Don't forget to submit your questions to talkingsopranos.com. Enjoy!
08/31/2020

Episode #23 "Bust-Out"

Michael and Steve are joined by John Ventimiglia (Artie Bucco) one of the Soprano's most lovable characters. John talks about the early days with Michael and how he got his start in the business. Then he shares some stories about how he originally read for the role of Tony Soprano, his inspiration for the character of Artie and how he once sent an actor to the hospital sort of by accident. Then Michael and Steve dig into this week episode which has some of the best acting of the series. Tony wrestles with the thought of spending life behind bars, Carmela almost makes a huge mistake with the wall paper guy and Richie attempts to make his big move with Junior. It's all on Talking Sopranos Episode #23 "Bust-Out". Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to get your official Talking Sopranos merchandise at talkingsopranos.com
12/20/2021

Episode #91 "Made in America"

This is it folks the final episode of Talking Sopranos….and what better guest than David Chase to wrap it all up. Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa ask David a whole list of questions that have come up during the podcast….Is there really anything to the Rhiannon theory? Did Ralphie kill Pie-O-My? Is Tony alive or dead. It's all in this final episode. Talking Sopranos #91 "Made in America" S7-E9. We would also like to thank all the fans who have followed us over the course of this podcast. It's been incredible to take this journey with you and we love you all. We would also like to thank all our fantastic guests, the show just wouldn't have been the same without you. We would like to thank all our amazing sponsors for supporting us and keeping the podcast going through a very difficult time for everyone. In closing a big thank you to everyone who has ever worked on the Sopranos and whose effort made this The Greatest Show in TV history! Cheers. Make sure to pick up Michael and Steve's New York Times Best Seller WOKE UP THIS MORNING: The Definitive Oral History of the Sopranos. Click the link below or get your book wherever books are sold. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/woke-up-this-morning-michael-imperiolisteve-schirripa?variant=33092398710818 Check out Michael and Steve's live show Comedy and Conversations with the Sopranos. Saturday February 12th at the St. George Theatre, Staten Island, N.Y. Check the link below for dates in your area. https://www.talkingsopranos.com/comedy-and-conversations-with-the-sopranos https://www.talkingsopranos.com https://www.betterhelp.com/talking https://honehealth.com/talkingsopranos
06/22/2020

Episode #13 "I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano"

Emmy award winner Edie Falco (Carmela) joins Michael and Steve for the exciting Talking Sopranos season one finale. Edie talks about how she got her start in the business, her first thoughts about the Sopranos script, and how she thought she had absolutely no chance at the role of Carmela. She also reminisces about all the fun she had on the set, the show's amazing success and what it was like to work with James Gandolfini. Then Michael and Steve breakdown the incredible finale of season one. Make sure to check out Talking Sopranos S1 Ep13 "I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano". Remember to keep your questions coming for Michael and Steve at Talkingsopranos.com.
08/17/2020

Episode #21 "Full Leather Jacket"

Sopranos director and producer Allen Coulter joins Michael and Steve for this week's exciting episode of Talking Sopranos. Allen is a Sopranos insider who directed 12 episodes and was the producer for 20 more. Allen shares his incredible story about how he got his very slow start in the business, and how his life was changed the day he met David Chase. He also talks about the challenges of working with James Gandolfini and of course the craziness of directing the one and only Tony Sirico. Then the pundit is back piling on to his insane theory about the Sopranos. Now he has Michael and Steve second guessing themselves! Who the heck is this person and does this crazy theory have any merit at all? Finally Michael and Steve break down this week's episode which is a fan favorite. Who doesn't love the way Richie Aprile says "The Jacket". Lots of story, lots of incredible acting and lots to dig into in this episode. Talking Sopranos #21 "Full Leather Jacket" S2 E8 of the Sopranos. Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and for official Talking Sopranos merchandise go to talkingsopranos.com.
04/20/2020

Episode 4 "Meadowlands"

Sopranos S1 Ep4 - Guest Michael Rispoli (Jackie Aprile) talks to Steve and Michael about how he almost landed the role of Tony Soprano and his on-going friendship with James Gandolfini. Then Michael and Steve breakdown Episode 4 and tell stories of the cast's infamous Eckle awards. What does the dream sequence actually mean, how is Tony putting Melfi's advise to work and what was it really like to work with Dominic Chianese? It's all in this episode of Talking Sopranos #4 "Meadowlands". Remember to subscribe and keep those questions coming at Talkingsporanos.com.
09/14/2020

Episode #25 "The Knight In White Satin Armor"

The evil Richie Aprile (David Proval) joins Michael and Steve for this week's episode of Talking Sopranos. David is an emotional guest who talks about his incredible career, his big break with Martin Scorsese on Mean Streets, and how he got the gig on the Sopranos. He also shares an amazing story about his first audition with James Gandolfini, and how he used his anger and rage at the entertainment industry to create Richie's Aprile's character. Michael and Steve also talk about actors and entertainers who worked their whole lives to become what seemed like an overnight success….It ain't easy folks! Then Michael and Steve break down this week's episode which is definitely a shocker! Audiences were stunned when Janice pulled the trigger and lots to unpack 20 years later. Both David Proval and Aida Turturro deserved Emmys for this one. Don't miss Talking Sopranos Ep #25 "The Knight in White Satin Armor". Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and go to talkingsopranos.com to ask questions, get official merchandise and hear Michael's original music.
08/24/2020

Episode #22 "From Where to Eternity"

This week on Talking Sopranos Michael and Steve take on one of the most memorable episodes of the Sopranos ever. This one is extra special for Michael because wrote it! Originally it was a spec script he created in between season one and two where Christopher OD's. David read it, loved it, and thought it would work perfect in an episode where Christopher gets shot. The story is fantastic and there's lots of inside info as Paulie Walnuts is haunted by ghosts from his past, and a vision of life after death. Didn't his donations to the church cover all this? In one of the most powerful scenes of the entire series Tony confronts Melfi about his Italian heritage, honor, family and loyalty. As Christopher says to Carmela when she asks about the hospital drugs…It's pretty f**cking good. S2 E9 of the Sopranos "From Where to Eternity" takes us to some crazy places. Make sure to check it out and please subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast where ever you get your podcasts. Also post questions for Michael and Steve and get your official Talking Sopranos merchandise at talking sopranos.com
06/29/2020

Episode #14 "Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office"

Michael and Steve take on the Season 2 Premiere ….and this episode does not disappoint. The Sopranos series is getting bigger, there are more characters, more plot twists and more downright evil for Tony Soprano to deal with. His best friend might be a rat, indictments are coming down, his uncle and mother tried to have him killed, his crazy insane sister is coming, his goomah, his wife wants him back in therapy….It's insanity! All this plus Michael and Steve share stories about how it all started, their first jobs and how they originally got into show business. Make sure to check out Talking Sopranos episode #14 "Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office". Remember to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get you podcasts and keep those questions coming at talkingsopranos.com.
04/27/2020

Episode 5 "College"

Sopranos S1 Ep 5 – Michael and Steve breakdown one of the most incredible Soprano's episodes ever. This was the one HBO was worried about and David Chase had to fight for what he felt had to be done. Plus what the heck is the deal with Father Phil. Talking Sopranos #5 "College". Remember to subscribe and send your Ask Me Anything" questions to Michael and Steve at talkingsopranos.com.
03/01/2021

Episode #49 "Whoever Did This"

This week Michael and Steve welcome two exciting guests. Al Sapienza who played Mikey Palmice, and Dan Grimaldi who played both Philly and Patsy Parisi. First up Al talks about how he got his start in the business. Did you know he played Ringo in Beatlemania on Broadway? Then he shares how a relationship with Jason Alexander got him the audition for the Sopranos. For Al, Mikey Palmice was the role of a lifetime and he was devastated when he heard he was getting whacked. He tried to talk David out of it, but in the end kept a positive attitude and went on to build a brilliant career after the Sopranos. Then professor Grimaldi joins the podcast. Dan actually has a PhD in data processing and still teaches at Kingsborough Community College. When Dan originally got out of grad school he went to work for Bell Labs and absolutely hated it. After only a week on the job he decided to quit and realized acting was the life for him. When Michael was young he used to love a horror movie called "Don't Go In the House" which starred Dan Grimaldi. Then years later when Michael landed his first role in a professional play it was Dan who ended up playing his father. Strange… Then Michael and Steve get into the episode which was a big one for Joe Pantoliano. Joe won an Emmy for this season and sent this episode to the academy for consideration. Michael was also nominated that year and talks about what it's like to win, and lose at the Emmys. There's a lot in Talking Sopranos episode #49 "Whoever Did This" S4 - Ep9. Make sure to subscribe the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and go to the Talking Sopranos web site to ask questions and get official merchandise. https://www.talkingsopranos.com
05/11/2020

Episode 7 "Down Neck"

Guest Robert Iler (AJ Soprano) joins Michael and Steve to talk about working with James Gandofini, his incredible time on the Sopranos, and being a professional poker player. Did he really shave his eyebrows in season 5? Then Michael and Steve break down the Sopranos S1 Ep 7. They discuss the flashback to 1967 and some of the David Chase's interesting music choices. Tony tells Melfi he was always proud to be Johnny Soprano's son but was it Livia who was the real gangster? It's all in this this week's episode of Talking Sopranos #7 "Down Neck". Go to talkingsopranos.com to ask questions and more.
06/21/2021

Episode #65 "Long Term Parking"

It's another fantastic episode with two amazing guests. First up, the legendary Peter Bogdanovich talks about how he started out as an actor in NYC and what gave him the bug to start directing. He shares stories about his friendship with Orson Wells, how he cast Tatum O'Neil in the Last Picture Show and of course how he ended up on the Sopranos. Peter became friends with David Chase who asked him to play the role of Melfi's psychiatrist. He also directed Michael and Steve in Sentimental Education S5-Ep6 of the Sopranos. Next Marianne Leone joins the podcast. Michael worked with Marianne on Goodfellas and the two remained friends ever since. She is a lot of fun and shares some great stories about her days on the Sopranos and how Federico Castelluccio restored a painting of her grandparents. Then Michael and Steve get into one of the most surprising and dramatic episodes of the entire series. Michael and Drea both won Emmys for their performances as well as Terry Winter for the screenplay. Tim Van Patten was nominated for directing. This is a great one…Talking Sopranos S5-E12 "Long Term Parking". Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com for official merchandise and to ask Michael and Steve questions. https://www.talkingsopranos.com https://www.betterhelp.com/talking https://www.scoremaster.com/talking https://www.stamps.com
09/28/2020

Episode #27 "Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood"

Kathrine Narducci (Charmaine Bucco) joins Michael and Steve for the Talking Sopranos Season 3 premiere. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, Kathrine talks about working with them all. But her most amazing story might be how she took her son on an open casting call, and ended up walking away with her first role playing opposite Robert DeNiro in A Bronx Tale. Kathrine is a great guest and certainly had a lot of fun working on the Sopranos. Then the feds are listening as Michael and Steve break down this week's program. Lots to talk about as David Chase tried something a little different in this episode. The feds are front and center and Tony better watch what he says because the basement is now wired for sound. Don't miss Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood, Talking Sopranos Episode #27 (S3-Ep1). Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Send your questions to Michael and Steve and buy official Talking Sopranos merchandise at talkingsopranos.com.
11/09/2020

Episode #33 "Second Opinion"

Emmy award winning Cinematographer Phil Abraham joins Michael and Steve for another exciting episode of Talking Sopranos. Phil worked on all six seasons of the Sopranos and shares some great stories from behind the camera. He talks about how James Gandolfini was once leery about a director so he tanked the scene just to see if the director would notice. He also talks about directing his first episode, and what it was like being part of crazy Soprano's family. Then Michael and Steve get into this week's episode which is one of Edie Falco's best. Carmela tries therapy on her own but is shaken by what Dr Krakower tells her. Did you know that Mike Nichols originally agreed to play the role of the doctor but bailed after the table read? Junior undergoes an operation for cancer and places his life in the hands of a man named Kennedy. Unfortunately doctors in real life aren't what they're like on TV….wait what? Michael and Steve dig into the whole Kennedy mystique and Michael tells us what he really thinks of Ronald Regan. It's all this week on Talking Sopranos Ep #33 "Second Opinion" S3 Ep7. Make sure to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to ask question and get official talking sopranos merchandise.
02/22/2021

Episode #48 "Mergers and Acquisitions"

This week on Talking Sopranos it's another double header! Michael and Steve welcome both Angelo Massagli and Arthur J. Nascarella to the podcast. First up it's Angelo Massagli, Bobby Baccalieri III and Steve's on-screen son. Angelo talks about what it was like to be part of the Sopranos at age 10. How David Chase always made him feel so important and how he helped Angelo even after the Sopranos was over. Angelo's parents wouldn't let him watch the show when it aired, but he recently watched the series for the first time and shares his thoughts. Next up it's Steve and Michael's good friend Arthur Nascarella. Arthur was a 21 year veteran of the NYPD and shares how that experience prepared him for a life on-screen. He auditioned for a number of roles on the Sopranos and finally hit gold with Carlo Gervasi. Arthur shares some amazing stories about how he met James Gandolfini and what he found in his dressing room the first day on set. Then Michael and Steve get into this week's episode which has one of Steve's favorite lines from the entire series. Tony says I can't take Ralphie's girlfriend "I already took his horse" Ouch. But that's nothing compared to the story about Ralphie and the cheese grater. It's a lot to take in and another fantastic episode of Talking Sopranos, Ep #48 Mergers and Acquisitions S4 - Ep8. Don't forget to subscribe to the Talking Sopranos podcast wherever you get your podcasts and go to the Talking Sopranos website to ask questions and buy merchandise. https://www.talkingsopranos.com
07/27/2020

Episode #18 "Big Girls Don't Cry"

This is an exciting episode with Terry Winter. He talks with Michael and Steve about how he got his start in the business, how he came up with many of the ideas for the show and writing the script for The Wolf of Wall Street. It's a great interview! Then a second special guest joins the show as Michael and Steve reminisce about their love of baseball. In a crazy moment they discover they may have actually crossed paths at a famous game over 50 years ago. Then Michael and Steve breakdown this week's amazing episode. This was the first shot with Federico Castelluccio (Furio) and you have you hear how at 4:30am on day one he absolutely knocked it of the park…..literally. The guys discuss how big questions are starting to arise for Tony Soprano and Christopher's incredible James Dean. It's all on Talking Sopranos #18 S2 E5 "Big Girls Don't Cry". Make sure to go to subscribe to the talking sopranos podcast where ever you get your podcasts and go to talkingsopranos.com to post questions for Michael and Steve.

Michael Imperioli on Apple