Joe D Goes To Bat For Sopranos at Holstens Today

Yay! Go Joe - bring the filming back to Bloomfield!

Go Joe! Holsten's would be an awesome location as it is just so classic old-world ice cream parlor.

My boyfriend and I often go running on the Cedar Grove hospital grounds. Maybe they will cast one of us as an extra...a runner who stumbles over a ....well, you get the idea!

Very fond memories of going there with grandma. I hope they film there!

History making FINAL Scene?

You Bloomfield people are nuts to turn this down !

I understand why the council made their decision but I can not support it. Film companies that come to Bloomfield are a benefit to the town. Nothing personal, its just business.

I agree. The bennies outweigh the negatives here. Yes, more people means more traffic and congestion but it also means more $$$ spent in the town. And the publicity can't hurt. Bloomfield could use some good publicity right now.

The Sopranos can't come to Bloomfield? So now the town council regulates freedom of speech, too?

Hey ! Who you callin a benny ?

Nice to see that Joe has the balls to do the right thing. The mayor and council certainly do not.

I do understand what the council is getting at but I don't think its the right way to go about it and its bad for the town. Does Bloomfield get revenue?

Yes like letting a tv show predicated on (gun)violence film here is just what Bloomfield needs for good publicity.

Especially after friday's shooting

Was that shooter Italian ?

I have to admit I am conflicted on this.

I really love the show. The writing is better than most. The acting is superb. At times the program aspires to heights greater than most episodic television. I rarely feel it casts all Italian-Americans in a negative light. After all Dr. Melfi, Meadow and a number of other characters remind us that this is a depiction of a small insular group living in opposition to the rest of the (Italian-American) community's values.

Yest still, as a Black person, I am often at odds with Hollywood's inability to present varied and nuanced depictions of Black men and women. This includes the Soprano's ... a show that never saw an African-American it didn't turn into an amoral drug dealer, poverty pimp or buffoon.... I guess this is what the plots call for ...

So where does that leave us (me) ... arguing the merits and demerits of art ... from my flawed and biased perspective. Perhaps it would be best to let the artists create ... and then argue the points on end for our posterity.

It's a TV show! They're actors! It's entertainment!

The Sopranos can't come to Bloomfield? So now the town council regulates freedom of speech, too?

Well, they're trying to. First they voted to grant the filming permit, then voted to deny it at the next council meeting after some people complained that The Sopranos was offensive to Italian Americans.

Apparently Mayor McCheese McCarthy and the council are more concerned with pandering to the hurt feelings of a few vocal residents than abiding by the law (town ordinance says film permits evaluated based on "objective facts") and upholding the constitution.

"This includes the Soprano's ... a show that never saw an African-American it didn't turn into an amoral drug dealer, poverty pimp or buffoon.... I guess this is what the plots call for ..."

Um, is there anyone on that show that's NOT a drug dealer, pimp, buffoon... ?

Hey, Mayor Mac.....

As a Life-Long Resident of Essex Counthy, Here's an idea--quit worrying about a frickin' TV show and get your sorry a** in gear and concentrate on things us idiots elected you to do, like moving forward with the so-called "Downtown Re-Development"-The Leadership of the Township of Bloomfield, and Essex Democrats in general, are infinitely more insutling to Italian-Americans than the Sopranos...what a bunch of Jerks!!

Lasermike, J-man:

The point here is that no governmental body has the right to decide what is worthy of artistic expression and what is not.

It's a first amendment issue, not a "what do we think is best for other people" issue.

I agree with Pork Roll and the others. Bloomfield should allow the Sopranos to film at Holsten's. To me, if Holsten's is willing, the town shouldn't have any objection. To others' points, this is a boon to Bloomfield and it's like looking a gift horse in the mouth to turn it down.

Steve from Yellowstone ....

my comment about the show's treatment of Blacks may have been too tortured for some .....

So I will make it plain

We all look at art, facts and figures and assume that we are unbiased. In fact we are not. I can look at a show that depicts almost all of the Italian-Americans in a negative light .... yet I disingenuously seek a grain of "fairness" ... by alluding to its depiction of other characters.

Yet I vilified the same show for its treatment of African-American's ... although ... I could have said that the character played by Charles Dutton (police officer that lost his job due to Tony's interference) ... was as graceful a depiction of a Black male as any on television.

My point is that individuals will find fault with the show from their flawed perspectives. The best approach maybe to stand back ... and argue the points later.... without the stain of censorship on our hands.

Pork Roll ... is this a 1st Amendment issue? Would you have the same opinion if Jay Z were applying to get a permit to make the "Big Pimpin Volume 2" video on the town green?

It's a TV show. I live in close proximity to Holsten's and think it's a great opportunity. It's not like the producers are going to cancel the final episode if its not shot in Bloomfield. We can deal with the minor inconvenience. Perhaps be a gawker. The Mayor- well- he'll be out of a job soon .

Hiding 2:15-

Does it matter what race the shooter from Friday was?

Why is it that if a group of actors in a TV show portrays an Italian underworld as murderous and corrupt it's light hearted fun and great for the Bloomfield economy? but when such violence manifests itself, and an actual murder takes place in Bloomfield with minorities involved a double standard ensues.

What if Spike Lee wanted to come into Bloomfield and film a movie that promoted underworld gangland violence in Bloomfield? Would all of your arms still be so open?

It's time that people realize life is imitating art and this art form is lacking to say the least.

"What if Spike Lee wanted to come into Bloomfield and film a movie that promoted underworld gangland violence in Bloomfield? Would all of your arms still be so open?

It's time that people realize life is imitating art and this art form is lacking to say the least."

Ironic point coming from someone who uses a profanity that might very well be offensive to some people in his/her posting name.

Everything is a first ammendment issue with you meatheads. Do you have the slightest idea what you're talking about? What the Law is? What it does?

Yeah, Joe D! One nice spicey meatball for you! I hope HBO comes back to Bloomfield when they make a smash hit series about the Westies!

"Would you have the same opinion if Jay Z were applying to get a permit to make the "Big Pimpin Volume 2" video on the town green?"

Depends on what da hos and bitches looked like.

Let's understand this : a Mayor named "McCarthy" is ruling on a show about Italians ?

fuggedaboudiit !!!

Let them film .

BHMike-

Maybe when I become a HBO original series producer or director my screen name hear will matter.

There is an offer to change my screen name to a certain person who frequents these boards if he can beat me in a chess match.

The board awaits.

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Oh, sorry, just having another Taxi Driver flashback...Sure come one in, Jay Z, and bring you green to the green.

Dont forget the cannolis

What everyone here is missing is the REALLY issue: where in town can I get Johnny Cakes?

The Mayor- well- he'll be out of a job soon .

From your mouth to the voter's ears!

Chris is on the radio, with the radio chick, 92.3 Free FM

Nice work

These people should be ashamed of themselves for not appreciating art, this is David Chase's life work. Let the painters paint where they want, let the film makers make film where they want.

Pork Roll ... is this a 1st Amendment issue? Would you have the same opinion if Jay Z were applying to get a permit to make the "Big Pimpin Volume 2" video on the town green?

J-man, yes I would.

Freddy Krueger?
Vampire?
Frankenstein?

Why aren't white people of European descent banning these stereotypes?

This is typical of the mayor and council. Bloomfield has become the joke of Essex county. Can't wait for the next election to vote those jokers out.

""What if Spike Lee wanted to come into Bloomfield and film a movie that promoted underworld gangland violence in Bloomfield?"

Wouldn't have to. Just pick up an edition of "Bloomfield Today"or what ever the local paper is.

S'talker, if that was me whom you referenced with the bit about playing chess: A) I still don't play much chess in the first place and I also don't wish to have much electronic or physical contact with you in the second, in any event, and whatever the game; B)If you seriously wanted to change your posting name (here, who knows what it is elsewhere or cares?) out of concern for community decorum, you'd have done so already, meaning I doubt very much you're truly the "neighborly" sort.

So you keep on, lad/lass. Or, if you're really that desperate for a chess partner, ask, say, lasermikey, I'm sure he might well your offer of (mock) bonhomie.

As for the filming of the "last scene ever" at Holsten's, well, I'm sure they can find an ice cream parlor elsehwere (there are a few left in Bergen County, I believe). If this suggests that Tony survives, however, I am somewhat disappointed, since he is crud and deserves within the context of the show to be as dead at the end, along with Christopher and Paulie Walnuts and so many others, as his many victims. Anyone who's had even peripheral contact with real OC-types knows thay they both slobber more than Tony and deserve horrible fates in both this world and the next. The tv show is much too kind to these reprobates, that it even shows them walking upright and speaking in semi-intelligible sentences is often a bit of a stretch. That it shows the Feds as powerless to date to shut them down is simply ridiculous.

I heard cave persons are up in arms over the proposal to make a tv show out of the cave persons that appeared on the Geico commercials. They apparently will make a sitcom where the cave persons will suffer from callous people and their remarks in an Atlanta venue. DeVincenzo has called a meeting at Kips Castle with hors d'oeuvres from county-leased Highlawn to moderate.

Firstly, great job getting those photos Annette, I love when Baristanet has photos to go with the story, and Joe D eating the ice cream is classic!

Secondly, I'm very disappointed that people are ever offended by the Sopranos depiction of Italian-Americans. If they actually watched and followed the show instead of making judgements from what they've read about it, they'd actually see how complex the situation really is. The characters on the show are not like Jack "She Fell Funny" Nicholson's character in The Departed (I know he's Irish in the movie, but a mobster nonetheless). David Chase has created characters just to disprove the stereotyping, i.e Dr. Melfi and Meadow, and has helped to create a deepness in all of the characters you would never expect. The Sopranos have multiple episodes where the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans is discussed: Dr. Cusamano and his golf buddies stereotyping Tony as someone from the mafia movies they've seen. Dr. Melfi's (ex)husband arguing with her for taking Tony as a client because he believes Tony is just a poor Italian-American cliche giving all other Italian-American's a bad name. Carmella's mother proclaiming she was glad their last name (DeAngelis) didn't have the normal Italian-American vowel ending, or complaining that Meadow was so dark when she was born. Really this list could go on, I doubt anyone who complained about being offended were more than just soccer mom's who have no idea what the show is really about.

Cathar, do you watch the show or have you just caught episodes on television and made judgements from the random story lines you've seen?

Katie, you had me until the last phrase "just" soccer moms who have no idea wht the show is really about.

Are we soccer moms so stupid that we can't grasp "how complex the situation" really is?

Because we raise kids and chauffeur them to soccer games does not mean we're stupid.

Mayor McCarthy has his definitions of "shootings" a wee bit twisted. He is clearly doing everything in his power to prevent the shooting of a movie in town and doing absolutely nothing to prevent the shooting of citizens by an illegally enrolled high school student. Shouldn't it be vice versa???

Katie - fyi - I'm not a soccer mom and I've seen every episode (that's why I know how really offensive it is). I would never comment on something I hadn't seen or experienced. The show is not that complex and the characters are not that interesting. There's just no alternative, so it seems like it is. People are so caught up with the hype of this show. The show is degrading to Italian-Americans, plain and simple and people are offended. And I'm dissapointed that people can't seem to understand that, just because THEY are not offended.

"He is clearly doing everything in his power to prevent the shooting of a movie in town and doing absolutely nothing to prevent the shooting of citizens by an illegally enrolled high school student."

Ain't no one gonna top this comment...might be time to lock the thread as bloomer has said it all!

No no, I am sure that the people protesting the Holsten's filming are random people with no idea of what the show is really about, I am not sure why I pigeonholed soccer moms; I am sorry to have offended soccer moms Baristaville-wide.

If only there were some sort of show about soccer moms, and every once in a while the plot would discuss the negative soccer mom stereotypes that are not true, no one would typecast them as stupid anymore... Except those who do not watch the show and are offended to have the show taped at their local soccer field. Seriously people, stop labeling these soccer moms, IT'S NOT NICE.

PS to David Chase: A lot of people call it "Hol-Steens"

"What everyone here is missing is the REALLY issue: where in town can I get Johnny Cakes?"

Ask Cathar.

Vita, you've really watched every episode? When I'm offended by a show I don't watch all 5 and a half seasons of it. That's so weird Vita, you're weird.

I am more offended by the evening news. I am offended by stories of husbands killing their wives, teachers having sex with their students, teenagers burning puppies, U.S. soldiers in Iraq getting blown away...real life is a lot more offensive to me than some fictional TV show.

no kidding Cathar i know it was you, but i don't normally write your name as some Pavlovian bell goes off in your house and you run to your computer to spout more boredom. I also see you can't post without bringing Lasermike into the equation (what's with that?).

Get out your dictionary and let us know how many ways you can say "Boring".

PS I'm very neighborly. When my neighbor's empty garbage can gets blown into the street I bring it to his garage. When his dryer vent in his attic gets clogged with lint, I offer to help him fix it. Etc. etc.

I too find it strange that if Vita is finding "The Sopranos" so offensive, why has she seen the whole series?

I've seen all the episodes too, but I enjoy it, and don't find it any more offensive than most other things on television.

Turn it off, Vita.

BTW, Joey D is kinda hot.

Until he gets that fudge sauce all over that nice, white shirt.

katie - since you're so enamored with the whole cosa nostra thing, let me explain it to you this way "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer".

Yes, not the best choice of shirt for eating an ice cream sundae with fudge sauce!

Yeah Vita, I'm glad you've finally gotten the chance to voice your opinion on the Sopranos, because what if you hadn't Vita? What if the Sopranos never came to Bloomfield to film? You would have watched all those boring seasons of uninteresting characters for no reason. Vita, this is truly your calling, this is what your life has been building up to, go for it girlfriend! Keep on being the drag that you are!

Perhaps Johnny Fontaine will get an exclusive contract to only sing at Holstens-owned casinos.

katie - I know you don't care and are totally unaware, but this is so much bigger than a TV show. The Sopranos is just a small part of the big picture. If you really want to get educated, check out http://www.niaf.org. There are many people, just like me, who are very concerned about the perception of our culture in the media and work everyday to educate and inform.

Vita,

What is the big picture you're referring to?

Also, I'm wondering...do you watch any TV for pleasure? Or is it all for research?

And i still don't get what you're driving at. Are you saying that TV characters should only be good people and positive role models? wouldn't that be a little boring?

Answering your questions:
Big Picture: We're concerned about the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans that persists in the media on all levels

Watching TV for pleasure: Yes

Should all characters be good and positive: No

Vita, why did you avoid answering this comment?: http://www.baristanet.com/2007/03/soprano_story.php#comment-180025

Why are you only offended by negative stereotypes of Italian-American's on television. I've already cited multiple episodes where the Sopranos discuss these themes. You're so busy getting caught up in the mob violence and sex of the show that you block out some plot lines but not others.

The big picture isn't just about negating the use of Italian-American cliches, Vita. Why only protest your own culture's negative stereotypes when you could be joining the ranks of people who are protesting all negative stereotypes. I bet you're the kind of person who stands up for your own kind but laughs when you hear a gay joke; or agrees with the racist remarks made in the comments section about the color of the shooter/victims skin in the Bloomfield shooting. Wake up Vita.

So are you saying that it's ok for the TV characters that are not good and sweet to be some other race/etnicity- but not Italians- of which I am one. BTW- married to an Indian who can't drive, knows alot about computers and owns a 7-11. Ok, now begin!

I never said I was only offended by stereotypes of Italian-American's on television - it's the subject at hand. And why are you assuming that you know me and my character?

Holla!!!!

WHAT is the subject at hand that you're referring to, vita?

The subject at hand is the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans, the reason why citizens of Bloomfield are opposed to the filming of the Sopranos, a show they feel is offensive to their culture.

"The show is degrading to Italian-Americans, plain and simple and people are offended."

If it's not the negative Italian-American stereotypes you are offended by, then what is so offensive (I have quoted you above, I was assuming "people" included you)? Are you offended by the sex in the show? The violence? If so I believe you mean to link me to, maybe here: http://www.parentstv.org/ or here: http://www.peoplewithtoomuchtimeontheirhandswhoalsolikecomplainingbutonlyaboutcertaintopics.org/

Joe D Vincenzo tells a group of media that he's going to do everything he can to make sure the Sopranos are able to film in Bloomfield.

See now, that sounds like an "offer they can't refuse" threat. Maybe because of his Italian name.

Let's understand this: a Mayor named "McCarthy" is ruling on a show about Italians?

But what's in a name. The Sopranos is produced by a man named David Chase. Doesn't sound Italian but he is. And McCarthy is ruling on behalf of Italians who are complaining. Not on behalf of the Irish.

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Oh, sorry, just having another Taxi Driver flashback...

Speaking of life imitating art, the BHS football team back in the 70s shaved their heads into Mohawks, just like DeNiro in Taxi Driver, as a way to intimidate other teams. I wonder what the kids there today do. Soldiers in Iraq are watching 24 and imitating the torture techniques depicted, much to the chagrin (officially) of the military. Yes, weak willed people often do copy what they see portrayed in the media. In fact, people in the media often copy themselves. Did everyone forget the instances of Soprano cast members getting in trouble with the law? Google it.

Don't you people get tired of the negative image of NJ in the media? If it isn't the mob it's toxic waste or the "people in Jersey are stupid" jokes. For every Garden State or Station Agent there are dozens of negative portrayals. It ain't easy living next to NY. Do we really need to help their media with the negative image?

NJ is crowded enough as it is.

Stereo types exist 'cause theres some truth in 'em.

Listen, your Italians got a lock on the mafia. It's in their blood. Same way it's in your blacks' blood to do the 'scooby-dooby-doo'. Now the Irish are always the cops tryin to catch the Pasta-Fazoos and coloreds, but there too drunk to get anything done. And then you have your hardworkin white people like me.

The Sopranos is as anti-Italian as Romeo and Juliet. The Montingues, the Capulets, the Sopranos, Verona Italy, Verona New Jersey, what's the difference? Its all Shakespeare anyway.

The Sopranos style is

Newark style Italian-

American Mafia.

LoserLilyMike wouldn"t know

that.

This area is accustomed to Italians and Mafia. Originals from around the neighborhood are part of this lifestyle. It's safe to say that the people that are "offended" aren't from the neighborhood so truhfully, does your opinion matter? This is a way of life around here.

You know you're doing it right when you have enemies.

Give me a break. Organized crime has been around for a long time. The Mafia had its day but other organized outfits have been there too. "This is a way of life around here"... What the heck are you talking about. "The life" is everywhere and different people live it.

I wish people would understand life isn't a movie.

You have no "enemies," mikey. Only people who are appalled by how amazingly dumb someone can be (and, amazingly, still sport a diploma from a state institution of higher ed, such is the joke of public education in NJ). Don't overrate yourself.

"I wish people would understand life isn't a movie."

Try a dream loser

What ever you say, psycho.

the seRGE esCALATES

ROC!

You should be honored to have the show's final scene shot in Bloomfield.

Let me put it this way: It will likely be a very long time before bloomfield gets to be in a show of this magnitude again. rarely does a show like this depict essex county AS essex county. The Sopranos is going to be the last we see of Essex county in Hollywood for a VERY long time

Let me put it this way...A large percentage of hollywood productions now go to Canada to shoot (to save on costs). Even when they depict a US town, they still often shoot in Canada.

The Sorpanos has created incredible authenticity in showing the world where we live, and what we love. Sommetimes Tony strangles a guy behind the bada bing and sometimes he shares an intimate dinner with Carmella at The Manor. The violence is a small proportion of the Sopranos.

Soprano haters: admit it...You love to watch. Why? Because you can't WAIT to see Tony buy a lottery ticket in the same cigar shop where you used to buy baseball cards as a kid.

Do you want the next hollywood mob movie to show scenes of the Toronto suburbs? I did not think so.

LilyMikey:
Where did you grow up? Your some liberal saxon that hasno concept of this lifestyle. Be quiet or go back on your closet.

Go Minga Go Any knucklehead who lives in bloomfield know,s the Mafia is alive and well and living next store to you

So now it's cathey who deems it fitting for our town council to dictate who property owners can allow on their premises. Shades of Birmingham!

Vita,

do you deny the existance of the mafia?

It's organized crime, much better than disorganized.

So I log onto my e-mail (Comcast) and see the following headline for all to see:

Jersey Town Whacks Sopranos
Wed Mar 7, 1:07 PM

Looks like HBO can fugettabout bringing The Sopranos to one suburban New Jersey town.

The city of Bloomfield has barred the Emmy-winning series from filming an upcoming episode there due to its "negative depictions of Italian-Americans," Mayor Raymond McCarthy told the New York Post.

According to McCarthy, whose wife happens to be Italian, the series was slated to shoot its swan-song episode at a local ice cream parlor. Upon hearing about it, however, the mayor spearheaded a successful effort to whack the plans.

Both HBO and the owners of the Holsten's Brookdale Confectionery are hoping to overturn the decision.

Chris Carley, co-owner of the ice cream shop told the Post he had been thrilled to be part of the show, both financially and for posterity sake.

"If it's good for the area and businesses, your personal opinions shouldn't be mixed in," he said.

HBO originally got a green light from Bloomfield's city council last week, according to the Post. But McCarthy and various Italian-American organizations weighed in after hearing about it and the decision was quickly reversed.

Essex County executive Joseph DiVincenzo (yet another Italian) has now stepped in and is bringing the matter back to the table for a final vote next Monday. He's gunning for a go-ahead.

"The Sopranos will hopefully have their last episode here," DiVincenzo told the Post. "Hey, I'm an Italian-American and to me it's about the arts, it's about TV."

For the past five years, the show has come under fire from Italian-American groups, including the Columbus Citizens Foundation and the Coalition of Italo-American Associations, for perpetuating stereotypes. Those groups successfully went to court to bar cast members from marching in New York's Columbus Day Parade in 2002. Earlier that year, the Chicago-based American Italian Defense Association filed a largely symbolic lawsuit claiming the show insults the "dignity" of Italian-Americans by depicting them as mobsters; the suit was eventually tossed.

In other Sopranos news, the latest issue of Vanity Fair pays homage to Tony and his goombahs in a photo spread shot by Annie Leibovitz.

The cover features a serious-looking James Gandolfini with a semi-nude model on his lap. The inside pages bring back several popular characters offed during the show's run, including Drea de Matteo's Adriana, Vincent Pastore's Big Pussy and Joe Pantoliano's Ralphie.

The Sopranos' final nine-episode run begins Apr. 8 on HBO.

shouldn't JOE D be doing other things beside stuffing his face, like his job. I'll tell you what a life of politics

All this talk of eye-talians.

What ever happened at Nicolo's?

First Mr. Dino's, then Marzullo's and now Nicolo's

What's a hungry guy to do?

All the make fun of italians by these goon Bahs? Next store?. Cmon, people don't require formal educations to be smart. There are many interpretations of "smarts". OK

Well, if Bloomfield is silly enough to not allow their town the honor of having the filming of the final episode (sob) of The Sopranos in and around Holstein's, then may I suggest the production staff contact Rutt's Hut?! Another perfect venue, also great eats and easy parking!

QUESTION: Are there a bigger bunch of idiotic boobs than the Bloomfield Town Council and their moronic mayor McCarthy????

ANSWER: Yes, the Montclair Town Council.

Trust me, the Montclair Town Council are a bunch of brain surgeons compared to their counterparts in Bloomfield.

Katie,
I just read through this whole thread and please, don't be apologizing to soccer moms. this victimization society created by the PC arm of the Liberal Dem party is one who should be apologizing. America is supposed to be diversified but fascist Dems want to tell us what to say, think, wear and eat. Stand up an be an individual...not a sycophantic unthinking or unfeeling Democrat without an original thought.

Rudy Giuliani is the leading Republican candidate; Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker of the House. Do you really believe the world thinks Tony Soprano represents all Italians?

Let's just hope that Cheney stays healthy. Lord help us.

Rudy Giuliani is the leading Republican candidate

Hardly the leading candidate and he also has mob ties in his background, so not a good example.

Arrests have become a right of passage for a growing list of ``Sopranos'' cast members:

- Lillo Brancato Jr., who played an aspiring mobster on the show, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the slaying last year of an off-duty police officer who interrupted two men breaking into a Bronx home.

- Vincent Pastore, cast as gangster Sal ``Big Pussy'' Bompensiero before getting whacked, pleaded guilty in 2005 to attempted assault on his girlfriend and was sentenced to 70 hours of community service.

- Robert Iler, who plays Tony's rebellious son, pleaded guilty to mugging two other youths and stealing $40. He was give three years' probation.

-John Ventimiglia, who plays temperamental chef Artie Bucco on the HBO hit, was arraigned Monday on drunken driving, drug possession and other charges after officers spotted him weaving in and out of traffic.

By all means lets welcome these lovely people to our community with open arms in the name of art and free speech but let's complain about the black kids with guns.

Iceman,
Smear and bullcrap.

If you offend someone, don't be offended when people call you an a-hole.

I wouldn't be concerned about the PC police. The former republican congress and current republican white house who took away your habeas corpus rights and tapped your phone work for the corporations and the theocrats.

Standing up and being an individual doesn't mean shitting on someone else.

I don't know why anyone is surprised that McCarthy is pandering to Bloomfield's Italian-Americans. Bloomfield is as Italian-American as Italian-American can get. I think if you were to look up "Italian-American" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Bloomfield.

Look at the police roster. Look at the list in the town council. Most of them are Italian-American, and in seven years as a Bloomfield resident I don't think I've ever seen a police officer who was a person of color.

If Bloomfield's Italian-Americans don't want it, the town council is going to make sure it doesn't happen.

It's pretty sad, really, that they would put ridiculous politics ahead of potential notoriety for the township. And just imagine how much money local businesses could see after just one day of shooting...

What a shame.

What happened at/to Mr Dino's????

I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think they are going to block it for long.

"By all means lets welcome these lovely people to our community with open arms in the name of art and free speech but let's complain about the black kids with guns."

Posted by: third try to post this but keeps getting held up for review | March 7, 2007 10:08 PM

Please dont complain about the black kids with the guns that kill innocent people and babies in drive bys because their mother is home smoking crack and producing more victims of society with her johns. Let all the educated black people come to Barista to justify this lifestyle. You people got bigger problems than Italians. You have to focus on benefitting off your ancestors misfortunes. At least the Italians take their punishment like men.

It appears that the problem is you, racist scumbag.

A few weeks back I was getting a haircut across the street from Holsten's and the barber told me the Sopranos people talked to him too and he loved the idea.

I'm one of the Italians who isn't offended by the show, because I know what fiction is.

"It appears that the problem is you, racist scumbag."

Of course the response to the real racist would be ignored. As long as the responses fall within your liberal views then its ok.
Screw you wuss!!
Don't you have to go picket or fight for some cause unaccepted in society.

I didn't go on the AFRICAN page and degrade them. They came on the Italian site to degrade us. The liberal bitch that sticks his 2 cent in everything should mind his own pink business. If im not mistaken these following comments are RACISTS... GO FLY AWAY FAIRY.....
Arrests have become a right of passage for a growing list of ``Sopranos'' cast members:

- Lillo Brancato Jr., who played an aspiring mobster on the show, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the slaying last year of an off-duty police officer who interrupted two men breaking into a Bronx home.

- Vincent Pastore, cast as gangster Sal ``Big Pussy'' Bompensiero before getting whacked, pleaded guilty in 2005 to attempted assault on his girlfriend and was sentenced to 70 hours of community service.

- Robert Iler, who plays Tony's rebellious son, pleaded guilty to mugging two other youths and stealing $40. He was give three years' probation.

-John Ventimiglia, who plays temperamental chef Artie Bucco on the HBO hit, was arraigned Monday on drunken driving, drug possession and other charges after officers spotted him weaving in and out of traffic.

By all means lets welcome these lovely people to our community with open arms in the name of art and free speech but let's complain about the black kids with guns.

With some 20 months to go before election day, the Ohio race is a virtual toss-up among the presumed frontrunners. Former North Carolina Democratic Sen. John Edwards narrowly edges Giuliani, 45 percent to 42 percent, while Giuliani leads Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, 44 percent to 40 percent.

In Pennsylvania, Giuliani bests Clinton, 51 percent to 40 percent, and leads Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate, 52 percent to 35 percent, and Obama, 48 percent to 36 percent.

In Florida, Giuliani leads Clinton, 47 percent to 42 percent. He leads Edwards by 48 percent to 40 percent and Obama by 48 percent to 36 percent.

In all the states, Giuliani draws strong support from Republicans, leads among independents and receives 12 percent or higher support among Democrats. His Republican backing comes despite his support for abortion and gay rights.

The politicians of Bloomfield are destroying this town, finally something positive a big time TV show wants to film and they say no, I guess if the Sopranos asked to raise taxes to allow filming this gang would have been on board since thats all they ever want to do.

TO "HIDING" WHO POSTED AT 6:01 PM TODAY-

"Speaking of life imitating art, the BHS football team back in the 70s shaved their heads into Mohawks..."

Hey, I remember the mohawks! I think the class of '77 or '78 did it first - am I right?

And here I always thought it was they were way cool punk rockers...

Definitely not way cool punk rockers. Saturday Night Fever and disco crap ruled at the time. (Though Led Zeppelin and Kiss were also big.)The Mohawks were because of Taxi Driver which was playing on HBO at the time, Bloomfield having just been wired for cable.

You folks in Bloomfield should get rid of your mayor. For all of the "negative depiction" going on here (and speaking as an Italian-American myself), the mayor instead should look at how many local Italian-Americans have been employed by the show. Have you ever seen that credit roll? More vowels than any other I've seen by far.

We should take pride that this show was created and written by an Italian-American, employs Italian-American actors and crew members. AND, they want to film locally in NJ--in an area of NJ where lots of Italian-Americans live--instead of some sterile sound stage.

I feel bad for the people at Holstein's. Can you imagine what kind of revenue this would bring? If it truly is the "final scene," you'd get visitors from all over, for a long time to come.

Your mayor sounds like a true jackass on many levels for not better representing the people and businesses of Bloomfield AND choosing not to see the ways The Sopranos supports the Italian-American community. What a gavone!

I don't know why anyone is surprised that McCarthy is pandering to Bloomfield's Italian-Americans. Bloomfield is as Italian-American as Italian-American can get.

Hiding 3/7 10:30 PM, what the hell are YOU smoking? Bloomfield hasn't been a bastion of Italian Americans in decades!

BLOOMFIELD HAS NOTHING TO OFFER ONLY CROOKED POLITICIANS

Katie, re your comment to me from last night, yes, I have watched all episodes to date of "The Sopranos" and it is not either high art or great art. Not even good low art, I sometimes think. It is a well-produced fairy tale aimed especially at those who think LCN still plays a decisive role in organized crime, and it is a pretty unrealistic fairy tale in the main.

The truth is that the old-line Sicilians have been supplanted by so many other groups as to render them, well, "walnuts"-less. (This is their genuine main concern as they attempt to remain in business, after all, that there are crazier, tougher, expanding gangs out there.) Nor are they ever near as even quondam "attractive" as the tv series makes them out to be, trust me there.

I know there has to be dramatic tension conjured up by the idea that Tony and his crew are always just a step or two ahead of the Feds. But given that even as the show has already indicated that Tony's LCN group's security has been breached multiple times by informants, shouldn't they have been "caught" by now? And if not by the Feds, then by another worthy group, such as the NJSP's organized crime specialists? Or ATF, given how many firearms all the Sopranos characters have access to? Law enforcement really isn't that dumb. But Hollywood and HBO really are that calculating, and, purposely or no, ignorant of the way organized crime really is today. In that sense, "The Wire" cuts much, much closer to the actual bone, regardless of whether said bone is veal knuckle or pork rib.

One other thing, katie: "The Sopranos" dances very carefully around the issue of what constitutes the main source of income for ANY organized crime group these days. By which I of course mean drugs, all else is small change. (I think the show is basically reticent about how their activities support all of Tony's crew, by the way.) I suspect this is because if drugs were emphasized (as they are still among, say, Nicky Scarfo's old associates in Philadelphia), the main characters of "The Sopranos" would seem much, much less even quasi-sympathetic or interesting.

In fact as I recall, Tony and Adriana once drove to Dover or someplace like that in a futile search for cocaine. An extremely unnecessary car trip for that social set, I think.

There is also very little mention of labor union infiltration in the show (as oppposed to, say, the way LCN's in the Phillly area had, among others, the Roofers' Union as their private plaything). Perhaps this is so as to avoid iring that staple of the the Democractic Party, organized labor. Instead, Tony is able to force contractors to give him no-show jobs and payoffs, but never with any mention of a labor union's role in any of this, despite that the construction and trucking businesses are so heavily unionized.

One might easily pick apart the show for what it always neglects to cover as for what it does, then. But it really doesn't matter. There are just 9 episodes left, and whether Tony wracks his cholesterol with a hot fidge sundae at Holsten's or somewhere else is of no great matter. I simply hope he keels over from the effect of the sundae, wherever he has it.

When "The Devil's Own" filmed in Montclair, I did not see the Irish community freaking-out over often being portrayed as IRA members (or alcoholics).

That's right. Lighten-up. We all know that not all Italian Americans are mobbed-up. Those of us who grew up in the area in the 50's, 60's and 70's all know the people and establishments that were rumored to be "connected", and we all know darn well that it was only a very few people who were. So the guy across the street (yeah, the one with the deli), so he ran a small bookmaking operation. He paid the cops and he paid the mob in order to exist. We all know that.

And we know that a few of these mob guys are left. VERY few of them. Even the Sopranos acknowledges that the Italian mob is not the only game in town. They even do business with the Russians!

But the truth hurts some people. You have drug dealers living among you. That tends to cross all ethnic and racial barriers. Crime happens.

When "The Devil's Own" filmed in Montclair, I did not see the Irish community freaking-out over often being portrayed as IRA members (or alcoholics).

That's right. Lighten-up. We all know that not all Italian Americans are mobbed-up. Those of us who grew up in the area in the 50's, 60's and 70's all know the people and establishments that were rumored to be "connected", and we all know darn well that it was only a very few people who were. So the guy across the street (yeah, the one with the deli), so he ran a small bookmaking operation. He paid the cops and he paid the mob in order to exist. We all know that.

And we know that a few of these mob guys are left. VERY few of them. Even the Sopranos acknowledges that the Italian mob is not the only game in town. They even do business with the Russians!

But the truth hurts some people. You have drug dealers living among you. That tends to cross all ethnic and racial barriers. Crime happens.

When "The Devil's Own" filmed in Montclair, I did not see the Irish community freaking-out over often being portrayed as IRA members (or alcoholics).

The place where Harrison Ford lived was not identified as Montclair in the movie.

Montclair is not nearly as Irish as Bloomfield is Italian.

Clearly the Township has too much time on their hands! Maybe they should focus their energy on figuring out who does and who doesn't belong in Bloomfield High School and/or other schools around the area.

yes, I have watched all episodes to date of "The Sopranos" and it is not either high art or great art.

Then why the hell do you watch cathar?

One gets the impression that cathar is rather bored with the whole gosh darn world. Do you think he's depressed?

It doesn't matter whether the Sopranos is "high art" or "great art" or "low art" or a total bunch of crap. It doesn't matter if you like the show, hate the show, or watch it for "research purposes." The REAL issue here is not the show itself or what it portrays or means. It is not whether “the citizens of Bloomfield” are for or against the permit being issued (and Vita, although you and a few other very vocal townspeople may be against it, no matter what you think, “the citizens of Bloomfield” are not against the permit, and I would thank you not to speak on my behalf in the future).

The REAL issue is that the Mayor (who was quoted in the Daily Record today as saying he's not changing his position no matter what anyone says) is putting his SUBJECTIVE opinion above the OBJECTIVE rules he should be following. Rule providing objectivity for permits are required to make sure that all speech, especially unpopular speech, is permitted to be heard. For [insert expletive here]’s sake – if the KKK is constitutionally permitted to march and rally in a primarily Jewish town against the wishes of the citizenry (and I’m not making this up – it’s a US Supreme Court case), then Mr. Chase should be permitted to film his tv show in a town that is not primarily Italian (at least not anymore). Surely Jews have a more objective reason to keep the KKK out then the anti-Sopranoists have to keep the show out.

Oh and in case Hiding (of 3/7 at 2:59) wants to question what I know about the law or what it says, here it is, verbatim, from the Township Code:
“The Township Clerk may refuse to issue a permit whenever he/she determines, on the basis of objective facts and after a review of the application and a report thereon by the Police Department and by other township agencies involved with the proposed filming site, that filming at the location and/or the time set forth in the application would violate any law or ordinance or would unreasonably interfere with the public's use of public lands, unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of adjoining properties, unreasonably impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or otherwise endanger the public's health, safety or welfare.”

Hiding 1:48, I watch so that I know what folks are talking about round the watercooler. Really. And to get some value out of what I pay for HBO. I just think the show is way overrated.

As for the debate over whether to permit filming in Bloomfield, it really does remind me of the days of the old Italian-American Civil Rights League (which turned out to be a Colombo crime family front). Meaning that well-meaning (I'm guessing) Italo-Americans who protest the filming as a slur on Italo-Americans really don't know what they're on about here and display all the irrational hyper-sensitivity of....of...(oh, I may as well go ahead and say it) lasermikey. I thought I was clear on that, but the "usual gang of idiots" missed it anyway.

Nonetheless, to view this as a kind of watershed moment in the political history of Bloomfield, or even as a genuine skirmish over free speech, is to take this matter much too seriously. This is not, for example, Skokie, IL (which some poster referenced without identifying the actual town). This is a bunch of actors and crew members who bring their own honeywagon with them, they are not going to improve the local economy even temporarily, I'd wager.

But then, what seemingly distinguishes Baristaville over so many other areas in this state is its instant tendency to get wildly incensed over virtually anything, that Baristaville posters comparably often lack a sense of context notwithstanding. It's a lovable character tic, but maybe not so good for everyone's blood pressure.

wow, cathar, you talk to people? Real flesh and blood people? Around a watercooler? Or are you referring to the imaginary people chatting around the imaginary watercooler in your imaginary workplace?

The last scene is Tony parking his car and getting a ticket from Bloomfields best metermaids. Oh ya that can't be it the north end dosent have meters thats only in the south end and central.

The last scene is Tony parking his car and getting a ticket from Bloomfields best metermaids. Oh ya that can't be it the north end dosent have meters thats only in the south end and central.

Betty does Bloomfield.

I am very proud to be an Italian American and grateful to have lived most of my adult life in Italy. Judge Falcone was my across the street neighbor in (Addaura) Palermo. There was a military tank parked at my gates pointed towards the Judge's house after a torpedo was pointed at him. His "scorta" (bullet proof cars and security) were all blown up on a bridge at Capace, while going to the airport. This is not fiction. In the neighborhood, we just minded our own business and never answered the doors. This is a Sicilian concept called "omerta". You just don't see anything or talk about it.
My mother grew up at Newark and Berkeley Heights Park (Bloomfield) in a Neapolitan family who became American before the wave of immigration. Mother was asked to be part of an organization that would banish the Sopranos because of the negative image that it portrays of Italian Americans. She watched one episode, loved it has watched ever since and feels that it accurately depicts a "type" of Italian American and that this is a local reality. I must admit that it is amazing to see this show on television but it does not offend me because there are different types of Italian Americans and it would not be accurate to stereotype as a homogenous group. Holsten's is a fabulous historic place and TV, film and publicity shoots (not a pun) are a means of sustaining landmarks. Perhaps this situation will bring more attention from TV location scouts and chocolate lovers. Viva Holstens!

It's sad that some of the Bloomfield residents are looking forward to their town being recognized by the whole country as "the place where they shot the last episode of the Sopranos". Wow, talk about aiming low.
When I've told people from other states that I live in Montclair, some of them have actually asked: "Isn't that where Tony Soprano lives". Pathetic.

Hey cathar -- whether the actors & crew bring their own "honeywagon" with them is completely irrelevant as to whether they have the right to bring the honeywagon in the first place. despite your misplaced derision, anytime some politico decides his opinion is more important than our Constitution, it is very serious. that you don't get it simply displays your own ignorance.

And -- if you find this place a danger to your health, then don't visit.

irony alert: a town that spawned a zilion actual Guidos is against having a TV show about fictional Guidos filmed there

Cathar,
Italo-American, is that your racist way of calling me out? Well if the hood fits, wear it. Try “Italian American” if you know what’s good for you. ;) (Just kidding. I know you not that smart and incapable of detecting a joke.)

Trade unions are one of the few organizations that protect American workers. Get use to them, they are coming back. At the turn of the last century corporations had the Pinkertons and the National Guard and the unions had the Mafia. These practices by both parties are long past. Now they use lawyers, lobbyist, and politicians to do battle.

And it would seem that you don't know much about the Mafia either. Organized crime is culturally universal. The Italian American mafia rose in prominence due to a national “commission” and the obsession of Hollywood. RICO and Bank Secrecy law have effectively diminished the power of organized crime.

Keep posting. I’m really enjoying watching you get the virtual crap kicked out of you.

... you're not...

"Trade unions are one of the few organizations that protect American workers."

More like just suck them dry and break your kneecaps

Ah, the nitwit surfaces again. Hi, mikey, how's life in the data center?

While any real attemot at debate with you is completely futile sine you are so looney, I will throw out a few words and phrases that remind of organized crime's links to organized labor, mikey, and you can bark when you recognize them. Ready? Roofer's Union! Teamsters! Tony Pro! Jimmy Hoffa! (Are you woofing yet, laserballboy?)The garment trades! Plasterers' Union!

As labor has gone through the decades, it has often cast its lot with LCN's. "Once Upon A Time In America" (which is about Jews) is very good on this one. This is reality, lasernutter, but it was not done in opposition to management having on its side Pinkertons. Where do you get your weirdly trimmed-down info about American history, old issues of Marvel Comics? (Hint, mikey: Captain America is dead.)

And it doesn't matter what your ethnicity is, mikey, you still have all the intelligence of either a handful of semolina flour or a chickpea or a fried wisp of morcilla.

As for 'stina, you're just a garden variety, hostile idiot, one not too big on reading comprehension. That you don't find your specific brand of ignorance a danger to your own emotional health indicates to me that you visit your mind very seldom, and then only briefly. That you bring up the Constitution in such a discussion merely indicates your desperation.

Little insight for cathar and his crew. They are literate of the english language, they interfere on all the posts and instigate trouble. They are so pitiful I really dont know what more to make of them, other than I wish they would mind their own business. They are the Know it all bitches in Baristaville.

Lasermike and cathar are americanos(a) that desperately seek attention by writing books for posts. They are a disgrace, they talk about every other race except for africans. They defend africans to the end and will curse you to a cross if you dare exhibit bigotry or racism. Cant stand them.

Hiding this is so true.

cathar and loser
They are dying flowers that demand society water them so they stay alive. If you notice, on other sites they chime in and start degrading everyone. Typical biatches.

What a coup! Holsteins! Bloomfield, NJ ! National TV! What more could a small town ask for. I don't watch The Sopranos. It offends my sensibilities, but, SO What!! If I knew that my childhood home town and my favorite homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream store was going to be on its final episode...THAT I would watch. I do hope the mayor sees the error of his ways and reverses his decision. WOW...BLOOMFIELD HOLSTEINS, TV ! I am psyched.

I agree, I wish Lasermike would go away

The plot thins! Mayor McCarthy's wife is Italian. You wanna go home to an angry Italian wife? Fugeddaboudit!

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070308/D8NO851O0.html

I think Law & Order should film in Holstens. ;->

My Prediction Tony Will Be Wacked Eating a banna split or Sunday the mess will be cleaned up and his remains buried in concrete inour New Parking Deck On Lackawana Plaza,,,,,

You have no "enemies," mikey.

No, he just has an obsessed cyber-stalker....

How come these losers always divert from the topic. we dont care about the 3 eccentrics. We want Sopranos in Blfd.

Cathar, you're a partisan hack without the foggiest understanding of American History. It appears you deny most history spanning now to the recent past. Get your head out of fantasy land. You are not a knight of the round table and you serve no King Arthur.

Mikey, are you still at it today? I realize your rantings give your woebegone life some "meaning," but really, it's time to stop.

I used to hope against hope that sometime you'd apologize for your truly appalling tendency to call so many others others "Nazis," "war criminals" and "racists." (Even after I saw you cavorting in person and sensed how lost your case probably really is.) But no, you never will. I even used to think, golly gee, nobody can be THAT stupid. But you are. You are the dumbest human being I've ever met, and may well be the dumbest on this planet.

And Pork Roll, stick your own "pork roll" in your ear. Do that and take on the lunatic ravings of laserballboy yourself sometime soon. Because whether or not you "feed" him, he will continue to rave on, and in the cause of "progressivism" he will similarly continue to call others vile names. (He imagines that his somewhat unnerving appearance excuses him I suspect.) You deserve your turn with him and his craziness is so all-encompassing that he gladly takes on all comers. Even those who kindly leave a dime in his solicitation basket so he can buy a copy of the New York Times.

You're much welcome to him, and don't bother to thank me.

I'm sorry, who do you support?

"who is the fool, the fool or the one's who follow him?"

Obi Wan Kenobi-Star Wars

Thanks you CNN.com for posting the video of your story on this controversy.

And thanks to the town council for scheduling a new meeting to reconsider the issue.

And Mayor, thanks for coming around. Tell your kid if he ever wants a no-show job on the Newark waterfornt project, gimme a call ;-)

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