KIMMER'S TOP 5 TV SERIES FOR ESCAPING THE PANDEMIC!

During this hideous COVID 19 Pandemic the best thing for me is having all the time in the world to stream all my favorite tv series over and over! So in no particular order, here are my top 5. I seem to be escaping into Britain. They take me away...

THE CROWN ( Netflix)

The Crown is a historical drama web television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, created and principally written by Peter Morgan, and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. It grew out of Morgan's film The Queen (2006) and his stage play The Audience (2013), and is credited as based on the latter. The first season covers the period from Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's marriage in 1947 to the disintegration of her sister Princess Margaret's engagement to Group Captain Peter Townsend in 1955. 

The second season covers the period from the Suez Crisis in 1956 to the retirement of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1963 and the birth of Prince Edward in 1964. The third season spans the period between 1964 and 1977, including Harold Wilson's two periods as prime minister, and introduces Camilla Shand. The fourth will include Margaret Thatcher's premiership and introduce Lady Diana Spencer. Watch on Netflix 

BREAKING BAD (Netflix)

Breaking Bad is an American neo-Western crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. The show aired on AMC from January 20, 2008, to September 29, 2013, consisting of five seasons for a total of 62 episodes. 

It was set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), an underpaid and dispirited high school chemistry teacher who is struggling with a recent diagnosis of stage-three lung cancer. White turns to a life of crime, partnering with his former student.

THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

The Sopranos revolves around fictional New Jersey-based, Italian American mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). The series portrays the difficulties that he faces as he tries to balance his home life and his criminal organization. 

These are often highlighted during his therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). The series features Tony's family members, mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and protégé Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli).

DOWNTON ABBEY (Amazon Prime/PBS)

Downton Abbey is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. 

The series, set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era—with the great events of the time having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. Events depicted throughout the series include news of the sinking of the Titanic in the first series; the outbreak of the First World War, the Spanish influenza pandemic, and the Marconi scandal in the second series; the Irish War of Independence leading to the formation of the Irish Free State in the third series; the Teapot Dome scandal in the fourth series; the British general election of 1923 and the Beer Hall Putsch in the fifth series. The sixth and final series introduces the rise of the working class during the interwar period and hints at the eventual decline of the British aristocracy.

The Forsyte Saga, (Amazon Prime/PBS)

First published under that title in 1922, is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by Nobel Prize–winning English author John Galsworthy. They chronicle the vicissitudes of the leading members of a large, upper-middle-class English family, similar to Galsworthy's family.[1] Only a few generations removed from their farmer ancestors, the family members are keenly aware of their status as "new money". The main character, Soames Forsyte, sees himself as a "man of property" by virtue of his ability to accumulate material possessions – but this does not succeed in bringing him pleasure.

MICHAEL GANDOLFINI CAST IN NEW SOPRANOS FILM!

Wow, now this is interesting casting!

ET:  Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late James Gandolfini, will play a young Tony Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark, ET has learned. The Sopranos prequel movie, produced by New Line Cinema, will also star Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen and Corey Stoll. Deadline was first to report the news.

"It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano," Michael said in a statement obtained by ET. "I’m thrilled that I am going to have the opportunity to work with [Sopranos creator] David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled for The Many Saints of Newark.”

Gandolfini, who originated the iconic role of anti-hero Tony Soprano on the HBO series, died of a heart attack in 2013. He was just 51 years old. Michael, 19, won the role of a young Tony Soprano after an extensive audition process, ET has learned. He is best known for his breakout role on HBO's The Deuce. Read More

KIMMER PICKS: 14 TV SERIES SOUNDTRACK FAVORITES

Here is a short list of some of my favorite tunes from Fargo, Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Narcos. Have a listen they are really fun and addicting too. xK

Narcos Season 3 Pancho Herrera Dancing Scene

Breaking Bad Destroying the RV

The Sopranos Tribute Glad Tidings Van Morrison

Fargo Season 1 Wrench and Numbers

Fargo Season 2 California Dreaming Bobby Womack

Better Call Saul Chuck Plays the Piano

Fargo Season 3

True Detective Theme Song

Sopranos Season 6 Junior Shoots Tony

Sopranos Opening Song on Season 3

The Sopranos Opening

Better Call Saul

Breaking Bad Jessie and Jane

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK: SOPRANOS PREQUEL FILM IN THE WORKS!

David Chase is finally ready to return to the New Jersey turf of his iconic creation The Sopranos. New Line has purchased the screenplay The Many Saints of Newark, the working title for a feature prequel of The Sopranos that is set in the era of the Newark riots in the 60s. That was a time when the African-Americans and the Italians of Newark were at each other’s throats, and amongst the gangsters of each group, those conflicts became especially lethal.

The script was written by Chase and Lawrence Konner, the prolific screen and television writer whose credits include The Sopranos.

Chase finally returning to expand The Sopranos lore will be welcome news to the legions who still feel that his HBO series is the greatest of all time. The groundbreaking show ran for six seasons from 1999 – 2007.

It put HBO on the map, established the market for DVD sales of popular series, and won 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and Peabody Awards for its first two seasons. It launched the stars of a slew of actors and revived others, most notably the late James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Steven Van Zandt, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Steve Schirripa and on and on.

TV AND MOVIE PRODUCER BRAD GREY DIED YESTERDAY AT 59

LATIMES: Brad Grey, the former chairman and chief executive of Paramount Pictures, died of cancer Sunday at his home in Holmby Hills, his family said through a spokeswoman. He was 59.

A former talent manager, Grey led the Paramount Pictures movie and television studio, known for the “Transformers” and “Star Trek” movies, for 12 years. He left the Viacom Inc.-owned studio in February.

Before joining Paramount, Grey was a partner at Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, where he represented stars such as Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler and produced such TV shows as HBO’s “The Sopranos.”

As a movie producer, his credits include Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winner “The Departed” and Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

He was hired by former Viacom CEO Tom Freston to run Paramount Pictures in 2005, replacing Sherry Lansing. Grey led the acquisition of DreamWorks SKG, the studio created by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Grey with David Milch and crew from the Sopranos winning the Emmy

He is survived by his wife, Cassandra Grey; their son Jules; his three grown children, Sam, Max and Emily, from his marriage to Jill Grey; his mother, Barbara Schumsky; his brother, Michael Grey; and his sister, Robin Grey.

There will be a small private funeral service this week, and a memorial service will be scheduled in the coming weeks, the family said.  READ MORE

ELMO'S GOTTA GUN! SESAME STREET INKS 5 YR DEAL WITH HBO

The five-year deal allows HBO to widen its programming to include a long-running and prestigious children’s show, while Sesame Workshop needs the cash influx to be able to produce twice as much content each year.

The deal doesn’t mean “Sesame Street” has left PBS wearing cement shoes. The new episodes will be available to PBS after a nine-month delay.

Jeffrey D. Dunn, CEO of Sesame Workshop, said in a statement that the partnership with HBO provides the group with the “critical funding it needs to be able to continue production of ‘Sesame Street’ and secure its nonprofit mission of helping kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder.”

Previously, PBS provided less than 10 percent of the funding for the show. Licensing revenue like DVD sales used to cover the rest of the cost, but that income has been shrinking with the advent of streaming and on-demand viewing.

READ FULL STORY HERE

THE REAL TONY SOPRANO: NEW JERSEY MOB BOSS JOHN RIGGI DIED

Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

EDISON — He reportedly served as the inspiration for Tony Soprano.

John M. Riggi—the crime boss who headed the Jersey-based DeCavalcante crime family for decades, controlling a powerful labor union that helped funnel millions into mob coffers—has died at the age of 90.

Riggi, who was released from federal prison in November 2012 after serving time for racketeering and murder, died at his home in Edison on Monday, his family said.

While known for his of charity and his involvement with the Police Athletic League, it was his tight grip on Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 394 of Elizabeth that enabled him to shake down contractors, dispense jobs, and force companies to deal with mob-connected suppliers and businesses, said law enforcement officials.

"This guy may be the last of the old time mob bosses for this region," said Lee Seglem, assistant director of the State Commission of Investigation. "He outlived all the big names."

A short, balding, stocky man, Riggi graduated from Linden High School in 1942 as its class president and enlisted in the United States Army in 1943, serving as an aircraft and engine mechanic. But law enforcement officials said he was a close associate of the late Simone Rizzo "Sam the Plumber" DeCavalcante, who headed the New Jersey's only home-grown mob family, and he quickly became heir apparent within the organization.

READ MORE

SOPRANOS COMPLETE SERIES WILL BE RELEASED IN HD/BLU-RAY NOV 4!

 

MY FAVORITE TV production of all time, drama series "The Sopranos" has yet to be released in its entirety in HD. This omission will soon be corrected with the release of a Blu-ray box set with the complete series on the mob boss Tony Soprano.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the six seasons of "The Sopranos" will be available in a single Blu-ray box set from November 4. Previously, only the first and sixth seasons had been released in HD.

The 86 episodes will come with over five hours of bonus content, all on 28 high-definition Blu-ray discs. Fans of the mafia drama can enjoy cut scenes, audio commentary tracks and roundtable discussions with the cast and crew.

The box set also includes "Defining a Television Landmark," a previously unreleased documentary with a run time of 45 minutes. Among those interviewed for the documentary are series creator David Chase, its star James Gandolfini, who died in June 2013, and Steve Buscemi, who contributed to the show's success on screen as well as from the director's chair. Steven Soderbergh and Jeff Daniels also contributed their commentary.

Collectible Box Set Featuring All Six Seasons of the Groundbreaking Series Available for the First Time on Blu-rayTM with Digital HD November 4, 2014. Just in Time for Holiday Gift Giving Complete Series Blu-ray Set is Packed with More Than Five Hours of Bonus Content, Including a Never-Before-Seen Feature Exploring the Legacy and Impact of the Game-Changing Series

ITALIAN SINGER JERRY VALE PASSED AWAY

 

One of my favorites of Music history was Jerry Vale. He is featured on my favorite 2 CD set Mob Hits. Jerry Vale had the most melodic and beautiful voice.....Watch the video below....RIP Mr. Vale

1950s singer Jerry Vale dies: Beloved 1950s and '60s crooner Jerry Vale, born Genaro Louis Vitaliano, died Sunday at his Palm Desert home surrounded by family and friends, family attorney Harold J. Levy tells CBS News in a statement. Vale, who was 83, recorded more than 50 albums in his career and appeared as himself in gangster films Goodfellas and Casino as well as on HBO's The Sopranos. He is surveyed by his wife of 55 years, Rita, his son Robert and daughter Pamela.

JORDAN BELFORT: THE WOLF OF WALLSTREET

Jordan Belfort Net Worth

The Wolf of Wallstreet Trailer

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his massive fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

The story behind this Academy Award nominated film is so much bigger than any movie can begin to depict. The story of a young up and coming stock broker turned into a leviathan of power and control.

In the early 1990s, Belfort formed his trading company, Stratton Oakmont. His company took off right from the gate. Belfort surrounded himself with sycophantic friends and family members to insulate his "pump and dump" trading tactics from potential whistle blowers. This close-knit group of upper managers who were were willing to keep the firm's secrets.

The firm began as an upright venture, but with the goal to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible, but then his tactics quickly took a nosedive.

 Christopher Moltisanti's Pump and Dump Team

The Sopranos writers did an episode in Season 2 inspired by Belfort's shenanigans... there was also another film called Boiler Room that was based on Belfort's criminal behavior.

Jordan is on the short side at 5'7 and always wore lifts in his shoes, sprayed windex on his food in the refridgerator so he wouldn't eat it and gain weight... really fits the definition Sociopathic/Narcissistic Personality disorder

LILLO BRANCATO JR: SOPRANOS ACTOR RELEASED FROM PRISON

Lillo Brancato Jr the young actor who played Matthew Bevilaqua so memorably in the Sopranos and Calogero "C" Anello in Bronx Tale was released ealry from prison December 31, 2013..His friends and family had a welcome home party for him that rocked the Bronx breaking windows and alarming the residents there. Police were freaking out trying to figure out what was causing the blasts....Read more here

Brancato is set to return to acting after being in prison 8 years for his part in the the burglary felony which led to a police officer’s death. Let's hope he keeps it on the straight side now..

On December 10, 2005, Brancato was arrested by the New York City Police Department in the Bronx on suspicion of murdering off-duty police officer Daniel Enchautegui. Enchautegui had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 40th Precinct in the Bronx.

Enchautegui confronted Brancato and his accomplice, 48-year-old Steven Armento, outside at a vacant house located at 3119 Arnow Place, next to his own, after hearing glass break. While Enchautegui waited for backup, a gunfight erupted and Enchautegui was shot. He was later taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died. Police arrested Brancato and Armento in the vicinity, both with multiple gunshot wounds and in critical condition.

ROCK AND ROLL: AN AMERICAN STORY: MUSIC RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS!

Rock and Roll: An American Story (RRAS) is an online educational resource presented by Steven Van Zandt's Rock and Roll Forever Foundation and offered free-of-charge to educators and individuals everywhere.

Interdisciplinary in nature, RRAS is geared toward middle and high school students but includes resources for learning at all levels. Launched in Fall 2013, the website offers new lesson plans and teaching resources on a monthly basis.

Educators are encouraged to create user accounts, which will allow them to receive notifications when new content is made available. This is where the story will unfold!

 Steven Van Zandt

FOUNDATION & TEAM

Steven Van Zandt founded the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation in response to a drop-out crisis he saw crippling American education. Believing that student engagement is a significant facet of the crisis, he conceived a curriculum based around popular music, a subject that connects with student interest and passion.

Importantly, what he then created with his team is a curriculum that is not restricted to music departments alone, a truly interdisciplinary curriculum. Now endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Association for Music Education, with partners including Scholastic Inc., Reelin' in the Years, ABC News, Rock's Backpages, New York University's Steinhardt School, and the Grammy Museum, Van Zandt's Rock and Roll Forever Foundation is launching Rock and Roll: An American Story.

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dr. Warren Zanes

FOUNDER'S BOARD

Jackson Browne

Martin Scorsese

Bono

Bruce Springsteen

Steven Van Zandt, Chair

HOW TO USE THIS SITE IN YOUR CLASSROOM

SOPRANOS STAR JAMES GANDOLIFINI DEAD AT 51

**UPDATE** ROME (Reuters) - The body of actor James Gandolfini, who died of a heart attack in Rome last week, was flown out of Italy on Sunday on a flight bound for New York, Rome airport authorities said. The actor's body left Rome's Fiumicino airport at around 1600 GMT (1200 ET) on a private flight, an airport official said. Family friend Michael Kobold, speaking to reporters in Rome, thanked the Italian authorities and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for helping to accelerate procedures.

Word just in...Actor James Gandolfini died today in Italy from a massive heart attack. The star of The Sopranos was in Italy was in to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily -- and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.

I fell in  love with big Tony from the very first episode of the Sopranos.  This news came as such a shock just now...so sad...

James Gandolfini (center) is best known for his role as Tony in HBO's 'The Sopranos,' acting alongside Tony Sirico (from left), Steven Van Zandt, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore.

Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in October 2012. He also has a teenage son from a previous marriage. R.I.P. Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit "True Romance" ... and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999. He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.

Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty." Read more:

R.I.P James Gandolfini we will miss you...

Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano): "I am shocked and devastated by Jim's passing. He was a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family." Falco continues saying she will "hold on to the memories of our intense and beautiful time together. The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I've ever known."

Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Jennifer Melfi): "We lost a giant today. I am utterly heartbroken."

Tony Sirico (Paulie Gualtieri): "He was one of my best friends in life. He helped me with my career and I'm going to miss him. He's part of my family."

Steven Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri): "Jimmy was a dear friend and like a brother to me. He was a great actor and a great father. I will miss him terribly. I am very sad."

Joseph R. Gannascoli (Vito Spatafore): "I will be forever indebted to Jimmy."

Since the shocking and devastating news of his death broke, celebrities have taken to Twitter to share their memories and sorrow. Below are some of the most notable reactions so far. We'll continue to update as more come in.

BEST WRITTEN TV SHOW OF ALL TIME: THE SOPRANOS!

 My favorite TV show of all time....so far anyway....

By Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times Television Critic

The Writers Guild announced its 101 best-written TV series on Sunday night, and it will surprise exactly no one to learn that David Chase and "The Sopranos" topped the list, followed closely by "Seinfeld" (Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, creators) at No. 2.

Beyond being consistently splendid shows, both helped usher in the current golden age of television. "The Sopranos" officially established HBO, and by extension cable's, reputation for cinematic television, while "Seinfeld" took mainstream comedy existential.

For these shows and their creators, this list is not only suitable for framing and tweeting but it's also good for Renewed Interest that could lead to a Potential Ratings Bump. Which most (though not all) shows that make these sorts of lists inevitably need. (Biggest beneficiary: Netflix, with the resurrected "Arrested Development" and many older shows.)

THE GODFATHER AND THE MOB/THE REAL SOPRANOS

I had never seen this documentary before tonight! How did I miss this drama back in the 1970's when they were shooting The Godfather?  Watch this show it was really good...

This documentary features the inspiration behind the Sopranos Television show. It features "The DeCavalcante crime family" as they are labeled.They spell out all the similiarities from real life and the Sopranos show.

MOTOR CITY RISING SCREENING WAS A HUGE HIT!!!!

Michael Imperioli with Kimmer!!

OK OK OK everyone knows that Kimmer is a huge SOPRANOS fan and guess who was in Detroit last night?? Michael Imperioli the actor who played Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos!!!! Thanks so much to photographer and pal Larry H Leitner! Thanks for getting the tough shots for me!!

I even heard a fan tell Michael that Tony Soprano was wrong to kill him off in the SUV like he did!!! LOL How exciting to see Michael in person. He was so gracious and patient with his many fans...(myself included)

Rick Ruiner Michael Imperioli and Nina Friday

Rick Ruiner lead vocalist of The Ruiners.... invited Kimmer to the VIP party and we were so happy to come out to support Them! I tried for a week to obtain a photo pass.... Heard the Fillmore was a tough venue to crack but finally Wednesday morning I got a hold of Joe Gough and then Kimmer was dialed in!! Thank you Rick and Joe!

I had not been to the Fillmore in Detroit.... when it was the State Theater yes back in the day yes.... It is still a gorgeous theater.. It was so much fun to see my readers and friends there! It was a crazy room! I was trying to shoot photos of the attendees and Ovation members but it is was just too mobbed.

Read More on "Motor City Rising"

Here is a little clip of Motor City Rising's Director Bobby Sheehan... wait till the very end and see Michael Imperioli..... :)

Stay tuned to Retrokimmer for more news on the schedule for Motor City Rising..... You are going to love this!! xxooK