Sleepyheads meet the Sopranos
Monday, April 23, 2007 at 18:20 After a month of terrible spring rains, weekends sleeping in watching reruns of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Janet and myself sleeping in the same bed (hiding under the covers like children who do not want to go to school), we finally decided to venture out into the streets of Tribeca on Saturday night. With the Tribeca Film Festival around Janet's neighborhood at every turn, we decided to find an adventure.
A little hairspray, (we don't really use hairspray, but it sounded good) refresh makeup, grab keys and money and out the door we go. The first two blocks were quiet, and it looked like we had missed the best of Tribeca, a very sunny Saturday afternoon, the dogwoods were in bloom, everyone was wearing shorts and shades, and thinking 'finally, a great spring day, in a happpening place, and I'm right here enjoying it!' We passed the Tribeca Grill and thought, what the heck, let's have a drink here.
[Arliss and me in Vegas a few years back]
We did not get past the door, 'private party' said the host with a smile. But there in the doorway was our chance meeting with Arliss (Robert Wuhl of comedy fame ) whom I'd met in Las Vegs at a bodybuilding show a few years ago. He was surprised to see me, but like the good natured person he is, he invited us to join some friends at Walker's where I had been just hours earlier for dinner. This is the neighborhood bar and restaurant that John F. Kennedy Jr. lived next door and frequented often. It is a well loved spot. To our surprise, we were welcomed to sit with some members of the Sopranos, the director Tim Van Patton, (a brooklyn boy) and Steve Schirripa
(Bobby, Tony's sister's husband on the show) and their friends. I told Bobby that the fight between him and Tony looked real. "Great job." He told us proudly that he and Tony did the stunt work except for crashing into the table. As far as him lasting on the show past another episode, it did not sound good since he told us his last filming was Monday. Could be the end of Bobby. I really liked him.
I could not resist asking if there might be a Sopranos movie, crossing my fingers, but Tim said based on the ending, he did not think it would be possible. Oh that sounds bad. Does Tony die? I was beginning to feel upset, the fan that I have become of the Sorpranos.
I was getting much more information then I thought I would have. I suppose the show is really over and the cast has nothing to lose by talking about it. They seemed upset and shocked themselves that the show was really coming to an end, so maybe they needed to vent. I heard some more strange news as the night went on.
After last night, we are convinced that staying inside and hiding does not pay. In fact, when you live right where the action is, it is a crime!
Reader Comments (2)
Cool story. Tribeca is a trip. This is definitely celebrity season with the Tribeca Film Festival in town. I too know Walker's very well, and I can tell you a few JFK Jr. stories.
JFK Jr. lived in, or next to the ABC carpet building on Church Street (south of Canal). He was friends with the guy who owned the Royal Canadien Pancake House on Varick Street (right by the entrance to the Holland Tunnel). One freezing cold day in the middle of winter, I was waiting for the light to change to cross the street @ Franklin & West Bway (by the subway stop). I was wearing my down coat with the moonman hood, exposing only my nose. JFK Jr. was only wearing a suit. He didn't have gloves, a hat or overcoat. He wasn't shivering from the cold. As we crossed paths, he looked at me and I looked at him. One of those NY moments.
The other JFK Jr. story involves the flip side of the cold winter, but a very hot summer day. I was having lunch sitting on a bench in the Chinatown park. The big one, behind the courts on Worth Street. It must have been over 100 in the shade. JFK Jr. jogged around the park 3 or 4 times, around a mile and change. Then he joined a pick-up game of touch football, using a frisbee instead of a football. He was shirtless, wearing baggy purple gym shorts, and not breaking a sweat. I don't think that there was a season, or temperature, that could slow down JFK Jr. He was a true New Yorker.
I love the Janet & Lori stories. Keep doing them. And ask some of Janet's musician friends to hang out with you.
Jeff