Perhaps the Almighty has a pretty wicked sense of humour, if she (It's International Women's Day, best cover my bets here) wastes her time on the minutiae of our lives such as politics and TV, this weekend gave us the perfect union.
On the same weekend where former Chretien capo, Sheila Copps got whacked (politically speaking) by the Martin Mob, we saw the debut of season five of The Soprano's. The dysfunction of both the Jersey Family and the Rideau Ruling Family seemingly interchangeable.
A salute to John Ivison of the National Post for his hilarious take on the weekend's happenings, steal a copy, (or at least read it over someone's shoulder) (how else would this theme work?) of the National Post for Monday and follow the parallels from fiction and fact.
Ivison's column, got me to thinking over the various attributes of each group. All day today, in my head I've been running through the names and associated characters should David Chase need to find some more talent, a "family tree if you will".
Sopranos to Liberals: Big Paulie aka Tony trying to put his stamp on the organization; Johnny C as Carmine, the old leader forced aside; David Herle as Silvio faithful and devoted aide, Herb Dhaliwal as Ralphie (sorry Herb it was off with your head!), Jean Lapierre as the newly reformed Tony Blundetto (both claiming to be trying to do the right thing now); Tony Valeri as Paulie (both given the ugly jobs to do and seem to do them with relish) only flaw here is, Valeri never had a foot in the Chretien camp, Paulie definitely has one in Carmine's, Chase can work out that problem.
I'm Having a real problem finding a Liberal to take on the role of Christopher; the heir apparent and trusted nephew to Tony. Ralph Goodale is too old and not destined for the head of the table, nor is Bill Graham. Perhaps Brian Tobin; currently working for Magna Inc. of all things, Frank McKenna; at Asperworld, or Alan Rock; hidden away at the UN. All three might make a good Christopher, perhaps we can look at the absence here, as being in political detox, I don't know. A definite writers block on that character.
And of course there are the long suffering women in Tony's life, Carmella and Dr. Melfi, there is no one in the current Liberal family that would fill those roles nicely. Certainly not Sheila Copps, who was always more of a Tony in nature, than a Carmella. For now we leave both ladies roles unfilled, feel free to offer up suggestions!
In fact, the rest of this current lot of Liberals are more suitable for the "bit actor" roles, filling in the seats at the Bada Bing, standing around loading docks, or chowing down at the local restaurants. But, there is good news for plot development options. This spring there is a whole new class of gangster/politician on the way. In the Sopranos, the prisons are about to unleash an entire crew of goodfella's having served their time and looking for work, over with the Liberal's an expected election will also provide Big Paulie with a new pool of talent. Regardless, both families are at war. It should be interesting to see the body count at the end of season five, compared to after that after the upcoming Federal election.
The weekend reviews are in and both productions were ah, uh excuse me for this, a hit. Giving us all hope for a stellar season of entertainment. Sopranos or Liberals, both guaranteed to entertain for months and months.
The CBC, Global and CTV should get their bids in fast, this should be a blockbuster of Canadian television. And the best part of all, the production would probably be suitable for a government grant. Something even Tony Soprano would find to be a delicious irony!
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