SOPRANOS STARS WARN 'PAY RISE OR WE'RE OFF'

Last updated: Thursday, June 15, 2006

SOPRANOS STARS WARN 'PAY RISE OR WE'RE OFF'

Cast members of hit mafia series THE SOPRANOS are demanding higher salaries after the show's bosses secured a string of lucrative rerun rights and staggering DVD sales.

TONY SIRICO, MICHAEL IMPERIOLI, JAMES GANDOLFINI and STEVE VAN ZANDT starring in HBO series THE SOPRANOS. USA -2006

JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER, who plays MEADOW, ROBERT ILER, who plays A.J., STEVEN SCHIRRIPA, who plays BOBBY BACALA, STEVEN VAN ZANDT, who plays SILVIO DANTE, LORRAINE BRACCO, who plays DR MELFI, and TONY SIRICO, who plays PAULIE 'WALNUTS', are all demanding a substantial rise before signing up for the final season, set to begin next month (JUL06).

They've reportedly threatened to walk out unless their wages more than double.

However, network HBO is only offering a fraction of their demands, and may be forced to write characters out of the series if they don't settle.

A source tells the New York Post, "It's coming down to the wire. HBO just doesn't want to pay.

"No one has deals and they're very far apart. (Show creator) DAVID CHASE has tried to help the actors, but even his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

"The guys want (a new deal) to happen. These are the last eight episodes, and the money is going to be coming in for HBO for years to come.

"But the actors get no residuals - and they want to be compensated.

"They're being treated like dog s**t."

An HBO spokesman refused to comment on the pay reports.

| Thursday, June 15, 2006

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SOPRANOS STARS WARN 'PAY RISE OR WE'RE OFF'

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