Tony Soprano’s Bloody Good Show for Charity
Those Tony Soprano fans sure love the big jerk, inside and out.
One avid fanor a very sloppy dresserpaid a whopping $43,750 for the fake-blood-stained outfit James Gandolfini’s iconic mob boss was wearing when his dementia-addled Uncle Junior shot him in the gut in The Sopranos’ season-six opener.
The red-spattered pants, undershirt and black and gray-striped button-down was the top-grossing lot auctioned off Wednesday at Christie’s in New York to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause close to Gandolfini’s heart that helps out soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Overall, Tony’s garb brought in $187,750.
The second-biggest seller, for $21,250, was a four-piece set containing boxer shorts, a sleeveless undershirt, slippers and the blue, yellow and red-striped bathrobe Tony wore in multiple scenes that took place in the Soprano family’s New Jersey manse.
Gandolfini, who after winning three Emmys playing the New Jersey Family man produced and appeared in the HBO interview special Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq, was on hand to see the items zoom past their estimated $1,500 value.
Cementing the appeal of oversize loungewear, the lavender-trimmed tan robe with an S insignia that Tony was wearing in the pilot when he first got fed the fickle ducks that landed him in therapy fetched $13,750.
In addition to Gandolfini’s entire wardrobe, which was separated into 25 lots, costumes belonging to Domanic Chianese (Junior Soprano), Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) and Robert Iler (A.J. Soprano) were also on the block today.
Jessica Simpson’s Manhunt
Jessica Simpson’s Manhunt
Attention all men with cute butts - Jessica Simpson is looking for you!
The former Newlywed has stated her criteria for her next mate, and she’s not interested in any boys. Yesterday the “With You” singer made an appearance on The View, during which she got real about her romantic life.
“As far as boys go, I don’t need ‘em. I want a man,” she said. As for his physical attributes, “If he has a cute butt, that’s all right.”
Jessica also revealed that she’s interested in starting a family in the future. “Somebody who’s a really great family guy. Like if a kid were to come up to him and tug on his shirt, he’d pick him up and twirl him around. I definitely love a family man, a guy that’s not afraid to pick up the babies. … Somebody that wants to meet my grandparents immediately. I think all those characteristics are what make a man attractive.”
Self-security is also important to the Dukes of Hazzard hottie. “I think mentally, I need a guy that can really have a strong, confident woman.” As for money, “I got that covered.”
Seal Sends Heidi Off with a Kiss
Seal Sends Heidi Off with a Kiss
Always the romantic husband, Seal was spotted planting a passionate kiss goodbye onto Heidi Klum as he dropped her and the kids off at LAX airport on Sunday (May 25).
And with the family out of town, Seal (born Sealhenry Olusegun Olumide Samuel) will have the quiet time necessary as he prepares for a big concert on Saturday as part of the 2008 Black & White Ball.
Talking about his desire to keep working despite being married to the world’s second highest paid model, Seal told press: “You name me any family man that works less once he has a family. I thought the whole point is to work more.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve slowed down. In fact, I’d say the opposite. I work more, especially in this day and age with regards to our industry. You can’t survive on selling records. People think that the more successful you are, the less you work, but it’s actually the opposite,” he continued.
“You don’t necessarily work to make money,” Seal says. “You work because that’s the very thing that made you successful in the first place. It’s to do with your drive. It’s not necessarily to do with accumulating more money or more wealth. It’s more to do with that’s what you’re here for. That’s your responsibility. That’s your personality type. Just because you have a family, that drive doesn’t disappear.”
Andre Braugher joins Ray Romano pilot
Back in April, Allison reported that Ray Romano was working on a pilot for TNT. Romano is playing the lead, and now Andre Braugher has been added to the cast of Men of a Certain Age. The series, a dramedy along the lines of Sideways, focuses on lives of three middle-aged friends. Braugher will play Owen, a car salesman and family man. Ray Romano and Mike Royce (Everybody Loves Raymond) are writing and producing the show together.
I’ve been an Andre Braugher fan since Homicide: Life on the Street, and I’m excited to see him get a promising role like this. Braugher is more of a dramatic actor, but he’s definitely capable of getting some laughs. No word yet on who’s playing the third friend. The character has been described as an aspiring actor.
Men of a Certain Age was originally created for HBO and found a home at TNT after HBO passed on it. This move might turn out to be a positive thing for the series. TNT has some solid, popular dramas, and Romano’s pilot would fit right in. If the show is less like a sitcom and more like the grown-up comedy I’m expecting, I’ll be sure to give it a chance.