Digital Trends

Q: Why did fans seem to connect so well with him of all people on the series?

A: Probably because of the fact that, like many of these guys, he looks like your next-door neighbor, whether people want to admit it or not. It's not just the wiseguy element – it's the whole family element in play. People connect a lot better to that than they do spacemen against aliens or cowboys versus Indians. It hits a lot closer to home.

Q: Honestly: How much will longtime fans dig Road to Respect's storyline?

A: I think they'll really love it. I do. It's a little different, but like with the show, or anything else that lasts a long time, you can't keep feeding people the same story for three or four years. You've got to change things around, develop the characters and come up with new, interesting angles. And I think that's what's been done here. It's a good way to prepare for the last season of the show, when everything's about to come full-circle.

Q: Looking back, were you disappointed Pussy got whacked when he did?

A: No – I wasn't disappointed at all. I was very happy that I was given the opportunity to show my acting chops. I got a lot of recognition from the show, and my career is in good shape because of it. In fact, I'm in the car now on the road to Providence, Rhode Island to do a personal appearance as one of the dead Sopranos. That should tell you something about the show: Even the dead guys are popular!

Q: Are you surprised that the series continues to be as well-received as it has been, spawning DVD box sets and digital spin-offs like Road to Respect?

A: Not at all. I think it could go on for another 10 years if they wanted it to. It's been an amazing success for television. I remember when I met Kiefer Sutherland for the first time, and he came up to me and said that the reason he decided to do "24" was that he loved "The Sopranos" so much and saw how TV was changing.

Q: Ever play any videogames yourself?

A: Do I play games? Yeah, I play games, but not those kinds. You know, I just recently got up to speed with the computer. It's like a completely different generation for me.

Q: Let's say you had the opportunity to design one then. What would it be about?

A: I'm really into travel now. I like getting in the car and going places. It'd probably be a game where you'd drive all around, go out to remote locations all over the country and crazy things would happen. I'd really like to do it as TV show too. If you know anybody who's interested, call me.

Q: Will do. Any last words of advice for those who see the show or play The Sopranos: Road to Respect and think they'd like to pursue a career in the Cosa Nostra?

A: A career in the Cosa Nostra? Well, number one – the Cosa Nostra does not exist. It's just some name that Hollywood made up. I never heard of it. I don't think you can go to college and get a master's degree in breaking kneecaps, or be able to apply to the Cosa Nostra and get some work. I think that's all Hollywood – in "The Godfather," it's never even mentioned. In fact, I don't think the word Mafia has ever been used on "The Sopranos" either. [Laughs] We're just a bunch of guys who work together – it's like any other workplace environment.