On the night of the season finale premier of the Sopranos in
March 2006, I met Kate and James at the Ear for a pre-game meal. We were in a
joyous mood for the event. Speculations ran high. How could this awesome show
be topped? How would it end???!
As we were debating the possible plot twists, Tony Soprano
walked into the Ear and sat at the table next to us. This is not a metaphor.
James Gandolfini took a seat at the table next to us. Those who have been to
the Ear know how small it is. So basically James Gandolfini joined us for
dinner.
We did the typical New Yorker thing of immediately clocking
a celeb, catching each others' eye to acknowledge and then completely ignoring him. It was extremely hard on this occasion, however, because we just couldn’t
believe the coincidence.
Finally, James folded. He screamed at us (of course he did,
my friends and I speak in screams), “What is going to happen to Carmela?!!”
Kate and I died in our chairs. We were mortified and as James realized what he
had just done, he turned crimson. Gandolfini on cue and without skipping a beat
said, “I kill Carmela in the first episode. Don’t watch it. It’s a terrible
show.” Despite our shame, we looked over. He had an enormous grin on his face.
We burst out laughing, relieved. He was lovely for the rest
of the meal. James even claims he was flirting with me a bit, which I denied at
the time, but now, of course, remember it that way. He engaged with us the way
people do in the Ear: camaraderie due to cramped conditions + beer equals a
good time always (just ask Fred.)
Trying not to stare at him that night, I remember thinking that he was a gentle soul with very kind eyes and was surprisingly
handsome. It was one of my best celeb sightings ever. And now, with this sad
news of his passing, it is an even more precious memory.
