As HBO celebrates the launch of its long-demanded standalone streaming service, HBO Now, the cable powerhouse tracked down one of the most prominent voices who has spent years calling for this particular subscription option. In the spirit of rewarding the man’s enthusiasm, he was given a more authentically ephemeral HBO show experience thanks to two classic killers from The Sopranos. The service touts its ability to watch HBO anywhere. Yet, this intense interaction demonstrates that--as a famous Russian comedian might quip--in HBO Now, shows watch you.
In the video, we see HBO enthusiast Jake Caputo, the founder of the “Take My Money, HBO” movement that has blown up on social media for the past few years. He's interviewed in celebration of the "apparent" success of his efforts. The intent of the movement was to turn the concept of a standalone streaming service that would be accessible outside the traditional subscription model into reality, which now exists in the newly-launched HBO Now. However, the interview quickly devolves into a hilariously surreal victory lap for the channel, thanks to two iconic stars of one of its most important shows. (Sorry, Martin Tupper from Dream On. You’re not invited.)
Straight from one of the great shows that established HBO’s dramatic credibility in The Sopranos, we see the arrival of Tony Sirico and Vincent Pastore decked out decently in duds befitting individuals of the purposefully vague profession of “waste management.” Clearly designed as intimidating dead ringers for their Sopranos characters, “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri and “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, the duo arrive at a hotel with serious intent written on their faces. They've clearly moved past the fact that Paulie helped whack Big Pussy before dumping his bagged and chained remains into what was probably an already toxic New Jersey drink. Yes, for the sake of this HBO Now skit, we’ll presume that aspect of The Sopranos canon was overlooked in the name of expedience (unless this Pussy is a clone.)
Kidding aside, it must have been a thrill to go from starting some small online movement, to seeing it gain momentum and finally seeing it come to fruition. The visit from this duo of alumni from The Sopranos was surely the icing on the cake. Although, any notion that the "prank" was an unrehearsed, extemporaneous experience was nixed immediately by what was clearly a rather stiff performance by Caputo as the antagonistic Guidos take him up on a literal interpretation of his movement’s name by physically “taking his money” straight out of his wallet. But, like the quasi-honorable thieves that they are, Paulie and Pussy leave him a little something to get himself home. Of course, if he blabs about this to anyone he’ll either end up in some random ditch or cut up as this week’s mystery meat over at Satriale’s.
If you’re looking for an alternative option to catch HBO programming like this Sunday’s big Season 5 premiere of Game of Thrones, then you may want to give HBO Now some consideration. At $14.99 a month, all you need is an Optimum Online Internet connection or an Apple device to get your fix quick.
