Sicilian Culture: The News: Politically Incorrect Takes on the Mob

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Politically Incorrect Takes on the Mob
By Frazier Moore, The Associated Press
The Series of Five Episodes of " Politically Incorrect -Takes on the Mob", begins Tomorrow Night -- Monday July 30.
This follows on "Mob Sunday", July 29, on the USA Channel from 9am-10pm.
Politically Incorrect'' is seen on ABC weeknights at 12:05 a.m. EDT.
Check your local listings.
A 1/2 page Ad appeared in Sunday version of the Los Angeles Times, With a Photo of Bill Maher in Cement Shoes at the bottom of a river, That states : "Was it Something I Said" "A Week with Bill 'The Mouth' Maher and anyone who ever offered protection, fulfilled a contract or made someone an offer that couldn't be refused."

Politically Incorrect Takes on the Mob
By Frazier Moore, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Just moments into taping ``Politically Incorrect,'' one of the cameras conks out.
``We got the monologue - that's the best part of the show,'' quips Bill Maher, the notably un-PC host of this serious-issues-with-laughs discussion show, as technicians scurry to fix the problem.
``Can I help?'' Maher asks. ``Did you push 'power'?''
Then he shares with the audience a mock suspicious look. ``This is a little suspicious, isn't it?''
Hmmmm. He's just begun the first of five shows probing organized crime, which is famous, of course, for its retaliatory gestures. And rather than the usual studio setting back in comfy Los Angeles, Maher is presiding from an open-air stage on Brooklyn's rotting waterfront.
But despite the requisite sinister tone, no bodies are observed floating in the inky East River, and the technical glitch is quickly straightened out.
``When was it we started rooting for the bad guys?'' Maher asks his four guests once the tape is rolling again.
For this edition, airing Tuesday, Maher has convened Steven R. Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri on ``The Sopranos''), Ganglandnews.com's Jerry Capeci, Cindy DiBernardo (whose mobster dad was whacked by Sammy ``the Bull'' Gravano) and mob lawyer Murray Richman. (``Politically Incorrect'' is seen on ABC weeknights at 12:05 a.m. EDT.)
Soon the talk turns to gender issues and Maher complains that mobsters have to do all the killing while their women stay at home.
But DiBernardo begs to differ.
``We kill youse, but you just don't realize it!'' she says. ``Every day, we chip away at youse.''
At mention of ``The Sopranos,'' Richman declares that ``what ruined the mob was emulating things that didn't exist. It's life copying art.''
Then someone voices a counterargument: No, drugs are what ruined the mob.
``I don't think the Mafia should be selling ecstasy,'' Maher chimes in. ``I don't want to hear a techno version of `That's Amore.'''
A few minutes later, taping wraps. Though a hot, steamy evening, the weather has spared the gathering from expected rain. The audience in the temporary grandstand will soon be bused back to Manhattan. The star repairs to his trailer.
Asked how the ``Mob Week'' idea came about, Maher (pronounced marr) says he isn't sure, even as he marvels at the fascination with organized crime the public continues to display.
Himself included. ``I see the Mafia now like the Westerns of the late 19th century: outlaws in an era that has passed them by. With this vulnerability, even though they're outlaws.''

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