Making of the Mob: Recap “The Education of Lucky Luciano” Ep 101

Lucky toasts to the new and improved Mafia

Last night was the first of a series of an eight episode mini series called, “The Making of the Mob.” This docu-drama tells the history of how the five families of the New York Mafia got its start and it is narrated by Ray Liotta, of “Goodfellows.” Here is what we saw last night . . .

In 1931,  Charles “Lucky” Luciano, one of the most notorious gangsters in America, calls a meeting in Chicago of the most powerful men in the Mafia. He tells them things will be run like they are in Sicily, but there will no longer be a “boss of bosses.” Instead they will have a board of directors, a commission run by the bosses of the five New York families. They will have the final say in all matters. This is when the American Mafia, the most powerful crime syndicate, gets its real start.

Then the show takes us back to 1906, when Charles “Lucky” Luciano’s family arrives from Italy looking for a better life. Lucky’s father can’t find work, turns to alcohol and abuses the family. There are 100’s of gangs on the streets of New York City. The only way to survive is to join a gang and live a life of crime. The gangs terrorize citizens because they are always having turf wars and killing each other in the streets. When Lucky is 15, he develops friendships with two Jewish boys, Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Seigel. Meyer had the intelligence and mathematical ability, Bugsy had a bad temper and was quick to act on it. The three of them together were a force to reckon with.

One day Lucky’s little crew runs into Frank Costello, a gangster who was taking care of someone for his boss, Joe Mazaria. Frank kills the guy, but doesn’t have it in him to remove his gold teeth. Lucky offers to do it for him. Lucky tells Bugsy to take care of it. Frank is impressed and takes the boys under his wing having him do work for him. Frank decides to bring in a new soldier, Vito Genovese.

The U.S. government passes Prohibition with the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. This is exactly what the Mafia needed to make big money. With the huge demand for alcohol, 100’s of speakeasies opened up and millions of dollars were being earned on the sale liquor. Joe Mazaria becomes “The Boss” and his operation covers half of Manhattan.

One night, Lucky and his crew make the mistake of robbing one of Joe’s trucks. They had no idea it was his truck and have to go into hiding because they know this means certain death for all of them. Finally, realizing they can’t hide forever, Lucky makes the decision to go see Joe Mazaria himself and take care of the problem. Lucky explains that the robbed the truck by mistake and offers to make things right by killing someone for Joe. Joe give Lucky a good beating before taking him up on his offer.

When he returns to his crew, they thank him for taking the blame. Lucky tells them he had to make a deal to save their lives . . . they have to kill Umberto Valentini, one of the most dangerous mobsters in New York City. Lucky and his crew follow Umberto for weeks until they find the right opportunity to make their move. They see him out on the street. Lucky shoots him in cold blood. Joe is impressed with Lucky’s first hit and promotes him, putting him in charge of heroin sales. Heroin becomes a huge money maker for Joe, especially after the government makes it illegal for medical purposes. Lucky is doing well until he is arrested for selling heroin and has to serve six months in prison. While in prison, Lucky has time to think. He is angry that while he is sitting in prison, Joe is making a lot of money. He decides he needs to be his own boss when he gets out.

Meanwhile, while Lucky is in prison, Meyer Lansky makes a new “business” connection with a man named Arnold Rothstein. Rothstein was a very successful business man who was also profiting from the bootlegging business, thanks to Prohibition. Rothstein is also the man who allegedly “fixed” the game that lead to the Black Sox Scandal. He placed bets of his own, winning the equivalent of a modern day 4 million dollars. Meyer takes Lucky to meet Rothstein.

Rothstein likes the two young men and see their potential, so he takes them under his wing. Rothstein believes in selling alcohol to rich people, unlike Joe Mazaria who focused on the poor. Rothstein was making twice as much money. The only problem for Lucky and Meyer is that they have to hand over a big chunk of their profits to Joe. Lucky decides they need to kill Joe and he asks Rothstein for advice. Rothstein tells them it’s a big risk and if they do this they are on their own.

So far I am loving every minute. What did you think of episode one?

If you missed the first episode, you can watch it at The Education of Lucky Luciano and I see they posted episode two as well, so i will be watching that next!

Big Ang: Recap “Big Shots” Episode 101

Big Ang behind her bar!

Wow, wow and wow! I enjoyed this party oops, I mean first episode of the Big Ang show. We start off by listening to Big Ang telling us how she has lived her life, what she has been through and that she has had relationships with the wise-guys.  She loves everything big! Big boobs, big jewelry, a big house and has the best parties. She has been through it all - even house arrest. I can't help but wonder how many times that ankle bracelet went off. But now she states, "I'm gonna do whatever the f**k I want.” And for just that short time, I find myself agreeing with Big Ang and I think I’m gonna take on that F**K it all attitude. Big Ang spends all her time with her monkeys at the bar. She loves her crew and she loves her psychotic family. This is her life and it’s what she knows. 

Big Ang, Lil Jen and Linda

Big Ang meets up with Lil Jen and Linda. They have been friends forever. Never mind how many years because their history goes way back. Big Ang says Linda is a lunatic and Lil Jen is a maniac. And that's what Big Ang likes - wackos that are loyal. They reminisce about their past and Big Ang says back in the day they were known as the sixth family. Now I' m not sure if I missed a family member, but all the names I got that are part of this family was Big Ang, Lil Jen, Crazy Linda, Patty Slaps and Wild Thing. I must say the last 2 young ladies better make it on one of the episodes because you don't get handed a nickname with slaps or wild in it for nothing. Lil Jen says she was always knows as Lil Jen until she almost died. She was in a coma for 5 months and during that time she was known as Drop Dead Jen. I'm happy to see that the nickname has dissolved. Big Ang calls Lil Jen a big baby because she's afraid to be alone. She’s 53 years old and she's afraid of the dark. Damn...so am I sometimes......

Crowd at Drunken Monkey!

Big Ang is at the Monkey and is so happy about the makeover. Dom, her brother in law, did the work and it looks great. Big Ang says the old bar was worn out. She's hoping the renovation will bring in people from out of the neighborhood. And I can personally vouch for that. When I visited the bar, there were locals, but there were a lot of people that came from afar, including myself. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of Big Ang. Big Ang talks about having a re-grand opening and wants to blow up the bar. She wants the monkey to be known all over the world, including Brooklyn. 

Janine talks sense to Big Ang

Big Ang stops by her sister Janine's house. Janine is questioning Big Ang about paying some bills and going to the doctor. Big Ang thinks Janine is strictly business. Janine complains to Big Ang about breaking her appointment with her accountant and she better not do it again to go out drinking with her friends. Big Ang completely changes the subject and asks Janine if she has seen the new monkey yet? Big Ang tells her how she wants to plan a BIG grand opening and how she wants to hire shot guys. I see an eyeroll from Janine, but she gives Big Ang advice on how to cast for the shot guys.  She tells her sister to limit her to only 4 guys so Big Ang doesn't hire everyone and go broke. So we see that Big Ang certainly has a big heart. She says she loves money, but I think she loves to spend it on everyone else. 

The interviewing!

Big Ang and Linda go to interview the shot guys. Big Ang seems to like and want to hire everyone! A very young good looking guy interviews, his name is Ricardo, and Big Ang's face lights up. I must confess I have about 15 photos of Ricardo myself. One is for the blog and the rest are for me! Big Ang says he has got swag. Her little latin lover. Linda gets a hug and confesses she's a cougar.  They finish interviewing and Big Ang decides that she can do this for a career. Well...me too if there's an actually job out there for interviewing hot shot bods! I mean boys! 

Meet Ricardo!

Big Ang and Neil on a date

Big Ang goes out on a date with Neil, her so-called husband. They have been living apart. Big Ang says he has been a cheater, stay out all night, drunk. Neil says he has been behaving and would like to come back home. He has a bank acct and a new truck. Big Ang looks very surprised. He says he has changed and thinks Big Ang may like the new Neil. She tells Neil it's a good thing he’s not drinking. She claims it was no joke putting up with him for 4 years! My favorite line during this little chat was when Big Ang tells the waiter, when he asks if she would like water for the "table," she says, "water is for fish"! I wonder if she was asked that question again that night. 

Big Ang goes over to visit her son AJ and his dogs.  She says she has to visit at least once a week because he’s always getting into some mess. AJ gives his mom a bag of laundry to do and Big Ang says she’s sick of laundry. Funny thing, AJ says he’s sick of it too! She tells AJ about meeting up with Neil and says she thinks Neil is rushing her. She wants AJ to come back home and live with her so he can work and buy himself designer clothes. AJ seemed to be content for now where he is.

Big Ang and Ricardo, nice!

Big Ang gets spray tanned for her big night. This woman has a body! Being tanned makes her feel young. Well the big night finally arrives. The bartenders Frank & Anthony are there, along with the  shot boys. Big Ang does shots, Linda does shots, Lil Jenn does shots, the crowd is doing shots, its just one big party. Out comes a "drunken monkey" dancing on the bar and the crowd goes crazy. 

Big Ang has on a dress that is right out of the old Laugh-In show, with glasses to match. The shot boys are selling shots left and right and cashing in. Last, but not least, how can you end a night out without male dancers on the bar? There's a contest of who can collect the most dollar bills. Not surprised at all when Ricardo wins! Big Ang seems to have a big crush on Ricardo and her sexy latin dancer is making the moves. Big Ang is dancing, the crowd is hollering, Neil comes walking in, he takes a few looks, walks out and the night seems like its just about to end. 

Neil trying to worm his way back into Big Ang's heart

In the last scene Big Ang, Janine, Lil Jenn and Linda are sitting outside the monkey on a bench. They are all claiming to have had a lot of fun and it was one of their best nights! At that moment, Big Ang realizes she has a husband. Big Ang says she needs to tell them all something. She says she's thinking about letting Neil move back in. Janine is delighted! Being the big/little sis she is, I'm not surprised she's happy. She only wants the best for her sister and likes Neil. Lil Jenn seems happy too, but Linda says Big Ang needs a man and Neil hasn't manned up. There's lots of shut-up Jennifers, as the girls are all voicing their opinions, and finally Big Ang decides she better sleep on it.  She says she’s always making decisions on Patrone. I think that was a good idea. So the show ends. I guess Big Ang gets some rest and well see what happens next week. Will there be another party just as big? I think so. Tune in to VH1 next Sunday for some more fun with Big Ang and her crew. 

Written By: Carmela Corleone     Follow on Twitter @carmelacorleone

Picture Credit: VH1 and Carmela's camera

Mob Wives Chicago: Recap “Fight Night” Ep 101

The Windy City Mob Wives

Loved the show! The first episode of season one starts with a bunch of introductions to the cast. My eyes are twitching as my brain is trying to keep them all straight when I write. I think their voices are too similar so I have to keep looking up to make sure I have the right names to go with my recap. Let’s get started…

Renee Fecarotta says Chicago was the playground of the mob. Her uncle John Fecarotta treated her like a princess and gave her the best of everything. He was gunned down by his best friend, Nick Calabrese, who shot him in the back. Renee has two daughters, Giana is 20 and a younger daughter, who is 10.

Nora Schweihs is the daughter of Frank “The German” Schweihs, who is rumored to have had something to do with Marilyn Monroe’s death. Someone actually came up to Nora and said that to her, and she wanted to stab him. Renee says Nora is very sensitive about anyone referring to her father as a hit man. Nora’s father passed away while he was incarcerated and the FBI took his body. She doesn’t know what happened to it, she never saw it. Nora is going back to Florida to find out what happened to her dad.

Pia Rizza is the daughter of a dirty cop, Vince Rizza, who used his badge to sell drugs for the mob and then turned informant. She calls him a rat who sold the mob down the river to save himself and now she has to live with the stigma of having a father for a rat. Pia has an unconventional job, she is a dancer at a trip club to make money to support her daughter and herself. Nora doesn’t approve of this job, she thinks Pia is better than that.

Nora and Pia and their families have been friends a long time. Pia drops by Nora’s place to welcome her back to Chicago. She gives her an “evil eye” bracelet. They are like sisters. Nora says she trusts Pia and wants her help in finding out what happened to her father. They have been there for each other in the past. Nora wants Pia to leave the strip club, she doesn’t approve of her job. Pia gets a bit angry or insulted, she does what she needs to do to take care of her daughter.

Giana meets with her dad in prison

Giana is Renee’s older daughter, she is 20. She is her baby and best friend. Giana’s father is a wannabe mobster who is serving time for murder. Giana went to see her father in prison and tells Renee about it. Renee doesn’t approve at all. Her father’s rap sheet is so long and on top of that he committed a horrible, brutal murder. All of a sudden he wants to be in his daughter’s life? Renee is furious. She worked two jobs to give her daughters everything. Giana wants her mother to have compassion for her father. She feels Renee should know what it means to grow up without a father because Renee’s own father died when she was just a young girl. Renee says her ex-husband is a “manipulating piece of crap.” Renee just doesn’t like her daughter being involved with him at all.

Renee and Nora meet for lunch. They have known each other from childhood. Their father’s worked together. Nora wants to plan a girl’s night out now that she is back in Chicago. Nora invites Renee and tells her Pia will be going. Renee is not happy, but Nora tells her Pia is like family. Renee thinks Pia’s job is degrading and pathetic…”Get off the pole!” and get two or three respectable jobs if need be. Renee says she has heard that Pia is everyone’s “goumada” (mob mistress). On top of that, her father, Vince Rizza, was a rat who caused many people in their circle to go to jail. Renee warns Nora not to tell Pia anything personal because she will not keep her confidences. Nora says she doesn’t trust Pia, but she feels sorry for her. Renee says, her uncle John taught her to keep her friends close and her enemies closer.

Pia gets a call from a cousin of hers. He has some news he thinks Pia should know. Apparently he ran into Nora and she mentioned Pia to him and called her a “whore.” Pia is taken aback because she was just with Nora and everything between them seemed fine.

Christina says she is the average mom. As a kid she was a tomboy on Taylor Street. She got into a lot of fights and was taught to hit first and watch your back. Her father was a burglar for the mob and was always in jail; her mom had to bail him out. He taught her how to open safes by listening for the “clicks,” but she didn’t take over the family business. She recently got divorced, after 10 years of marriage, however her ex-husband is still living in the home. Christina has a nine year old daughter and doesn’t want to hurt her.

Pia meets Christina for lunch and invites her to the girls night out. Christina is happy to be getting out. Then Pia tells her about what her cousin told her regarding Nora calling her a “whore.” Christina says Pia needs to address it and pop her in the mouth before girl’s night out. She shouldn’t have that hanging over her head. Pia says she will address it, but in her own time. Pia says her father taught her to keep information until you need it.

And Leah, She loves those big, fat asses!

Meet Leah! “What you see is what you get!” She says she was always in the dark about what her father did for a living. All she knows is that he drove a truck. When she asked where he was she was told he went to “college.” “College” is the Chicago word for jail. It’s all about keeping your mouth shut. She likes neighborhood guys with nice, fat, round asses. She lives with her father and us she ever marries the guy is going to have to understand they are a package deal.

Leah and Christine go shopping. They are childhood friends from when they were twelve years old on Taylor Street. Christina invites Leah to go out with the girls, Nora and Pia. Leah says she is going out of town and can’t make it. Leah thinks Nora is nuts. Christina tells her that Pia’s cousin told her Nora called her a “whore.” Christina thinks Pia should address it. She is looking forward to a night out and wants to enjoy herself. Leah says it’s best she doesn’t go because if Nora looks at her the wrong way it’s liable to start a fight.

Pia and Nora before fight breaks out

Nora is excited to get out and have some fun with the girls back in her hometown. Renee and Nora go to the restaurant together and Renee tells her she is going just for her. Nora says that Pia and Renee are good people and they can have a good time together. No one knows what will happen. Renee and Nora are there waiting. Pia is usually late. Pia is coming with Christina. Renee says she is going to try to be civil. When Christina and Pia arrive they all say hello and have a shot. They toast to a great night. Pia says she likes Renee. But, Renee thinks Pia has no class. Renee suddenly says to Pia, “a rat is a rat.” Pia doesn’t know what to make of that and says are you asking about my father? Pia explains what her father did and makes it clear that she is nothing like her father. Pia says she was never proud of being his daughter. Renee says she doesn’t associate with rats or daughters of rats.

Nora says she finds dating very difficult, once they find out who her father was, they split. Christina, who has had a few drinks already and isn’t happy that Nora called Pia a “whore,” blurts out, wasn’t your father a hit man? Christina deliberately opens a can of worms, a very sensitive sore spot for Nora. Then Christina adds that she hears that all the time all over town, from different people. Nora remains composed, but her eyes seem to swell up. Christina is trying to piss her off. Nora just wants to have fun, Christina is drinking quite a few shots.

Christina and Renee during fight scene, Nora gets splashed!

Someone is showing of their fancy shoes, and suddenly Nora makes an insensitive remark about Pia. She says something to the effect of, “what am I supposed to look like, a “hooker, like Pia?” Pia decides this is the time to question Nora about what her cousin told her. She relays the phone call she got from her cousin and wants an answer from Nora. Nora asks, “Is it on tape?” She then denies saying it and says if she has anything to say she would say it to her face. Why would she say anything behind her back? They both makeup, it’s over, done, settled. Renee says she wouldn’t blame Nora if she called Pia a “whore.” Christina, who has had more drinks, says they should have addressed this issue the day after it happened. Renee thinks Christina is drunk and won’t stay out of it. Pia says it’s over and Christina is acting crazy. She wants her to shut up. Christina is angry that Pia is disrespecting her. Pia and Christina start fighting. Christina throws a drink at Pia and gets Nora too. FIGHT! Major hair pulling event. Christina is holding on to Pia’s hair and ripping it out. They can’t be separated. Renee says Pia is “a piece of shit.”

MY TWO CENTS

First of all, the show is pretty good for the first episode. I have to be honest, when I saw the first episode of Mob Wives I was not impressed and was almost sorry I committed to blogging it. I clearly remember that I dreaded the thought of watching it every week. However, after the next episode or two I got sucked in…and the rest is history. I expect the same thing to happen with Mob Wives Chicago. We had a lot of necessary intros and background information intermingled with a storyline and it was a little overwhelming and hard to keep everything straight. But I think that’s just temporary. In any case, as I figure it out I will share what I know with all of you.

So what are the issues? Pia’s job as a “pole dancer” in a strip club. Both Nora and Renee have expressed their disgust at Pia’s occupation. They think she should go out and get a respectable job or two, in this economy, without skills and high unemployment rates of 8.2%. They seem to be judging her and putting her down. Not only that, they are taking it to another level and calling her a “whore” or “hooker.” There were two times Nora referred to her in that way, one was reported and one we heard. Then there was Renee saying she was everyone’s “goumah.” What I wonder is, if it’s actually her occupation that disgusts them, or the fact her father was a “rat.” She is guilty by association, even though she has no ties to her father and is ashamed of what he did. I find this a bit ironic, and I’ll tell you why. Nora and Renee are related to the two mobsters who, in their VH1 bios, were stated to be alleged hit men for the mob. They don’t have a problem with their relatives allegedly “whacking” people, but they have a problem with Pia for pole dancing? Don’t the mob wives say, they aren’t guilty of their fathers/husbands/brothers crimes? Why should they hold it against Pia that her father was a “rat.” Maybe they should read Karen’s book, “Mob Daughter,” or watch the episodes concerning Renee Graziano, AJ and Junior? Anyway, I am willing to give Pia a chance before judging her and throwing her under the bus for what she does and what her father did.

Christina shouldn’t have that much “fun” in the future. She ended up fighting with her good friend, Pia, because the alcohol clouded her judgment. She begins by trying to defend Pia against Nora’s remarks, and ends up almost pulling all her hair out. Clearly alcohol was to blame for a lot of that fight. Christina may be protective of Pia, but in this case she went over the top. I think, if they are good friends they will get over this incident. And Christina, let Pia fight her own battles.

As for Giana’s visiting her dad, Renee is justified in being concerned for her daughter. The man seems to have no redeeming values whatsoever, if you hear her talk. But, Giana is curious about her father and wants to know who he is. It’s only natural. Maybe she will discover, in time, that her mother was right about him and she will have satisfied her curiosity. It may be an ongoing issue all season because there is the potential for many mother/daughter arguments or more drama.

I wish we had seen more of Leah. I imagine she would have added lots of spice to the fight scene, one way or another. Maybe she would have squashed it before it got out of hand. Maybe she would have put Pia in the hospital for attacking Christina? Leah’s brother tweets that Christina and Leah are very good friends and nothing will come between them…so that’s one pair we know of for sure.

Who are friends and who are enemies?  I need to know! Here is the score card:

Leah & Christina are friends, verified!

Renee & Nora seem to agree on Pia’s job, they went to the dinner together, they think Pia is a “whore,” they don’t trust Pia the daughter of a rat, they know each other from childhood. So far they look like friends to me and enemies of Pia.

Pia & Christina seemed to be good friends, they confide in each other, went to the dinner together and then that fight broke out…what’s up with that?

Nora and Pia seemed to be “friends” for a minute, but it’s clear that Nora doesn’t think much of her and doesn’t trust her. I’m confused. Which is it?

Leah called Nora nuts, so she is not a fan. Christina doesn’t like Nora either, for what she said about Pia. Leah and Christina are enemies of Nora.

That’s the best I can make if it right now. My eyes still hurt from all the watching and writing and blogging. Forgive me if I got anything wrong or forgot to add something.

I don’t know if they will repeat this episode June 10th or we will get a new one. Someone at VH1 is slipping and not keeping us informed. I hope fans didn’t miss the episode of Mob Wives Chicago, but if you did, there’s always the recap. Have a Happy Memorial Day!