Chat with Robert Iler of HBO's The Sopranos

HBO presents

April 1, 2001

hbo.com presents a chat with Robert Iler of The Sopranos. Find out what it's like to be a part of HBO's smash hit and what his life's been like since The Sopranos became the hottest show on television.

Page 1 of 9

HBO: Hello and welcome to hbo.com's chat with The Sopranos' Robert Iler. As you all know, Robert Iler plays AJ Soprano, the teenage son of Tony and Carmela Soprano. The third season has AJ playing JV football, skipping classes, and hanging out with his pals from high school. Like many teenagers, AJ struggles to find a balance between being a good kid and a cool kid. That he's a Soprano only makes his struggles more evident. A reminder - if you are from the East, you have already seen tonight's show; however, viewers in the West have not. So out of consideration for them, we ask that you not give away the plot for tonight's episode. Thanks. And now to Robert Iler.

Robert Iler: I hope everybody has fun, and please ask anything that you'd like!

AJQT: How does it feel to be a part of one of America's most watched shows?

Robert Iler: I think the best part about it was that when we were going into it, we didn't know that it would be one of America's best watched shows. I think that's why everybody just had fun and got along and went out there. We didn't know if we were going to impress anyone, if people would even watch, or if the show would be picked up. Now that it's like this, it's great, because we go to work every day, and everyone is staying the same, and just as great as when we started.

Flip: How long does it take to film an episode?

Robert Iler: It could take from the shortest, which would be eight days, and the longest is probably about 13 to 14 days. Sometimes, we will spend eight days doing it, and even three or four months later, we'll film another day for that episode, even though it was such a long time ago.

Matt: Do you play any sports?

Robert Iler: I used to be on a football league, but then I got really into it, and I started lacking in school. It was far away from me, because where I live, there are no leagues. It took up a lot of my time, and my parents thought it would be best if I stopped.

AJs Baby Girl: Are you single?

Robert Iler: At the moment, yes. (smile)

Bill Blaze: How did you get the job as A.J.?

Robert Iler: I've been going on auditions for movies, commercials, and shows, since I was about six. This was just another show. I went into the audition thinking that it was no big deal. They were saying that there was an audition for "The Sopranos," and my parents said, "Oh, you don't sing. How can you do this? You aren't even Italian." I went back for my 4th call back, and I found out that I got the job. My parents weren't as surprised as they were happy! This was one of the first big things that I got, and they were thrilled.

AJQT: What other kind of roles would you like to get into when you are done with "The Sopranos?"

Robert Iler: Actually, right now, I just finished working on a movie. It was called "Tadpole." Lately, I went this week for two auditions for horror films, which were great.

Pitt Law: What is your favorite episode?

Robert Iler: I would have to say that it's probably the pilot, just because it brings back so many memories. We had a lot of fun doing the pilot, and it just brings back memories. When people saw that episode, that was then everybody started loving "The Sopranos," I think. Right after that episode, and the week it was in re-runs, people just loved it!

AJQT: Is AJ going to get a girlfriend on the show?

Robert Iler: I don't know. I hope so!

Page 1 of 9