What was Gyp Rosetti's Problem? - Boardwalk Empire Explained

Gyp Rosetti is one of the best characters in Boardwalk Empire, the show in which we follow Atlantic City treasurer Nucky Thompson. Gyp is one of the most violent and fiercest gangsters in the show. Some consider him over the top and think he's a cartoonish villain, others think he is Boardwalk Empire's best villain. Let's discuss.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

"How can i not take it personally, im a person. "

[@justinkroboth360]

He headlined the most entertaining scene in the entire show, so I'll always hold a special place in my heart for Rosetti. "Creeping around like a fucking dentist with the ether" as Rothstein smiles super big - just fucking perfect.

[@24Ruiner]

I never get tired of hearing him insult a room full of gangsters in colorful ways.

[@oldmacdreadapexriddims1460]

The "ether" jibe made me outta the chair.

[@brettmconnor4337]

Like a fucken dentist

[@Noles4life77]

The Barney goo goo scene is just as good honestly

[@Jewclaw]

One of the greatest lines! Gah Hilarious

[@tomlewis9207]

Gyp was a scary combination of egotism and insecurity. Brilliant character.

[@one_of_the_Bobs]

Most egocentric people are deeply insecure….Gyp just made you aware when he was insecure.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

and a complete psycho

[@Georgeweismeyer]

Terrible character ruined Boardwalk Empire And Nurse Jackie

[@Wendy-vb2fx]

I absolutely loved his character as Gyp. I also loved his character in Nurse Jackie. My favorite scene of all time was when his son was brought in the ER. That emotion was so raw and gave me chills

[@ihateallthethings2683]

Well said

[@hippipdip]

We can point the finger directly at Barney Google living in his head rent free.

[@breveth]

And his Goo Goo Googley Eyes.

[@patsysolatzzo2962]

Yes, this is the only true answer.

[@slthjawa5062]

At least Barney Google never took things personal.

[@indigohammer5732]

Case closed.

[@brianduru3753]

It was that Animal Blundetto that did him in.... F*cking breadstick in a bowtie.

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Gyp’s problem was that he couldn’t tolerate breadsticks with bowties, Shortpants, and creeping dentists with ether.

[@creasefold1986]

🤣

[@Drew791]

😂

[@purplerider2362]

He also felt like a viagra pill with a face in a shoot out in the other guys

[@shrapnel77]

and fuckin' rathole bars and warehouses in Canarsie!

[@richardhart9204]

LOL! ... nice.

[@brettmconnor4337]

Gyp was introduced to the show so we would quickly forget that nucky killed jimmy the previous season. Everyone loved Jimmy, he was the character we rooted for. The show runners needed us to get back on Nicky’s side By bringing in the absolute biggest villain in the entire series

[@daveytriplesix4165]

nah i may be in a minority of people that doesn't like jimmy.

[@mrknucklehead5882]

“Breadstick in a bowtie” is one of my favorite lines ever

[@richardhart9204]

LOL! ... same here.

[@pepleatherlab3872]

The Gyp Rosetti character is a demonstration on misapplied interpersonal skills. He never knows which to apply: Intimidation, leverage, credit, cash, charm or violence. He basically muscled his way through all his problems and it made him a bit of a goon. Which is why he failed so miserably. Charlie on the other hand starts as a goon, develops people skills then creates one of the largest syndicates the West has ever experienced. Gyp was his own worst enemy, and couldn't get out of his own way.

[@westonstevens3239]

Honestly one of my very favorite villains ever. He was very entertaining, scary, and terrifying yet very believable that a guy like him could actually exist. Bobby Cannavale totally won me over the first episode I saw him in as an actor I hold in high respect.

[@gordonfreemen1920]

Gyp wasting the modern day equivalent of $200 dollars of gasoline makes him the most evil character on the show

[@WarTheory]

Gyp was a great character… he was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for because he almost won… but he took everything personal…Gyp was that kind of guy… The nicest gesture would be taking as an insult just because of his upbringing and ignorance the dude literally grew up in a cave

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Yeah, almost won...and then the 1920's version of the Terminator shows up 🙂

[@WarTheory]

@@tedwojtasik8781 don’t forget there was an exodus of men right before the terminator showed up 😂

[@blaQriot]

M 😅😮

[@CoreyT127]

@@WarTheoryGood point! A entire generation of alpha males just died or returned with serious psychological problems!

[@propheci]

Exactly, he has major chips on his shoulder from his upbringing. A total loose cannon.

[@marquesjohnson6359]

Gyp was ambitious, overly sensitive, and completely insane which is a dangerous combination definitely the most memorable villian on boardwalk empire bobby cannavale was great

[@slightrebellionoffmadison]

Woman: What happens when Bible Camp opens? Gyp: Bible Camp's canceled. And I'm not really doing questions and answers right now, dear.

[@chrishanson5767]

One of the best lines in the show

[@steelersguy74]

I’ve long wondered if Gyp was the show’s nod to Mad Dog Coll who himself was only ever known for being a hothead and downfall was caused because he kept making enemies.

[@mastod0n1]

Bobby Cannavale very much deserved the Emmy he got for playing Gyp.

[@chalkywhitelll8448]

Gyp “ praying “ in the church is one of my favorite scenes in anything ever.

[@gazm135]

Absolute POWERHOUSE performance by Bobby C!!! His character jumped through the screen every single scene!!! Changed the temperature.

[@billyb4790]

You nailed it. Gip should never have been in a position of responsibility. He's more of a Luca Brazi type who should have been called on for muscle. It's a wonder how he got to be a higher-up in the first place.

[@Fanatik4Ever]

Why are egomaniacs and egocentrists bosses nowadays? Same reasons, there is no wonder. He can talk the talk and has the brutality to step over anyone in his way.

[@rKAL-EL]

Every time Gyp is on screen, the tension is at an 11

[@jockoadams3377]

Gyp Rosetti was a great, credible outside threat to Nucky's life and livelihood. Less of a straight Tommy Devito knock-off (like Ralphie on the Sopranos was). The guy had his own deep-seeded issues that made him dangerous. Gyp was an insurmountable obstacle that tested Nucky's resilience and cunning. The deal he strikes with Chalky and Capone to save himself; and Harrow's Travis Bickle style shootout at Gillian's house of ill-repute is the show's last truly great season finale.

[@WarBrah]

Ralph was not a knockoff of Tommy DeSimone. You speak like an eggplant.

[@billbixby557]

Ralphie a Tommy knockoff? I wouldn't say that. Ralphie probably represents a good chuck of a certain type of wiseguy...super charming, super daper and super deadly. If you've read anything other than 'WiseGuys' you would probably agree.

[@benjy8148]

Gyp reminded me more of Phil Leotardo than Ralphie, but he reminds me more of Nicky in Goodfellas, with almost all of his scenes being a 'funny how?' moment.

[@Ishbikes]

Without the laughter, he never laughed the whole series.

[@davejones6870]

Gyp was a great antagonist for Nucky and co. Even being behind the explosion that killed Billie Kent. Definitely layers to peel back on him as you pointed out in your great video. Probably a risky character too since he was so explosive and unstable. Really enjoyed this video. I would love one on Chalky White. I think whatever angle you could approach that from would be very interesting indeed!

[@AlephTroll]

It’s scary bc there’s a lot of guys like gyp but few that have the power and support to never be held accountable for their actions

[@Crimson28]

My thought is he had a massive inferiority complex and took every single opportunity to threaten or lash out violently for the smallest of slights

[@jasonwolfe3252]

He says that he grew up in a cave. That'll do it.

[@Owyourhurtingme]

Narcissist.

[@CoreyT127]

The women in his family mercilessly mocked and emasculated too!

[@Ishbikes]

Only against ppl that couldn’t fight back. Lost his murders were CIVILIANS. Not gangsters

[@DexxxxT]

Nothing personal? What the fuck is LIFE if it's not personal?!

[@Onishiro]

Killing Jimmy was the beginning of the end of this show. All the other character arcs immediately went to shit by the end of season 3.

[@jasonwolfe3252]

I agree. I heard that was not in the original script but the actor that played Jimmy (Michael Pitt) was so difficult to work with that they wrote him off the show.

[@joshflynn2173]

I fucking loved Jimmy s1 episode 1, after that episode I thought he became a bit too gloomy, he had a playful attitude in the first episode and I think that was Martin scorsese's doing. I'm very sure the game plan for Jimmy was to make him to be apart of Lucky and Meyer's crew but sadly the actor for Jimmy was unstable so they killed him off at the end of season 2. He became a complete idiot in season 2 and it was so out of the blue imo.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Jimmy was the best character on the show that had some complexity my favorite scene was where he's about to kill the guy that carved up the face of his girlfriend and he tells the story of this german dude dying and calling for his mother constantly, that scene was a masterpiece.

[@ndogg20]

The first two seasons were brilliant. But by the rules set up for Boardwalk Empire to mix real events and characters with fictional ones, it had run its course. The third season was very engaging and well done but pointless. The two following seasons were cringy and downhill in all production values that I watched out of curiosity.

[@CoreyT127]

@@ndogg20Just when you thought you were rid of Margaret for good? She returns and grinds the show to a holt! Season 3,4, and 5 in a nutshell! Jeez i hated her character!

[@Cbart23]

Spaghetti and coffee.

[@PolynesianPrince97]

Gyp's dinner with his sisters and mother was quite telling. He has serious insecurities along with being an impulsive idiot. Masseria should have whacked this creep long ago and replaced him with someone more stable to maintain ties to NJ.

[@avikellerman4539]

lol It's a tv show you smooth brain. Gyp was an amazing character and addition to the show. The tension rose every time he was on screen. Which was the whole point of adding this character to the equation.

[@zero1188]

His problem was too much gyp not enough Rosetti

[@Johno731]

Played my favourite gangster character on any mafia series. I would have loved a character arc like Van Aldens for him making him somewhat likeable. That scene at Nuckies New Years Eve party was classic. They killed him off way to soon. Always thought Bobby Cannavale would have been a great leading man to carry on the Sopranos franchise in the wake of Tony's death as new character like cousin Gyp who just gets outa the joint and takes over the family.

[@lsporter88]

Very insightful. Superb analysis. Great video.

[@DagwoodDogwoggle]

"What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.": I think he was a cartoonish villain who did not belong in the show. Having said that, Michael Pitt's behaviour put Boardwalk Empire on the back foot - the creators had to do SOMETHING and they didn't have much time to be subtle and calculating about it. So I give them a pass giving us Rosetti. Hollywood even gave Cannavale a Best Supporting Actor Emmy IIRC. I didn't get it, but someone liked his performance. Maybe that was the point - Bobby Cannavale took an impossible character and made it work.

[@norsemanbushcrafting1621]

Damn the gyp raplhie resembelance i never saw it before now. Very good haha

[@matthewdunham1689]

Bobby Carnevale is a top actor in whatever role he plays. Mob guys are seldom brilliant, coolheaded masterminds. Being a hothead psychopathic made guy protected by the family goes a long way.

[@jk-76]

That was absolutely insane writing and acting. Gyp was menacing. It is hard to pull that off.

[@AlbertBormant]

He never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@Hriskataaa]

if any gangster ever did have somewhat of them... it was Gyp!

[@maribethschlosser6785]

Bobby Cannavale is great! I think he did a great job of playing such a whack-a-doodle!

[@alexvillegas8971]

Great insights shared. Appreciated this….it made me think more deeply about the character and the character’s background and motives

[@Lossandthepanda]

Tonino went to bed every night wondering the exact same thing

[@cheesewald]

Great video, man! The scene where he is naked is prob my favourite one in the Series, atleast that season

[@lovelee1772]

Wait... those women at the breakfast table weren't his mom and sisters??!!!!!! Wow! I need to rewatch.

[@tom79013]

His biggest failing was he never stopped Jeeter from being shot

[@slthjawa5062]

He's a biracial angel.

[@babscabs1987]

More Boardwalk content please!

[@smileyfawler8454]

Your videos are always top notch.

[@CineRanter]

Thank you!

[@smileyfawler8454]

@@CineRanter to answer the question, Gyp was a great character. Not only was he entertaining but he wasn't unrealistic at all since there are people just like him in real life. I've known a few.

[@hubblito]

Length of video was perfect! Anywhere between 10-13 minutes is ideal

[@cennon]

Gyp would make a great debt collector, but a bad leader. I thought the exact same thing about Ritchie Aprile.

[@LeviBulger]

God but what a fantastic, criminally underrated show BWE was

[@Ar1AnX1x]

a lot of mobsters are very insecure people and desperate to inflate their ego I realized this watching Michael Franzese and Sammy the Bull's channels and their content and they constantly compliment their selves and how great and brave and intelligent they are, and how they have so many values and how they're great guys, they're so obsessed with carrying themselves as bigger than life characters and sometimes you can see through the facade of how insanely delusional they are, their lack of remorse, justifications for horrible things and how they 'had to' do what they did

[@ndogg20]

Best summation of Franzese's channel I've seen. In fact, the only critique of that hypocrite I've ever seen. Here is a man, claims he never murdered anyone, yet was part of an organization that routinely murders. He only brutalized people from time to time. But now he's found religion and inspires others not to go down that evil road while at the same time bragging about his past life in books he hawks on his channel along with his name brand merch.

[@007ndc]

​@@ndogg20he's also a Trump supporter (no surprise there). Sociopaths know and apparently appreciate only each other and themselves

[@panspermiapancakes]

@@ndogg20 He actually kind of beats around the bush when questioned about murdering people because he likes to keep his audience guessing if he did or not. It's part of his mystique. It infuriates Sammy because Michael uses it like a toy that he would dangle over his cat to play with but always keeping it out of reach. It's strange that both of them have millions of fans who idolize them and praise them as upstanding people. I have to imagine it's due to the fact that Hollywood has romanticized and glorified the Mafia life through film. Their sit downs have been entertaining to watch on camera but it's basically a real life drama and people latch on and take sides. They are interesting case studies, but it's worrisome how many folks glorify them. lol

[@DeezNuggz]

@@007ndcnice TDS bro!

[@Ishbikes]

Michael is more hypocritical than Sammy, as a Christian..I’ve been realizing that.

[@taysmith9321]

Kudos to you sir magnificent how you broke down gyp character.How you say he's not respected at home by women but lash out on other men nd like to get strangle by others women awe man you analyze it perfectly.

[@moviejunkpodcast]

great episode

[@Tatian4191]

I’m definitely on the side who didn’t like him in the context of the show itself. I thought he was a fine character and really did a good job making you despise him, but in retrospect, I would have rather have had a time skip to explore more of the mob history, rather than get an interlude with a made up villain.

[@automaticmattywhack1470]

I always figured Gyp's guys turned on him because they were afraid of Gyp turning on them one day for no reason.

[@Johno731]

The look on his face when Eoin says Bon4Tuna always cracks me up.😅

[@anthonyc1629]

His problem was that he did 20 fuckin' years living in a cave carved into the side of a mountain. And he didn't know what 3-in-1 was.

[@ghostsofwargow2511]

Thank you so much for doing a video on him. Awesome character, and amazing show. I grew up in South Jersey.

[@richardhart9204]

Gyp and Homelander have a lot in common.

[@richardhart9204]

That's an excellent observation.

[@jungshin87]

im convinced im the only person who thinks jimmy was handled perfectly. I actually thought his character was weak and one dimensional, but the last two episode of season 2 just perfectly fleshed him out while also perfectly wrapping him up. i thought he was executed perfectly and his s2 death actually let the other amazing characters shine in s3. but i get that maybe jimmy was supposed to be the main villain in s3

[@obioraabiakam1604]

That young Bugsy Siegel attempted hit scene on Gyp was classic

[@patrickpilkington6241]

Great character. Loved Gyp on Vinyl too.

[@robertstraw9881]

One of his mantras was that “it’s always personal”

[@RogueSabre]

Objectively tho, he does have amazing hair. As one Sicilian to another

[@chiligribble8431]

In a world full of sociopaths, ralph and gyp really stand out

[@alexspurr124]

I would say psychopath

[@xennialsavants8226]

This is terrific analysis. What's interesting to me is the difference in Gyps character with the conversation with Chalky. When he knew Chalky was hiding Nucky, he was more measured and strategic. He didn't go into his normal bully tactics or fly off the handle. Why was he different with Chalky??? Maybe he didn't know what to expect since Chalky represents a different criminal element than what he may be used to??? Anyways it's one of my favorite scenes from Boardwalk and I would be interested to know your take.

[@coreykindle5892]

Rosetti felt a connection with Chalky due to the fact Chalky was black and he was Sicilian. Sicilians are looked down on by other Italians so he felt they shared a bond of being prejudiced by others

[@Flipnred78]

Can’t remember the episode where he told the lady “Bible study’s canceled” and “the sheriff is going to keep in sheriffin” lmfao

[@NickDDDD]

Yes - Ralphie & more so the Turk (look-alikes - Don't tell Gyp I said that). Good spot! Good analysis. Forgot about the home scene. Yes too volatile to last. Richie Aprille too? Waddya think? Richie v Gyp - who wins? Great next video to make? Go on do it!

[@DeezNuggz]

ever see True Romance? the Sicilian scene pretty much sums it up.

[@raoulduke2309]

Like most mobsters you get not only a narcissist..but also get a supreme sociopath..

[@PimpinBassie2]

I know him as Torquemada from Oz.

[@mariozd971]

Alonzo Torquemada, one of the best characters in season 6 in OZ, but he was in many films and tv shows, the last i watched was Irishman

[@Dexroid]

9:13 is that.... a fire alarm chirp?

[@riceburnter6982]

Bobby Canaval would play a great Carmine Persico.

[@WifeWantsAWizard]

(5:02) So, I can help with this. Rosetti is a narcissist. All narcissists carry what's known as the "narcissist's wound". It's literally slights or insults that they can never let go of. Even after the person is dead they will revisit the harm and stew about it. No matter what, they constantly have to harp on it and remind everyone that they are constantly being "wronged".

[@yofasassburgers5]

Rosetti sure did have a Gyp on his shoulder.

[@rovert173]

Your smoke alarm is beeping

[@willteuscher8253]

I think this was my favorite season.

[@blksheep176]

Ranter your top of this genre in my book

[@CineRanter]

Thank you!

[@HorseWaterDrink]

Great acting, the guy still spooks me

[@deacondavis5098]

Bobby Cannavale is a phenomenal Actor

[@alharthy50]

BARNEY GOOGLE WITH HIS GOO GOO GOOGLY EYES

[@darwinfussle5031]

Jib should have read for the role as Jules in pulp fiction......Big kuluna burger anyone Look at the brains on brett 🤣😭😂

[@Ishbikes]

Do the good Doctor next! Or chalky white! More boardwalk empire!

[@s.h.7613]

Gyp was my favorite “Big Bad” in this show & several others

[@RyanHeinzman1985]

I actually cannot stand it either when people make snide remarks, almost as if to say 'how could you not know that, are you dumb or something?' I can sort of see Rosetti's flipping the switch in that moment, luckily I do not believe I have that switch in me. I think.

[@fredm.2699]

Gyp is a contrast to the Breadstick. Remember the Breadstick had a frail mom and a dominant father. I’m not smart enough to perform the analysis further but the shared broken family background is there. Yet it’s not like any of these gangsters came from two parent households filled with love. Not even Jackie Jr.

[@thesitdownwithjeffnadu]

Wait til you see Cannavale's role in OZ Season 6 LOL

[@Drew791]

His problem was that he secretly enjoyed the gas station coffee with the spaghetti.

[@kevinw8276]

The antagonist for the best season of the show

[@grimcity]

Fantastically written and acted character... his instability always left me with a sense of dread while he was on screen... I mean, looking back we know he *would* go off for any reason, but even upon first viewing of his character you still felt it. Being a sociopath was probably an asset, but his sadism, lack of intelligence, and narcissism made him doomed from the start. This makes me want to watch the whole season again. What a work of art.

[@LKaramazov]

“ lack of intelligence”? The man convinced Joe the boss to back him, he basically outsmarted nucky. Only chalkys loyalty and Richards skill/ luck saved him.

[@grimcity]

@@LKaramazov - yes, he was a moron.

[@maralinekozial9131]

Season one : Arnold Rothstein was lovable Season 2 : Manny Horvitz was funny & psycho Season 3 : Gyp was hilarious & psycho Season 4 : Joe "The Boss" Massaria was to just be respected Season 5 : Joe Maranzano was just annoying & nobody cared about him & he died real quickly 😂 Season 4-5 : Dr. Narcesse was someone u just wanted to punch in the face every single time u saw him on screen

[@alexvanzandt8517]

The guy needed to relax its was a party

[@alpachino468]

Ralph Cifaretto's temper or level of impulsiveness was nothing compared to Gyp's

[@relto8]

Hands Down to the Greatest Villain in Television History

[@danielgould2938]

He's very interesting, so was this analysis

[@Reprodestruxion]

Not enough redheads in the world and too many sailors. And problems with knowing what time it is. Something to do with insults in a bouquet of flowers too.

[@kdizzle901]

I loved Jimmy Darmody so much as a character I was so mad a Nucky I was almost rooting for Gyp all season 3

[@kohlenklau399]

Then death came for house Rosetti, in the shape of Richard Harrow.

[@musicaleuphoria8699]

Wondering if you could give HBOs Vinyl a watch. It was another Scorcese produced TV show that unfortunately didn't get a seco d season.

[@bdautch20]

A Narcisse vid, possibly?

[@Loch1210]

I wonder if his family really knew he was a straight killer?Strange they would treat him that way

[@thetruth7453]

I’m willing to bet you, and I mean this to the narrator if gyp Rosetti was a real person, you wouldn’t call him pathetic to his face

[@nigatar]

No no, great fit! How many ppl gotta tell us that Tommy's character in Goodfellas barely grazed how crazy the guy was in real life?