Why couldn't Ralph Cifaretto join New York?

In this episode, we will look into the possible reasons that Johnny Sack or Carmine Lupertazzi would have had to stop Ralph Cifaretto from joining New York, including strategic interests, preventing problems with New Jersey (upsetting Tony Soprano) or even just Ralphie himself and attempt to determine what the real reason was.

[@bullywhispers9544]

So why do you think it was?

[@BiggityBoggity8095]

Johnny Sac’s whole game was to curry favor with those unhappy with Soprano politics. Eventually hoping to create spies, traitors, and puppet leaders post-coup. If Ralph had openly changed sides to join John at this point in the scheme, it would give away the rest of John’s game. Tony would catch on to him. And with Tony being aware of it, the guys John was trying to turn would immediately side with Tony to cover their tracks.

[@A-RJ]

Exactly what you said it was. Ralph was more useful to John macaroni as a glorified crew member than a new York mobster.

[@redpilledtrooper7523]

Just about to watch your video. But my thoughts before- The DiMeo crime family from Jersey is like an independent district to the Lupertazzi crime family. While they arent kicking up to them, they have close relations that benefit eachother like a symbiotic relationship between animals. They are essentially good earners and schemers that usually need New York for backing or leverage and that is where the Lupertazzi family comes in and makes their cut. But when you are one of the five families, everything else is much lesser and inferior. They may like the money, but they dont see the Jersey family as equals. They are a means to an end for Carmine, Johnny Sac, and later Phil Leotardo. Johnny always seems like a trustworthy friend to Jersey but he uses this to his advantage as Tony's men come to vent or seek mediation and Johnny usually tries to use this to his own end. If its not Ralph then it's Paulie. He sees them as inferior.

[@MRGRIMZ89]

TRACEE

[@stevescontriano860]

The show is already over. Why don’t you take a piece of paper and write a new episode

[@slthjawa5062]

let's be honest, NY was well aware of Ralph's gladiator obsession and wanted nothing to do with a guy like that.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Certainly didnt help lol. Thanks for watching!

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

He’s earnin’ with 3 fuckin’ hands ova heya and it’s still not good enough to satisfy those cock suckers

[@NKSVD831]

The man didn’t even get a flap top like Kirk Douglas

[@bakusbakul4327]

I have come, to reclaim Queens, FOR MY PEOPLE !!

[@dspsblyuth]

@@NKSVD831 THEY DIDNT HAVE FLAT TOPS IN ANCIENT ROME!

[@xxczerxx]

Johnny Sack is a fascinating character in the Sopranos. He is extremely machiavellian. Despite having what appears to be deep, true respect for Tony, he uses every opportunity to weaken him in the most underhanded way possible. Whether that was to orchestrate an eventual takeover of NJ or just making sure NY was in prime position I'm not actually sure, but he was a master tactician. The fact he's also a devoted family man who doesn't indulge in vices like Tony does is also really interesting.

[@beholdiamglamdringsbane89]

One got pinched and one didn't. Just proves the adage 'it's better to be lucky than good.'

[@lt851]

The compulsive eating, gambling and womanizing aren’t vices?

[@merkcityboy834]

He used to be a pragmatist !!

[@mondoseguendo6113]

Johnny was a chubby chaser. That’s a vice.

[@xxczerxx]

@@mondoseguendo6113 He wasn't a chubby chaser. I can't remember who it was that reveals this, but she was actually slim/pretty when Johnny met her. She was working as a professional dancer. She only got fat later, and Johnny kept loving her regardless.

[@tommyobama7811]

I have to be at work in 5 hours but I also have to know why Ralph couldn't join NY

[@danielbergonzi7319]

But what? No no-show jobs?

[@TheKingTywinLannister]

Just call in sick and do sopranos marathon

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

A whole 5 hours of sleep? Well lah dee dah?

[@BiggityBoggity8095]

Johnny Sac’s whole game was to curry favor with those unhappy with Soprano politics. Eventually hoping to create spies, traitors, and puppet leaders post-coup. If Ralph had openly changed sides to join John at this point in the scheme, it would give away the rest of John’s game. Tony would catch on to him. And with Tony being aware of it, the guys John was trying to turn would immediately side with Tony to cover their tracks.

[@Trav81888]

Great great great reply/theory. More info on why the Sopranos is one of the greatest to ever do it. The depths this show reaches is insane

[@colorcombinations7387]

I agree. Ralph was more useful to Johnny as an unhappy yet influential member of the Soprano family. I don't think there's any reason to believe he couldn't have been a good earner in New York with his abilities, this seems like unfounded speculation on the part of the OP.

[@willmosse3684]

Great point

[@joemckim1183]

@@colorcombinations7387 New York probably has a lot of top earners already so he would just be taking over some of the action that's already paying off. So him going to NY would add nothing to Carmine.

[@BiggityBoggity8095]

@@colorcombinations7387 I agree with you that Bully Whispers is being harsh on Ralph. It’s not that Ralph wouldn’t have been a good earner for John. It’s that John didn’t want another earner. He wanted a mole in Tony’s outfit that he can later use to undermine the operation and possibly take over Jersey.

[@Trav81888]

The Ginny Sac joke did him in for certain 😂. For real though, RIP to the woman who played Ginny Sac, Denise Borino-Quinn. She passed back in 2010 at the young age of 46. I know she was very ill. Funny side note, she was at the audition to support a friend. And look what ended up happening. Talk about the stars just aligning.

[@bezness]

died the same year as her husband aswell sad

[@Trav81888]

@@bezness you’re correct. I recall reading that before, you just reminded me of that. Very very sad. Hopefully they just had breakfast with the Lord and are happily living together in a beautiful afterlife.

[@Dadecorban]

speaking of large stellar masses.

[@mraycgz]

@@ChillPill365 really!?

[@Trav81888]

@@ChillPill365 bad timing on this one bro

[@gocubsgo721]

When Johnny Sac requests to put a hit on Ralph over the Ginny joke, Carmine responds with: "We depend on this guy. There are millions of dollars at stake here." indicating Carmine values Ralph as being a top earner, specifically for the construction of the Esplanade.

[@dspsblyuth]

Carmine appreciated that he only used sour cream and no gherkins in his eggs

[@gocubsgo721]

@@dspsblyuth Get that egg salad out of his mouth!

[@Joeybago12]

@@gocubsgo721 you smell that? Burning hair

[@stevemill8959]

Johnny played games with the soprano crew, told Paulie Carmine loves him when in fact Carmine didn’t know who he was. And tells Ralphie the complete opposite

[@dspsblyuth]

@@Joeybago12 I only smell fresh cut grass

[@evanromano1]

Ralph was a loose cannon. Proficiency in earning was his only redeeming quality in regards to the mob. Ralph switching families while unnecessary is also an idea that is completely oppositional to Carmine’s probable handling of the situation if it came to fruition. But you can’t refute Ralph for trying.. everybody who ran that crew died prematurely!

[@joaquinbanuelos6046]

Very allegorical answer

[@marlonthomas8042]

GIGI DIED TAKING A SHIIIIIT

[@k1dofficial]

@@marlonthomas8042 doesn't mean it's not part of an overall pattern

[@NukaColaKris]

@@joaquinbanuelos6046 and the propane

[@mattheweurt26]

Ralph would've been fine if he didn't fuckin torch Tony's horse

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

Historically, guys didn't switch families very often. It was frowned upon, and several of those real-life examples you mentioned, ended badly.

[@themaddogofcrenshaw7367]

Actually, it happened more than you think. Guys switched families when they were in similar situations as Ralph.

[@willmosse3684]

@@themaddogofcrenshaw7367 You have any examples? I’ve put a lot of effort into looking, but have found barely any confirmed cases.

[@willmosse3684]

The photos he showed in this video when discussing inter-family transfers were Sammy The Bull Gravano and Albert Gallo. However, both of these guys transferred families (Gravano from Colombo to Gambino; Gallo from Colombo to Genovese) as associates, not made men. They were both made after having arrived at their new families. The only confirmed examples of made men transferring families I have found were Johnny Roselli and Jimmy “The Weasel” Frattiano, both of whom transferred from the LA Family to the Chicago Family (and Frattiano then transferred back to LA). There were some other cases from back in the 20s and early 30s, but things were more fluid back then, and from after that I’ve seen two or three other possible examples, but I haven’t been able to confirm them. I’ve seen former members say it happened, e.g. Michael Franzese and Mikey “Scars” DiLeonardo, but they never gave actual examples (interestingly, John Pennisi, who was a Lucchese member from 2013-2018, said it could not happen, but I think he is wrong, at least historically, but he obviously never saw it happen). So it seems quite rare, and if anyone knows any confirmed cases, I would be interested in hearing them. Edit - I originally made some misidentifications of the Gallo brothers based on the photo of Albert Gallo, so I have edited the post to correct that.

[@themaddogofcrenshaw7367]

@@willmosse3684 Sammy Gravano was originally with the Columbo's and was allowed to switch to the Gambino's with no restrictions. Albert Gallo was allowed to switch to the Genovese family. Vic Amuso defected to the Lucchese family. Actually, everyone who survived the Columbo War that were loyal to the Gallo's defected to other families. Roy DeMeo was originally with the Lucchese family and switched to the Gambino's

[@axelarroyo3286]

In a comment on that same video DiLeonardo mentioned someone that was transferred named Punchy. He didn't elaborate. There's also another video where he says Joe C should be taken off the shelf and placed in another family so it is something that can happen. Remember at its height the entirety of the 5 families had somewhere around 1000 made men possibly a little more. Some of those are people under the radar and some not worth mentioning. If they were transferred, there would be little to no record of it as FBI and other law enforcement get their charts wrong all the time. I don't have any real answers either as I'm waiting to see if that gets cleared up in a future video.

[@uninhibition31]

Maybe they don’t like turn coats? Also Ralph was a big earner maybe John didn’t want to compete against him.

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

And that's prophetic because Carmine ruled in Ralphie's favor over John, his own underboss.

[@PTMarcoBryant]

Ralphie would’ve loved the NY and he would’ve out ranked Johnny easy in weeks. Ralphie was loose because tony wasn’t strong enough and respected not because of it

[@billmason6976]

As stated by Tony to Christopher. Carmine has major income besides construction. Johnny doesn’t. Therefore Ralphie would be a threat to Johnny because after all. Again with the money? Yea, again with the money!

[@simonpierre8283]

@@PTMarcoBryantnot in weeks maybe years

[@presidentkoontz6590]

I thought it was fairly obvious. In that life, you are held responsible for the people you bring in and introduce. Johnny knew it was only a matter of time before Ralph started causing trouble. Johnny also knew it was tense at times between him and Carmine, if Ralph screwed up it would be giving Carmine ammunition to use against him.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

It was also probably just in his interest to keep him alive because he did bring in a lot of money at the esplanade. He was a big earner, so much so that we know Carmine wouldn't even have him killed on Johnny's request

[@stephencurtin9038]

Plus it would have pissed Tony off bigtime

[@estondawson-baglien9838]

This has the makings of a varsity comment.

[@mr.patriotjol]

Agree. Carmine Knew Ralph wasn’t good for the family despite being a good earner. His record could jeopardize either family. Plus I don’t even think you can switch families, let alone get permission

[@bazjr86]

Bingo

[@pizzalunch382]

Voiceover: "Carmine keeps his ear to the ground." Video: Carmine falls to the ground with a heart attack, landing on his side. I see what you did there...

[@SirDistic]

It was a stroke but yeah I didn't want to laugh but I did laugh.

[@jinmochizuki]

Get that egg salad out of his mouth!

[@davidsmyth4184]

New York knew that Ralphie was really Detective Mike Hunt from Beaver falls.

[@MrClean-ms4nx]

is see what you did there

[@frawolfhd1490]

cause he was mid

[@lifeisstr4nge]

Your mom was mid

[@AoRArchAngel]

That ear to the ground though...lol. Well done over all!

[@andrewoolman]

Ralph himself

[@MafiaKingfishNOLA]

Ralph was of more use to Johnny by leaving him in New Jersey. That way Johnny had a guy like Ralph constantly giving him inside information on Tony and the New Jersey family.

[@Selfloathingmisanthrope]

Like how Johnny Sack used Pauly, except he wasn't a big earner.

[@davidk7212]

I like to think that Ralph is just Cypher in a world where he was successfully plugged back into the Matrix.

[@t3h51d3w1nd3r]

Exactly and the machines reneged on their deal to make him an actor, he said "someone important", im sure they found humour in making him important in a glorified crew of new jersey.

[@majuli8420]

Not accepting Ralph made all the sense in the world. Ralph would have lost most of his contacts in NJ, making him an outcast with the Soprano family. His usefulness would have been reduced. Accepting Ralph would have confirmed Tony's worst suspicions about John's motives, putting the two on a clear confrontation course. Much more advantageous for John to appear to be neutral. John must have been aware of Ralph's despicable character. If Ralph had joined NY, it would have been on John's recommendation. Hence, every of Ralph's exploits would have reflected poorly on John.

[@rosario508]

“Yeah again with the money!!!” One of my favorite lines

[@paulkersey1007]

If there was ever a definition of psychopath in this show, Ralph was the true example

[@steet2]

it's hard to say, he still clearly loves his son and had moments of vulnerability while Ritchie seemed like the true stereotypical psychopathic killer mobster

[@weasle2904]

Tony was the biggest psychopath. He even killed Chrissy, and relished it. His love for animals and kids is stereotypical psychopath character traits. Tony regularly shows zero understanding or remorse for how his greed destroys those around him, and won't hesitate if he feels he deserves something. Only when he indirectly and unnecessarily ruined someone's life (the police officer) he feels some form of guilt. More so he feels as though he acted without honor hurting someone for only doing their duty. This slimmer of humanity is all but erased later in the show. Tony despised Ralphie because he has many of the same qualities that Tony has himself, further showing how much of a hypocrite Tony is. Tony despised Ralphie even more when he showed growth and overcame some of his selfish mentality.

[@paulkersey1007]

@@weasle2904 Whole everything you say is 100% correct, in a lot of ways, look at how he grew up. He became a product of his environment. The scariest part for Tony is that he has the most power in that crew which allows him the ability to kill with no remorse. The is no doubt that he is a complete psychopath. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ralph is not exactly Jesus Christ either. He killed a pregnant woman and his soon to be kid, a horse, I mean that's not exactly normal either and he has no remorse over that.

[@steet2]

@@weasle2904 i agree however I think Tony's decent into psychopathy was gradual throughout the series, i don't think he's as bad as he is in s6, for example, in s2

[@tellercyde]

Richie Aprile > Ralph Cifaretto

[@ibrown3KC]

Ralph wasn't a capo during the time that Johnny turns him down here. It's not until Gigi dies that Tony reluctantly bumps Ralph up to Capo.

[@theskinnieguinea]

Carmine knew who Ralph was. They were partners in construction with the sopranos, which was lucrative for both families. Ralph was directly involved with the contractors and union officials. The "point man" as he was called by Camine. I know thats season 4 but by this time they already had that riverfront an agreement to do future projects so then Carmine just was about to find out who ralph was or he already knew

[@loungelizard3922]

Thanks for fleshing out all the angles on this decision. It makes total sense now.

[@intelligentspeculator7327]

Ralph was a very capable earner, he immediately found multi-million business deals after barely coming back from Miami. He would have very likely quickly become a top earner in New York too, especially being able to utilise the connections there and the leverage of being in such a powerful family.

[@tacitus6384]

A *capo* in a family switching families? That's unthinkable. An associate sure is no problem. But not just a soldier but a *capo* ? How would it look for Tony if his best earners jumped ship? How would anyone in the Lupertazzi's trust Ralph knowing he bailed on his last family for personal interests? Think of a military officer defecting. That's how much of a big deal that would be. He'd be considered a no-good traitor by Jersey and he'd never be trusted by his new crew because he's a proven, self-serving turncoat.

[@andreaspapapap7737]

He wasn't a capo here

[@tacitus6384]

@@andreaspapapap7737 The point stands, even as a soldier this type of switch is just absurd.

[@andreaspapapap7737]

@@tacitus6384 Sammy Gravano switched families as a soldier so whats the problem? Its possible. According to Michael Franzese, Gigante wanted to take him in to his family even though he was a capo in the Colombos and he had the power to do it.

[@tacitus6384]

@@andreaspapapap7737 A single guy out of thousands of made guys?

[@andreaspapapap7737]

@@tacitus6384 What's your point? We have an example of it being possible and allowed, even an example of a boss(of the strongest family back then) asking another capo of another family to switch families. Its a very rare thing but the precedent is there. Do you have any examples of it not being possible? If not then maybe you should rethink your stance and calm your ego.

[@frankdudek6242]

I agree with those who have mentioned multiple things. It would reveal what John has been doing with some disgruntled Jersey guys. Ralph’s rackets would directly affect John’s and most likely in a negative way

[@aaronrowell6943]

It was probably instinctual for John to shoot down Ralph but it's probably the best move as outlined in this video He would not be useful as a New York gangster and he's much more useful as a disgruntled Noble in New Jersey

[@Mukation]

Also if Carmine had wanted him to get over to them, John could essentially claim to have been responsible for him being allowed to join their family. Thus gaining Ralphs favour.

[@aaronrowell6943]

@@Mukation it is certainly a powerful bargaining chip that at any moment I can take away your most powerful earner, I know have leverage over Tony if I'm Carmine but I can take away your most valuable chess piece and there's nothing you can do about it

[@CommanderLongJohn]

I mean you can't just flip-flop Mafia crime families like that to begin with lmao, there hasn't been too many who have but one of those people is Sammy Gravano-who wasn't even a made guy yet when he got the okay to switch, which tells you the kind of mobster one would have to be to get such an okay-and it took a *good* minute to get the approval for that and sort everything out. Not to mention, NY "has more buttons than my grandmother's corset," they don't want or need him to begin with.

[@aaronrowell6943]

@@CommanderLongJohn yeah It does go into the whole thing of all the Jersey family members are basically small fish in a big pond

[@ewanmacfarlane9195]

Carmines golf swing is textbook.The way he transitions so much speed in the down swing is phenomenal

[@mambotango73]

That’s never been disputed by anybody

[@ewanmacfarlane9195]

@@mambotango73 there are millionsisisis of dollars at stake

[@thetalonsofwaynechiang]

He still doesn’t have the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@arthurathana]

That’s why he never took a Mulligan!

[@ewanmacfarlane9195]

@@arthurathana Ahem...you distracted me I'm taking a ............?!!

[@intelligentspeculator7327]

I always took it like precisely the true answer: Ralph had only recently rejoined the crew from Miami and he was barely ramping up with becoming a top earner. He was not yet a key construction manager either. Season 4 showed how quickly he became a top player for both Jersey and Carmine, to the point that Carmine was willing to have Johnny whacked for Ralph. It was almost like a clear reference to the "Carmine doesn't even know who you are" line from season 3. I.e. I interpreted it literally, that John was not lying there.

[@jpVari]

Really fun account, talking endlessly about the two best shows of all time.

[@XanderShiller]

This is a pretty good question. Nice job dude.

[@davidmiller4758]

I think Johnny knew he could earn through Ralph while he's in the NJ family but wouldn't be responsible for him. As well as keeping him as a spy close to the NJ family

[@esposexy2210]

I agree. The Johnny Sac character was less interested in money than he was in minimizing risk. He would work Tony for a larger piece of whatever their common business was but he was friends with Tony. Johnny Sac did business his way with his people and wasn't interested in working with people he didn't trust or like.

[@wmsproductions]

Great break down in this video.

[@jumpropexpressions8929]

I see what you did there at the 2:10 mark. Lol. He does keep an ear to the ground. 😂

[@thegiftedone]

Awesome content!

[@LB__1]

Unlike Paulie, Carmine did not think the world of Ralph and never asked about him.

[@matthewvolb94]

Great video

[@lsporter88]

A very respectable analysis.

[@TheChuckers123]

Ralph had value as an earner and being a mole/chess piece to be used against NJ/Tony. He is erratic and unpredictable and the New York mob most likely didn’t want his drama.

[@swampghost72]

I think John denied Ralph for numerous reasons..John wanted Ralph right where he was.john had future plans.yes Ralph was problematic in numerous ways.but it was purely tactical for John..he was planning to be boss all along but was playing it cool.he didn't want anything upset.if John had interceded in bringing Ralph to new York I think carmine would have taken Ralph cause carmine was definitely about making money.(hence his statement to John YEAH AGAIN WITH THE MONEY!!!)

[@sean5558]

5:51 I loved the scene Ralph putting some cash in Tony’s hand and he keeps holding it out like ok keep it coming

[@AQUAPHREESH193]

I always liked the look on Tony’s face when Johnny prepares to show him around his new NJ home. “I won’t stick my beak in.” He sure did stick that big fuckin NY beak in 😂😂😂

[@elihathaway5709]

Don't know if I'm the only one here, but I couldn't believe that Carmine didn't know who Paulie was. Even through word of mouth, considering how long they were both in business.

[@teebee7769]

2:09 haha nice

[@jackrosario9990]

The 5 families have a hand in everything.

[@BIGGERMAN47]

John just never liked Ralph. He wanted permission to whack Ralph over a joke about his wife. I know that happened after John turned down Ralph’s request to jump river’s but the fact is he hated Ralph so much he wanted to kill him over a joke. I think the whole hatred think comes down to respect. Those who want respect have to be respectful of others.

[@SirDistic]

Nah John was a traditional guy. He never cheated on Ginny. He loved her how she was. To make an insult in public where people were laughing at his wife and mother of his kids was unforgivable to him. He wanted to whack him because it was an insult to the woman he loved and to himself as well. He couldn't sit back and allow people to disrespect his wife with no consequences.

[@jacoenglander9608]

Carmine knew Ralph was doing a lot of coke, and he was pretty jealous of Ralphies horse too 🤣😂🤣

[@dannyc7227]

0:50 , “Johnny dismisses the idea immediately. He doesn’t go to Carmine and come back. This means that any reasons would be Johnny’s”…. Or Johnny and Carmine had a previously conversation about Ralph.

[@coopersepulveda9872]

yo @Bully Whispers you mean at 00:50 seconds "Johnny throws cold water on it immediately" hahah

[@danlora5599]

Ralph was into gladiator and NY into Spartacus. Just couldn't happen.

[@macabreenterprise1823]

Anyone know where John got that brown jacket? It's straight out of GQ

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Tony Lips acting is like he is reading cue cards off camera LOL

[@andrewfusco8580]

2:07 "Carmine is the kinda guy who keeps an ear to the ground." Well played, Bully Whispers.

[@giveme_10]

I always felt the line "Carmine doesn't know who you are" means Ralph is far to unimportant to Boss like Carmine. Not necessarily meaning that he never met or saw Ralph or knew him by name. Ralph being a soldier in a New Jersey crew at this point is just like why should Carmine give a shit about Ralph's problems w Tony...

[@GoldenGecko]

good stuff

[@dstyer6128]

Because Ralphie had a 95 pound obsession with Gladiator in his head that NY wanted surgically removed, but he refused.

[@Cheney-l5d]

Carmine was very money smart, damn. I also love how the writing makes a lot of sense, way ahead of its time.

[@CRB117former]

2:07 underrated clip choice

[@snuffthisrooster7043]

I don't think it was/is super common for made guys to just switch families. I know Gravano was switched around really early before he was ever made and I believe Scarfo Jr. went over to one of the NY families for protection, but I don't think they normally let guys just switch families that often.

[@secondcomingofbast9908]

I don't think John would have given this enough serious consideration to even consider all these pros and cons. He saw it as a temporary glitch that would pass in time.

[@alancheatley4378]

I'm hoping to see Joe Pantoliano next Comic Con 🙂 I could ask his take maybe

[@localfatty4364]

Every actor and actress was perfect for their roles

[@anthonymontgomery2727]

Ralph one of the best characters

[@tiborosz1825]

Ralph took an oath now he wants to break it. Why would NY want someone like that?

[@PhilMiCoochie]

That ear to the ground joke was golden

[@craigcavaliere6744]

Wasn't this conversation prior to Ralph becoming capo and before Gigi died?

[@happybee7725]

You should do one on why we only see the sopranos doing business with one new york family. Like what happened to the other 4 families?

[@gwpeoples]

Are there people who still think Sopranos was a pulpy mob drama? Ralphie didn't switch crews because... I dunno, because. He just didn't. The show wasn't supposed to be that kind of entertainment, it was a psychological examination of it's characters (primarily Tony).

[@bigjohncasey2641]

John was in Paulie's Ear, Ralph would come to him aswell. Both gave John inside info on the sopranos dealings. To me it tells me Johnny sack had a plan and that was to position himself as Boss one day as he even plots with Tony to take out Carmine. Johnny was playing the game to win and after he became boss you noticed he tells Tony, no more secret meetings, it's undignified. Tony looks at him like, Wtf? All these years we been talking and now your the boss and it's all of a sudden undignified? Yes Johnny played them all, but he couldn't beat cancer.

[@jacoenglander9608]

He wasn't allowed to join because Ralph kept telling Carmine to rinse the dishes before he put them in the dishwasher

[@orngejoos]

He was indeed a top earner but at the time of him asking to come over to the New York side he wasn’t yet a captain. It wasn’t until after this rift with tony was resolved and Gigi unexpectedly died that he became a captain.

[@giantgilamonster]

NY already had the best scenario. NY knew Ralph was trouble, but he was NJs problem, not NYs. He was also already making alot of money for NY with construction while still being kept at an arms distance in NJ. For NY, this was the best possible situation.

[@andylymbo]

Great stuff as always.

[@whatisbestinlife8112]

Ear to the ground... This guy with his snarky visual references over here.

[@IanFanselow]

I assumed it was that Johnny Sac liked that he was the primary connection between New York and New Jersey. If Carmine wanted some deal to be made with New Jersey, then Johnny Sac had to be involved. If Tony wanted to get word to Carmine, then Johnny Sac was his only way to do it. If Ralph was involved with Carmine that would threaten Jonny's position. Even if he would have a lower position, it gives Tony a way to go around Johnny Sac. And since Ralph would still be acquainted with all the New Jersey people, Carmine may occasionally ask him to deliver messages. Even if it is unlikely to hinder Johnny Sac severely, it does give a chance he will be out of the loop on things.

[@jjroman7658]

How could Carmine not know , or know of , Paulie ? Paulie is like 15-20 years older than Tony and been involved his whole life.

[@dtraversodt]

I think Carmine was like 10 years older than Paulie so his era was probably with Junior,Hollywood Moltisanti and Johnny Boy, all older than Paulie

[@mrkeogh]

Why would Johnny Sack give up a good source inside Tony's crew?

[@CubbieBlue902]

Is switching families even allowed in Cosa Nostra?

[@ridleymeowvelous1659]

I think it’s a combination of: 1) Ralph switching would cause unnecessary tension between NY and NJ. 2) Johnny wants Ralph on his side while in the NJ crew so he has someone in the inside. 3) Ralph is a trouble maker, better leave him as Tony’s problem. 4) Would anyone in NY trust Ralph if he already turned his back on one family?

[@jamesespinosa690]

"Switching families" is a sign of a lack of loyalty. Not something you want from a prospective "employee".

[@Drakkonemus]

Solid My man solid

[@nsaad3048]

It was in their interest to protect Ralph, not take him on. He earned, but he was a pest. They already benefitted financially from him without having to deal with the pest aspect too closely.

[@cheapstake0110]

Still the most messed up part of the whole sopranos show was watching Ralph bash that poor strippers head in

[@ebeneezerscrooge2942]

That animal Blundetto needs a prequel spin off.

[@MrSheckstr]

One can know about someone and still have a policy of “NOT KNOWING “ someone It’s like acknowledging or refusing to acknowledge a child born out of wedlock

[@AJ0223]

Haha child pornography jokes are funny and acceptable lololol

[@alexjaybrady]

he was earning with three hands over here

[@Kardaszpm]

Now there's an image

[@johnnysinthecut3114]

Everyone who’s just a casual watcher or one of these KZbin movie critics needs to understand.. by Johnny saying “carmine doesn’t know you” it’s knowing him on a PERSONAL level… they obviously all know eachother but it’s the personal relationships that decide whether you can switch or not

[@artfasil]

After Ralph died Carmine asked "where is your pointman ?" he knew who Ralph was.

[@SonnyJim173]

Carmine didn't even know him

[@kallianz]

One thing you failed to mention is that Ralphie earns in construction primarily, the only source of income for Johnny. Before John took over, he was just a captain, and Ralphie would have been competition.

[@rockwild737]

I thought John was underboss.

[@menzicosce]

Simple explanation: NY was already making a lot off of Ralphie construction. Would the more money they would get be worth the headache?

[@rondorthecruel124]

Ralph could have outshined Johnny Sac in the eyes of Carmine had he flipped families. Johnny Sac knew this too. He also knew Carmine would entertain the proposition. Johnny’s interests were much better served with Ralph being where he was.

[@cellpat2686]

Im sure they knew how violent Ralphie got when he flew of the handle and Im sure they didn't like that. Add the joke Ralph made of Johnny's wife and that didn't help matters much.

[@2serveand2protect]

Interesting video! :) ...if i may add something!... - first of all when Ralph asks to "switch families" that does not mean switching "homes" or his "base of businesss" aswell. All the 5 families in New York had their own crews in New Jersey - some of them were very strong. The Genovese (for example) were very strong on that "wrong side of the Hudson", so were the Gambino's and the Lucchese, too. The Bruno-Family from Philadelphia had very strong interests in Atlantic City and New Jersey, too. I heard that the Bonannos and Colombos also had their own interests there, though much smaller in scale. Now - switching families was something that was already by itself VERY rare, even in-between the 5 families - and in anycase - I've never heard that someone switched families, after he became a "capo" - there would have been way to many secrets, to let him just "go somewhere else" - to another organization. That said - it is true that DeCavalcante family "native" to NJ was outright despised and often called "farmers" by the NY-guys, but that did not apply to members of NY-families working and living in NJ, so that "feeling of superiority" over the supposedly less sophisticated "farmers" was simple HYPOCRISY. As a matter of fact I remember that the "farmers" or this so-called "glorified crew" in the "Sopranos" (in real life that was Vincent Palermo's family) was operating in a very narrow space, that NY ALLOWED THEM to have. There is a scene in one of the later episodes, when Phil Leotardo talks or - rather - "pontificates" as he's used to - (I'm quoting from memory): "There was always this situation we had. There was US - the 5 Families! ... and then there wass this..."THING" in New Jersey." - almost like he was talking about a tumor growing on his skin. Why not taking someone ...some "a farmer" from NJ (no matter how well he supposedly earned) INTO ONE OF THE 5 FAMILIES??...I think it would have been felt, like taking someone who plays football for Modena Football Club and making him play in AC MILAN or BARCELLONA FC. It doesn't mean he's "not good" - it's just that he would have BEEN SEEN AS "NEVER GOOD ENOUGH". Switching families was something they did, only because of seriously extraordinary circumstances. In the "natives" from New Jersey's case - they just did not want THEM! They've always wanted THEIR BUSINESSES, THOUGH! ...for instance - the DeCavalcante were strongly tied to the Gambino Family (and almost "by proxy" to the Philadelphia Family when Angelo Bruno run it) up to the late 80's into the mid-90's. However the Genovese and "Funzi" Tieri especially - always operated in NJ, too and wanted a bigger "piece of the pie" there - hence they managed to trick Caponigro to kill Angelo Bruno, and took his booking operations in NJ - Bruno was killed in 1980. The wars in NJ were always "proxy wars" that had their origin in NY itself - same thing, another example happened when the "Gaspipe" Casso and Amuso - bosses of the Lucchese Family - wanted to kill their whole New Jersey crew, just over their refusal to pay a bigger share to NY (Casso wanted 50% of the whole income, which is just...INSANE!). The historical accuracy lays in the fact that the DeCavalcante always tried to remain neutral, as Tony tries to do. The script of the "Sopranos" was developed by someone who must have known both the "players" as well as the peculiar "politics" of NJ. Why not taking in a "farmer"?? ...because HE WAS A "FARMER" - NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY HE (supposedly) MADE! 😅

[@filipdemeyst8842]

I think the real reason is that the writers wrote it in the script. I guess. In fiction there are no real reasons.

[@michaelfelipe5606]

That particular time RALPH wasn’t a captain he was just a soldier

[@jesuspernia8031]

Meanwhile Johnny lied to Paulie telling Carmine thinks the world of him but doesn’t actually know him. Or maybe he did know him but didn’t acknowledge him.

[@victorvictor6135]

Ralph, Johny Sack,paulie Gualtieri,Phil leotardo,feech la mana, Butch DeConcini They all looks like a real gangsters to me