Even the mighty Gandolf(ini) can’t escape his alma mater. He has been tapped to play the owner of a Jersey rib joint that (true story) became a diplomatic conduit to our adversary by knocking on the door of the consulate and purportedly saying simply, “I want to be your friend.” Sounds a little desperate to me, but what do I know?

The character ended up making four trips to North Korea in the name of diplomatic relations before retiring back to his calling as rib joint manager. If Paulie Walnuts does not play a grill man at the rib joint….missed opportunity on HBO’s part. (Deadline)