Bada Bing Ka-Ching! Ching! Ching!

Wow, does Brad Grey need more money for his legal defense fund? Is Time Warner needing to squeeze even more money out of TV's most profitable network? Or is everybody connected to "The Sopranos" taking Tony's general greed-is-good outlook on life to heart?

Whatever the case, how about those product placements on last night's season opener. Marshall Letcher has the rundown:

The most obvious product placement was the new Porsche that Tony gave to Carmela. When she first saw the car, she spouted off some marketing lingo about the car. In subsequent scenes with Carmela, other characters noticed the car and offered favourable comments.

Near the beginning of the program, one of the characters gave some hot jewelry to Tony as a gift. Don’t remember the name of the products; I’m not in the market for a new watch, and would not buy any of the stuff plugged on the program anyway.

At another point in the show, they showed Bobby working on his model trains – with a close up of a Nestles Quik freight car passing buy. Also, when Tony checked his cell phone on the boat, one could clearly see Cingular on the phone screen. I know there is more, but this what I remember at the moment.

I have read numerous articles about the increase in product placement in TV programs and other media. To me, tonight’s Sopranos was a prime example.

Update: Mark Jeffries points out, and I can confirm, that HBO's policy hasn't changed. The network doesn't take any money for the products seen on its air. "We actually had to call Porsche to get clearance to mention that car in our show," says an insider. Still, it's kind of funny.

Another update: Some great comments being posted! I expect nothing less of "Sopranos" fans (esp. those who read TV Barn). Also, you did read my Sunday "Sopranos" piece, "Exit Laughing," did you not?