Who is David Chase referring to here?

The Grandmother of the head of the Philadelphia mob family was the inspiration for Livia Soprano. Which mob boss is he referring to here? @ 8:26 into video.

I think Salvatore Testa, it was known him and his mom were arguing ever since he survived the assassination attempt followed by him calling off the wedding with Maria Merlino. If it was the 90's, then he has to be talking about Joey Merlino and his mom.

I believe Mrs. Testa died in 1980 like 6 months before Chicken Man and way before the Riccobene war. Although he did get in some nightclub scuffle in 1978 i think but that wasn’t mob related. He might be talking about Merlino and let’s not forget Scarfo’s mom was also a pretty “fiery” lady. And we all know how batshit he was haha.

Your right. Salvatore Testa was arguing with his aunt. Scarfo mom was fierce as well. I believe Chase was talking about Joey and Rita.

I remember reading somewhere there was a quote that was picked up from a phone conversation either with Rita or Maria Merlino and someone-can’t remember who, but I want to say it was a call from jail or with a lawyer- where they ask, “what’s the point in all of this (one of the mob wars), they’re fighting over jail or coffins”. Pretty poignant perspective from people who grew up and/or lived around the life.

that was Maria.

Chase said it was somebody's grandmother tho so that makes it even more of a head scratcher.

Possibly Nicky Jr.? He was essentially he head of the family with his brother incapacitated and the father incarcerated. Maybe he conflated Sr. and Jr. when referring to “boss”. The stress of managing the blood family whilst carrying the mantle was probably high. She may have thought he had too much going on in the streets and getting stretched them with the familial responsibilities which would include her. Could be Phil too. I know it was reported that she cut Phil and his mother off after becoming a witness but I think the hatchet was buried the older she got. Pretty sure he snuck into town to see her when she was dying.

I was thinking that he could be talking about Phil's grandma/Nicky's mom too.

Micheal Franzese was on Adam Carolla's podcast a while back. Great listen. He said that one of his big regrets was passing on being a consultant for The Sopranos. He was asked before it got picked up by HBO and became a huge success---he didn't think it was worth his time getting involved, no one could have predicted the phenomenon coming based on what he was presented at the time. He said he was a big fan of the show and he realized that Livia and some of the conversations in the early episodes had to have been based on his Mom and specific things that were picked up on secret wiretaps the Feds had in his parents house for years. He didn't say exactly what, just said he was certain that was the case. Also, Chase has said the character of Livia was very much based on his own Ma.