- Though innocent, Tony Finelli spent 15 years in prison. Upon his release, he has lost everything that matters. Like a clumsy Phoenix rising from the ashes, he sets out on a bumpy journey to reclaim his life, and win back his family.
- It's "Mrs. Doubtfire" meets "Goodfellas" meets "Glee." In the 1990's, Tony Finelli, an Italian-American from New York (Mark Janicello) was a star in Europe. Tony found fame playing the King of Rock and Roll in "ELVIS: The Musical" and together with his ever-present Manager, Jürgen, turned that initial success into an international singing career. In 1997, Jürgen, was contacted by an "Italian Concert Promoter" supposedly representing "Mr. Big," (Godfather of the Gambaretto Mafia Family), regarding a big concert for Tony in Sicily. Actually, this "promoter" was an undercover Agent working for the German CIA, leading a secret sting operation to arrest Mr. Big, who was under investigation for both tax evasion and money laundering. Tony and Jürgen were handed the choice of either going to prison for Mr. Big or watching both of their families get murdered by the mob. The Series begins on the day Tony and Jürgen are being released from a 15-year sentence in Moabit Prison in Berlin. No one meets them at the gate. Tony returns to his former home in the well-to-do neighborhood of Charlottenburg in Berlin, in order to rebuild his life. Unbeknownst to Tony, shortly before his release, Tony's ex-wife (Chris)Tina Finelli, a former Model and Stewardess from Russia, filed for divorce. When Tony got arrested, Tina was left with 2 small children. The scandal surrounding Tony's arrest, ruined her reputation, and she had no income. To survive, she turned Tony's mansion into a boarding house. Now as owner of Tony's former home, she lives there with their children, Lola (27) and Lena (20). Tony's parents Frank (75) and Bea (73) Finelli, his ancient Italian grandmother "Nonna" (90); as well as a few other renters, occupy the other rooms on the upper floors of the villa. Numerous generations of Finellis are living under one roof. Recently, the superintendent in Tina's boarding house, quit. To earn some money, as well as buy some time both with his family and to rebuild his career, Tony, the Italian Divo, takes over the super's job. Tony, the family man, really misses his children. Although Tony still has a good relationship with is oldest daughter Lola, his youngest daughter, Lena, can barely remember him. Between Tony's divo attitude and his two left hands, he's a pretty rotten super. Add to that the cultural and generational differences between the Americans and Europeans, and you create the comedic chaos that is "The Finellis"
- The Finellis An American SitCom with both Musical - and Animated Sequences. Written and Created by Mark Janicello
TAGLINE: To save his family from the mob, Tony Finelli, the famous singer, spent 15 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon his release, Tony finds that he has lost not only his wife, children, and home, but also his name, reputation, career - and all his money. Like a clumsy Phoenix trying to rise from the ashes, the eternal optimist sets out on a very bumpy journey to reclaim his life, and win back the love and respect of his family. Unfortunately for Tony, things don't always work out as planned.
FORM Episode Length: 25 Minuten.
THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOW... It's "Mrs. Doubtfire" meets "Goodfellas" meets "Glee"
To save his family from the mob, Tony Finelli, the famous singer, spent 15 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon his release, Tony finds that he has lost not only his wife, children, and home, but also his name, reputation, career - and all his money.
Like a clumsy Phoenix trying to rise from the ashes, the eternal optimist sets out on a very bumpy journey to reclaim his life, and win back the love and respect of his family. Unfortunately for Tony, things don't always work out as planned.
In the 1990's, Tony Finelli, an Italian-American from New York (Mark Janicello) was a star in Europe. Tony found fame starring in "ELVIS: The Musical" and together with his ever-present manager, Jürgen Drahtseil, turned that initial success into an international singing career.
In 1997, Jürgen was approached by an "Italian Concert Promoter" regarding a big concert for Tony in Sicily. This "promoter" turned out to be an undercover agent working for the German CIA, and leading a secret sting operation to arrest "Mr. Big" (Godfather of the Gambaretto Mafia Family), who was under investigation in Berlin for both tax evasion and money laundering. In over their heads and caught between the Mafia and the German CIA, Tony and Jürgen were faced with the choice of either going to prison for Mr. Big or having both of their families murdered by the mob.
"The Finellis" begins on the day Tony and Jürgen are released from a 15-year sentence in Moabit Prison in Berlin. No one meets them at the gate. Tony returns to his former home wanting to rebuild his life. Unbeknownst to Tony, his Russian ex-wife Tina Finelli had filed for divorce shortly before his release. The former model and stewardess's reputation had been ruined by the scandal surrounding Tony's arrest. Alone with two children and no income, Tina turned Tony's mansion into a bed and breakfast. Now, as the owner of Tony's former home, she lives there with their two daughters, Lola and Lena (now 27 and 20 years old), as well as with Tony's parents, Pete and Bea Finelli, and his ancient, Sicilian grandmother "Nonna". Four generations of Finellis are living under one roof.
Recently, the maintenance man in Tina's boarding house quit. Out of love for his family, Tony Finelli, the proud peacock, swallows his pride and takes over the job, hoping to rebuild his life, restart his career and reconnect with Tina and his children. Take Tony's two left hands, add a helping of total inadequacy, and you have the perfect recipe for the comedic chaos that is "The Finellis."
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