HBO can’t count on ‘Sopranos’ or ‘Curb’

“Sopranos” fans are used to delays, so when word came down Wednesday that the series’ final “bonus” episodes wouldn’t arrive until March -- well, it wasn’t all that shocking. But fans of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” can be forgiven for wondering whether writer-star Larry David’s cranky comedy is coming back at all. The network has been silent about that since the Emmy-nominated show wrapped its fifth season in December.

“We thought we’d have something to talk to you about today,” HBO Chairman Chris Albrecht told reporters Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena. “Larry was very unsure after last season.... He needed to be inspired.”

But the network is “pretty close” to a deal, presumably for 10 more episodes, he added. “Hopefully we’ll have a new ‘Curb’ in 2007.” And will that be the end of David’s critically acclaimed show? “Odds are probably yes, but who knows?” Albrecht said.

HBO could probably put some new “Curb” episodes to good use, because its series cupboard is looking a little bare. The final episodes of “The Sopranos” won’t air until a couple of months later than expected, because star James Gandolfini injured his knee, delaying production, Albrecht said. The epic “Rome,” meanwhile, probably won’t last beyond its upcoming second season, because HBO’s European partners signed on for a limited number of episodes. But again, Albrecht coyly played with the possibilities. “We may look at this and decide, ‘You know, the food is good in Rome, so let’s find a way to keep this going,’ ” he joked.

‘Rescue Me’ flap eclipses FX session

My colleague Greg Braxton, along with Ed Martin at mediavillage.com, observed the strange dissonance at Wednesday’s FX session at the tour.

Network officials offered a session with the producers and cast of Morgan Spurlock’s “30 Days.” The discussion centered on illegal immigration, which the Spurlock episode covers in its season premiere.

Critics and reporters gamely went along and listened politely while cast member Frank George filibustered on his harsh let’s-deport-’em views. But what the journos really wanted to talk about was the recent flap over the rape scene in FX’s “Rescue Me.” The network set up nothing for that show, and FX President John Landgraf sat silently through the “30 Days” panel, though he was pelted by “Rescue Me” questions afterward.

“I thought it was valid within the context of the entire season,” Landgraf told reporters, according to Martin. But he admitted that he did consider deleting the rape sequence at one point, relenting only after FX’s female executives viewed the scene and apparently signed off. (Huh? That was the deciding factor? Why? Only women are qualified to judge the merits of this case?)

FX really blew it on this one. This was an opportunity for the network to state its case in a public forum and engage in a freewheeling debate over the emotions aroused by the show.

Why hasn’t Landgraf been front and center, defending the show and explaining the backstory, until now? And I realize “Rescue Me” is still in production, but couldn’t Denis Leary or the producers have spared a day to address the biggest controversy ever to hit this show? From a purely mercenary standpoint, such a decision probably would have helped the show’s marketing and ratings prospects as well.

What a waste.