Being a Sopranos fan and HD-DVD owner, I absolutely refuse to muck up the following news with line after line of mobster clichés.  Thus, this will be the one high-def blog free of “whacks”, “hits”, or “cement shoes”.  No, I’m going to report Toshiba’s recent signing of Sopranos mainstay Michael Imperioli with the respect the move deserves.

For those who don’t know him or the show, Imperioli plays the short-tempered and ambitious Christopher Moltisanti.  As Tony’s excitable “muscle” in the show, Imperioli should be the perfect fit for a high definition format trying to force its way back into the spotlight.

Imperioli will reportedly act as an “ambassador” for HD-DVD, pushing both Toshiba’s format and its new HDTV line, REZGA.  Apparently, Imperioli will connect his own passion for movies (a character trait on the show and perhaps in real life) with the quality of HD-DVD and Toshiba television sets.

Fans of the Sopranos – the first to receive a TV series on high def disc – will find Imperioli’s ads on the show’s home channel, A&E, along with a few other national cable outlets.  Print and radio spots are also planned.

There, no clichés.  Wasn’t that refreshing?