Gannascoli has apologized for the uproar, noting he has other "to Die For"-branded products, and called his endorsement of the pool cue "a coincidence."

Even though Gannascoli obviously regrets the coincidental application of his "To Die For" brand to the sporting good his Sopranos persona actually died for, it looks like he's not ready to abandon the pool cue business entirely: While the original, offending stick is gone, his website promises that "'A NEW cue to is coming soon from Joe Gannascoli," which we imagine will bear his just-created, far less controversial "To Foster A Culture Of Tolerance Of Understanding Of People Of All Sexual Preferences" trademark.

• Billiard Company Pulls 'Gay Vito' Cue [TVWeek]
• Previously: Own A Pool Cue Just Like The One Used To Rape And Kill Gay Vito! [Defamer]

"GLAAD is calling on Rockwell Billiards and Gannascoli to remove the name, 'A Cue to Die For,' from this product immediately and apologize for using such a vulgar symbol of violence and anti-gay bigotry to make a profit," read the GLADD statement.

The "to Die For" slogan has been used for other, less sensational Gannascoli-endorsed products. His mobster novel is called "A Meal to Die For" and he will soon have a cigar lined branded with "A Cigar to Die For," according to his Web site.

Indeed, Gannascoli probably should have limited his "To Die For" line of merchandise to items with which his character was never brutally sodomized by his intolerant crew—no one would have protested a cheap cigar or a bad novel. We expect that the actor will succumb to GLAAD's pressure and soon withdraw his name from the instrument of his hate-crime demise, with the unfortunate incident serving as an example to other castmates looking to cash in by crassly exploiting their big Sopranos moments; given the reactionary climate of restraint in endorsements, Vito Jr.'s Shower Stool Softener will likely never reach the shelves of your local Rite Aid or CVS, and the Big Pussy chain of gentlemen's clubs featuring plus-size performers will probably never open its doors.

UPDATE: Predictably, the cues have been discontinued.

[Photo: HBO]

• 'Sopranos' + Hate Crime + Pool Cue = Marketing Opportunity [TV Week]
• Joe Gannascoli "Vito" Signature Cue [Rockwell Billiards]