David Chase gets the Paddy Chayefsky treatment

Kudos to David Chase, who's getting the Paddy Chayefsky treatment from the Writers Guild of America West.

"The Sopranos" boss will be feted with the Chayefsky laurel for television, recognizing his contributions over a long career, at the WGA West's honors luncheon on April 23.

Chase's "Sopranos" achievement speaks for itself. But let's not forget his early years on the Universal lot. Far as I'm concerned, "The Rockford Files," on which Chase was a key contributor, is in the top 10 of all-time great TV shows (C'mon -- pound for pound, is there a cooler private eye on TV than Jim Rockford?).

"Kolchak: The Night Stalker" also ranks high on the TV fun-meter. It's too bad "Kolchak" star Darren McGavin was in poor health during the "Sopranos" years -- he undoubtedly would've made a great guest shot or two on the HBO drama.

Meanwhile, the Writers Guild Foundation is hosting an "Evening with" Q&A with Chase on April 22 at the Writers Guild Theater in BevHills. Foundation will host a Q&A with Budd "What Makes Sammy Run" Schulberg (pictured right) on April 24, also at the WGA Theater, that will include a screening of Schulberg's "On the Waterfront."