| The Sopranos is a television drama that was first | | | | the driving creative force behind the Sopranos and |
| broadcast on HBO in 1999. It provides a hard-hitting | | | | writes many of the episodes. He is credited for the |
| and edgy look into the life of an Italian-American | | | | central role that dream sequences play in the series. |
| Mafia family living in Northern New Jersey. The | | | | Chase believes that these dream sequences can |
| Sopranos series has run for six seasons and is | | | | expand on and clarify the show's narrative. The |
| scheduled to end in mid-2007. Filmed on location in | | | | Sopranos is also rich in symbolism, although popular |
| New Jersey, the series offers a glimpse into the | | | | interpretations of the exact meaning of the |
| everyday life of a Mafia family. Although the show | | | | symbolism vary quite a bit. The central character, |
| centers on a family, it is clearly not a family show. | | | | Tony Soprano, is portrayed by James Gandolfini. |
| The Sopranos is aimed squarely at mature audiences | | | | Gandolfini was actually born in New Jersey where |
| and includes graphic depictions of violence, nudity, | | | | much of the show is filmed. After working as a |
| language and drug use. The show chronicles the life | | | | Manhattan bartender, Gandolfini began his acting |
| and times of mob boss Tony soprano and his family, | | | | career in New York theater. He is also appeared in |
| including his daughter Meadow, son A.J. and wife | | | | several films and other television shows, but true |
| Carmela. The pilot began with a severe anxiety | | | | fame came as a result of his role on the Sopranos. |
| attack being suffered by the main character Tony | | | | It's interesting to note that Gandolfini actually had |
| Soprano. Tony Soprano's therapy and interaction with | | | | personal reservations about continuing in the role of |
| his therapist, Dr. Melfi, have played a continuing | | | | Tony Soprano because of the show's violence and its |
| central role in the show's plot. The Sopranos has | | | | stereotypical portrayal of Italian-Americans. The |
| proven to be one of the most popular dramas on | | | | Sopranos was originally set to air on the Fox |
| television and is the most popular cable drama. More | | | | network but was rejected by Fox before airing. HBO |
| than 13.4 million viewers watched the premiere | | | | then picked up the show. It was originally intended to |
| episode of the fourth season. The Sopranos has | | | | run for only one or two seasons, but its success and |
| been a critical success as well. Is it is frequently hailed | | | | wide appeal has propelled the show into its sixth |
| as the top drama series and is cited as one of the | | | | season. Sopranos fans are forced to wait longer |
| best shows on television. TV Guide magazine ranked | | | | between seasons than is normal for most television |
| the Sopranos fifth in its list of the "greatest of all | | | | shows. These breaks are often blamed on the need |
| time" television shows. The show has received | | | | for time to develop storylines and scheduling conflicts |
| numerous Emmy award nominations and won the | | | | with the actors. The Sopranos is also distinctive for |
| Emmy for outstanding drama in 2004. The show has | | | | its musical selections, which are often played |
| also taken home at least one acting-related Emmy | | | | throughout the show. At the same time, the series is |
| award every season. However, not everyone joins in | | | | somewhat unique for its lack of incidental music, |
| the glowing praise of this dramatic presentation. The | | | | taking a fairly minimalist direction in terms of |
| show is often criticized for its stereotypes of Italian | | | | soundtrack. All indications are that the show will end |
| Americans. Several national groups who advocate on | | | | in the early summer of 2007. After that, Sopranos |
| behalf of Italian-Americans have been quite vocal in | | | | fans can look for the show to continue airing on the |
| their opposition to the show. In some cases, the cast | | | | A&E network. As a testament to the popularity |
| of the Sopranos has even been barred from | | | | of The Sopranos, A&E won a bidding war with |
| participating in public events. The Sopranos was | | | | Lifetime, Spike, USA and TNT. Ultimately, they paid |
| created and is produced by David Chase. Chase's | | | | $2.5 million per episode, possible the largest payout |
| earlier TV credits include episodes of The Rockford | | | | ever for syndication. Fans can also purchase |
| Files and Northern exposure. Chase continues to be | | | | fully-loaded, unedited DVD sets of every season. |