The Sopranos is a popular HBO drama created by David Chase. Over the past six years, the show has become a cultural phenomenon, gaining popularity and unparalleled critical acclaim for its groundbreaking approach to family and the mob, as well as for pushing the envelope of violence and strong language on television.

The series, which stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco, highlights the difficulties faced by Tony Soprano, a Mafia boss in suburban Essex County, New Jersey, as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his real family and his crime "family".

The series begins with Tony collapsing after suffering an anxiety attack, which prompts him to begin therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Gradually, it is revealed that Tony's mother is manipulative and possibly psychotic; someone in his organization is talking to the FBI; his children have troubled futures; and his own superiors are plotting his death.

The Sopranos portrays the Mafia culture as an exaggerated version of the American nuclear family, in order to explore issues of class, sexuality, criminality, gender, family dynamics and generational conflict. It has been criticized by some for its supposed reinforcement of negative Italian American stereotypes by focussing on organized crime. This same issue, however, has been addressed on the show several times, notably in the first season episode "The Legend Of Tennessee Moltisanti".

The series premiered on HBO on January 10, 1999. The Sopranos has also been broadcast uncut in Canada by CTV, in the UK by Channel 4 and in Australia by the Nine Network. As of 2004, five seasons of 13 episodes each have been completed, and a sixth and final 10-episode season is planned.

Title sequence

One of the most popular parts of The Sopranos is the program's opening, in which the theme song "Woke Up This Morning", performed by A3, is heard. The show's main character Tony Soprano is seen emerging from the Port Authority's Lincoln Tunnel, and as Tony turns towards the New Jersey Turnpike, an image of the World Trade Center towers can be seen in his rear view mirror. Just prior to the start of the fourth season, HBO and Sopranos producer David Chase removed this scene altogether in response to the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, in which the towers were destroyed.

Characters

The following is a partial listing of characters from the series:

• Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini
• Carmela Soprano, played by Edie Falco
• Meadow Soprano, played by Jamie-Lynn DiScala
• Anthony Soprano, Jr., played by Robert Iler
• Dr. Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco
• Christopher Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli
• Silvio Dante, played by Steven Van Zandt
• Paulie Walnuts, played by Tony Sirico
• Corrado Soprano, Junior (Uncle Junior), played by Dominic Chianese
• Adriana La Cerva, played by Drea de Matteo
• Janice Soprano, played by Aida Turturro
• Bobby "Bacala" Baccilieri, played by Steve R. Schirripa
• Patsy Parisi, played by Dan Grimaldi
• Ralph Cifaretto, played by Joe Pantoliano
• Furio Giunta, played by Federico Castelluccio
• Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, played by Vincent Pastore
• Johnny "Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola
• Richie Aprile, played by David Proval
• Herman "Hesh" Rabkin, played by Jerry Adler
• Livia Soprano, played by Nancy Marchand
• Carmine Lupertazzi, played by Tony Lip
• Artie Bucco, played by John Ventimiglia
• Charmaine Bucco, played by Katherine Narducci
• Tony Blundetto, played by Steve Buscemi
• Michele "Feech" La Manna, played by Robert Loggia
• Gloria Trillo, played by Annabella Sciorra

See also

• List of The Sopranos episodes
• Mafia

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

The Sopranos

• HBO's The Sopranos website (http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/)
  • The Sopranos Cast and Crew (http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/index.shtml)

The Sopranos is also a novel by Alan Warner.

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