Template:Infobox television
The Sopranos is a television drama produced by HBO. It first aired in 1999 and is expected to be concluded at the end of the upcoming sixth season in 2006, although several of the cast members have hinted that further seasons may occur. 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 stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco and 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 wife and family, and his crime "family".
Overview
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.
Setting
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, in Ireland by RTE and in Australia by the Nine Network. As of 2005, five seasons of 13 episodes each have been completed, and a sixth and final 13-episode season is in production.
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.
The opening sequence was sufficiently recognizable to be parodied on an episode of The Simpsons in 2004, with Fat Tony standing in for Tony Soprano. It was also parodied in the Adult Swim show Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, in 2003, in an episode where Fred Flintstone is a mob boss.
Characters
The following is a partial listing of characters from the series:
| # | Regular Cast | Role | Actor | Seasons
|
| 1 | Tony Soprano | New Jersey mafia boss, husband of Carmela, father to Meadow and Anthony Jr. | James Gandolfini | 1999-present
|
| 2 | Dr. Jennifer Melfi | Tony's psychiatrist | Lorraine Bracco | 1999-present
|
| 3 | Carmela DeAngelis Soprano | Tony's wife, mother of Meadow and Anthony Jr., daughter-in-law of Livia | Edie Falco | 1999-present
|
| 4 | Christopher Moltisanti | Tony's nephew, a worker in the "family business" | Michael Imperioli | 1999-present
|
| 5 | Corrado Soprano, Junior (Uncle Junior) | The official boss of the family, although currently under house arrest | Dominic Chianese | 1999-present
|
| 6 | Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero | Another Soprano mobster, later revealed to be working with the FBI | Vincent Pastore | 1999-2000
|
| 7 | Silvio Dante | Consigliere to the Soprano family | Steven Van Zandt | 1999-present
|
| 8 | Paulie "Walnuts" Gaultieri | Capo to the Soprano family | Tony Sirico | 1999-present
|
| 9 | Anthony Soprano, Jr. | Tony and Carmela's youngest child | Robert Iler | 1999-present
|
| 10 | Meadow Soprano | Tony and Carmela's university-bound daughter | Jamie-Lynn DiScala | 1999-present
|
| 11 | Livia Soprano | Tony's ailing mother, going senile, close friend to Uncle Junior | Nancy Marchand | 1999-2001
|
| 12 | Artie Bucco | Local chef and friend to Tony | John Ventimiglia | 1999-present
|
| 13 | Charmaine Bucco | Artie's cautious wife, who is wary of her husband's friendship with Tony | Katherine Narducci | 1999-present
|
| 14 | Adriana La Cerva | Christopher's girlfriend | Drea de Matteo | 1999-2004
|
| 15 | Richie Aprile | Extremely violent and easily provoked, he was recently released from prison after a ten year sentence | David Proval | 2000
|
| 16 | Janice Soprano | Tony's older sister | Aida Turturro | 2000-present
|
| 17 | Johnny "Sack" Sacramoni | Underboss of the New York mafia, until Carmine Lupertazzi dies | Vince Curatola | 1999-present
|
| 18 | Bobby "Bacala" Baccilieri | Uncle Junior's assistant | Steve R. Schirripa | 2000-present
|
| 19 | Furio Giunta | Mobster from Italy, recently recruited to Tony's crew | Federico Castelluccio | 2000-2002
|
| 20 | Ralph Cifaretto | Violence-prone mobster, sarcastic, belligerent and misogynistic | Joe Pantoliano | 2001-2002
|
| 21 | Tony Blundetto | Recently released from jail after taking a hit for Tony | Steve Buscemi | 2004
|
| # | Recurring Caracters | Role | Actor | Seasons
|
| 1 | Barbara Soprano Giglione | Tony's younger sister | Nicole Burdette, Danielle Di Vecchio | 2000-present
|
| 2 | Tom Giglione | Barbara's husband | Ed Vassallo | 2000-present
|
| 3 | Giovanni "Johnny Boy" Soprano | Tony's deceased father | Joseph Siravo | 1999-present
|
| 4 | Pasquale "Patsy" Parisi | A Soprano mobster, whose twin brother was killed on an order from Tony | Dan Grimaldi | 2000-present
|
| 5 | Herman "Hesh" Rabkin | Jewish friend to the Sopranos, likes horses | Jerry Adler | 1999-present
|
| 6 | Carmine Lupertazzi | Capo Di Tutti Capi of New York, old school wise guy of Junior's generation | Tony Lip | 2001-2004
|
| 7 | Michele "Feech" La Manna | A former capo who was recently released from jail, and is looking to "get back in the game". | Robert Loggia | 2004
|
| 8 | Dr. Elliot Kupferberg | Jennifer Melfi's therapist | Peter Bogdonavich | 2000-present
|
| 9 | Phil Leotardo | A longtime captain in the Lupertazzi family | Frank Vincent | 2004-present
|
| 10 | Father Phil Intintola | Local Catholic priest, fond of Carmela | Paul Schulze | 1999-present
|
| 11 | Doctor Bruce Cusamano | Physician, Tony's next-door neighbour | Robert Lupone | 1999-present
|
| 12 | Jeannie Cusamano | Dr Cusamano's wife | Saundra Santiago | 1999-present
|
| 13 | Gloria Trillo | Top sales rep at Globe Mercedes, Tony's goomara | Annabella Sciorra | 2001-2002
|
| 14 | Skip Lipari | FBI agent handling Big Pussy | Louis Lombardi | 2000-2001
|
| 15 | David Scatino | Gambling addict, and owner of a sporting goods store | Robert Patrick | 2000
|
| 16 | Quintina Pollio Blundetto | Livia's younger sister; mother of Tony B. | Barbara Andres, Rae Allen | 2000-present
|
Episodes
Season 1: (1999)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | The Sopranos (Pilot) | David Chase | David Chase | January 10, 1999
|
| 2 | 46 Long | David Chase | Dan Attias | January 17, 1999
|
| 3 | Denial, Anger, Acceptance | Mark Saraceni | Nick Gomez | January 24, 1999
|
| 4 | Meadowlands | Jason Cahill | John Patterson | January 31, 1999
|
| 5 | College | James Manos, Jr., David Chase | Allen Coulter | February 7, 1999
|
| 6 | Pax Soprana | Frank Renzulli | Alan Taylor | February 14, 1999
|
| 7 | Down Neck | Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green | Lorraine Senna Ferrara | February 21, 1999
|
| 8 | The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti | Frank Renzulli, David Chase | Tim Van Patten | February 28, 1999
|
| 9 | Boca | Jason Cahill, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green | Andy Wolk | March 7, 1999
|
| 10 | A Hit Is A Hit | Joe Bosso, Frank Renzulli | Matthew Penn | March 14, 1999
|
| 11 | Nobody Knows Anything | Frank Renzulli | Henry J. Bronchtein | March 21, 1999
|
| 12 | Isabella | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Allen Coulter | March 28, 1999
|
| 13 | I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano | David Chase | John Patterson | April 4, 1999
|
Season 2: (2000)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office... | Jason Cahill | Allen Coulter | January 16, 2000
|
| 2 | Do Not Resuscitate | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Frank Renzulli | Martin Bruestle | January 23, 2000
|
| 3 | Toodle-Fucking-oo | Frank Renzulli | Lee Tamahori | January 30, 2000
|
| 4 | Commendatori | David Chase | Tim Van Patten | February 6, 2000
|
| 5 | Big Girls Don't Cry | Terrence Winter | Tim Van Patten | February 13, 2000
|
| 6 | The Happy Wanderer | Frank Renzulli | John Patterson | February 20, 2000
|
| 7 | D-Girl | Todd A. Kessler | Allen Coulter | February 27, 2000
|
| 8 | Full Leather Jacket | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Allen Coulter | March 5, 2000
|
| 9 | From Where to Eternity | Michael Imperioli | Henry J. Bronchtein | March 12, 2000
|
| 10 | Bust Out | Frank Renzulli, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | John Patterson | March 19, 2000
|
| 11 | House Arrest | Terence Winter | Tim Van Patten | March 26, 2000
|
| 12 | The Knight in White Satin Armor | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Allen Coulter | April 2, 2000
|
| 13 | Funhouse | David Chase, Todd A. Kessler | John Patterson | April 9, 2000
|
Season 3: (2001)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood | David Chase | Allen Coulter | March 4, 2001
|
| 2 | Proshai, Livushka | David Chase | Tim Van Patten | March 4, 2001
|
| 3 | Fortunate Son | Todd A. Kessler | Henry J. Bronchtein | March 11, 2001
|
| 4 | Employee of the Month | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | John Patterson | March 18, 2001
|
| 5 | Another Toothpick | Terence Winter | Jack Bender | March 25, 2001
|
| 6 | University | Terence Winter, Salvatore Stabile | Allen Coulter | April 1, 2001
|
| 7 | Second Opinion | Lawrence Konner | Tim Van Patten | April 8, 2001
|
| 8 | He Is Risen | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Todd A. Kessler | Allen Coulter | April 15, 2001
|
| 9 | The Telltale Moozadell | Michael Imperioli | Dan Attias | April 22, 2001
|
| 10 | ...To Save Us All From Satan's Power | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Jack Bender | April 29, 2001
|
| 11 | Pine Barrens | Terence Winter | Steve Buscemi | May 6, 2001
|
| 12 | Amour Fou | Frank Renzulli | Tim Van Patten | May 13, 2001
|
| 13 | The Army of One | David Chase, Lawrence Konner | John Patterson | May 20, 2001
|
Season 4: (2002)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | For All Debts Public and Private | David Chase | Allen Coulter | September 15, 2002
|
| 2 | No Show | Terence Winter, David Chase | John Patterson | September 22, 2002
|
| 3 | Christopher | Michael Imperioli, Maria Laurino | Tim Van Patten | September 29, 2002
|
| 4 | The Weight | Terence Winter | Jack Bender | October 6, 2002
|
| 5 | Pie-O-My | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Henry J. Bronchtein | October 13, 2002
|
| 6 | Everybody Hurts | Michael Imperioli | Steve Buscemi | October 20, 2002
|
| 7 | Watching Too Much Television | Terence Winter, Nick Santora | John Patterson | October 27, 2002
|
| 8 | Mergers & Acquisitions | Lawrence Konner | Dan Attias | November 3, 2002
|
| 9 | Whoever Did This | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Tim Van Patten | November 10, 2002
|
| 10 | The Strong, Silent Type | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Terence Winter | Alan Taylor | November 17, 2002
|
| 11 | Calling All Cars | David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, David Flebotte | Tim Van Patten | November 24, 2002
|
| 12 | Eloise | Terence Winter | James Hayman | December 1, 2002
|
| 13 | Whitecaps | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, David Chase | John Patterson | December 8, 2002
|
Season 5: (2004)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | Two Tonys | David Chase, Terence Winter | Tim Van Patten | March 7, 2004
|
| 2 | Rat Pack | Matthew Weiner | Alan Taylor | March 14, 2004
|
| 3 | Where's Johnny | Michael Caleo | John Patterson | March 21, 2004
|
| 4 | All Happy Families... | Toni Kalem | Rodrigo Garcia | March 28, 2004
|
| 5 | Irregular Around the Margins | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Allen Coulter | April 4, 2004
|
| 6 | Sentimental Education | Matthew Weiner | Peter Bogdonavich | April 11, 2004
|
| 7 | In Camelot | Terence Winter | Steve Buscemi | April 18, 2004
|
| 8 | Marco Polo | Michael Imperioli | John Patterson | April 25, 2004
|
| 9 | Unidentified Black Males | Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter | Tim Van Patten | May 2, 2004
|
| 10 | Cold Cuts | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | Mike Figgis | May 9, 2004
|
| 11 | The Test Dream | David Chase, Matthew Weiner | Allen Coulter | May 16, 2004
|
| 12 | Long Term Parking | Terence Winter | Tim Van Patten | May 23, 2004
|
| 13 | All Due Respect | David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess | John Patterson | June 6, 2004
|
Season 6: (2006)
| # | Episode Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original airdate
|
| 1 | Members Only | Terence Winter | Tim Van Patten | March 2006
|
| 2 | Join the Club | To Be Announced | To Be Announced | March 2006
|
See also
External links
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