The Sopranos
The Sopranos is a popular HBO drama created by David Chase. Over the past 5 years the drama series has become a cultural phenomenon, gaining popularity and unparalled 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. The show highlights the difficulties faced by Tony Soprano, a mafia boss in the New Jersey suburbs of New York City, as he tries to balance the varying requirements of his real family and his other "family".
The series begins with Tony collapsing with an anxiety attack, which prompts him to begin therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Gradually, we learn 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 uses the mafia culture as an exaggerated version of the American nuclear family, to explore issues of class, sexuality, criminality, gender, family dynamics and generational conflict. The show has been criticized by some on the basis that it supposedly reinforces negative Italian American stereotypes about criminals and the Mafia. This same issue, however, has actually been adressed on the show several times, notably in the 1st season episode "The Legend Of Tennessee Moltisanti".
The series premiered on HBO on January 10, 1999. As of 2004 four seasons of 13 episodes each have been completed, with a fifth season currently being broadcast and an abbreviated sixth and final season planned for next year.
The following is a partial listing of characters from the HBO series, The Sopranos:
- 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
- Junior Soprano, 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
- Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, played by Vincent Pastore
- Johnny "Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola
- Richie Aprile, played by David Proval
- Hesh Rabkin, played by Jerry Adler
- Livia Soprano, played by Nancy Marchand
- Carmine Lupertazzi, played by Tony Lip
- Artie Bucco, played by John Ventimilgia
- Charmaine Bucco, played by Katherine Narducci
- Tony Blundetto, played by Steve Buscemi
- Michele "Feech" La Manna, played by Robert Loggia
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