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(last update - 6.9.2004)
All of these "fans" who complain about the lack of sex and "whackings" have no idea what the show is about. If you want sex rent a porno. If you want violence there are plenty of films that portray violence in various contexts. "The Sopranos" is at its best when it focuses on the personal relationships between Tony and his two "families." Those who focus on the "goomba" elements are missing the larger picture, the more important plot line. That is, the corrosion of family values within the American family paralleled with the same corrosion within the Mob. Tony has an idealized view of how the world should be that's based upon his perception and/or interpretation of the values that Italian immigrants brought with them to the US. That's the beauty of the show. Tony speaks with pride of his heritage and his hard working and non complaining ancestors (he also, with his reverence for Gary Cooper, praises what could be considered "good old-fashioned" American values) while he is a criminal. He complains about the negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans while he is the stereotype. I should mention that his ancestors did have one complaint and that was that the Italian always gets the short end of the stick. Anyway, my point is that "The Sopranos" is not supposed to be a show about the Mob. It's not "Goodfellas" or "The Godfather." It's a show about a man named Tony Soprano who happens to be in the Mob. I know I'm not the first person to point this out. Does anyone notice the little things? Things such as the way Carmela, for example, would say something to a friend about someone and then a moment later would smile and wave to that person. It's the same as the gangsters who are talking about killing someone one moment and then joking with the guy the next. I'm glad when the show doesn't focus on the more sensational aspects of Tony's life. It's more entertaining when Tony is living an "ordinary" life and then suddenly brought back to the reality of his life. The idea of a Mob boss rushing to his sck horse to pay a vet and then staying to comfort her is great. This is something that the average pet owner could relate to but to see Tony doing it gives some more insight into his character. It also makes the confrontation with Ralph that much more intense and shocking. This is why the character of Tony Soprano is the most interesting on television. He is capable of incredible violence and incredible compassion and, the writing is so good that it doesn't come across as incongruous. People need to keep at least one thing in mind: "The Sopranos" is not about the Mob. The Mob is only one part of a bigger story. One last thought: the show is not entirely about Italians, it's about Americans who happen to be descended from Italians. - Carlo
My name is Shea, i live in Brisbane, Australia, which is only about 35 minutes to Crocidile Hunters Farm, Steve Irwin. Anyway, u are the greatest, i own every season of the Sorpranos and have watched each about 5 times, i confidently say that i am an expert the intire series.
We don't have any mafia. or made guys in Australial, or that i know of. We do have Organised Crime Families, but they mainly deal in drugs. All the lone shark and money business are run by individual people, they don't have tradition, honour or history, there just clorafied dicks.
I love U, Pauly, Chris, Sylvio, Juniour and Jonny Sachs.
Keep up the good work, try to "wack" a few more people.
Your Sincerly,
Shea
I'm sick and tired of all these uptight Italian Americans who complain about the Sopranos. "Oh, it's degrading to Italian Americans." Gimme a break... it's a show based in truth. I don't understand, just as accurately as it shows the Tony Soprano Type it shows the Dr. Cusamano type... the kinds of Italian Americans who use the most proper of grammar and who don't know dick about the mafia.
I grew up in NYC, I know how it is, I've had that upbringing. The fact that there are a few Italian Mobsters is very true. Not to say that all Italians are mobsters... there's 30 million of us in American... and last time I checked there's maybe 2000 mafia members in America.
But it's a show about mobsters! It's like saying movies about WWII and the Holocaust are horrible because they portray Germans as Nazis... indeed there are German Nazis... but that doesn't make them all Nazis, and some how the Germans can understand that but Italians can't accept this.
If the uptight shitheads could take some Exlax and be at rest they'd feel a lot better. The Sopranos is where it's at not because of sex and violence... jeez, you can get that anywhere. It's where it is because of the great acting and writing. People let themselves be blinded... it's dumb.
note from Frank N.
That c-sucker David Chase dissed Mexicans in his interview at the end of the first season dvd. Im Chicano (meaning Mexican-American) and thought his comment was retarded; he said something to the effect like, "oh to end the interview...the Italians that have come to this country, who were illiterate might I add, have done better than the Mexicans, who came here but could read," or something stupid like that. Regardless, Im still a fan, but I think for the last season Tony's whole crew and associates should be taken out by a Mexican street gang (not the mob) - no less. Imported by the Russian mob or something to do thier bidding. And another thing.....I have found it really weird that all my years as a kid growing up in LA there were school programs and all this prophaghanda about kids not joining gangs etc etc.; and now that I'm older I see all these shows and movies glorifying Italian gangs. Whats up with that?
note from N/A
In the 1970's I lived in Hackensack, NJ. We use to get our pizza from a small shop on Essex Street. I would fequenslty sit down with the owner (he never did any work himself) and talk about the restaurant business. His name was Tony diBennedito, and he told me he was going to be moving to Hollywood to become an actor. I recall seeing him in several mob movies.
Well, I believe the Tony I knew in Hackensack is Carmine, The NY Boss. But his name is now Tony Lip? Does anybody out there know, if this guy changed his last name? I am pretty sure I am right on this but.....
review by Harriet.
I'm not worried about Tony's racism. Everyone knows that the two conquering Italians, Julius Ceaser and Mark Anthony were quick to drop everything for the African queen Cleopatra. And everyone knows that it's only because Italian Americans are seen as the lowest type of whites, that they try to hate blacks to make them selves feel better. Knowing this makes me give a dam. Come here italian boy cleo is calling!
review by Maria.
This show sucks. It perpetuates stereotypes and negative social images of italian american's and neglects to offer any insight into the issues of discrimination that italian americans face everyday. IT contributes to our young italian american's poor self-image and creates an expectation that is difficult to counter, as a parent. Our young people don't understand the dangers of imitating sterotypes even in a joking manner. As an intelligent italian american woman with a college education, who was asked by her high school guidance counselor "why college? Italian women are supposed to get pregnant and get married, in that order"! I am appauled that this movie is commanding such glory from it's (ignorant) viewers.
review by Grizzlymama.
Is it one mystery or many: Why so many people love a show that promotes hatred of an ethnic group, why some members of that ethnic group join with people of other background and hate their own heritage, and why so many people think this hate-filled show is not hate-filled?
review by Bob.
This is the greatest show I've ever seen. Why watch anything else. I hate those corny shows they give about how some corny middle class to upper class families live with unreal, fake, corny drama. That stuff goes into peoples head and makes them act like if they are like those T.V. shows. You know what, television is disgusting except for sports and documentaries. I think hollywood should burn. I grew up in the damn bronx where kids get jumped and stomped. You people who down the sopranos should go to fairy tale land.
review by Jason.
Sometimes Americans are very simple people: drinking Coca-cola and eating pop-corn in front of the video, they dream of Sicily in the 18th century and imagine that's Italy. Oh lovely, young, natural simple minds! (Greetings from old Europe)
The HBO series "The Sopranos" is an ongoing slaughter to the Italian-American cultural heritage which continues to be aired with such impunity, and worse yet, endorsement by a large majority of very uninformed second and third generation Italian Americans who fail to detect the profound negative racial profiling this TV series is administering to our communities on a weekly basis.
The stereotyping of the Italian-American character portrayed by this series is polluting the American TV audience with an historically false perspective of the role played by one of the noblest, hard working, courageous and creative European lineage that has ever set foot in this land.
The Italian-American community should not be punished for the transgressions perpetrated by a few members of organized crime. Contrary to HBO, we are not the descendents of Toni Soprano, nor we wish to identify with his wrongdoings.
We are first and foremost part of a dynamic ethnical group whose heritage is marked by the triumph of the arts and craftsmanship, politics and jurisprudence, the uniqueness of style, and humanitarian compassion. It is revolting to have our children exposed to a plethora of negative connotations, and arbitrary "italianized" foul variation of the English language.
Laden with biased racial innuendos aimed at associating Italians in America with loathsome murderers, the show has created a phenomenon that goes beyond the scope of sheer entertainment, reaching out to a large group of uninformed teenagers through a website that proposes further humiliations and criminal insinuations, including a “glossary” of sounds and criminal technical jargon presumably uttered by Italian-American subjects.
"The Sopranos" is not a motion picture but a mini-series which in time has generated an enormous popularity among the American public, being broadcast during prime time and targeted not at a specific viewership but rather to the largest slice of the viewing public. It is mind-boggling that this abominable show is now a mainstay of "family entertainment".
The most offensive aspect, at production value, in "The Sopranos" is the way in which its producers have initiated a casting call in New Jersey for "Sopranos look-alike", where professional actors were summoned amidst everyday people, of all ages and station in life.
This in turn has caused an actual physiological map of the "Italian character" that among the show's followers is constituted by a pot belly, thick eyebrows, short or stout physique, vociferous, loud and violent demeanor, a loud attire sporting gold chains around the neck, often accompanied by broken English connoting an affinity with low class, uneducated Caucasian flotsam.
This stereotype is now being sought after by the younger generations as their newly formed idea - and sometimes role model - of the word "Italian" and/or "Italian-American".
HBO’s “The Sopranos” is a vile media attack on our heritage and should not continue to be ignored, condoned, or justified behind the lame excuse, and pretext, of freedom of expression.
From N/A
A program such as the Soprano's no doubt is a hit especially among Americans who dwell on violence at the expense of us Italians , and have us Italians as the label of the world criminals who others do not seem to exists, where ever we are, we seem to be the only target on TV, News papers and Mass Media,oh! yes! Hollywood...
The people who control Hollywood enterprises have damaged and lost control, we Italians have better class then they themselves in not stereotyping others, or targeting there own background and criminal activities such as if you are Irish heritage, African Americans who have suffered under English British Empire from slavery etc., Jewish American and there empire and influence in controlling media or the Scottish heritage or the Hungarian Americans or the English British Americans the list goes on and on, it is very sad that Italian Americans can call themselves Italian heritage, if they were where is there pride, no doubt in the bank , do they really no of there own true heritage or are they to shameful to show better...
I have respect for those who show that there is no perfect race on earth and Italians or any one or let alone should not be exploited over and over for 6o years of Mass Media its a conspiracy towards us Italians and especially Sicilians we are sick and tired and Americans should re educate themselves at school, other wise the world through Hollywood will eventually show the rest that Italians have the true class in giving everyone a lesson we are civilized and still influence the world in arts, moral values and stereotyping serves those who are insecure of others and destroy the true meaning of freedom.
Freedom of expression then should practiced by Italians also, just imagine if the Italian industry showed and stereotyped other cultures for 60 years as USA has, what would you think of us of Italian heritage then..no! class, no values...
Just imagine if for 60 years we made movies and labeling English as murders of USA history, and how the Duth and Jews and Irish were worse?
But, there is no such worse or stereotyping of any cultures movies can be based on facts and no need to dwell on one race, as Marlin Brando tried many years to say this , he was out lasted by those who produce such stereotyping movies everyone is to blame and even those who are of its race, they have no values or beliefs as they came from a background that left them naive...
Get rid of this show and others , if Mr. Chase is proud then he should be the Leonardo DA Vinci of 2000, and discover another way of introducing the positive of Italians or one example make a movie on the true identity of Shakespeare he was a true Sicilian not English etc....and not a Mafia person....of course this would not sale....
Mr. Chase, your intelligent you say ask those who pay you make a movie on there twisting of minds and there history , surprise, they will not allow you to do this... exploiting them would be a sin, doing to us is okay...
Thank god we live in Canada a t least here we have been able to see the difference.
Continuing this stereotyping you will never have an American of Italian decent as President or here in Canada a Prime Minister, but you will have the Irish decent and English and others as only as leaders of a country... the damage has been done... WAKE UP!
Thanks! But, there will be day when everyone of all cultures will become one and as one get rid of this insecure and stupidity of making money on labeling and racism towards others ....Now you know who are the real criminals are here...people such as your self and your own Mafia of stereotyping in America...
Nick P./Canada
I have been a loyal Sopranos fan since the first season, have every episode on video, and hail this show as the best series to hit television in decades. It's a rare thing in television when all the creative pools (writing, direction, acting, music and editing) all gel so well together that they come up with something truly special, something we as an audience look forward to with such great anticipation That is why I can't understand David Chase's decision to make his audience wait a year and a half for the new 4th season. This is simply too long a wait. There is such a thing as continuity, riding the wave, nurturing the audience's interest. I understand that David Chase treats each episode as if it was its own movie, but let's face it, we watch this show at home on a TV, not in a theatre. And as such, TV audiences require a certain amount of consistency when devoting viewing time to a TV series. Yes, "It's HBO, but it's still TV". I think the show will lose some of its audience because of this excessively long hiatus. Even loyal fans, such as myself, who tune in for the first episode of the new season Sept. 8th, are sure to feel a certain amount of frustration having waited so long. For die hard fans like myself, the longer the wait, the greater the expectations grow. Let's hope the new season was worth holding out for.
Sincerely,
Great Expectations... Eben S.
I just finished watching the 2nd season on DVD. I think the show is in a class all its own. However, I do have a bone to pick. WHY IS IT NOT ON TV IN CANADA? We just legalized pot for medical reasons, yet we can't even watch something like the Sopranos. What the hell is wrong with this country?
Doug, Canadian
Why the HELL do we have to wait until Sept. for the Sopranos to begin? I am going nuts not having them to watch!!! What in gods name are you people thinking waiting until Sept. to premiere the new next season? Do you know we have been with out the Sopranos for over one year. i have started watching The beginning episodes of Ally McBeal and now I am caught up to today. What the hell am I going to do until Sept. ?? I have already ready every book in print and watched every tv show that could interest me. I need continued education, The Sopranos.
We NEED THE SOPRANOS NOW Robin
Just to add to the numerous responses from others who aren't offended by the show portraying an Italian-American family who is in the mob. I am also Italian and find no offense in Italians being associated with the mafia. I myself have connections and family still in Sicily who are associated with the mafia. So yes it is real to life. The mafia exists and people who watch this show more than likely have a connection to the real mafia. I think a show like this is creative and innventive. If everyone made shows that didn't offend everyone then it would be pretty dang boring. I think that every ethnic group has a stereotype, and Hollywood normally uses those stereotypes, that doesn't mean that the rest of the intellectual population takes it to heart. There are alot of Italian-Americans who are not involved in the mafia but some of their lives are just, well, boring. So it makes a better show or movie or whatever to write about the mafia. - M.Fenichiaro
I hope to god they put what happened on september.11th on the 4th season script, Tony Soprano goes ape shit, and goes to war with the arab people in jersey it would be so funny, think of the jokes that will come out of it. Sure its stereo typical but its funny. Rando.
I was listening to 10 10 Wins and they were reporting that Tony Sirico (Paulie) and Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) were seen hanging out with some real made members of a mob family from New York, I believe. They said the name of the family but I don't remember it. They also said that a star from the Godfather movies were seen hanging out too. Mark.
Has anyone heard about the BIG CONTROVERSY brewing with SOPRANO star TONY SIRCO'S New Movie "SMOKIN' STOGIES" the WORLD PREMIERE is next week at Madison Square Garden? E-online and alot of the SOPRANOS' boards are reporting that SIRICO has "BANNED" his co-star Amy Lynn(PENTHOUSE PET and HOWARD STERN regular)because he's infuriated with STERN'S comments and DISRESPECT towards the cast. Amy Lynn has close "ties" to Stern and her scenes were "ADDED IN" after SIRICO was done with the movie.SIRICO and FRANK VINCENT( Goodfellas, Casino etc.) will attend the Premiere along with other Celebs, but Amy Lynn is NOT welcomed. Looks like Howard is no "FAMILY FAVORITE"
The Sopranos is definitely the best show on television.I think it's incredibly stupid that people criticize it for stereotyping Italians.It does portray them in a negative way,but I would personally rather watch a show where Italians are portrayed as mobsters than a show where they're portrayed as perky,nausea inducing people who seem like they're on stimulants and never have any problems.Everyone has problems.I hate to admit it,but our world would be awfully boring if no one did.Also,saying The Sopranos stereotypes Italians is for portraying it's characters as mobsters is like saying the movie Blue Streak stereotypes black people for portraying Martin Lawrence's character as a thief.I'm a quarter Italian and my mom's half Italian,and we're both avid fans of the show.One of the reasons I love it so much is that Tony has a wife and children that he loves and cares about,and most people don't think of mafia leaders that way.My only complaint about the show is the Bada Bing Girls.Get rid of them already!I think we've all seen enough silicone from them. Aimee S.
I don't know what happened between last season and this, but the first two episodes of season three were about as charged as an episode of 'Diagnosis Murder'. For this they needed a cable network to produce???!!!. Watching a bunch of pussy-bureaucrats spending an hour planting a wire in a dusty lamp was truly mind-numbing. The hardest work done on the show was by the geeks who did the the computer animation of Nancy Marchand. If the show were still top-notch, Marchand's presence would still be sorely missed, as it is now, with all due respect, she may turn out to have been the luckiest member of the cast.
Maybe David Chase should've written a scene where a busload of innocent men get murdered. Nobody would've raised an eyebrow. But if you show one innocent woman getting murdered, suddenly it's over the line. "Pearl Harbor" and "Saving Private Ryan" are just two movies that show hundreds of men getting slaughtered, but that's just "generic" violence and it's okay. If a woman gets killed that's a whole separate category, "violence against women." I don't understand why that's supposed to be more shocking and offensive unless one believes that a man's life isn't worth as much as a woman's. As for Tony's racism, well -- this is a show about the Mafia, and the Mafia isn't particularly fond of black people. Big surprise. There has to be a certain amount of realism in this show or it becomes a watered-down joke. And if a person wants to see a show where the main character is someone they can respect and identify with, the Sopranos probably isn't for them. Submitted by Biped.
Growing up with Tony Sirico on Ave J. in the midwood section of Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. I had contact with Tony (then known as Jr.). I was absolutely terrified by his presence on the scene. He was a very imposing and volitle figure. There were many other guys like him in the neighboorhood where Woody Allen was raised.
I was young teen and worked in the Hangouts of "the Avenue", namely Difara's Pizza and The Candy Store, etc. Tony would come in and I would bend over backwards to take care of him in a hospitable manner. He appreciated it and returned the favor when I needed his services most. I was being "shaken down" for cash and I was in a state of Terror. I was smart enough to get word to Tony that I needed his help. He obliged me and I'm indebted to him for his kindness to me to this day. I'm one of his biggest fans.
I can also re-call the Pool Room fights and games that we were involved in. I was making $20.00 p/hr. Racking the pool balls for games of "Razzle". That was excellent money in 1967.
"Thanks for taking care of my problem Tony."
Your Pal. The Soda Jerk.
I'm one of those who lives for the Sopranos. People keep asking, "What is "IT" that makes the show so popular?" and I can only answer that no one thinks a mob boss can have so many problems. We never think of them as family men with wives and children who drive them crazy - like everyone else. Please don't correct my grammer. I do that for a living and drive my daughters crazy with it. I do have one small problem in that the Melfi rape was never really concluded to my satisfaction. Tony is very protective of her and he is so curious that I can't believe he didn't look into it, especially when she broke during one of their sessions. Looks like Pauly may jump ship. I thought he was totally loyal - another truism of the mob: You never know who you can trust - like Pussy. Thanks for the chance to discuss the Melfi thing.
This is to the two cretins who think their grammar and spelling is superior to that of other writers. First of all, Asshole #1 should have said "supposed" instead of "suppose"---and Asshole #2 should have said "its" instead of "it's"...how stupid ARE you two?
It seems to me that if you're going to correct the spelling and grammar of others, you should make sure that YOUR spelling and grammar are above reproach. But, that's only my humble opinion.
I am an American of Italian descent, and I'd like to go on record by saying that I am not offended by The Sopranos. I enjoy the show as "drama." Remember, it's just a tv show. Maybe there are certain individuals in my culture group that find it offensive. Okay, then don't watch it; don't let your kids watch it; get rid of HBO (which is another point: it's not like this is on regular tv). I suppose there are other ethnic groups that would probably get upset about drunken Irish, slow-witted Poles, Amos & Andy or Sambo African-Americans, etc. Again, it's suppose to be entertainment protected, somewhat, by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Live with it. Again, if you don't like it, don't watch it! (Apologies for repeating myself, but some times, you have to do it.) Finally, can we please use proper grammar? One of my cumpari liked to curse a lot in a previous message. Hey, amico, it's "fuckin'," not "fucken." Also, to everyone else out there: there is no word "alot." There are other moronic mistakes, but I guess it's not my job to correct so much ignorance. Submitted by Dennis V.
I agree with you on the grammar thing. Standards today, I'm telling you! I live in England, so I haven't seen the third series of... of... that show... the one with the guys and the guns... oh, it's name escapes me, but I always thought the first series was the definitive— there was something about season 2 that felt... wrong.
I don't get why people get so offended about these types of things, anyway— if they don't like it, don't watch it! There are people out there who do like this kind of thing. For every one who hates it, there is one who doesn't— it's a Catch-22 situation in a sense, so what do these people hope to achieve? I talk crap, so I'll close by saying... something. Submitted by Acroomba
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