{{Infoboks TV-serie
| tittel = Sopranos
| originaltittel = The Sopranos
| illustrasjon = 200px
| bildetekst = James Gandolfini som Tony Soprano
| sjanger = Drama
| kamera = 
| bildeformat = Film vist som NTSC (480i)<br />1080i (HDTV)
| lydformat = Stereo<br />Dolby Digital 5.1
| lengde = Cirka 50-60 minutter
| skapere = David Chase
| utvikler = 
| produsent = 
| ledende_produsent = 
| medvirkende = James Gandolfini<br />Lorraine Bracco<br />Edie Falco<br />Michael Imperioli<br />Dominic Chianese<br />Steven Van Zandt<br />Tony Sirico<br />Robert Iler<br />Jamie-Lynn Sigler<br />Drea de Matteo<br />Aida Turturro<br>Nancy Marchand<br>Vincent Pastore<br>Frank Vincent<br>Steve Schirripa
| kommentator = 
| åpningstema = 
| sluttema = 
| nasjonalitet =  USA
| språk = Engelsk
| kanal = HBO (USA), NRK (Norge)
| først = 10. januar 1999
| sist = 10. juni 2007
| periode = 
| episoder = 
| episodeliste = Liste over Sopranos-episoder
| epistot = 86
| sesonger = 6
| nettside = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/
| imdb_id = 0141842
| tv_com_id = 314
| bredde = 
}}
'''''Sopranos''''' er en amerikansk prisbelønnet drama-serie som ble vist på TV i USA fra januar 1999 til juni 2007. Den ble skapt av David Chase, og ble vist på HBO i USA. I Norge hadde serien premiere på NRK2 den 6. januar 2000, men ble etter hvert flyttet over til NRK1. Andre del av sesong 6 (avslutningen) gikk høsten 2007 på NRK3 med reprise på NRK1. Det ble totalt produsert 86 episoder og seks sesonger av serien.

Serien handler i hovedsak om familiefaren og mafiasjefen Tony Soprano og de problemer han må hanskes med, både hjemme og blant en gruppe med menn som han er sjef over i New Jerseys mafiamiljø. I tillegg sliter han med psykiske problemer og ser seg tvunget til å oppsøke psykolog. Hovedrollen som Tony Soprano spilles av James Gandolfini.

''Sopranos'' har blitt omtalt som «kanskje det største mesterstykket innen pop-kultur noensinne» av det amerikanske bransjetidsskriftet ''Vanity Fair''.<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/04/sopranos200704?currentPage=1
|tittel=An American Family
|utgiver=Vanity Fair
|forfatter=Biskind, Peter
|utgivelsesdato=April 2007
|besøksdato=2007-09-21}}

</ref> Serien er en av de siste tiårenes største TV-suksesser, og har siden 1999 vunnet flerfoldige priser, blant annet 13 Emmy-er og fem Golden Globe-priser.

== Bakgrunn og begynnelse ==
Serien hadde arbeidstittelen ''Made in Jersey'' da den første sesongen var under produksjon i 1998. Tittelen ble vurdert til å brukes til serien da enkelte i produksjonsselskapet fryktet at navnet ''Sopranos'' ville bli assosiert med musikk (Soprano = «Sopran»). Sistnevnte tittel ble likevel foretrukket, men den siste episoden av serien fikk navn etter den oprinnelige arbeidstittelen. Serien var opprinnelig tiltenkt å sendes på den amerikanske fjernsynskanalen Fox, men da de avviste seriens pilot-episode havnet serien hos HBO.<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.salon.com/ent/int/1999/01/20int.html
|tittel=Chasing TV
|utgiver=Salon.com
|forfatter=Dougherty, Robin
|besøksdato=2007-11-15}}

</ref>. Det dårlige forholdet mellom Tony og moren skulle danne utgangspunktet for serien. Dette utgangspunktet hadde seriens skaper David Chase hentet fra privatlivet sitt, og han har uttalt: «Jeg hadde lyst til å skrive om mine egne familieforhold, om en fyr som må i terapi fordi moren hans er i ferd med å ta knekken på ham. Men det er jo ingen som gidder å se på en TV-forfatter som sliter, og derfor la jeg historien til et mafiamiljø i stedet.»<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2005/12/14/452204.html
|tittel=Det nye Hollywood?
|utgiver=Dagbladet
|forfatter=Hvidsten, Sigrid
|utgivelsesdato=2005-12-14
|besøksdato=2007-11-16}}

</ref>

David Chase har også uttalt at filmen ''Mafiabrødre'' fra 1990 har vært en av inspirasjonskildene til serien.<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://archive.salon.com/ent/movies/dvd/review/2001/04/04/sopranos/index.html
|tittel=The Sopranos DVD Review
|utgiver=Salon.com
|forfatter=Stark, Jeff
|utgivelsesdato=2001-04-05
|besøksdato=2007-11-15}}

</ref> Flere sentrale skuespillere i ''Sopranos''  medvirket i ''Mafiabrødre'', blant andre Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico og Vincent Pastore. Gjennom serien henvises det også flere ganger til den kjente filmen ''Gudfaren''.

== Særtrekk ved serien ==
Temaet til serien skiller seg fra mange andre serier på grunn av at hovedessensen i den handler om de personlige sider og psykologiske problemene hos en relativt moderne amerikansk-italiensk mafiagjeng i USA. Hovedpersonen lider av panikkangst, grunnet sitt dårlige forhold til sin egen mor, og ser seg derfor nødt til å oppsøke psykolog for å få en oppklaring av personlige problemer som kommer mer og mer utenfor hans kontroll. Mafia-figuren har både på film og TV tradisjonelt blitt fremstilt som ganske endimensjonal og råbarket, der de mer vanlige menneskelige sidene har blitt utelatt. I denne serien får man se en slik person bli portrettert med helt vanlige menneskelige sider slik som folk flest. Man kan dra noen filmhistoriske paralleller til filmen ''Klute'' fra 1971, der Jane Fonda spiller rollen som en luksusprostituert på en ny og mer menneskelig måte (en rolleprestasjon som gav henne en Oscar).

Flere psykologer har uttalt at ''Sopranos'' er den første TV-serien som fremstiller psykologi på en realistisk måte. Psykiateren Finn Skårderud uttalte i 2003 at ''Sopranos'' «...er udiskutabelt den beste innføringen i hva psykoterapi kan være, noensinne, på film eller fjernsyn».<ref name="Skårderud">

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.skarderud.no/sopranos.asp
|tittel=Sopranos &ndash; Sex, løgn og psykoterapi
|utgiver=Dagbladet
|forfatter=Skårderud, Finn
|utgivelsesdato=2003-02-01
|besøksdato=2007-11-15}}

</ref> Psykiater og filmkritiker Glen Gabbard har sagt at «så godt som alle av de fire hundre amerikanske filmene med psykiatri og psykoterapi som tema, lyver, fordreier og mytologiserer. Vi terapeuter har ventet svært, svært lenge på noe som ligner litt på det som skjer på våre kontorer.»<ref name="Skårderud"/> Et annet fremtredende trekk ved hovedpersonen er hvordan han balanserer mellom å være sympatisk og usympatisk. Mafia-filmen som ligner mest på denne serien, hvis man legger vekt på det mellommenneskelige, er sannsynligvis ''Donnie Brasco'' fra 1997.

''Sopranos'' kan tildels beskrives som et eksistensielt drama der hovedelementene er kjærlighet og hat, begjær og forræderi og ensomhet og meningsløshet. TV-kritikeren Nancy Franklin fra ''machiavelliske plott og shakespearske skikkelser i livet til den tvilsomme gjengen som lever under dekke som søppelentreprenører.<ref name="Skårderud"/>

Drømmesekvensene i serien er også noe som tidvis er markant og avgjørende for den videre handlingen. Drømmesekvensene til Tony er fylt med symbolikk og peker både på hans problemer på det rent personlige plan, men også på farer som truer; farer som han på et annet bevissthetsnivå er klar over. Første gang dette ble brukt var i siste episode av sesong to («Funhouse»), der han i drømmene «får vite» at hans gode venn Salvatore «Big Pussy» Bonpensiero er informant for FBI. I sesongens tidligere episoder antydes det flere ganger at Tony er klar over dette på et annet bevissthetsnivå. I episoden «The Test Dream» finner vi et annet eksempel der drømmene hans er viktig for handlingen. Også her er han på et eller annet bevissthetsnivå forut for drømmen klar over hva som er i ferd med å skje. I den langvarige drømmen han har mens han ligger i koma på begynnelsen av sesong seks, opplever han en «nær døden-opplevelse»<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/tonydreams_six.html
|tittel=The stuff that Tony's dreams are made of
|utgiver=The Star-Ledger
|forfatter=Sepinwall, Alan
|utgivelsesdato=2006-03-06
|besøksdato=2007-11-21}}

</ref>.

Serien skiller seg ut fra de fleste andre TV-serier ved at den ligger nærmere filmmediet enn det TV-produksjoner tradisjonelt gjør. Mediekommentator Anders Giæver sier at «Den var blant de første seriene uten reklamepauser, dermed slipper man den typiske oppbyggingen i forhold til reklamepausen, som vanligvis kommer i amerikanske serier. Istedenfor er hver episode som en liten spillefilm, også med tilsvarende dramaturgisk oppbygging. Sånn sett var The Sopranos noe temmelig nytt i TV-serie-sammenheng». Han uttaler videre at «..den eneste andre serien med tilsvarende preg som han kan huske er David Lynchs ''Twin Peaks'' fra begynnelsen av 1990-tallet. – Men den serien var samtidig noe helt annet.»<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.nytid.no/index.php?sk=9&id=4316
|tittel=Shakespearske Sopranos
|utgiver=Ny Tid
|forfatter=Gjerstad, Nils Vermund
|utgivelsesdato=2007-09-07
|besøksdato=2007-11-21}}

</ref>. I Norge kan man kanskje dra paralleller til den norske mini-serien ''Torpedo'' som gikk på TV 2 i 2007.

Serien har også vekket en del oppsikt på grunn av dens direkte skildringer av bannskap, vold, sex og nakenhet. Den forholdsvist sterke bruken av disse virkemidlene førte til at HBO spesialredigerte serien til en mildere versjon for TV-seerne i USA. Denne versjonen har tonet ned på nevnte virkemidler; blant annet har nakendanserne på «Bada Bing» på seg BH.  Det amerikanske TV-selskapet A&E kjøpte denne versjonen i 2007.<ref>

{{kilde www
|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=389&num=9419
|tittel=On A&E, Tony Soprano, less dirty talk
|utgiver=Media Life Magazine
|forfatter=Vasquez, Diego
|utgivelsesdato=2007-01-10
|besøksdato=2007-11-21}}

</ref>

== Handling ==
thumb|300px|Huset til familien Sopranos i [[North Caldwell i New Jersey.]]
Handlingen i ''Sopranos'' utspiller seg i New Jersey; kjerneområdet for mafia-sjefen Tony Soprano og hans familie, både i privat og profesjonell forstand. Tony er er plaget av stadig tilbakevendende anfall av panikkangst og oppsøker derfor psykolog for å bli kurert for sine angstanfall. Samtidig strever han med å holde rivaliserende gjenger i sjakk, samt å opprettholde en skjør maktbalanse innad i sin egen gruppe. Myndighetene er stadig i hælene på Tony, men har han lykkes i å holde dem unna. Han forsøker også å være en god og ansvarlig ektemann, noe han har vekslende hell med.

=== Første sesong ===
Seriens første sesong begynner med at Tony kollapser etter et anfall av panikkangst. Etter hvert innser han at problemet ikke har fysiske årsaker og begynner derfor å gå i terapi hos psykiater dr. Jennifer Melfi. Etter hvert får vi avdekket at mye av hans psykiske problemer bunner i hans oppvekst med en manipulerende og psykisk syk mor. I tillegg til dette har han problemer på hjemmefronten med barna, særlig da hans egen datter begynner å stille spørsmål om hans virksomhet. Som om det ikke er nok må han også tøyle nevøen som er litt for ivrig etter å vise at han er en stor mann. Dette er bare begynnelsen på Tonys problemer. Han oppdager også omsider at noen i hans egen gruppe er informant for FBI.

Corrado «Junior» Soprano, blir innsatt som sjef etter den forrige bossens død. Han er en gammeldags mafiamann - og Tonys onkel. Junior får snart masse innflytelse, i hvert fall tror han det selv. Mektige krefter i «Familien» lar ham tro at han driver forretningene. På denne måten er det Junior som blir tatt hvis FBI kommer etter dem. Når Corrado for nyss om hvem som er den egentlige sjefen planlegger han å ta livet av Tony. Etter hvert begynner gruppen å dele seg i to leire der den ene leiren støtter Corrado. Rasende over drapsforsøket mot seg planlegger han å få sin onkel drept, samt utrenske de i gruppen som støtter ham. Samtidig med dette får han også bevis for at hans egen mor Livia hadde en finger med i komplottet om å drepe ham, og det hele ender med at han tar et voldsomt oppgjør med henne på sykehuset hvor hun ligger slagrammet. Corrado og hans nærmeste har også fått nyss i at han går til psykiater, og etter drapsforsøket mot seg selv råder han sin psykiater til å forlate byen. Mafiaboss Corrado ender imidlertid opp med å bli arrestert og fengslet før Tony får sin hevn

=== Andre sesong ===
Ved starten av sesong to blir et tidligere medlem av gruppen, Richie Aprile, løslatt fra fengsel etter ti år. Han viser seg snart å bli en ukontrollbar medspiller for Tony. Samtidig med dette innleder han et forhold til Tonys søster Janice, noe som ytterligere vanskeliggjør situasjonen. Tonys nære venn og mafioso, Salvatore «Big Pussy» Bonpensiero, returnerer på samme tid til New Jersey etter at han stakk av under bandekrigen som oppstod på slutten av forrige sesong. Til tross for forsikringer om sin lojalitet innser Tony etter hvert at han er den som er FBI-innformanten. På slutten av sesongen tar Tony, Silvio og Paulie et dødelig oppgjør med «Big Pussy» da de alle er ombord på Tonys båt langt til havs. På toppen av dette får han livsviktig informasjon fra sin fengslede onkel Corrado om at Richie Aprile har seriøse planer om å samle en gjeng for å drepe Tony, med den hensikt å selv ta over rollen som mafiaboss. Men før Tony rekker å stoppe dette oppløpet blir Richie skutt og drept av sin samboer Janice, etter en voldsom krangel mellom de to. Tony kommer henne til unsetning og sørger for å kvitte seg av med liket.

=== Tredje sesong ===
Sesong tre begynner med tilbakekomsten til den ambisiøse Ralph Cifaretto etter et lengre opphold i Florida. Han blir raskt involvert med Rosalie Aprile (enken til den forrige mafiabossen) som også er en venn av Tonys familie. Til tross for sin personlige aversjon mot Ralph og hans framferd, velger han motvillig å forfremme ham til kaptein på grunn av hans forretnings-ferdigheter, samt på oppfordringer fra New York-mafians høyre hånd Johnny «Sack». Samtidig med dette har han problemer på hjemmebane med sin sønn AJ som ikke finner seg tilrette på skolen. Christopher, Tonys svoger, blir etter lang tids venting tatt opp som medlem av mafiaen. Jackie Aprile, Jr. (sønn av Rosalie) blir involvert med Meadow, Tonys datter, og begynner samtidig å skli ut i et liv som mer og mer er preget av kriminalitet. Tony prøver å lede ham vekk fra den kriminelle løpebanen ved blant annet å snakke ansikt til ansikt med ham. Til tross for Tonys formaninger og advarsler går han kraftig over streken da han og noen kompiser forsøker å rane et pokerlag med mafia-folk. Siden det var Ralphs pokerlag bestemmer Tony seg for å la ham avgjøre hva som skal skje med Jackie, som nå er gått i dekning. Til tross for at Ralph nå fungerer som hans stefar bestemmer han seg for å få Jackie drept.

=== Fjerde sesong ===
I fjerde sesong ender Tony og Ralph omsider opp i en voldsom slåsskamp i Ralphs hjem, der Tony til slutt dreper ham. Bakgrunnen var at Tony mistenkte ham for å ha drept deres felles veddeløpshest Pie-O-My i en mistenkelig brann. I tillegg til dette mislikte Tony hans voldelige oppførsel mindre og mindre. Dette, sammen med drapet på strippersken og en nylig strid mellom Ralph og Johnny «Sack», var det som fikk begeret til å renne over for Tony. Spenning mellom Tony og hans hustru Carmela når nye høyder da en av hans elskerinner ringer hjem til ham og snakker med Carmella. Hendelsen fører til at han flytter ut. Tony blir oppsøkt av Johnny Sack (New York-mafians høyre hånd) som kommer med et forslag om hans gruppe er villig til å myrde hans egen boss, Carmine Lupertazzi, men Tony ender opp med å avslå tilbudet. Adriana, Christophers samboer, blir tvunget til å bli informant for FBI da en kvinnelig FBI-agent lurer henne til å tro at hun er hennes veninne, og senere sørger for å få henne arrestert for besittelse av narkotika. Klemt mellom to alternativer der det ene innebærer flere års fengselsstraff og det andre informant, velger hun det siste.

=== Femte sesong ===
I femte sesong blir Tonys søskenbarn, Tony Blundetto, løslatt fra fengsel sammen med flere andre kjente mafia-personer. Feech La Manna, en aldrende mafia-fyr blir også løslatt på samme tid og krever å få tilbake sin gamle posisjon i gruppen. Feech ambisjoner strekker seg imidlertid lengre enn det Tony liker, noe som skaper unødige problemer for ham og gruppen. Da Tony sanser at Feech har ambisjoner om å rydde ham vekk for selv å innta rollen som boss, tar han en avgjørelse som medfører at Feech blir lokket i en felle og sendt tilbake til fengselet. New York-boss Carmine dør uventet av hjerneslag uten å ha utnevnt noen etterfølger. Dette leder til en intern maktkamp i New York-mafiaen mellom Johnny «Sack» på den ene siden og Carmines sønn, «Little» Carmine Lupertazzi, på den andre. Til tross for sitt nære vennskap til Johnny Sack forsøker Tony å holde sin gjeng unna stridighetene i New York. Men da hans søskenbarn Blundetto på egenhånd involverer seg i maktkampen på «Little» Carmines side og dreper to medlemmer av New York mafiaen tilhørende Johnny Sacks fraksjon (inkludert bror til den nylig løslatte Phil Leotardo), bryter det ut full krig mellom New York og New Jersey. 

Leotardo forlanger overfor Tony at han skal overlevere Blundetto, men Tony nekter og sier han ikke vet hvor han er siden han skjønner at Blundetto både vil bli torturert og drept hvis Leotardo får hånd om ham. Etterhver klarer Tony å finne ut hvor Blundetto har gått i dekning og dreper ham før Leotardo får fatt i ham. Johnny Sack vinner maktkampen i New York. Tony innleder samtale med ham der han argumenterer for at striden mellom de to gruppene må bilegges siden hans søskenbarn nå er død. Nølende går Sack med på dette under et avtalt møte mellom de to på verandaen i hans hus. Samtidig som de to enes i saken dukker flere FBI-folk opp og arresterer Johnny Sack. Christopher Moltisanti oppdager til sin forskrekkelse at hans forlovede Adriana er en informant for FBI. Etter en voldsom krangel der han nesten dreper Adriana, går han etter hvert med på hennes oppfordring om å gå inn i et vitneprogram sammen med henne. Senere bestemmer han seg imidlertid for å fortelle alt til Tony. Adriana blir lurt i en felle og drept av Silvio på ordre fra Tony. Tony klarer omsider å overtale Carmela til å la ham flytte inn igjen.

=== Sjette sesong ===
I begynnelsen av sesong seks blir Tony skutt og alvorlig skadd av sin nå senile onkel Corrado, som på sin side tror han ble utsatt for et drapsforsøk da Tony kom for å besøke ham i det huset han er idømt husarrest. På sykehuset ligger han i koma i flere dager og opplever de merkeligste drømmer, samt en nær døden-opplevelse like før han våkner opp etter en kritisk opperasjon. Opplevelsene endrer hans syn på livet og han bestemmer seg for å ta hver ny dag som en gave. Vel hjemme støter han imidlertid på nye problemer da hans nære medarbeider Vito blir avslørt som homoseksuell. Tony møter press fra sin egen gruppe som ønsker Vito fjernet etter de sjokkerende avsløringene. Press møter han også fra Phil Leotardo, som er svogeren til Vito. Leotardo, som nå er fungerende boss etter at Sack ble fengslet, beslutter imidlertid å ta hele affæren i egne hender og dreper Vito da han etter flere dager i skjul returnerer til New Jersey. Tonys gjeng blir tvunget til å slå tilbake og dreper en i Leotardos gruppe («Fat Doom») som var med på å ta livet av Vito. Dette utløser på nytt en krig mellom Tony og Phil Leotardo, men som bilegges da Phil får et hjerteinfarkt og må innlegges på sykehus.

I begynnelsen av andre del av sesong seks viser Bobby seg fra en ny og mer voldsom side da Tony og kona besøker Bobby og Janice på det idylliske landstedet der de bor. Bobby begår i tillegg sitt første drap etter ordre fra Tony. Christophers skrekkfilm, ''Cleaver'', har førpremiere og Tony og de fleste av hans menn, samt deres koner er på premieren. Tony blir imidlertid usikker på Christophers motiver da han igjenkjenner flere elementer i filmen fra det virkelige livet som ligner faretruende mye på ham. Johnny Sack får vite at han har AA-møtene. Senere kjører Christopher bil i narkorus med Tony som passasjer. Bilen kjører utfor veien og Christopher blir alvorlig skadd. Tony, som bare har overfladiske skader, slår nummeret til nødssentralen, men ombestemmer seg i siste liten. Han klapper sammen mobiltelefonen og i steden for å tilkalle hjelp kveler han sin nevø. Obduksjonen konkluderer med at han døde av skadene i krasjet.

Dr. Melfi blir overbevist fra sine kollegaer om at Tony ikke gjør noen fremgang og at han kanskje til og med utnytter terapien til sin egen psykopatiske fordel. Hun beslutter å droppe ham som pasient. Det begynner å brygge til ufred mellom New York og New Jersey da dumpingen av et parti asbest skaper uenighet mellom de to familiene. Forholdet forverres ytterligere da Tony i raseri sparker ut tennene på en av Leotardos menn etter at han hadde kommet med skjulte seksuelle trusler til Tonys datter Meadow. En megling mellom Tony og Leotardo, etter initiativ av Carmine junior, fører ikke fram og etter hvert eskalerer det til full krig mellom de to mafiabossene og deres respektive grupper. I krigen som følger beordrer Leotardo at Bobby, Silvio og Tony skal drepes. Bobby er den første som blir drept da han gjennomhulles av to drapsmenn i en leketøysbutikk. Senere utsettes Silvio og Patsy for et drapsforsøk da de forlater Bada Bing. Silvio blir alvorlig skadd og havner i koma, mens Patsy slipper unna. Angrepet fører til at Tony og hans familie må gå i dekning. Leotardos støttespillere bestemmer seg imidlertid for å ignorerer ordren om å drepe Tony, og gir ham derfor en mulighet til å slå tilbake mot Leotardo. Tony får i tillegg informasjon fra en FBI-agent om Leotardos skjulested, noe som avstedkommer et dødelig attentat mot ham på en bensinstasjon. Etter Leotardos død slutter de to familiene fred. Serien slutter med at Tony og familien spiser middag på en kro.

== Hovedpersoner ==
thumb|[[James Gandolfini spiller Tony Soprano.]]
thumb|Meadow Soprano spilles av [[Jamie-Lynn Sigler.]]
thumb|[[Michael Imperioli spiller Tonys nevø Christopher Moltisanti]]
*'''Tony Soprano''' (født Anthony John Soprano sr. i 1959) ble i 1998 leder («streetboss») for mafiaen i New Jersey etter at Jackie Aprile sr. døde av kreft. Offisielt tar Tonys onkel, Corrado «Junior» Soprano, over som boss, men Tony er den egentlige bossen. Han styrker sin posisjon ytterligere da Corrado blir idømt husarrest. Gift med Carmela og har to barn, Meadow and Anthony (AJ). Slektinger: Livia Soprano (mor), Johnny Boy Soprano (far), Corrado «Junior» Soprano (onkel), Quintina Blundetto (tante), Janice Soprano (søster), Barbara Giglione (søster), Tony Blundetto (søskenbarn).

*'''Carmela Soprano''' (født DeAngelis rundt 1960) er gift med Tony Soprano og er hjemmeværende husmor. Er mor til Meadow and Anthony (AJ). Slektinger: Hugh De Angelis (far), Mary De Angelis (mor), Christopher Moltisanti (søskenbarn) og Brian Cammarata (søskenbarn).

*'''Dr. Jennifer Melfi, M.D.''' (født rundt 1960) er utdannet psykiater og behandler Tony Sopranos for hans panikkanfall. Slektinger: Aida Melfi (mor), Joseph Melfi (far) , Richard LaPenna (eks-mann) og Jason LaPenna (sønn).

*'''Christopher Moltisanti''' (født rundt 1970) er en mafiatilknyttet fyr som ble fullverdig medlem av New Jersey-mafian i 2001. På grunn av slektskapet mellom han og Tonys hustru regner Tony ham som sin fremtidige høyre hånd og mellommann. Var kjæreste og forlovet med Adriana La Cerva til hun ble drept i sesong 5. Har problemer med både alkohol og narkotika, noe som er et tilbakenvendende problem for Tony og de andre i gruppen. Slektinger: Joanne Moltisanti (mor), Richard «Dickie» Moltisanti (far, død), Carmela Soprano (søskenbarn til faren) og  Tony Blundetto (søskenbarn).

{{Infobox Television
| show_name      = The Sopranos
| image          = 275px| <!-- Keep this image. Do NOT replace it with the title screen. See talk page. -->
| caption        = Promotional art from season 2 depicting the main cast
| genre          = Drama 
| creator        = David Chase
| developer      = 
| presenter      = 
| starring       =  guest starring = [[Jerry Alder
| narrated       = 
| theme_music_composer = 
| opentheme      = "Woke Up This Morning" (Chosen One Mix) <br>by Alabama 3
| endtheme       = 
| composer       = 
| country        = 
| language       = English
| num_seasons    = 6
| num_episodes   = 86
| list_episodes  = List of The Sopranos episodes
| producer       = 
| executive_producer = David Chase<br>Brad Grey<br>Ilene S. Landress<br>Terence Winter<br>Matthew Weiner <!-- As of Season 6 -->
| location       = New Jersey<br>Silvercup Studios
| camera         = 
| runtime        = approx. 50 min.<br>(commercial-free)
| network        = HBO
| picture_format = Film shown as NTSC or PAL (depending of the country)<br>480i/576i (SDTV)<br>720p/1080i (HDTV)
| audio_format   = Stereo<br />Dolby Digital 5.1
| first_run      = 
| first_aired    = January 10, 1999
| last_aired     = June 10, 2007
| preceded_by    = 
| followed_by    = 
| related        = 
| website        = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/
| imdb_id        = 0141842
| tv_com_id      = 314
}}
'''''The Sopranos''''' is<!-- "is," not "was"! --> an American premium cable network six seasons and 86 episodes. Since premiering on HBO, the show has been broadcast by many networks in dozens of other countries.

Set and produced in New Jersey,<ref name="bury">{{cite web 
|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20033896,00.html 
|title=Burying the Sopranos
|accessdate=2007-10-07
|last=Wolk
|first=Josh
|date=2007-04-06
|publisher=''Entertainment Weekly''}}</ref>
the series revolves around mobster criminal organization he heads. The show is noted for Chase's multifaceted, Chase and his co-writers have addressed a large number of psychological, philosophical, social and political themes and motifs.<ref name="badabyequote"> 
{{cite web
|url=http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/tv/features/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6495000
|title=Bada Bye To The Sopranos
|last=Cooper
|first=Lorna
|publisher=MSN
|year=2007
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|quote=All these elements combined for a fresh perspective on familiar subject matters: infidelity, religion, race, homosexuality, familial strife, psychological abuse, depression..}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.crankyeditor.com/Portfolio/Awards%20&%20Press/Deconstructing%20'The%20Sopranos'.htm 
|title=Deconstructing ''The Sopranos'' 
|last=Kelly 
|first=David
|publisher=''The New York Times'' 
|date=2002-09-15 
|accessdate=2007-11-14 
|quote=Literary critics and historians, neo-Marxists and theoretical feminists, postmodernists and pre-post-post-structuralists are scrambling to stake their claims to David Chase's series.}}</ref><ref name="chaseHBO">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/crew/david_chase.shtml 
|title=David Chase profile at HBO.com 
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|publisher=HBO}}</ref><ref name="nytimesover">
{{cite news
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/arts/television/08stan.html
|title=This Thing of Ours, It’s Over
|last=Stanley
|first=Alessandra
|publisher=''The New York Times''
|date=2007-04-08
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|quote=The series lowered the bar on permissible violence, sex and profanity at the same time that it elevated viewers’ taste, cultivating an appetite for complexity, wit and cinematic stylishness on a serial drama in which psychological themes flickered and built and faded and reappeared.}}</ref>

A major commercial and critical success,<ref name="hollywoodreporter">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3i5caaebc3b67867e5395b97e39aa8026d
|title=Sopranos signoff marks end of era
|last=Flaherty
|first=Michael
|publisher=''The Hollywood Reporter''
|date=2007-06-08
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref><ref name="familyman">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2002/sepoct/features/chase.html 
|title=Family Man
|last=Oxfeld
|first=Jesse
|year=2002
|accessdate=2007-09-22
|publisher=''Stanford Magazine''}}</ref>
''The Sopranos'' is the most financially successful cable series in the history of television<ref name="nytimespush">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/arts/television/11cnd-sopranos.html
|title=HBO Pushes End of 'The Sopranos' to 2007
|last=Carter
|first=Bill
|date=2005-08-11
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|publisher=''The New York Times''
|quote=The drama about a New Jersey mob family has won more Emmy awards than any other show on cable TV and has frequently drawn audiences larger than programs competing against it on broadcast networks even though HBO is available in only about a third as many homes.}}</ref><ref name="articlebase"/>
and has frequently been described by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time.<ref name="greatest">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2007/09/15/best_show 
|title=The best TV show of all time
|date=2007-09-15
|last=Traister
|first=Rebbeca 
|accessdate=2007-09-22
|publisher=Salon.com}}</ref><ref name="metacritics6">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/sopranosseason6?q=sopranos
|title=Sopranos, The (HBO) - Reviews from Metacritic
|accessdate=2007-10-02
|publisher=MetaCritic}}</ref><ref name ="Time"/><ref name="TVguide"/>
The show has been credited for bringing a greater level of artistry to the television medium and paving the way for many successful drama series that followed.<ref name="popmatters">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/32795/the-sopranos-is-the-most-influential-television-drama-ever/
|title=The Sopranos Is the Most Influential Television Drama Ever 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|last=Ryan
|first=Maureen
|date=2007-04-23 
|publisher=PopMatters}}</ref><ref name="popmatters2">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/news/article/42058/how-will-the-sopranos-end/
|title=How will 'The Sopranos' end?
|accessdate=2007-10-07 
|last=Boedeker
|first=Hal
|date=2007-06-04 
|publisher=PopMatters
|quote=But the drama was widely influential for revealing that cable would accommodate complex series about dark characters. "The Sopranos" ushered in "Six Feet Under," "The Shield," "Rescue Me" and "Big Love."}}</ref><ref name="fortwave">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.fortwaynereader.com/story.php?uid=674 
|title=The Sopranos – "Oh Poor You!" 
|last=Ehrmann 
|first=Bert 
|date=2006-03-20 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|publisher=''Fort Wayne Reader'' 
|quote=One of the more important aspects of The Sopranos phenomenon is that it paved the way for a slew of excellent series all willing to take risks.}}</ref>
It has also won numerous awards, including twenty-one Emmys and five Golden Globes.<ref name="goodmag">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/not_tv
|title=Not TV
|last=Lechner
|first=Jack
|accessdate=2007-10-07
|publisher=''GOOD Magazine''
|quote=The Sopranos (1999–present)
Creator David Chase on his mob hit: "Let's just say some people get hurt."
Awards: 5 Golden Globes, 18 Emmys}}</ref><ref name="59themmys">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296977,00.html
|title=List of 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Winners
|date=2007-09-16
|accessdate=2007-10-07
|publisher=FOX News}}</ref>

A staple of 2000s American popular culture,<ref name="hollywoodreporter"/><ref name="familyman"/> ''The Sopranos'' has been the subject of much parody and analysis,<ref name="nytimes"/> and has spawned books,<ref name="books">
{{cite web 
|url=http://store.hbo.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1901329&cp=1885646 
|title=The Sopranos books at HBO Store 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|publisher=HBO}}</ref>
a video game,<ref name="roadtorespect">
{{cite web 
|url=http://ps2.ign.com/objects/826/826381.html
|title=The Sopranos: Road to Respect at IGN 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> 
high-charting soundtrack albums,<ref name="albuma">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfqxqekldje~T3 |
title=''The Sopranos: Music from the HBO Original Series'': Billboard Albums at Allmusic 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref><ref name="albumb">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gpfyxq80ldte~T3 
|title=''The Sopranos: Peppers & Eggs (Music From the HBO Original Series)'': Billboard Albums at Allmusic |accessdate=2007-09-22 
|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref> 
and a large amount of assorted merchandise.<ref name="merch">
{{cite web 
|url=http://store.hbo.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=1885646&clickid=mainnav_shows_txt 
|title=HBO Store - The Sopranos 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|publisher=HBO}}</ref>
==Production==
===Conception===
Prior to creating ''The Sopranos'', television writer for over 20 years and was well-known in television circles for his dark, edgy writing.<ref name="chaseHBO"/><ref name="vanity"/> He had been employed as a staff writer/producer for several I'll Fly Away'', and ''Northern Exposure'')<ref name="fortwave"/><ref name="referencechase">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/53/David-Chase.html
|title=David Chase Biography (1945-)
|publisher=[http://www.filmreference.com www.filmreference.com]
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
and had created one original series, ''Almost Grown'', in 1988.<ref name="wgafontana">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.wga.org/writtenby/writtenbysub.aspx?id=2354
|title=Wiseguys: A conversation between David Chase and Tom Fontana.
|last=Lee
|first=Mark
|year=2007
|month=May
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|publisher=Writers Guild of America, west}}</ref><ref name="eagle">
{{cite news 
|last=Baker
|first=Kathryn
|title=Almost Grown: tells story of growing up
|pages=9A
|publisher=''Wichita Eagle''
|date=1988-11-23}}</ref>
Before his success with ''The Sopranos'', Chase had won two Emmy Awards: one in 1980 for writing the TV movie ''Off the Minnesota Strip'', and one in 1978 for his work on the ''The Rockford Files'' (shared with fellow producers).<ref name="familyman"/><ref name="chasehollywood">
{{cite web
|title=
|url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/David_Chase/1115964
|title=David Chase at Hollywood.com
|publisher=[http://www.hollywood.com www.hollywood.com]
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>

The story of ''The Sopranos'' was initially conceived as a Lloyd Braun, Chase decided to adapt it into a television series.<ref name="wgafontana"/> In 1995, Chase signed a development deal with pilot script.<ref name="familyman"/><ref name="vanity"/><ref name="pilotinterview">
{{cite video
|people=David Chase and Peter Bogdanovich
|year=1999
|title="The Sopranos" - David Chase interview
|medium=DVD
|publisher=HBO
}}</ref>
Drawing heavily from his personal life and his experiences growing up in New Jersey, Chase has stated that he tried to "apply [his own] family dynamic to mobsters."<ref name="Salon">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.salon.com/ent/int/1999/01/20int.html 
|title=Chasing TV 
|date=1999-01-20 
|accessdate=2007-09-22 
|last=Dougherty 
|first=Robin 
|publisher=Salon.com}}</ref> 
For instance, the tumultuous relationship between series Livia, is  partially based on Chase's relationship with his own mother.<ref name="Salon"/> Chase was also in therapy at the time and modeled 
the character of Dr. Jennifer Melfi after his own psychiatrist.<ref name="chaseRS">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9448169/sopranos_creator_shoots_straight 
|title="Sopranos" Creator Shoots Straight
|last=Dana
|first=Will
|date=2006-03-10
|accessdate=2007-11-11
|publisher=''gangster films like ''crime series ''The Untouchables'' as well as witnessing such people growing up,<ref name="chaseHBO"/><ref name="chaseRS"/> and decided to use a Mafia backdrop for his show because he felt a series about a television writer in therapy would not be particularly interesting to watch.<ref name="wgafontana"/><ref name="Salon"/> He also thought the setting would allow him to explore themes such as Italian-American identity and the nature of violence, among many others.<ref name="wgafontana"/><ref name="pilotinterview"/> Chase himself is Italian-American, his original family name being DeCesare.<ref name="chaseNJ">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/030401chase.html
|title=Boss of bosses
|last=Zoller Seitz
|first=Matt
|date=2001-03-04
|accessdate=2007-11-27
|publisher=''The Star-Ledger''}}</ref>

Chase and producer FOX showed interest but passed on it after Chase presented them the pilot script.<ref name="pilotinterview"/> Chase and Grey eventually pitched the show to then-president of HBO Original Programming, Chris Albrecht, who recognized the originality and potential of the show, and decided to finance the shooting of a pilot episode.<ref name="familyman"/><ref name="vanity"/> Albrecht is quoted as saying:

The pilot episode (called "The Sopranos" on the DVD release but commonly just referred to as "Pilot") was shot in 1997.<ref name="hollywoodreporter"/> Chase, having previously directed episodes of ''The Rockford Files'' and ''Almost Grown'',<ref name="referencechase"/> directed it himself. After the pilot was finished and shown to the HBO executives, the show was put on hold for a year before HBO eventually decided to produce it and ordered a full 13-episode season.<ref name="familyman"/><ref name="vanity"/> The show premiered on HBO on Oz''.

===Casting===
right|thumb|250px|Season 6 cast
Like the characters they portray on the show, many of the actors on ''The Sopranos'' are gangster film ''Goodfellas'', including main cast members Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, and Tony Sirico. A total of eight ''The Sopranos'' actors also appeared in the 1999 comedy ''Mickey Blue Eyes''.

The main cast was put together through a process of auditions and readings. Actors often didn't know whether David Chase liked their performances or not. Michael Imperioli, who beat out several actors for the part of Christopher Moltisanti, recalls "He's got a poker face, so I thought he wasn't into me, and he kept giving me notes and having me try it again, which often is a sign that you're not doing it right. I thought, I'm not getting this. So he said, 'Thank you,' and I left. I didn't expect to hear back. And then they called."<ref name="vanity"/> James Gandolfini was invited to audition for the part of Tony Soprano after casting director Susan Fitzgerald saw a short clip of his performance in the 1993 film ''True Romance''.<ref name="vanity"/> Lorraine Bracco, who had previously played the role of mob wife Karen Hill in ''Goodfellas'', was originally asked to play the role of Carmela Soprano. She took the role of Dr. Jennifer Melfi instead because she wanted to try something different and felt the part of the highly educated Dr. Melfi would be more of a challenge for her.<ref name="bracco">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.lbracco.com/stuffonline2004.htm
|title=Sopranos star Lorraine Bracco thought her five minutes of fame had ended with Goodfellas.
|last=Davis
|first=Ivor
|coauthors=Haward, Anthony
|date=2004-07-18
|accessdate=2007-11-11
|publisher=[http://www.lbracco.com/ www.lbracco.com]
|quote="We first spoke about Carmela," says Bracco, "but it would have been too much of the same for me if I'd taken it... I had done it in Goodfellas and I had done it very well, and to do it again was not the right thing. I told him I loved the script and wanted to play Dr. Melfi. And he bought it."}}</ref>
Tony Sirico, who has a criminal background related to the Mafia,<ref name="sirico1">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(gdv2j32jp5tjuvzglksj2t45))/view.aspx?ID=12567
|title=AmIAnnoying - Tony Sirico
|publisher=AmIAnnoying.com
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref>
signed on to play rat."<ref name="sirico2">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.the-sopranos.com/cast/tony.htm
|title=Cast: The-Sopranos.com - Tony Sirico
|publisher=[http://www.the-sopranos.com www.thesopranos.com]
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref>
David Chase invited "Little Steven" Van Zandt (known as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony and being impressed with his appearance and presence. Van Zandt, who had never acted before, eventually agreed to star on the show on the condition that he didn't take a part a professional actor was also trying out for. Chase then created the character of Silvio Dante especially for Van Zandt.<ref name="vanzandt1">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/18/sunday/main2581880.shtml
|title=A Hit Man In More Ways Than One
|publisher=CBS News
|date=2007-03-18
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref><ref name="vanzandt2">
{{cite web
|url=http://tv.yahoo.com/steven-van-zandt/contributor/1043027/bio
|title=Steven Van Zandt biography at Yahoo
|publisher=Yahoo!
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref><ref name="vanzandt3">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/arts/television/10cart.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
|title=One Final Whack at That HBO Mob
|last=Carter
|first=Bill
|publisher=''The New York Times''
|date=2007-06-10
|accessdate=2007-11-27}}</ref>
Silvio Dante's wife on the show is played by Van Zandt's real-life wife.

With the exception of Oscar nominee Lorraine Bracco (''Goodfellas''), Dominic Chianese (''stage work) and Emmy-winner Nancy Marchand (''Lou Grant''), the cast of the debut season of the series was made up of largely unknown actors. After the breakthrough success of the show, many cast members were noted for their acting ability and received mainstream attention for their performances.<ref name="bury"/><ref name="vanity"/> Subsequent seasons saw some well-known actors (John Heard, Robert Patrick, Peter Riegert, Annabella Sciorra, and David Strathairn.  Also there were several well known actors who appeared in just one episode, such as Charles S. Dutton, Sydney Pollack and Ken Leung

===Crew===

Series creator editing and do extensive re-writing of episodes written by other writers.<ref name="bury"/><ref name="vanityfamily"/> Many members of the creative team behind ''The Sopranos'' were handpicked by Chase, some being old friends and colleagues of his, others were selected after interviews conducted by producers of the show.<ref name="vanity"/><ref name="HBOcastcrew">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/
|title=HBO: The Sopranos: Cast and Crew
|publisher=HBO
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref>

Many of the show's writers wrote for television prior to ''The Sopranos''. Writing team and married couple Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess, who together wrote or co-wrote 19 episodes of the series between 1999 and 2006, had worked with Chase on ''Northern Exposure''. During the early stages of the show's development, Chase approached the two about a position as staff writers.<ref name="greenburgess">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.tomsgames.com/us/fringedrinking/2007/10/the_sopranos_from_a_different.html
|title=The Sopranos From a Different Perspective
|last=Konow
|first=David
|work=[http://www.tomsgames.com/us/fringedrinking/ Fringe Drinking]
|date=2007-10-25
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Terence Winter, who became a writer for the show during its second season, practiced law for two years before deciding to pursue a career as a screenwriter, eventually catching the attention of Chase.<ref name="Winter">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/crew/terence_winter.shtml
|title=HBO: Terence Winter, Executive Producer : The Sopranos
|publisher=HBO
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref>
AMC in 2007). The script was passed on to Chase who, after reading it, was so impressed that he immediately offered Weiner a job as a writer for ''The Sopranos''.<ref name="nytimesweiner">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/arts/television/18madm.html?ex=1342411200&en=c2bc74ac3cdf6288&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
|title=In Act 2, the TV Hit Man Becomes a Pitch Man
|last=Steinberg
|first=Jacques
|publisher=''The New York Times''
|date=2007-07-18
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref> 
Two cast members have also written episodes for the show: Michael Imperioli, who plays Christopher Moltisanti, is also a screenwriter and has written five episodes of the series, many of which deal with Italian-American issues;<ref name="Imperioli">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/actor/michael_imperioli.shtml
|title=HBO: Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti: The Sopranos
|publisher=HBO
|accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref>
Angie Bonpensiero, also wrote the season five episode "All Happy Families...".

Before directing ''The Sopranos'', many of the directors worked on other television series. Many of the directors also have backgrounds in John Patterson (13 episodes), Alan Taylor (9 episodes), all of whom have a background in television.<ref name="HBOcastcrew"/> Recurring cast members the pilot and the series finale. Alik Sakharov was the show's original director of photography, later alternating episodes with Phil Abraham.<ref name="dop">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/dpfeature/index.shtml
|title=HBO: Sopranos: Behind the Scenes: Director of Photography Feature
|publisher=HBO
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref> The show's photography and directing is noted for its feature film-quality.<ref name="popmatters"/><ref name="badabye"> 
{{cite web
|url=http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/tv/features/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6495000
|title=Bada Bye To The Sopranos
|last=Cooper
|first=Lorna
|publisher=MSN
|year=2007
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
This look was achieved by Chase collaborating with Sakharov: "David wanted a look that would have its own two feet. [...] From the pilot, we would sit down with the whole script and break the scenes down into shots. That's what you do with feature films."<ref name="dop"/>

===Music===

''The Sopranos'' is noted for its eclectic music selections and has received considerable critical attention for its effective use of previously recorded songs.<ref name="thehits">
{{cite web
  | last =Sepinwall
  | first =Alan
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =The hits keep on coming
  | work =
  | publisher =''The Star-Ledger''
  | date =2006-03-08
  | url =http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/hits_seasonsix.html
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-11}}</ref><ref name="sharps">{{cite web
  | last =Gross
  | first =Joe
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =Sharps & Flats
  | work =
  | publisher =Salon.com
  | date =2000-01-04
  | url =http://archive.salon.com/ent/music/review/2000/01/04/sopranos/index.html
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-11}}</ref><ref name="musicanother">{{cite web
  | last =Ventre
  | first =Michael
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =Music another member of the Sopranos’ crew
  | work =
  | publisher =MSNBC
  | date =2006-04-02
  | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11994702/
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-11}}</ref><ref name="peppersandeggs">{{cite web
  | last =Browne
  | first =David
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =The Sopranos; Peppers & Eggs
  | work =
  | publisher =''Entertainment Weekly''
  | date =2001-05-18
  | url =http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,281317,00.html
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-11}}</ref>
Series creator David Chase personally selects all of the show's music with producer Martin Bruestle and music editor Kathryn Dayak, sometimes also consulting Steven Van Zandt.<ref name="thehits"/> The music is usually selected once the production and editing of an episode is completed, but on occasion sequences will be filmed to match preselected pieces of music.<ref name="vanityfamily">{{cite web
  | last=Biskind
  | first=Peter
  | authorlink=Peter Biskind
  | coauthors=
  | title=The Family that Preys Together
  | work=
  | publisher=''Vanity Fair''
  | date=2007-03-13
  | url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/03/chase200703
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate=2007-11-11}}</ref> 

Stylistically, the music on the show can range from mainstream pop (soul (hip hop (Time Zone), often within the span of a single episode.<ref name="hbomusic">{{cite web
  | last =
  | first =
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =HBO: The Sopranos: Episode Guide
  | work =
  | publisher =
  | date =
  | url =http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/episode/index.shtml
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-11}}</ref>

The opening theme is "British band Different songs are played over the closing credits of each episode. Many songs are repeated multiple times through an episode, such as "Living on a Thin Line" by University"and "Glad Tidings" by All Due Respect". Other songs are heard several times throughout the series. A notable example is "Italian singer Andrea Bocelli,<ref name="carmelasong">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.abmusica.com/ctp.htm
|title=Con Te Partiro - abmusica.com
|publisher=[http://www.abmusica.com/ Andrea Bocelli Lyrics Archive]
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
which serves as something of a theme song for the character of Carmela Soprano.<ref name="carmelasongb">
{{cite web 
|url=http://www.the-sopranos.com/faq.htm
|title=The Sopranos - Family Values - FAQ
|publisher=[http://www.the-sopranos.com/ www.the-sopranos.com]
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>

A notable aspect of the show is its sparse, often minimalist use of incidental music. While most television series rely on musical scores to emphasize tension or dramatic moments, ''The Sopranos'' rarely if ever uses this resource. The most brutal scenes are often unaccompanied by any sort of background music.<ref name="articlebase">
{{cite web
|url =http://findinarticles.com/asVSVjS/261452/Sopranos_-One-of-the-Most-Popular-TV-Dramas-of-All-Time_.html
|title =Sopranos: One of the Most Popular TV Dramas of All Time!
|last =McDonald
|first =Jim
|publisher =[http://findinarticles.com findinarticles.com]
|date =2007-06-10
|accessdate =2007-11-14}}</ref>

Two The Sopranos: Music from the HBO Original Series'', was released by U.S. Billboard 200.<ref name="amazonalbuma">
{{cite web
  | last =
  | first =
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =Amazon.com: The Sopranos: Music From The HBO Original Series
  | work =
  | publisher =Amazon.com
  | date =
  | url =http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00003A9MG/
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-14}}</ref><ref name="albuma"/>
A second soundtrack compilation, titled ''The Sopranos: Peppers & Eggs: Music from the HBO Original Series'', was released on 8 May, 2001, also on Sony. This double-disc album contains songs and selected dialogue from the show's first three seasons.<ref name="amazonalbumb">
{{cite web
  | last =
  | first =
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title =Amazon.com: The Sopranos - Peppers and Eggs: Music From The HBO Series
  | work =
  | publisher =Amazon.com
  | date =
  | url =http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005AR37/
  | doi =
  | accessdate =2007-11-14}}</ref>
It reached #38 on the U.S. Billboard 200.<ref name="albumb"/>

===Sets and locations===
250px|thumb|right|On the set of ''The Sopranos'' in [[New Jersey during the shooting of the final episode.]]
Most of the exterior shots of the series were filmed on location in Long Island City, Queens, New York City.<ref name="bury"/>

The pork store, a frequent hangout for the the pilot known as Centanni's Meat Market, an actual Satriale's.<ref name="locations">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nj.com/sopranos/stories/030401locations.html
|title=The Locations
|last=Parrillo
|first=Rosemary
|date=2001-03-04
|accessdate=2007-11-14
|publisher=''The Star-Ledger''}}</ref>
After the series ended, the building was demolished.<ref name="porkstoredemolished">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,310659,00.html
|title='Sopranos' Pork Store Demolished
|publisher=FOX News
|date=2007-11-12
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
Bada Bing!, a strip club owned and operated by the character Silvio Dante on the show, is an actual go go bar on Route 17 in Lodi, New Jersey. Exteriors and interiors (except for the back room) are shot on location.<ref name="locations"/> The club is called [http://www.satindollsnj.com/ Satin Dolls] and was an existing business prior to the show starting. The club continued to operate during the eight years the show was filmed there and continues to do so now. As such, a business arrangement was worked out with the owner. Locations manager Mark Kamine recalls that the owner was "very gracious" as long as the shooting didn't "conflict with his business time."<ref name="locations2">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/location.html
|title=Location, location, location
|last=Zoller Seitz
|first=Matt
|publisher=''The Star-Ledger''
|date=2000-01-16
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
All the exterior and some interior shots of the Soprano residence were filmed on location at a private residence in North Caldwell, New Jersey.<ref name="locations"/>

===Title sequence===
250px|The Sopranos title screen|right|thumb
A recognizable part of ''The Sopranos'' is the program's opening title sequence. Tony Soprano is seen emerging from the Lincoln Tunnel and entering the New Jersey Turnpike. Numerous landmarks in and around Newark, New Jersey and Elizabeth, New Jersey are shown.<ref name="openingcredits">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/credits/index.shtml
|title=HBO: The Sopranos: Behind the Scenes: Inside the Opening Credits
|publisher=HBO
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>
The sequence ends with Tony pulling into the driveway of his suburban home. David Chase has said that the goal of the title sequence was to show that this particular Mafia show was about New Jersey, as opposed to New York, where most such dramas have been set.<ref name="pilotcommentary">
{{cite video
|people=David Chase
|year=1999
|title="The Sopranos" commentary track
|medium=DVD
|publisher=HBO
}}</ref> 

In the first three seasons, between Tony leaving the tunnel and entering the New Jersey Turnpike, an image of the World Trade Center towers can be seen in his side rear-view mirror. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, this shot was removed, beginning with the show's fourth season.<ref name="jewish">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=7574
|title=The Left ‘Wing’
|last=Pfefferman
|first=Naomi
|publisher=''The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles''
|date=2001-10-12
|accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref>

==Characters==

Anthony "Tony" Soprano (Boss of the New Jersey-based DiMeo crime family and patriarch of the Soprano household.<ref name = "Character Profile Tony Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Tony Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/tony_soprano.shtml
}}</ref> Tony begins to suffer from depression and have many panic attacks after years of stress over his "business", repressed emotions and a difficult childhood. He seeks treatment from Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco).<ref name = "Character Profile Jennifer Melfi">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Dr. Jennifer Melfi
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/dr_melfi.shtml
}}</ref> Adding to Tony's complicated life is his strained relationship with his wife Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco)<ref name = "Character Profile Carmela Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Carmela Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/carmela_soprano.shtml
}}</ref> and their two children, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler)<ref name = "Character Profile Meadow Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Meado (Meadow) Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/meadow_soprano.shtml
}}</ref> and Anthony Junior (Robert Iler).<ref name = "Character Profile AJ Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - AJ Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/anthony_soprano.shtml
}}</ref>

The starring cast includes members of Tony's extended family including his mother Livia (Nancy Marchand),<ref name = "Character Profile Livia Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Livia Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/livia_soprano.shtml
}}</ref> sister Janice (Aida Turturro),<ref name = "Character Profile Janice Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Janice Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/janice_soprano.shtml
}}</ref> uncle Corrado "Junior" Soprano (Dominic Chianese), who is the technical Boss (although, eventually, semi-retired until he's completely out of the business due to health issues) of the crime family<ref name = "Character Profile Junior Soprano">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Corrado "Junior" Soprano
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/janice_soprano.shtml
}}</ref>, cousin Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi)<ref name = "Character Profile Tony Blundetto">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Tony Blundetto
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/tony_blundetto.shtml
}}</ref> and nephew (actually cousin-by-marriage) Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli).<ref name = "Character Profile Christopher Moltisanti">{{cite web
| author = 
| title = Character profile - Christopher Moltisanti
| publisher = HBO
| accessdate = 2007-09-28
| url = http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/cast/character/christopher_moltisanti.shtml
}}</ref> Both Livia and Janice are shrewd manipulators with emotional problems of their own. Tony's Uncle Junior is involved in his criminal organization and their family bond vies with their criminal ambitions. Both his cousin Tony and nephew Christopher are also involved with his "other" family and their actions are a further source of conflict. Christopher struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism, and a desire to gain respect, while Tony Blundetto hopes to go straight but has a violent streak.

Tony's close circle within the DiMeo crime family includes Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri (Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero (capo and eventually is further promoted to underboss. Also in Tony's criminal organization are Patsy Parisi (Dan Grimaldi) and Furio Giunta (Federico Castelluccio). Patsy is a quiet soldier with a head for figures. Furio is imported muscle from Italy who acts as Tony's feared enforcer.

Other significant characters in the DiMeo family include Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri (Steven R. Schirripa), Richie Aprile (David Proval), Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano), Eugene Pontecorvo (Robert Funaro) and Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli). Bobby is a subordinate of Junior's whom Tony initially bullies but later accepts into his inner circle. Cifaretto is a clever, ambitious top-earner but his arrogance and tendency to be obnoxious, disrespectful and very violent make Tony resentful. Richie Aprile is released from prison in season two and quickly makes waves in the organization. Pontecorvo is a young soldier who becomes a made man alongside Christopher. Spatafore works his way up through the ranks to become top earner of the Aprile Crew but has a secret in his personal life. 

Friends of the Soprano family include Angie Bonpensiero (Artie (John Ventimiglia) and Charmaine Bucco (Kathrine Narducci). Hesh is an adviser and friend to Tony, and served in this role under Tony's father. Adriana is Christopher's long time girlfriend; the two have a tempestuous relationship. Rosalie is the widow of the previous DiMeo boss and a close friend of Carmela's. Angie is Salvatore Bonpensiero's wife who later goes into business for herself. Artie and Charmaine are school friends of the Sopranos and owners of the popular restaurant Vesuvio. Charmaine wishes to have no association with Tony and his crew due to his criminal activities, and often has to insist because Artie -- a law-abiding and hard-working man -- is drawn to Tony's way of life.

John "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni ("Little" Carmine Lupertazzi, Jr. (New York-based Lupertazzi crime family, which shares a good amount of its business with the Soprano organization. Although the Lupertazzis' and DiMeos' interests are often at odds, Tony maintains a cordial business-like relationship with Johnny Sack, preferring to make deals that benefit both families. His second-in-command and eventual successor, Phil Leotardo, is less cordial and is harder for Tony to do business with. Little Carmine is the son of the family's first boss and vies for power with the others.

==Plot synopsis and episode list==

===Season 1===
The series begins with therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Gradually, the storyline reveals: details of Tony's upbringing, with his father's influence looming large on his development as a gangster, but more so that Tony's mother, Livia, was manipulative and possibly psychotic; his complicated relationship with his wife Carmela, as well as her feelings regarding her husband's ''cosa nostra'' ties; the lives of his children, Meadow and A.J., who both have increasing knowledge of their father's mob dealings; federal indictments being brought as a result someone in his organization talking to the FBI; and his own Uncle plotting his death. Tony's Uncle Junior had been installed as boss of the family (following the death of previous boss Jackie Aprile, Sr. from cancer), while actually Tony controls most things from behind the scenes. Furious at Junior's plan to have him killed, Tony responds to the attempt on his life with a violent reprisal and confronts his mother for her role in plotting his downfall. She has a psychologically triggered pseudo-stroke. Junior is arrested by the FBI.

===Season 2===
At the beginning of the second season, Jackie's brother Janice, who has arrived from Seattle. Tony's friend "Big Pussy" returns to New Jersey after a conspicuous absence and Tony realizes he is an FBI informant. Tony, Silvio Dante, and Paulie Walnuts kill Big Pussy on a boat then wrap him up in chains and throw him overboard. 

Christopher Moltisanti becomes engaged to his longtime girlfriend Adriana La Cerva. Matthew Bevilaqua and Sean Gismonte, two low-level soldiers dissatisfied with their lack of success in the Soprano crew, try to make a name for themselves by attempting to kill Christopher. Their plan backfires; Christopher survives the attack (though he is critically wounded), and kills Sean in self-defense, while Tony and Big Pussy murder Matthew soon afterward. 

Junior is placed under house arrest as he awaits trial. Richie, frustrated with Tony's authority over him, entreats Junior to have Tony killed. Junior feigns interest, then informs Tony of Richie's intentions, leaving Tony with another problem to address. However, the situation is defused unexpectedly when Janice kills Richie in a violent argument; Tony and his men conceal all evidence of the murder, and Janice returns to Seattle.

===Season 3===
The third season sees the return of the ambitious made men), Tony promotes him to caporegime because of his professional success. Meadow, now a freshman at Columbia University, begins dating Noah Tannenbaum, who is half-Jewish and half African-American; he becomes the target of Tony's racist ire, and Noah eventually ends their relationship. 

Jackie Aprile, Jr. becomes involved with Meadow, and then descends into an increasingly reckless life of drugs and crime. Tony initially attempts to chalk up Jackie Jr.'s erratic behavior to a forgivable incident of his youth, and tries to prevent an escalation by having a frank and direct talk with Jackie. Despite Tony's counsel&mdash;and warning&mdash;Jackie crosses a line by organizing a botched robbery attempt on Ralph's card game. Tony decides to give Ralph the decision regarding Jackie Jr.'s punishment. Despite his role as a surrogate father, Ralph ultimately decides to have Jackie Jr. killed.

Livia dies of a stroke. Tony begins an affair with Gloria Trillo, who is also a patient of Dr. Melfi. Their relationship is brief and tumultuous. Junior is diagnosed with stomach cancer; following chemotherapy, it goes into remission. A.J. continues to get in trouble at school, despite success on the football team; this culminates in his expulsion.

===Season 4===
In the fourth season, New York underboss Johnny Sack becomes enraged after learning of an inappropriate joke made by Ralph about his wife. He seeks permission to have him killed in retribution, but is denied; tensions between the two eventually cool. Tony later murders Ralph in a violent rage because he believes Ralph killed their racehorse Pie-O-My in a stable fire. 

Following the death of intervention, after which he enters a RICO trial; it is ultimately declared a mistrial. 

Carmela, whose relationship with Tony is tense due to financial worries and Tony's infidelities, develops a mutual infatuation with Furio Giunta. Fearing the consequences of engaging in a relationship with the wife of a mob boss, Furio flees back to Italy, leaving Carmela despondent. After Tony's former mistress calls their home and drunkenly details his improprieties, Carmela throws Tony out. Tony is approached by Johnny Sack with a proposal to murder Carmine Lupertazzi, which he eventually turns down.

===Season 5===
In the fifth season, Tony's cousin Tony Blundetto is released from prison alongside other mob figures. Carmine dies unexpectedly and his failure to nominate a successor leads to a power struggle in New York. Despite trying to avoid returning to organized crime, Blundetto gets involved in the conflict against Tony's orders. When Blundetto kills the brother of Phil Leotardo, Johnny demands that Tony turn him in. Refusing to do so provokes the New York faction, and eventually Tony elects to kill Blundetto himself rather than hand him over to be tortured. 

Tony and Carmela remain separated, with Tony living at his parents' former house with childhood friend Artie Bucco, who was also left by his wife. Carmela, now the sole authority figure for A.J. in the Soprano house, becomes frustrated as her rules lead her son to resent her; eventually she allows A.J. to live with his father. She has a brief relationship with Robert Weigler, A.J.'s school guidance counselor; he breaks it off abruptly when he suspects that she is manipulating him to improve A.J.'s grades. Tony and Carmela reconcile their marriage; Tony promises to remain faithful, and also agrees to pay for a piece of real estate Carmela wishes to develop.

Adriana continues working as an FBI informant. After being implicated in a murder at her nightclub, federal agents give Adriana an ultimatum: get Christopher to cooperate or go to prison. She confesses her secret to Christopher; initially angry, he then becomes more receptive to the idea of entering witness protection. However, he finally has another change of heart and tells Tony about Adriana. Tony, with Christopher's understanding, orders Silvio to kill her. Tony approaches Johnny Sack to put an end to the bloodshed between their families and get back to business. As they meet Johnny Sack is arrested by the FBI.

===Season 6===
At the beginning of the sixth season, Tony is shot by the now senile and confused Uncle Junior. Rendered comatose, Tony dreams he is a salesman on a business trip, where he mistakenly exchanges his briefcase and identification with a man named Kevin Finnerty. Tony's recovery from the shooting changes his outlook, and he tries to mend his ways. However, he is faced with more problems in his business life. Vito Spatafore is outed as a homosexual and Tony is urged to deal with the problem by Phil Leotardo, now acting boss of New York with Johnny Sack in prison. When Tony fails to act, Phil intervenes and kills Spatafore. Tony's crime family commits a reprisal murder and once more it appears that the families are on the verge of all-out war.

In the second part of the sixth season, Tony considers killing several of his associates for relatively minor infractions. Christopher is unable to leave the mob, deflecting his problems by relapsing into drug addiction and killing his old Narcotics Anonymous sponsor. He is then seriously injured in a car accident that he causes while driving under the influence of narcotics. Tony, the sole passenger, is unharmed and suffocates Christopher to death. A.J. is dumped by his fiancée and slips into depression, culminating in a failed suicide attempt in the backyard pool. Dr. Melfi is convinced by friends that Tony is making no progress and may even be using talking therapy for his own sociopathic benefit. She drops him as a patient. 

Johnny Sack dies from lung cancer while imprisoned and Leotardo consolidates his position in the Lupertazzi family. He has his opposition for leadership killed and then officially takes over. In a resumption of their past feud Phil will not compromise with Tony on a garbage deal. When Tony assaults a Lupertazzi soldier for bothering Meadow on a date Phil seizes a chance for revenge. Phil orders the execution of Bobby Baccalieri, who is shot to death, Silvio, who ends up comatose, and Tony, who goes into hiding. A deal is brokered where the rest of the Lupertazzi family agree to ignore the order to kill Tony, and give Tony an opportunity to go after Phil. An FBI agent informs Tony of Phil's location and Tony has him killed. With Phil’s death, the threat from New York is extinguished and Tony, Carmela, Meadow, and A.J. meet for dinner.