The Sopranos are back

David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, promises that the sixth and final season will tie all the loose ends of the fifth season in the next 12 episodes.

PRAVEENA SHIVRAM

14 March 2006
CHENNAI, INDIA

When it premiered on HBO, as part of their original series on January 10, 1999 at 9pm, the word sensational that was attributed to the series has now become an underestimation. After five seasons, The Sopranos has achieved cult status in TV programming, to say the least. The eagerly awaited sixth and final season is finally here.

From the moment the fifth season came to a shocking end on June 6, 2004, fans had to wait for nearly two years (21 months) for the next season to arrive. Going by critics reports, the wait, apparently, has been well-worth it. The series summary, when it launched, were just a simple few lines, which succinctly illustrated Tony Soprano’s life, an average, middle-aged businessman. A dutiful wife, an errant son, a daughter, an uncle who is slowly losing his mind, a mistress and a shrink who keeps his secrets safe, including the all pervading one: "These days, it's getting tougher and tougher to make a killing in the killing business. Just because you're "made" - doesn't mean you've got it made".

The addiction to the series was quick, spreading like an uncontrollable forest fire. When the fifth season ended with Tony's chase in the snow, people were left wondering "what next?” Will he and Carmela succeed in their reconciliation? Will the Soprano children, now nearly grown, make a safe and happy transition to adulthood? And with Johnny Sack away in prison, will the growing tension between the New York and New Jersey families continue unchecked? What's to become of Tony, who was last seen running from the feds in the snow outside mob nemesis Johnny Sack's house? Was Adrianna really whacked when she was uncovered as a rat for the FBI? Questions that David Chase, the creator of this series, promises will be answered in the next 12 episodes, eight of which will premier this year staring tonight and the rest next year.

The Sopranos, the most-watched series in cable history, has earned a whopping 89 Emmy nominations with 17 victories. For the channel itself, the statistics are but revealing of the show's success. "The main factor for growth in HBO's audience over the last 15 years is the growth in the cable television industry itself. And the number one reason for turning to HBO, is our theatrical films," says the network's corporate affairs Vice President Jeff Cusson.

Founded in 1972 in New York, HBO today has 39 million subscribers. It is a wholesaler of programs, and claims to leave the worrying about the size of the Soprano audience to cable operators who relay the show. "We do, of course, enjoy the buzz factor which surrounds The Sopranos and our other shows, like Sex and the City," says Cusson.

"If we just had The Sopranos we would be out of business," he adds. "Although The Sopranos has the most wonderful appeal, it is only watched by 30 per cent of our subscriber base."

Despite that, as the show reaches its finale season, HBO is getting ready to face the loss. "HBO may take a temporary hit," explains Larry Bills an expert on the entertainment business for the Hoovers website, "but it is understood by the audience that such a great show cannot go on for ever. The Sopranos has such wonderful writing and such quality that people do not want it to go bad."

Though the original blueprint for the series had only five seasons in the making, Chase felt that it probably needed extra 12 episodes to let the story reach its fullest capacity. And that is definitely the end, even as rumors of a movie in the offing are taking center stage. "We used to talk about it, HBO and myself," Chase said. "We haven't talked about it in a long time. It's hard to see how it would work though."

For now, the mafia credo of "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is back. Just enjoy what will probably be the finest in television drama.

The Sopranos: Season 6 Cast and Crew Details:

Creator David Chase's drama series stars three-time Emmy® winners James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Tony's wife Carmela, plus Lorraine Bracco as therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Emmy® winner Michael Imperioli as Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti, and Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior. Also returning to the series are regulars Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr., Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano, Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts, and Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante.

Aida Turturro, who plays Tony's sister Janice, will return to the show as a series regular, as will Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri, John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco, and Vincent Curatola as Johnny Sack.

Awards for The Sopranos in 2004

In 2004, the series won four Emmys, including Drama Series; Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Michael Imperioli); Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Drea de Matteo); and Writing for a Drama Series (Terence Winter, "Long Term Parking"). The show has also won five Golden Globe Awards, including the award in the Best Television Series - Drama category in 2000.

Airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on HBO (repeats include 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 p.m. Thursdays)