What other mobster was able to captivate our attention and glue our eyes to HBO (Channel 300/available in Dish’s Premium Package) every Sunday for the past seven years. On June 10th, the guns drop, the murders stop, and our favorite Italian mobster family retire their brass knuckles, as we say good-bye to The Sopranos. I have to admit, I haven’t been this excited about a finale since Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, traveled half way across the world to France, to live with the self-involved artist, Aleksandr. But at last, to no one’s surprise, she ends up with Big, her on-again/off-again businessman beau. Although I wasn’t terribly amused by that finale, I know my Sopranos will not disappoint. Especially since, last Sunday’s episode proved to be the perfect bridge to what will be an amazing final two shows of the series.
In case you missed it - Phil Leotardo turned down Tony Soprano’s offer of compromise over a business deal, while one of Phil’s men made a derogatory comment towards Tony’s daughter. Just when you thought the storyline couldn’t get juicier, the show made a sharp right turn when A.J. Soprano, Tony’s son, tried to commit suicide. My hunch for the final episodes is that Tony will end up being shot by someone he thought was close to him – his wife. Having had enough with the lies, cheating, and the heartache, she will snap and end the life of one of America’s favorite wise guy. A tad bit dramatic? Not for The Sopranos.
What will HBO think of next?: HBO (channel 300) struck gold in 1999 when they decided to air a modern crime drama set in New Jersey that took a look at the life of the mafia. Six seasons and over 10 Emmy awards later, The Sopranos have become one of television's most critically acclaimed series. Somehow that’s not surprising since HBO has always had great success with their original series line up such as Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Da Ali G Show. Luckily for us, this might not be the final goodbye for The Sopranos. Take for example, Sasha Baron Cohen, who produced Borat, a character from his outrageously hilarious Da Ali G Show, and even the ladies of Sex and the City are clamoring to start filming their big screen movie. My guess is if the pattern repeats, then the cast of The Sopranos will surely be approached with a movie deal.
HBO wastes no time. The network has already sought out the next great television drama. John from Cincinnati, which will premiere on June 10th immediately following the finale, is about a peculiar young man of mysterious origin, and the effect he has on a dysfunctional family of professional surfers in California. Another addition to the line up will be the new comedy series, Flight of the Conchords, on June 17th. It takes two wacky guitarists from New Zealand and follows their trials and tribulations as they make their way in New York City. It adds a Broadway-like twist as the duo randomly breaks into a song that expresses their feelings. No matter what the network features, deep down, no show will capture America the way Tony Soprano and his gang have for the past seven years. On June 10th, it will truly be the final bada-bing for this mobster.
Need to catch up on all the old episodes of The Sopranos, then be sure to tune into A&E (Channel 118/ available on America’s Top 100 or higher) with 2 back to back episodes every Monday and Wednesday 9pm EST.
