HBO has produced many crime series, butThe Sopranosstands above the rest as the most honest portrayal of the Mafia. Considered to be one of the most groundbreaking TV series of all time, some believe David Chase’s modern-day organized crime epic changed the face of modern television.
The Sopranoswas a dominant ratings force on HBO, with the season 4 premiere garnering a series high of 13.43 million viewers. The series was also critically lauded, currently holding a 92% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.The Sopranoswon 25 Emmy Awards across its six-season run, including for Outstanding Drama Series.
According to Michael Franzese, a former member of the Colombo crime family,The Sopranosis the most consistently accurate account of life in the mob on television.AYouTubevideo titled “The Sopranos - Reviewed by Former Mafia Capo Michael Franzese” compares his former life in the mob to the depiction of the mob inThe Sopranos. Franzese believes that many things about the show properly showcase life in the mob, like dysfunctional families and strong matriarchal figures.
“Tony is dealing with these psychological problems, like with many mob families. Look, my family was totally dysfunctional. There’s no question about it. Sister died from an overdose of drugs. You know the story of my brother: drug addict, eventually turned informant. My mother and dad separated for all those years. My mother was kind of neurotic in that regard. I had my own issues at that time. Definitely dysfunctional, and many families of the mob were like the Sopranos, in that they were dysfunctional.”
Episodes 1 and 2, I thought were pretty realistic and really did set up the show.
[Carmella] is a strong woman in this. A lot of people have this image of mob wives just sitting there, never mentioning anything to their husband. Just closing their eyes to everything. Not so. I mean, my mother certainly wasn’t like that. She stood up to my dad in every which way possible. Carmela does the same with Tony Soprano. She stands up to him, in every which way. And I think that was depicted in this first episode, in episodes 1 and 2 actually.
What This Means For The Sopranos
Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is allegedly based on real-life mob bossVincent Palermo, who worked with the DeCavalcante crime family. Basing the series on real-life mobsters showcases just how realistic the depiction is inThe Sopranos. In the documentary filmThe Real Sopranos,Palermo can be heard commenting about how he believes the popular series is based on himself and his family.
The Sopranosalso resonates with audiences worldwide, and one of the reasons for that is its sheer authenticity. People connect to stories that feel like the truth, so the fact thatThe Sopranosremains one of the most popular HBO series of all timeshowcases just how genuine this account of the mob truly is.
Our Take On Franzese Reacting To The Sopranos
The Sopranosis a masterpieceand is heralded as one of the most influential crime shows of all time. An ex-mobster confirming thatDavid Chase’s acclaimed Mafia crime drama is accurateis unsurprising.
However, everything that Michael Franeze says is eye-opening as validation ofThe Sopranos’verisimilitude.The Sopranosalready feels authentic, but the ex-gangster-turned-YouTuber’s account further seals the deal.
The Sopranos
Cast
The Sopranos follows New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he navigates the challenges of managing his family and criminal enterprise. He seeks guidance from psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi while dealing with complex dynamics involving his wife Carmela, cousin Christopher Moltisanti, and other Mafia associates. Released in 1999, this series delves into organized crime and personal struggles.
