The Sopranos: A Reflection on its 25th Anniversary and the Future of Intelligent TV Writing
The Legacy of The Sopranos
Twenty-five years ago, on HBO, the first episode of ‘The Sopranos’ premiered, marking the beginning of a television series that would be celebrated as one of the greatest of all time. Created by David Chase, the show received widespread critical acclaim and went on to win numerous awards, with an impressive 21 Emmys under its belt.
The Warning from David Chase
However, as the 25th anniversary of the premiere approached, David Chase, the series’ creator, issued a somber warning about the state of intelligent TV writing today. He expressed his concern that we might be seeing the end of a golden age, where shows like ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire,’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ thrived.
Chase lamented that he feels ‘increasingly bad’ for talented individuals in the industry, signaling the threat to intelligent TV shows that he believes are facing extinction.
The Role of Streaming Platforms and Commercialization
In an interview with The Times, Chase discussed his concerns regarding the impact of streaming platforms and advertising on the quality of content. He highlighted how streaming platforms, once ad-free havens, have started including commercials, parallel to the old days when cable television interrupted episodes.
He also revealed that he has been advised to ‘dumb it down’ as a writer, an unfortunate trend reflecting a potential shift in the demands of modern audiences and the influence of profit-driven decision-making.
The Story behind ‘The Sopranos’
The journey of ‘The Sopranos’ was not without its obstacles. Chase and Brad Grey, the show’s producer, faced rejections from multiple TV networks, including Fox, who ultimately decided to pass on the script. Chase, in a 2012 interview with Vanity Fair, revealed that he had always anticipated this outcome due to the distinctiveness of the show that didn’t fit the mold of network television.
Yet, despite the initial setbacks, ‘The Sopranos’ persevered and found a home on HBO, which served as a platform to showcase its hourlong, ad-free episodes, contributing to its cinematic quality.
The Lack of Apology
Reflecting on the 25 years since ‘The Sopranos’ came into existence, Chase shared his disappointment that none of the network executives who had rejected the series ever apologized or acknowledged their oversight. He criticized Hollywood’s tendency to avoid shouldering responsibility and instead placing blame on the talent.
Chase’s words serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by groundbreaking and unconventional storytellers, who navigate an industry driven by profit motives and the seemingly shifting preferences of audiences.
