Back in May, The Sopranos creator David Chase hinted on the vaunted HBO mob-opera's website that the show's upcoming sixth season — scheduled to debut March 2006 with 12 episodes — might not be its last. "It's possible," said Chase about extending the series while speaking at a breakfast for Syracuse University's Newhouse School in New York. The sixth season of The Sopranos "is going to be about money, materialism, buying stuff, consumerism," Chase said. "The U.S. is a great country, but everything is up for sale."
HBO announced today that the "sale" will continue with eight bonus episodes regarding Tony S. and his extended dysfunctional family airing from January 2007.
The Emmy-winner first aired in 1999 and has followed an erratic programming schedule ever since.
Fans in the New York area can dull the pain of the wait by catching Dominic Chianese — Tony's uncle, Junior Soprano, on the show — and his band, the New York Sidewalkers, playing a mix of Italian, folk and country tunes, every Monday night at 8 p.m. at The West Bank Cafe.
Eric Berlin has more news on the extension and predictions for the upcoming season.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
I'm super intrigued to see the materialism angle come into play. That's always been a strong element to the show -- blurring the lines between "legal" and "illegal" American life. Everyone's on the take, everyone's for sale, everyone's vulnerable to corruption, etc.
Tony Soprano is such a powerful character in that he's very comfortable within this world (mostly) and particularly built to use it to his interests.
2 - Eric Olsen
I have to admit I blew off season 5 - have to get it in before March
3 - Joe
Hey, you jumped posts! Yeah, I think he Chase may have been indicating that with the NYC folks temporarily out of the picture, Tony's crew experiences a sudden windfall that they're not entirely prepared to deal with, I mean it's not like they're living like pauper's anyway. So when does enough become enough? I'm also wondering if Paulie's disgruntlement is finally going to come to a head.
4 - Eric Berlin
EO -- For shame!
Joe -- I think Paulie will play a factor. He's been unhappy with Chris' role and a bunch of other things for far too long.
Anyone: has anyone seen Dom perform? I imagine he's pretty good (and he's sung a bit on the show) but it's got to be downright creepy to hear Uncle Junior singing to you live.
5 - Eric Olsen
and we all know how ugly it can be when disgruntled heads pop
6 - Eric Berlin
We do? Yeah, I guess we do...
7 - Eric Olsen
he's not nearly as feeble or distracted
8 - Eric Berlin
It should be noted that he's an absolutely fantastic actor. Who else could you imagine as Uncle Jun'?
9 - Joe
If he'd just stay away from the sushi...
10 - Eric Olsen
btw, he's 74, but unlike Junior he's a vigorous 74