Take 4 TV: The Sopranos

The Sopranos: Season Five (2004)

What's Going On?: Once again, since we're several seasons into a show, there are going to be some spoilers here, so this is your heads up. Anyway, everybody's favorite mob family next door starts the season with a little marital unrest at home, and Tony Soprano finds himself out and about, living the bachelor's life. Reconciling that, along with the simultaneous release of several not-quite-rehabilitated wiseguys who were imprisoned twenty years ago, doesn't make life easy for our favorite New Jersey mob boss.

Leading the Line-Up: James Gandolfini, of course, stars as Tony Soprano. Brilliant Actor + Juicy Role = Pure Genius. In addition, though, there's Steve Buscemi, who play's Tony's cousin...Tony. Buscemi is pretty much this season's "guest star pain-in-the-ass," which has been filled in prior seasons by David Proval and Joe Pantoliano. Unlike his predecessors, he's pretty likeable. But, much to Tony S's chagrin, he ends up being just as much trouble...albeit a different flavor of trouble.

Things to Look Out For: Some really uncomfortable scenes that are extremely moving to watch. Favorites for me include Tony undermining his sister Janice's attempts to control her temper and the continuation of Adriana's involvement with the federal authorities.

Special Features to Catch: Across the thirteen episodes, there are maybe five that include cast/crew commentary. Two are somewhat worth catching: one with Steve Buscemi and one with Drea de Matteo (who plays Adriana). Now, unless I missed some hidden features on the discs, that was it...very surprised there were no featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes, etc.

Random Trivia: HBO was worried that the title of the series would make the audience think it was about music. That is why the gun image is in the title logo. The network also considered other titles for the show, such as "Made in New Jersey".

And I Quote: Christopher: "That's the guy, Adriana. My Uncle Tony. The guy i'm going to Hell for."

Life Lessons From The Sopranos: 1) When working with, for, near or around the mob, keep your head down and just do your job. 2) Nothing comes before family. 3) Stop, drop and roll.

Curt's Take: "Worth Considering:" I wouldn't start with this season...I'm a big fan of following things in order...but if you don't feel like watching from the beginning of the series, you can pretty much just hop right in, as they do have recaps of each of the prior four seasons on the first DVD. If you liked the prior four seasons, then you'll likely enjoy this one...but apart from a couple really intense storyline arcs, this season doesn't stand out as being particularly exceptional in comparison to others (I probably liked Season Four the best). If language and violence offend you...well...obviously avoid this one. But the writing and acting are top-notch, and even though Oz pre-dates it, I consider The Sopranos to be the godfather (no pun intended) of the premium cable serial drama.

Next Time on Take 4: My first Take 4 TV audience request...a little sci-fi action coming your way, in the form of a remake of an old television classic.

Take 4 TV: Newsradio

Newsradio: Seasons 1 - 3 (1995 - 1997)

What's Going On?: Dave Nelson moves to New York City from Wisconsin to take the position of news director at WNYX, the second most-listened to talk station in The Big Apple. Once there, he has to deal with a co-worker he becomes romantically-involved with, a flighty assistant, the electrician who sees conspiracy theories everywhere, and the office spaz. You know...your typical sitcom line-up.

Leading the Line-Up: Dave Foley (formerly of Kids in the Hall) plays Dave Nelson, the station manager, while the late, great Phil Hartman (from Saturday Night Live) plays newsanchor Bill McNeal. These two roles were actually created and written with these two actors specifically in mind. The rest of the cast is great, though...and many of them got their start here: Maura Tierney (ER), Joe Rogan (Fear Factor), Stephen Root (Office Space), Khandi Alexander (CSI: Miami), Vicki Lewis (you may have seen her in some broadway shows) and Andy Dick (who is actually enjoyable in this series).

Multimedia Bonus!: A clip from one of my favorite exchanges in the series, between Beth and Lisa, when Lisa is awarded Cutest Radio Newscaster of the Year.

Things to Look Out For: One of the best ensemble casts I've ever seen, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Also, Stephen Root, who plays station owner and multi-millionaire Jimmy James, played stapler-loving Milton in Office Space. The transformation is nothing short of acting genius.

Special Features to Catch: First off, there are the commentaries...and there are quite a few. Around 20 or 25, across all the episodes in the first three seasons. The interesting thing about them is that they rotate who does the commentary...sometimes you get the creator of the series, sometimes a handful of writers, sometimes a handful of the cast...usually a mix of the above. I wouldn't listen to them all, however...focus on the ones with the cast, especially Andy Dick. They're more entertaining to listen to. Be prepared, though...about 20% of each commentary is the group trying to figure out "what happens in this episode." They also spend a lot of time talking about the clothes that were being worn (they won an Emmy for costume design, so it's no wonder), and, if you listen to several, they often repeat themselves across commentaries. There are also a couple outtakes reels, which are okay to watch, and a handful of featurettes (catch the ones on seasons one and two, but skip the ones shown at the end of season three).

Random Trivia: Joe Rogan didn't get cast to play the role of Joe, the office electrician, until after the pilot was filmed. Originally, Ray Romano was supposed to fill that role, but, the creators of the show felt his comedic timing was off and didn't quite work for what they needed. Ray was let go, a temporary actor was used in the pilot, and Rogan came on for the rest of the series.

And I Quote: Dave [reading cards from the new office complaint box]: '"You suck." "You suck." "Howard Stern rules." "If you can read this you are a dork." "Coupon for one free kiss from Joe if you are a girl." "We need more complaint cards." "Coupon for one free kiss from Joe if you are a guy."' Joe: 'Hey.' Dave: [pulling out a fortune cookie slip] '"You will go on a journey, happy long time." "Matthew is a moron." "No I'm not." "Yes you are." "No I'm not infinity." "Yes you are infinity plus one." And this one, "I have doobie in my funk," which I assume is some sort of reference to the Parliament Funkadelic song, "Chocolate City." Uh, "You got peanut butter in my chocolate. You got chocolate in my peanut butter. Together they taste like crap." "Matthew has been staring at me all day... and I like it." I don't think I get this one, it says, "I try to be good hard-worker-man, but refrigemater so messy, so so messy."' Lisa: 'I think that one's probably from Milos, the janitor.' Dave: 'Oh. Refrigem... oh, then that one's legitimate.' [continues reading the complaint cards] 'Uh, "Who's the black private dick who's the sex machine with all the chicks."' Bill, Beth, Lisa, Matthew, and Joe: 'SHAFT.' Bill: 'I thought we'd all enjoy that.' Dave: [reading one last card] 'And, "Help, I'm being held prisoner in a complaint box," which is actually kinda funny.'

Life Lessons From Newsradio: 1) There's only room for one spaz in every office. 2) Finding a wife when you're a millionaire is harder than you might think. 3) Hiding the office romance can only make things more difficult for you.

Curt's Take: "Must See" - Next to Sports Night, this has to be one of my favorite sitcoms ever. The writing and pacing are great, you come to know and love the characters as if they're your very own co-workers, and it's so easy to catch "just one more" episode before turning in for the evening. Hoping that seasons four and five make it to DVD.

Next Time on Take 4: Season five of the critically-acclaimed HBO dramatic series about gangster life in New Jersey (I really don't have to spell this one out for you, do I?)