Sopranos: no new episodes till Jan. 2004
01-14-03, 09:04 AM
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Sopranos: no new episodes till Jan. 2004
http://www.suntimes.com/output/rosen...r-phil14b.html
'Sopranos' could gain a reprieve
January 14, 2003
BY PHIL ROSENTHAL TELEVISION CRITIC Advertisement
HOLLYWOOD--One of the driving forces behind HBO's "The Sopranos" is holding out hope that the show's coming fifth season will not be its last, but cautions that it's unlikely the series will return for at least another 12 months.
Executive producer Brad Grey, the dealmaker who helped persuade auteur David Chase to extend the crime and family series this far, refuses to snuff the idea of continuing the show.
Chase and his loyal cast have long insisted that the next 13 episodes will be their last despite HBO's eagerness to keep going, especially with the end of its other leading series, "Sex and the City," announced for early 2004.
"I'm very open-ended. You know?" Grey said Monday. "I'm not calling the game yet. David, I think, made it clear that he would prefer to finish unless he has some creative idea that's exciting enough to continue, (but) I think it's early. ... I think we have a little time to figure that out, and we'll see. I'm the lone wolf (on the production side) who's not saying, 'It's over.' "
Possibly complicating production of the series' next season is that star James Gandolfini is close to signing to do a movie with Ben Affleck for DreamWorks in the next few weeks.
Though "Sopranos" filming was not supposed to begin till March, the return of the HBO show, expected for fall, is likely to be delayed at least until January 2004. "It may push us a little bit, but we were planning on January," Grey said.
As for a possible "Sopranos" feature film, Grey said that won't be decided until after the series' end has been determined.
"If next season is the last season, then we'll talk about the picture," Grey said. "And if it's not, then we'll probably defer those conversations."
January 14, 2003
BY PHIL ROSENTHAL TELEVISION CRITIC Advertisement
HOLLYWOOD--One of the driving forces behind HBO's "The Sopranos" is holding out hope that the show's coming fifth season will not be its last, but cautions that it's unlikely the series will return for at least another 12 months.
Executive producer Brad Grey, the dealmaker who helped persuade auteur David Chase to extend the crime and family series this far, refuses to snuff the idea of continuing the show.
Chase and his loyal cast have long insisted that the next 13 episodes will be their last despite HBO's eagerness to keep going, especially with the end of its other leading series, "Sex and the City," announced for early 2004.
"I'm very open-ended. You know?" Grey said Monday. "I'm not calling the game yet. David, I think, made it clear that he would prefer to finish unless he has some creative idea that's exciting enough to continue, (but) I think it's early. ... I think we have a little time to figure that out, and we'll see. I'm the lone wolf (on the production side) who's not saying, 'It's over.' "
Possibly complicating production of the series' next season is that star James Gandolfini is close to signing to do a movie with Ben Affleck for DreamWorks in the next few weeks.
Though "Sopranos" filming was not supposed to begin till March, the return of the HBO show, expected for fall, is likely to be delayed at least until January 2004. "It may push us a little bit, but we were planning on January," Grey said.
As for a possible "Sopranos" feature film, Grey said that won't be decided until after the series' end has been determined.
"If next season is the last season, then we'll talk about the picture," Grey said. "And if it's not, then we'll probably defer those conversations."
01-14-03, 09:47 AM
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Living Room on the Couch
Posts: 4,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ouch! But oh well...Im sure it will be great when it does come out.
I know people gripe about Season 4, and the first part was a bit dull...but it's still one of the best things on TV
I know people gripe about Season 4, and the first part was a bit dull...but it's still one of the best things on TV
01-14-03, 10:01 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
There's a reason season 4 was "dull"
David Chase, at the time he was planning/writing, thought season 4 would be the last -- so season 3 ended with a lot of balls up in the air (ie: lost russian, Adrianna wired) to be resolved in the upcoming final season.
BUT.... a fifth year was added.
So, all of the plans to end certain storylines at the end of the series were put on hold. Chase had to basically tread water this past year.
David Chase, at the time he was planning/writing, thought season 4 would be the last -- so season 3 ended with a lot of balls up in the air (ie: lost russian, Adrianna wired) to be resolved in the upcoming final season.
BUT.... a fifth year was added.
So, all of the plans to end certain storylines at the end of the series were put on hold. Chase had to basically tread water this past year.
01-14-03, 10:09 AM
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Oh brother.
I wish people would get off this "lost russian" storyline as if it were some major plot point around which the entire series revolved.
So what? Some low-level russian "droogie" escaped into the New York "tundra." Why must this one unanswered question be the one that always comes up on the lips of recently disgruntled "Sopranos" viewers?
It wasn't an important story. The russian served his purpose in "The Pine Barrens" episode and that was that.
No need to drag this unanswered thing out any further.
I mean it's not like the last scene of the last episode had Tony banging his head against the bathroom mirror chanting "How's Annie? How's Annie?" in an otherwordly, some would say "Bob-possessed" voice.
(And I'm not writing this just to pick on you Guess Who - your post just happened to bring up one of my Soprano's pet peeves . . .)
I wish people would get off this "lost russian" storyline as if it were some major plot point around which the entire series revolved.
So what? Some low-level russian "droogie" escaped into the New York "tundra." Why must this one unanswered question be the one that always comes up on the lips of recently disgruntled "Sopranos" viewers?
It wasn't an important story. The russian served his purpose in "The Pine Barrens" episode and that was that.
No need to drag this unanswered thing out any further.
I mean it's not like the last scene of the last episode had Tony banging his head against the bathroom mirror chanting "How's Annie? How's Annie?" in an otherwordly, some would say "Bob-possessed" voice.
(And I'm not writing this just to pick on you Guess Who - your post just happened to bring up one of my Soprano's pet peeves . . .)
01-14-03, 10:15 AM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
While that specific Russian is unimportant, his boss Slava is.
Remember, Tony was using Slava to invest Tony's money in overseas accounts. A large portion of Tony's money is basically under Slava's control.
If Slava were to learn about one of his soldiers being taken out to be murdered, it would greatly danger the alliance with the Russian mob, and personally, Tony's life savings.
There's a bigger picture than just the interior decorator who killed Czecholslovakians.
Remember, Tony was using Slava to invest Tony's money in overseas accounts. A large portion of Tony's money is basically under Slava's control.
If Slava were to learn about one of his soldiers being taken out to be murdered, it would greatly danger the alliance with the Russian mob, and personally, Tony's life savings.
There's a bigger picture than just the interior decorator who killed Czecholslovakians.
01-14-03, 10:24 AM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Yeah, but I still think that's a little picayune and "fannish" to obsess over this particular minor detail in the larger picture of the series.
The fact that Tony was using any particular Russian to invest funds overseas really never occupied center stage in the show. As a diversionary subplot from the main "family" stories and as a vehicle to anchor the Svetlana character, sure, I'll buy it.
But I seriously doubt whether any of this subplot will make its way into Season 5, except in some tangential, background type way.
The fact that Tony was using any particular Russian to invest funds overseas really never occupied center stage in the show. As a diversionary subplot from the main "family" stories and as a vehicle to anchor the Svetlana character, sure, I'll buy it.
But I seriously doubt whether any of this subplot will make its way into Season 5, except in some tangential, background type way.
01-14-03, 10:55 AM
#8
DVD Talk Reviewer
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: WAS looking for My Own Private Stuckeyville, but stuck in Liberty City (while missing Vice City)
Posts: 15,094
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Exactly how IS Annie anyways?
No one's hear from her since...
As far as the russian's concerned...wasn't he mentioned this season?
No one's hear from her since...
As far as the russian's concerned...wasn't he mentioned this season?
01-14-03, 03:06 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by GuessWho
There's a reason season 4 was "dull"
David Chase, at the time he was planning/writing, thought season 4 would be the last -- so season 3 ended with a lot of balls up in the air (ie: lost russian, Adrianna wired) to be resolved in the upcoming final season.
BUT.... a fifth year was added.
So, all of the plans to end certain storylines at the end of the series were put on hold. Chase had to basically tread water this past year.
There's a reason season 4 was "dull"
David Chase, at the time he was planning/writing, thought season 4 would be the last -- so season 3 ended with a lot of balls up in the air (ie: lost russian, Adrianna wired) to be resolved in the upcoming final season.
BUT.... a fifth year was added.
So, all of the plans to end certain storylines at the end of the series were put on hold. Chase had to basically tread water this past year.
I hope season 5 (or "Season 4" if you go by my numbering scheme) is back on track with the first 3 seasons. I haven't ever been so disappointed with a season....
01-14-03, 04:35 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sesame Street (the apt. next to Bob's)
Posts: 20,195
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
In the meantime, HBO will begin airing "The Sopranos" on Sunday nights starting in February from the first episode onward. Good chance to catch up on anything you missed in previous seasons.
Honk!
Honk!
01-15-03, 11:34 AM
#15
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Geofferson
I can wait 'till Jan '04 for season 5. It's worth waiting for.
FWIW, I loved season 4 and did not think it was a bore.
I can wait 'till Jan '04 for season 5. It's worth waiting for.
FWIW, I loved season 4 and did not think it was a bore.
01-15-03, 12:44 PM
#17
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I wont loose any sleep over this news. With the last TWO seasons SUCKING, I will find more productive ways to spend Sunday nights.
Boy, this show sure went in the crapper. Could care less about future years of this once-great show.
Boy, this show sure went in the crapper. Could care less about future years of this once-great show.
01-15-03, 01:15 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Mr Snappy
Well, I wont loose any sleep over this news. With the last TWO seasons SUCKING, I will find more productive ways to spend Sunday nights.
Boy, this show sure went in the crapper. Could care less about future years of this once-great show.
Well, I wont loose any sleep over this news. With the last TWO seasons SUCKING, I will find more productive ways to spend Sunday nights.
Boy, this show sure went in the crapper. Could care less about future years of this once-great show.
....for me to poop on!!!
Siyonara fairweather fan......
01-15-03, 06:11 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Deep inside a great big empty
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by grunter
Oh brother.
Oh brother.
