Editing The Sopranos (section)

== Influence and legacy==
===Ratings===
''The Sopranos'' was a major ratings success throughout its run, despite being aired on [[premium television|premium]] [[cable television|cable network]] [[HBO]], which had been available in significantly fewer American homes than regular networks. The show frequently attracted equal or larger audiences than most popular network shows of the time.<ref name="nytimespush">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/arts/television/11cnd-sopranos.html |title=HBO Pushes End of 'The Sopranos' to 2007 |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=August 11, 2005 |access-date=November 14, 2007 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401041344/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/arts/television/11cnd-sopranos.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Nielsen ratings]] for the first four seasons are not entirely accurate, as Nielsen reported aggregate numbers for cable networks prior to January 2004, meaning that people who were included in the ratings estimates were actually watching HBO channels other than the main one on which ''The Sopranos'' aired.<ref name="ratingsmedia">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/5915/ |title=Nielsen Plan Would Whack 'Sopranos,' Other Pay Cable Ratings |last=Mandese |first=Joe |publisher=MediaPost |date=December 23, 2003 |access-date=September 20, 2009 |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402214610/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/5915/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Originally aired
!colspan="3"|[[Nielsen ratings]] (in millions)
!rowspan="2"|Time slot
|-
![[Season premiere]]
![[Season finale]]
!Season average
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 1)|1]]
|January 10 – April 4, 1999
|3.45<ref name="ratings1">{{cite news |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/03/the_comeback.html |title=The comeback |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |work=[[The Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 14, 2006 |access-date=October 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424102938/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/03/the_comeback.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|5.22<ref name="ratings1"/>
|3.46<ref name="ratingsaverage">{{cite web |url=http://www.suetube.org/2007/06/12/sopranos-ends-with-a-ratings-bang/ |title="Sopranos" ends with a ratings bump |last=Young |first=Susan |work=SueTube|date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201120915/http://www.suetube.org/2007/06/12/sopranos-ends-with-a-ratings-bang/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rowspan="7"| Sunday<br />9:00 pm
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 2)|2]]
|January 16 – April 9, 2000
|7.64<ref name="ratings1"/>
|8.97<ref name="ratings1"/>
|6.62<ref name="ratingsaverage"/>
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 3)|3]]
|March 4 – May 20, 2001
|11.26<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-03-08-0103080015-story.html |title=Crushing Camelot |website=Chicago Tribune |first=Allan |last=Johnson |date=March 8, 2001 |access-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310215622/https://www.chicagotribune.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|9.46<ref name="ratings1"/>
|8.87<ref name="ratingsaverage"/>
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 4)|4]]
|September 15 – December 8, 2002
|13.43<ref name="ratings1"/>
|12.48<ref name="ratings1"/>
|10.99<ref name="ratingsaverage"/>
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 5)|5]]
|March 7 – June 6, 2004
|12.14<ref name="ratings1"/>
|10.98<ref name="ratings1"/>
|9.80<ref name="ratingsaverage"/>
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 6)|6A]]
|March 12 – June 4, 2006
|9.47<ref name="ratings1"/>
|8.90<ref name="ratingsla">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-07-et-channel7-story.html |title='Sopranos' season finale takes a hit in the ratings |last=Collins |first=Scott |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 7, 2006 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815213405/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jun/07/entertainment/et-channel7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|8.60<ref name="ratingsla"/>
|-
![[The Sopranos (season 6)|6B]]
|April 8 – June 10, 2007
|7.66<ref name="ratingssdenver">{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5749626?source=bb |last=Huff |first=Richard |title="Sopranos" ratings slip again |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=April 27, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605023945/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5749626?source=bb |url-status=live }}</ref>
|11.90<ref name="ratingsfinale">{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-sopranosfinaleratings,0,4265982.story |title='Sopranos' Body Count: 11.9 Million |publisher=Zap2it |date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |archive-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301024547/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-sopranosfinaleratings,0,4265982.story |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|8.23<ref name="ratingsaverage"/>
|}

===Critical response===
{{Television critical response
| link1             = The Sopranos (season 1)
| rotten_tomatoes1  = 98% (50 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s01 |title=The Sopranos: Season 1 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529193908/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s01 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic1       = 88 (20 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS1">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 1|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-1|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722131716/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link2             = The Sopranos (season 2)
| rotten_tomatoes2  = 94% (18 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS2">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s02 |title=The Sopranos: Season 2 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029090844/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s02 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic2       = 97 (24 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS2">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 2|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-2|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117061247/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-2|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link3             = The Sopranos (season 3)
| rotten_tomatoes3  = 100% (13 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s03 |title=The Sopranos: Season 3 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919032902/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s03 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic3       = 97 (25 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS3">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 3|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-3|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117221750/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-3|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link4             = The Sopranos (season 4)
| rotten_tomatoes4  = 92% (12 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s04 |title=The Sopranos: Season 4 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130231451/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s04/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic4       = N/A (3 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 4|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-4|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722131742/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-4|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link5             = The Sopranos (season 5)
| rotten_tomatoes5  = 93% (14 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s05 |title=The Sopranos: Season 5 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203155849/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s05/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic5       = N/A (3 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 5|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-5|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926055020/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-5|url-status=live}}</ref>

| link6             = The Sopranos (season 6)
| rotten_tomatoes6  = Part I: 89% (37 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6a!">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s06.1 |title=The Sopranos: Season 6, Part I |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523153714/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s06/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<br />Part II: 84% (31 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6b!">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/s06.2 |title=The Sopranos: Season 6, Part II |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523153714/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos/11983 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| metacritic6       = 96 (18 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS6">{{cite web|title=The Sopranos: Season 6|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-6|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125191006/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos/season-6|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

''The Sopranos'' has been hailed by many critics as the greatest and most groundbreaking television series of all time.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="top50"/><ref name="huffington"/><ref name="hollywoodreporter"/><ref name="top50alotv">{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2009/03/11/50-best-tv-dramas-ever |title=50 Best TV Dramas Ever |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803100232/http://www.aoltv.com/2009/03/11/50-best-tv-dramas-ever |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="greatest">{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2007/09/15/best_show/ |title=The best TV show of all time |date=September 15, 2007 |last=Traister |first=Rebecca |work=[[Salon.com]] |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906020105/http://www.salon.com/2007/09/15/best_show/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Time"/><ref name="decadecritic"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 10 Greatest TV Dramas Of The Century |url=http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film-tv/4978/the-10-greatest-tv-dramas-of-this-century/ |website=Esquire|access-date = February 23, 2016 |date=December 14, 2015 |first=Sam |last=Parker |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209194008/http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film-tv/4978/the-10-greatest-tv-dramas-of-this-century/ |archive-date=February 9, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="gilbert20240710">{{Cite news |last=Gilbert |first=Matthew |title=Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert says goodbye to his job of 27 years, and to you, his readers |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/10/arts/globe-tv-critic-matthew-gilbert-says-goodbye/ |date=July 10, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>}} The writing, acting, and directing have often been singled out for praise. The show has also received considerable attention from critics and journalists for its technical merit, music selections, cinematography, and willingness to deal with difficult and controversial subjects including crime, family, gender roles, mental illness, and American and [[Italian Americans|Italian-American]] culture.<ref name="badabye"/><ref name="Time"/><ref name="decadecritic"/>

''The Sopranos'' is credited for creating a new era in the mafia genre deviating from the traditional dramatized image of the gangster in favor of a simpler, more accurate reflection of ordinary day-to-day mob life in a suburb.<ref>{{cite book |title=Made Men: The True Rise-and-Fall-Story of a New Jersey Mob Family |url=https://archive.org/details/madementruerisea0000smit |url-access=registration |first=Greg B. |last=Smith |publisher=Berkley |date=February 4, 2003 |isbn=0425185516}}</ref> The series sheds light on Italian family dynamics through the depiction of Tony's tumultuous relationship with his mother.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Counselling the Mafia: The Sopranos |journal=Journal of American Studies |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=127–132 |first=Neil A. |last=Wynn |year=2004 |jstor=27557467 |doi=10.1017/S0021875804007947 | issn=0021-8758 }}</ref> Edie Falco's character Carmela Soprano is praised in Kristyn Gorton's essay "Why I Love Carmela Soprano" for challenging Italian-American gender roles.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Why I Love Carmela Soprano: Ambivalence, the Domestic and Televisual Therapy |journal=Feminism & Psychology |volume=19 |pages=128–131 |first=Kristyn |last=Gorton |year=2009 |doi=10.1177/0959353508098626 |s2cid=144501177 }}</ref> ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' editor [[David Remnick]] described ''The Sopranos'' as mirroring the "mindless commerce and consumption" of modern America.<ref name="family guy"/> The series has an overall rating of 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes,<ref name="overalltom">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos |title=The Sopranos (1999-2007) |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113065901/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sopranos |url-status=live }}</ref> and 94 out of 100 on Metacritic.<ref name="overallmeta">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos |title=The Sopranos |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116204321/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-sopranos |url-status=live }}</ref>

''The Sopranos'' has been called "perhaps the greatest [[pop-culture]] masterpiece of its day" by ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' contributor [[Peter Biskind]].<ref name="vanity">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/04/sopranos200704?currentPage=1 |title=An American Family |last=Biskind |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Biskind |date=April 2007 |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717063911/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/04/sopranos200704?currentPage=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Remnick called the show "the richest achievement in the history of television."<ref name="family guy">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/06/04/070604taco_talk_remnick |title=Family Guy |last=Remnick |first=David |author-link=David Remnick |date=June 4, 2007 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016202447/http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/06/04/070604taco_talk_remnick |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2002, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked ''The Sopranos'' fifth on their list of the "Top 50 TV Shows of All Time",<ref name="TVguide">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/ |title=TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows |date=April 26, 2002 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207123427/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> while the series was only in its fourth season. In 2007, [[Channel 4]] (UK) named ''The Sopranos'' the greatest television series of all time.<ref name="c4">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2007/03/the_50_greatest_tv_dramas.php |title=The 50 greatest TV dramas |last=Matthewman |first=Scott |date=March 6, 2007 |work=[[The Stage]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182838/http://www.thestage.co.uk/tvtoday/2007/03/the_50_greatest_tv_dramas.php |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref>

The first season of the series received overwhelmingly positive reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1"/> Following its initial airing in 1999, ''The New York Times'' stated, "[''The Sopranos''] just may be the greatest work of [[American popular culture]] of the last quarter century."<ref name="familyman"/> In 2007, Roger Holland of [[PopMatters]] wrote, "the debut season of ''The Sopranos'' remains the crowning achievement of American television."<ref name="popmattersdvd">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popmatters.com/feature/part-4-feasts-from-the-fringe/ |title=Part 4 – Feasts from the Fringe |author=PopMatters Staff |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213091444/http://www.popmatters.com/feature/part-4-feasts-from-the-fringe/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Time Out New York]]''{{'}}s [[Andrew Johnston (critic)|Andrew Johnston]] had high praise for the series, stating: "Together, Chase and his fellow writers (including Terence Winter and ''Mad Men'' creator Matthew Weiner) produced the legendary Great American Novel, and it's 86 episodes long."<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Andrew |url=https://www.timeout.com/us/film/the-sopranos-season-six-part-ii |title=The Sopranos: Season Six, Part II |work=Time Out New York |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211014544/http://www.timeout.com/us/film/the-sopranos-season-six-part-ii |url-status=dead }}</ref> Johnston asserted the preeminence of ''The Sopranos'' as opposed to ''[[The Wire]]'' and ''[[Deadwood (TV series)|Deadwood]]'' in a debate with television critics [[Alan Sepinwall]] and [[Matt Zoller Seitz]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Andrew |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/own-this-city-blog/best-drama-ever-the-wire-versus-the-sopranos-versus-deadwood |title=Best. Drama. Ever.: The Wire versus The Sopranos versus Deadwood |work=Time Out New York |date=March 6, 2008 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517132933/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/own-this-city-blog/best-drama-ever-the-wire-versus-the-sopranos-versus-deadwood |url-status=dead }}</ref> both of whom would later include ''The Sopranos'' in their 2016 book titled ''[[TV (The Book)]]'' as the 2nd greatest American television series of all time, behind only ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ahead of ''The Wire'', with Seitz considering the show's ending to be the greatest ending for any television show.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sepinwall |first1=Alan |last2=Seitz |first2=Matt Zoller |title=TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time |date=September 6, 2016 |publisher=[[Grand Central Publishing]] |isbn=978-1455588190|title-link=TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time }}</ref>

In November and December 2009, many television critics named ''The Sopranos'' the best series of the decade and all time in articles summarizing the decade in television. In numbered lists over the best television programs, ''The Sopranos'' frequently ranked first or second, almost always competing with ''The Wire''.<ref name="decadecritic">{{cite web |url=http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/best-tv-of-2009-and-the-decade/ |title=The Best TV Shows of 2009 ... and the Decade |last=Dietz |first=Jason |website=[[Metacritic]] |date=January 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208232027/http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/best-tv-of-2009-and-the-decade/ |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked ''The Sopranos'' No. 2 in its list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time,<ref>Roush, Matt (February 25, 2013). "Showstoppers: The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time". ''[[TV Guide]]''. pp. 16–17.</ref> In the same year, the [[Writers Guild of America, West|Writers Guild of America]] named it the best-written television series of all time<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sopranos is the best show of all time, WGA says |url=http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/06/03/The-Sopranos-is-the-best-show-of-all-time-WGA-says/4441370266104/ |publisher=UPI |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604163524/http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/06/03/The-Sopranos-is-the-best-show-of-all-time-WGA-says/4441370266104/ |url-status=live |author-first1=Gabrielle|author-last1=Levy|date=2013-06-03}}</ref> and ''TV Guide'' ranked it as the greatest show of all time.<ref name="2013 TV Guide Great">{{cite magazine |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/TV-Guide-Magazine-60-Best-Series-1074962.aspx |date=December 23, 2013 |title=TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time |magazine=TV Guide |access-date=December 23, 2013 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224111355/http://www.tvguide.com/News/TV-Guide-Magazine-60-Best-Series-1074962.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

A 2015 ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named ''The Sopranos'' as their #6 favorite show.<ref name="thr20150916">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |date=September 16, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 17, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717030112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016 and 2022, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked it first on the magazine's list of 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.<ref name="rollingstone"/><ref name="2022Greatest">{{Cite magazine |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=September 26, 2022 |title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809210615/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' ranked the show first on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century, stating that it "hastened TV's transformation into a medium where intelligence, experimentation and depth were treasured" and describing it as "something to aspire to" for anyone currently making TV.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |work=The Guardian |date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' ranked ''The Sopranos'' at number one on their list of The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|url=https://www.empireonline.com/tv/features/best-tv-shows-ever-2/|website=Empire|date=March 24, 2021|access-date=April 15, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415180903/https://www.empireonline.com/tv/features/best-tv-shows-ever-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, ''Variety'' ranked ''The Sopranos'' #3 on its own list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref name="Variety100">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/the-sopranos-5/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|website=Variety|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 20, 2023|archive-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220184352/https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/the-sopranos-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Certain episodes have frequently been singled out by critics as the show's best. These include the pilot, titled "[[The Sopranos (episode)|The Sopranos]]", "[[College (The Sopranos)|College]]" and "[[I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano]]" of the first season; "[[The Knight in White Satin Armor]]" and "[[Funhouse (The Sopranos)|Funhouse]]" of the second; "[[Employee of the Month (The Sopranos)|Employee of the Month]]", "[[Pine Barrens (The Sopranos)|Pine Barrens]]" and "[[Amour Fou (The Sopranos)|Amour Fou]]" of the third; "[[Whoever Did This]]" and "[[Whitecaps (The Sopranos)|Whitecaps]]" of the fourth; "[[Irregular Around the Margins]]" and "[[Long Term Parking]]" of the fifth and "[[Members Only (The Sopranos)|Members Only]]", "[[Join the Club]]", "[[Kennedy and Heidi]]", "[[The Second Coming (The Sopranos)|The Second Coming]]", "[[The Blue Comet]]" and "[[Made in America (The Sopranos)|Made in America]]" of the sixth season.<ref name="TIMEbest">{{cite news |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1602923,00.html |title=Top 10 ''Sopranos'' Episodes |last=Poniewozik |first=James |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |date=April 4, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921052143/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1602923,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="EWbest">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/sopranos-10-best-episodes/ |title=The Sopranos' 10 best episodes |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216163621/https://ew.com/gallery/sopranos-10-best-episodes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Houstonbest">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/11/10_best_sopranos_episodes.php/ |title=Game Time: The 10 Greatest Sopranos Episodes Of All Time |last=Pendergast |first=Sean |work=[[Houston Press|The Houston Press]] |date=November 19, 2009 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608092752/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/11/10_best_sopranos_episodes.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="starledger3">{{cite web |url=http://blog.nj.com/sopranosarchive/2007/06/the_sopranos_top_10_hits.html |title=The Sopranos' Top 10 hits |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=June 6, 2007 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111125808/http://blog.nj.com/sopranosarchive/2007/06/the_sopranos_top_10_hits.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="empiremovies">
{{cite web |url=http://www.empiremovies.com/dvd/reviews.php?id=25158&thesopranosthecompleteseries.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720001201/http://www.empiremovies.com/dvd/reviews.php?id=25158&thesopranosthecompleteseries.htm |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |title=The Sopranos (The Complete Series) DVD / Blu-ray Disc Review |last=Cullin |first=Liam |publisher=Empire Movies |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref><ref name="blogcritics">
{{cite magazine |url=http://blogcritics.org/the-sopranos-the-top-ten-episodes/ |title=''The Sopranos:'' The Top Ten Episodes |last=Meaney |first=Patrick |magazine=[[Blogcritics]] |date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618064643/http://blogcritics.org/the-sopranos-the-top-ten-episodes/ |archive-date=June 18, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-sopranos-10-best-episodes.html |title=The 10 Greatest Episodes of The Sopranos |work=Vulture |first=Matt Zoller |last=Seitz |date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216163937/https://www.vulture.com/article/the-sopranos-10-best-episodes.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chase's decision to end the last episode abruptly with just a black screen was controversial. While Chase has insisted that it was not his intention to stir controversy, the ambiguity over the ending and question of whether Tony was murdered has continued for years after the finale's original broadcast and has spawned numerous websites devoted to finding out his true intention.<ref name="EWchase">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20152845,00.html |title='Sopranos' Creator Takes on Angry Fans |last=Martin |first=Brett |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=May 14, 2011 |ref=none |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501124609/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20152845,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2008/06/onion-rings-and-other-things-one-year.html |title=Onion rings and other things, one year later |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |work=[[The Star Ledger]] |date=June 9, 2008 |access-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208152209/http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2008/06/onion-rings-and-other-things-one-year.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5016985/how-and-why-tony-soprano-died |title=How and Why Tony Soprano Died |last=Weiss |first=Michael |publisher=[[Gawker]] |date=June 16, 2008 |access-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726085435/http://gawker.com/5016985/how-and-why-tony-soprano-died |archive-date=July 26, 2011}}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The Sopranos|l1=List of awards and nominations received by ''The Sopranos''}}
''The Sopranos'' won and was nominated for many awards throughout its original broadcast. It was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series]] in every year it was eligible and is the first cable TV series to receive a nomination for the award. After being nominated for and losing the award in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003 (losing the first time to ''[[The Practice]]'' and the last three to ''[[The West Wing]]''), ''The Sopranos'' won the award in 2004, and again in 2007. Its 2004 win made ''The Sopranos'' the first series on a cable network to win the award,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.today.com/id/6048792#.UqIqk42mQvo |title='Arrested Development,' 'Sopranos' win Emmys |access-date=July 24, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |date=September 20, 2004 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212020613/http://www.today.com/id/6048792#.UqIqk42mQvo |url-status=live }}</ref> while its 2007 win made the show the first drama series since ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'' in 1977 to win the award after it had finished airing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/09/17/sopranos-wins-emmy-for-best-dramatic-series/?sPage=fnc/entertainment/tv |title='The Sopranos' Wins Emmy for Best Dramatic Series |access-date=July 30, 2008 |work=Fox News |date=September 17, 2007 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219163937/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/09/17/sopranos-wins-emmy-for-best-dramatic-series/?sPage=fnc%2Fentertainment%2Ftv |url-status=dead }}</ref> The show earned 21 nominations for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series]] and won the award six times, with creator [[David Chase]] receiving three awards.<ref name="emmys">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/sopranos |title=The Sopranos |access-date=December 6, 2013 |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015085320/http://www.emmys.com/shows/sopranos |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Sopranos'' won [[American Film Institute]]'s Drama Series of the Year Award in [[American Film Institute Awards 2001|2001]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AFI Awards go for Lord of The Rings, Sopranos|url=https://www.screendaily.com/afi-awards-go-for-lord-of-the-rings-sopranos/407903.article|website=Screen Daily|first=Mike|last=Goodridge|date=January 6, 2002|access-date=April 17, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417071950/https://www.screendaily.com/afi-awards-go-for-lord-of-the-rings-sopranos/407903.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Sopranos'' won at least one Emmy Award for acting in every eligible year except 2006 and 2007. James Gandolfini and [[Edie Falco]] were each nominated six times for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series|Actress]], respectively, both winning a total of three awards. [[Joe Pantoliano]] won an Emmy for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor]] in 2003, and Michael Imperioli and [[Drea de Matteo]] also won Emmys in 2004 for their supporting roles on the show. Other actors who have received Emmy nominations for the series include Lorraine Bracco (in the Lead Actress and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series|Supporting Actress]] categories), [[Dominic Chianese]], Nancy Marchand, Aida Turturro, [[Tim Daly]], [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]], [[Annabella Sciorra]] and [[Steve Buscemi]], who was also nominated for directing the episode "[[Pine Barrens (The Sopranos episode)|Pine Barrens]]".<ref name="emmys"/>

In 1999 and 2000, ''The Sopranos'' earned two consecutive [[George Foster Peabody Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/the-sopranos |title=The Sopranos (HBO) |publisher=The Peabody Awards |date=May 2000 |access-date=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123928/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/the-sopranos |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/the-sopranos1 |title=The Sopranos (HBO) |publisher=The Peabody Awards |date=May 2001 |access-date=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006133628/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/the-sopranos1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Only two other series have won the award in consecutive years: ''[[Northern Exposure]]'' (1991 and 1992) and ''[[The West Wing]]'' (1999 and 2000).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/41385/sopranos-west-wing-peabody-d |title="Sopranos," "West Wing" Peabody'd |access-date=July 27, 2008 |author=Grossberg, Josh |date=March 29, 2001 |publisher=[[E! Online]] |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213193647/http://www.eonline.com/news/41385/sopranos-west-wing-peabody-d |url-status=live }}</ref> The show also received numerous nominations at the [[Golden Globe Award]]s (winning the award for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Drama|Best Drama Series]] in 2000)<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2000/01/23/american-beauty-sopranos-dominate-golden-globes/ |title=Good as Golden |access-date=July 30, 2008 |author=Wolk, Josh |date=January 23, 2000 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221724/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,84940,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the major guild awards ([[Directors Guild of America Award|Directors]],<ref name="dga">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/news/dga-announces-tv-nominations-3-1117978818/ |title=DGA announces TV nominations |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=January 10, 2008 |access-date=July 30, 2008 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=September 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929085802/http://variety.com/2008/film/news/dga-announces-tv-nominations-3-1117978818/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[PGA Awards|Producers]],<ref name="PGA">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/01/17/producers-guild-nominates-chicago-sopranos/ |title=Crime Pays |last=Susman |first=Gary |date=January 23, 2003 |access-date=July 30, 2008 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210050320/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,409194,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Writers Guild of America Award|Writers]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/televisionawards/2007-12-12-writers-guild-awards_N.htm |title=Writers Guild Awards go on despite strike |access-date=July 30, 2008 |last=Wyatt |first=Edward |date=January 28, 2008 |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025062605/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/televisionawards/2007-12-12-writers-guild-awards_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|Actors]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Screen-Actors-Guild-awards-glitter-3229088.php |title=Screen Actors Guild awards glitter |date=December 13, 2007 |access-date=July 30, 2008 |work=The New York Times |first=Edward |last=Wyatt |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103130635/http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Screen-Actors-Guild-awards-glitter-3229088.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, the [[American Psychoanalytic Association]] presented the producers and writers with an award for "the artistic depiction of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy" and also presented Lorraine Bracco with an award for creating "the most credible psychoanalyst ever to appear in the cinema or on television."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gabbard |first=Glen |title=Psychology of The Sopranos: Love, Death, Desire and Betrayal in America's Favorite Gangster Family |publisher=Basic Books |year=2002 |isbn=978-0465027354 |location=New York |pages=6}}</ref>

===Influence on television industry===
''The Sopranos'' has been characterized by critics as one of the most influential artistic works of the 2000s and has been cited as helping to turn serial television into a legitimate art form on the same level as feature films, literature, and theater.<ref name="popmatters"/><ref name="Time"/><ref name="popmatters2"/> ''[[Time Magazine]]'' editor James Poniewozik wrote in 2007, "This mafia saga showed just how complex and involving TV storytelling could be, inspiring an explosion of ambitious dramas on cable and off."<ref name="Time">{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/ |title=The Sopranos – The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME – TIME |last=Poniewozik |first=James |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |date=September 5, 2007 |access-date=November 14, 2007 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019002957/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Maureen Ryan of PopMatters described ''The Sopranos'' as the most influential television drama ever. "No one-hour drama series has had a bigger impact on how stories are told on the small screen, or more influence on what kind of fare we've been offered by an ever-growing array of television networks."<ref name="popmatters">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popmatters.com/feature/the-sopranos-is-the-most-influential-television-drama-ever/ |title=The Sopranos Is the Most Influential Television Drama Ever |access-date=September 22, 2007 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |date=April 23, 2007 |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213091439/http://www.popmatters.com/feature/the-sopranos-is-the-most-influential-television-drama-ever/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Hal Boedeker stated in PopMatters in 2007 that the series was "widely influential for revealing that cable would accommodate complex series about dark characters. ''The Sopranos'' ushered in ''[[Six Feet Under (TV series)|Six Feet Under]]'', ''[[The Shield]]'', ''[[Rescue Me (U.S. TV series)|Rescue Me]]'', and ''[[Big Love]]''."<ref name="popmatters2">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popmatters.com/article/how-will-the-sopranos-end/ |title=How will 'The Sopranos' end? |access-date=October 7, 2007 |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |date=June 4, 2007 |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213091447/http://www.popmatters.com/article/how-will-the-sopranos-end/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' creator [[Vince Gilligan]] said in 2013 shortly after Gandolfini's death, "Without Tony Soprano, there would be no [[Walter White (Breaking Bad)|Walter White]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vince Gilligan: Without Tony Soprano There Would Be No Walter White |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-gandolfini-death-vince-gilligan-574556 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108015125/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-gandolfini-death-vince-gilligan-574556 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Weiner said that when he became a writer for ''The Sopranos'' after having written the ''Mad Men'' pilot, "Whatever I had intended [''Mad Men''] to be ... was very different after seeing how seriously David Chase took human behavior. Real human behavior", giving "[[Maidenform (Mad Men)|Maidenform]]" and how [[Peggy Olson]]'s baby affects her as examples.<ref name="nyt20190110">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/arts/television/best-drama-series.html |title=The 20 Best TV Dramas Since 'The Sopranos' |date=January 10, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 10, 2019 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412155500/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/arts/television/best-drama-series.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The series helped establish HBO as producers of critically acclaimed and commercially successful original television series. Michael Flaherty of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' has stated that ''The Sopranos'' "helped launch [HBO's] reputation as a destination for talent looking for cutting-edge original series work."<ref name="hollywoodreporter"/>

===Depiction of stereotypes===
The show has frequently been accused of perpetuating negative stereotypes about [[Italian American]]s. Several major organizations have voiced their concern that ''The Sopranos'' presents a very distorted and harmful stereotype of Italian Americans and their cultural values, including the National Italian American Foundation, [[Order Sons of Italy in America]], [[Unico National]], and the Italic Institute of America.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-italian-american-foundation-condemns-the-sopranos-72034917.html |title=National Italian American Foundation Condemns 'The Sopranos' |publisher=National Italian American Foundation |date=January 12, 2000 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602035347/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-italian-american-foundation-condemns-the-sopranos-72034917.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.niaf.org/niaf_event/official-statement-on-the-newyork-columbus-day-parade-with-oprano-cast-and-mayor-bloombergs-inappropriate-choice-of-guests/ |title=Official Statement on the New York Columbus Day Parade with Soprano Cast and Mayor Bloomberg's Inappropriate Choice of Guests |publisher=National Italian American Foundation |date=October 10, 2002 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019102736/http://www.niaf.org/niaf_event/official-statement-on-the-newyork-columbus-day-parade-with-oprano-cast-and-mayor-bloombergs-inappropriate-choice-of-guests/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/italian-american-coalition-applauds-sopranos-dis-invite-73314987.html |title=Italian American Coalition Applauds 'Sopranos Dis-Invite' |publisher=The National Italian American Foundation |date=September 18, 2000 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602034340/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/italian-american-coalition-applauds-sopranos-dis-invite-73314987.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show had a strong female cast and expressions of feminism during the six seasons. The creators challenge the traditional gender roles in society. Around the third season of the show, the creators were pushing the violence against women, highlighting the show's impact on viewers and the ongoing debates surrounding its depiction of feminist issues. The show uses the Dr. Melfi rape episode to show the internal strength of the female perspective on the show, by not asking Tony for help to seek revenge.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Merri Lisa |date=2007 |title=Gangster Feminism: The Feminist Cultural Work of HBO's "The Sopranos" |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20459136 |journal=Feminist Studies |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=269–296 |jstor=20459136 |issn=0046-3663}}</ref>

In 2000, officials in [[Essex County, New Jersey]], denied producers permission to film scenes in the South Mountain Reservation, which is county-owned property, by Essex County, New Jersey Executive [[James Treffinger]], who argued that the show depicts Italian Americans "in stereotypical fashion".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2000/12/17/19544648/sopranos-fail-in-effort-to-film-scenes-on-n-j-site |title='Sopranos' fail in effort to film scenes on N.J. site |access-date=January 27, 2021 |date=December 17, 2000 |work=[[Deseret News]] |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129163250/https://www.deseret.com/2000/12/17/19544648/sopranos-fail-in-effort-to-film-scenes-on-n-j-site |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, organizers of the New York City Columbus Day Parade won an injunction preventing Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] from inviting cast members of ''The Sopranos'' to participate in the parade.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Susman |first=Gary |title=Marching Banned |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/10/14/mayor-sopranos-stars-sit-out-columbus-day-parade/ |access-date=July 31, 2008 |date=October 14, 2002 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201154021/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,364447,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Fairleigh Dickinson University]]'s [[Fairleigh Dickinson University#PublicMind|PublicMind]] conducted a national survey in August 2001 that polled 800 people, out of which 37% said that they watched the show regularly, and 65% of this group (192 people, or 24% of the total) disagreed that the show negatively portrayed Italian Americans. Professor William Roberts, who was associated with the poll, said that "The show's inflated image of organized crime casts a shadow over both the state [of New Jersey] and its Italian American community."<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Fairleigh Dickinson University]] |url=http://publicmind.fdu.edu/badabing/ |title=New Jersey and The Sopranos: Perfect Together? |date=August 15, 2001 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211001327/http://publicmind.fdu.edu/badabing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

He further stated "The show helped to perpetuate one of the more problematic and stereotypical images of Italian Americans. Both Italian and Italian American cultures have much more diverse and interesting heritages than the American public generally realizes."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://publicmind.fdu.edu/intune/ |title=New Jersey and Nation in Tune with The Sopranos |publisher=[[Fairleigh Dickinson University]] |date=June 6, 2007 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-date=March 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327113658/http://publicmind.fdu.edu/intune/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Humanities professor [[Camille Paglia]], herself an Italian American, has spoken negatively about ''The Sopranos'', arguing that its depiction of Italian Americans was inaccurate, inauthentic, and dated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2012/10/10/camille_paglias_glittering_images/ |title=In "Glittering" return, Paglia lets loose |work=Salon.com |first=Kerry |last=Lauerman |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319190836/http://www.salon.com/2012/10/10/camille_paglias_glittering_images/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chase has defended his show, saying that "It is not meant to stereotype all Italian Americans, only to depict a small criminal subculture".<ref>{{cite web |last=Mays |first=Jeffrey C. |title=Italian-American targets stereotypes |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |date=May 20, 2001 |url=http://blog.nj.com/sopranosarchive/2001/05/italianamerican_targets_stereo.html |access-date=July 31, 2008 |archive-date=January 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102033720/http://blog.nj.com/sopranosarchive/2001/05/italianamerican_targets_stereo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Parodies and commercials===
Actors from ''The Sopranos'' have reprised their roles, or at the very least parodied their roles, in various other media. [[Tony Sirico]] and [[Steve Schirripa]] appear in two separate Muppet-related Christmas specials, ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]'' and ''[[Elmo's Christmas Countdown]]'', parodying their roles on ''The Sopranos''. Sirico also appeared in a series of commercials for [[Denny's]] in-character as [[Paulie Gualtieri]], a nod to the restaurant chain's mention in "[[Pine Barrens (The Sopranos)|Pine Barrens]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=VanHooker |first=Brian |title=Tony Sirico's Commercial Acting, Ranked from 'Plausibly Sane' to 'Totally Fucking Walnuts' |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/tony-sirico-commercials |website=[[MEL Magazine]] |date=October 2, 2021 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214211224/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/tony-sirico-commercials |url-status=live }}</ref> [[James Gandolfini]] appeared on ''[[Weekend Update]]'' as a "New Jersey Resident" on the October 2, 2004, episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' to comment on the recent resignation of New Jersey governor [[Jim McGreevey]]. Gandolfini's character went unnamed, and hosts [[Tina Fey]] and [[Amy Poehler]] insisted at the segment's conclusion that he was "unidentified", but the character was clearly meant to be Tony Soprano.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nemetz |first1=Dave |title=James Gandolfini Never Hosted 'SNL'... But He Did Drop By Once [Video] |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/watch-james-gandolfini-play-tony--er--a--new-jersey-resident--on--saturday-night-live--011115857.html |website=Yahoo |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624213620/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/watch-james-gandolfini-play-tony--er--a--new-jersey-resident--on--saturday-night-live--011115857.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2022 Chevrolet commercial====
[[Jamie-Lynn Sigler]] and [[Robert Iler]] reprised their roles as [[Meadow Soprano|Meadow]] and [[A.J. Soprano]] in a [[Chevrolet]] television commercial initially broadcast in 2022 during [[Super Bowl LVI]]. David Chase directed the commercial and treated it as a continuation of ''The Sopranos'' story. At Chase's insistence, former ''Sopranos'' director of photography [[Phil Abraham]] performed the filming.<ref name="chevyad">{{cite web |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title=How Chevrolet Drove 'The Sopranos' and David Chase to Super Bowl LVI |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/sopranos-super-bowl-commercial-chevrolet-david-chase-1235180365/ |website=Variety |date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-date=February 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215124529/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/sopranos-super-bowl-commercial-chevrolet-david-chase-1235180365/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ad recreates the opening-title sequence of ''The Sopranos'', with Meadow driving a [[Chevrolet Silverado EV|Silverado EV]] (as opposed to Tony's [[Chevrolet Suburban]]) and meeting A.J. at Bahrs Landing, featured in ''[[The Many Saints of Newark]]''. Along the way, she passes some ''Sopranos'' landmarks including [[Satriale's Pork Store|Satriale's]]. Chase wanted the commercial to continue the intrigue surrounding ''The Sopranos'' [[Made in America (The Sopranos)|finale]]: besides the visual allusion to the episode with Meadow's parking, Chase intentionally left open why Meadow and A.J. were at the restaurant and who they could be meeting there.<ref name="chevyad" />