The cavity of frustration left by the inexplicable ending has been filled, bringing closure
By Alex Ben Block
HOLLYWOOD,CA (HollywoodToday) 9/17/07 – The great American toothache was finally cured Sunday at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards. The yawning national cavity of frustration left when “The Sopranos” went out with a whimper instead of a bang was finally filled when HBO’s landmark gangster saga was named Outstanding Drama Series by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, providing closure for one of the greatest television programs of our generation.
That doesn’t make it a trend setter, according to “Sopranos” producer creator and yoda-like cult figure David Chase, who told reporters: “I must say it is not a role model, it’s unique.”
Chase attributes the success to the way people connected with the material: “I have to assume it’s because people deeply identified with the characters.”
The show’s conception was far different, and Chase noted the irony of winning an Emmy on a Fox network show, because when “The Sopranos” was originally developed, it was for Fox, which eventually let it go. It was picked up by HBO, where the language, violence and dark themes could be more fully explored.
Chase says it would have been very different on Fox. “On the Fox pilot nobody died,” said Chase with a laugh.
It was at HBO that Chase found the creative freedom to make a very adult show that took risks and dealt in real life which was often not very pretty to watch. But you could not take your eyes away. It was powerful on multiple levels, from the psychiatrists couch view of Tony’s life to the ever growing list of dead characters.
On Sunday night when most of the cast was on hand, a reporter called for a show of hands of those whose characters had been killed off on the show. At least a third of the hands shot up, while a reporter asked when they were going to schedule the resurrection.
That led to the inevitable question: ‘Will there be a “Sopranos” movie?’ Chase remained evasive, downplaying the possibility, while pointing at Brad Gray, his fellow executive producer, who stood with a group in front of reporters after the Emmy show. Chase said Gray, now head of Paramount Pictures, asks him almost daily about doing a movie and he says no every time. “There are no serious discussions about a movie,” said Chase, in his usual sly manner, “but somebody could have a good idea.”
As this column predicted, the 59th annual Emmy Awards were defined by “The Sopranos.” Even as the Emmy helped bring closure for avid fans of the show Chase said it was bittersweet in that this group that had grown so close over more than a decade was no longer going to meet. “It’s bittersweet,” said Chase. “It’s really like a family.”