The Gangster's New Clothes
This seems like a reasonable segway from yesterday’s discussion about the merits of being able to change your mind in light of new information.
The Sopranos is Awful! When that show first started, I agree that it was a great work of writing, acting, and directing; it had it all. It used to have the quality of a full length movie production every Sunday night. It’s unique approach to the life and times of the “family” was worthy of all the accolades it received. Naturally, the show built a very loyal fan base, too loyal.
Please listen carefully...Open your mind....The show has been terrible for more than two years. Yes, of course, there are moments in each episode that you can focus on and say it is good, but you are forgetting about the other 57 minutes each week. There are new plots every week and even more plot holes. Although the acting is still good, the content is simply awful.
The following is a dramatization of how it all started two years ago.
Location: HBO Executive Meeting.
Executive 1: “We need even more money, how can we get more people to watch the the Sopranos?”
Executive 2: “Well, what if we make the show enjoyable to women?”
Executive 1: “But we would have to change the whole show. We’d have to get rid of most of the violence, forget about the plots we developed that are mob related, concentrate on the wife, son, and daughter, have more flowers and romances, maybe throw in entire episodes about dreams and family. Ohhh, let’s make four episodes that are supposed to lead to some big violent ending, but instead Tony will decide that peace and friendship are more important.
Executive 3: “But than our core audience of men will hate the show and stop watching.”
Executive 1: “No, we’ll just advertise that it’s better than ever. They won’t leave, they’re hooked. People do what we tell them, they will never question the show. They are sheep.”
All Executives: “Ha Ha Ha HA! (collective evil laughs)
Fin
So please look at the show with an objective perspective. Don’t try to explain why it “has” to be good, but accept the fact that it isn’t. Once you stop watching for a few weeks (I kicked the Sopranos habit in the middle of last season) you won’t miss it one bit. And if feel that there is an emptiness left since you dumped the Sopranos, check out “The Shield” on FX. The show has cutting-edge writing and filming and the characters are simply superb. It’s a great show.
The Sopranos is Awful! When that show first started, I agree that it was a great work of writing, acting, and directing; it had it all. It used to have the quality of a full length movie production every Sunday night. It’s unique approach to the life and times of the “family” was worthy of all the accolades it received. Naturally, the show built a very loyal fan base, too loyal.
Please listen carefully...Open your mind....The show has been terrible for more than two years. Yes, of course, there are moments in each episode that you can focus on and say it is good, but you are forgetting about the other 57 minutes each week. There are new plots every week and even more plot holes. Although the acting is still good, the content is simply awful.
The following is a dramatization of how it all started two years ago.
Location: HBO Executive Meeting.
Executive 1: “We need even more money, how can we get more people to watch the the Sopranos?”
Executive 2: “Well, what if we make the show enjoyable to women?”
Executive 1: “But we would have to change the whole show. We’d have to get rid of most of the violence, forget about the plots we developed that are mob related, concentrate on the wife, son, and daughter, have more flowers and romances, maybe throw in entire episodes about dreams and family. Ohhh, let’s make four episodes that are supposed to lead to some big violent ending, but instead Tony will decide that peace and friendship are more important.
Executive 3: “But than our core audience of men will hate the show and stop watching.”
Executive 1: “No, we’ll just advertise that it’s better than ever. They won’t leave, they’re hooked. People do what we tell them, they will never question the show. They are sheep.”
All Executives: “Ha Ha Ha HA! (collective evil laughs)
Fin
So please look at the show with an objective perspective. Don’t try to explain why it “has” to be good, but accept the fact that it isn’t. Once you stop watching for a few weeks (I kicked the Sopranos habit in the middle of last season) you won’t miss it one bit. And if feel that there is an emptiness left since you dumped the Sopranos, check out “The Shield” on FX. The show has cutting-edge writing and filming and the characters are simply superb. It’s a great show.
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