BPS 142: Changing Television Forever with David Chase

The legacy of the crime drama television series, The Sopranos
remains a defining art of storytelling for mob TV shows. We have
the genius behind this hit TV series, David Chase as our guest
today. 

As expected, Chase is a twenty-five-time Emmy Awards-winner, seven
times Golden Globes winner, and highly acclaimed producer, writer,
and director. His forty-year career in Hollywood has contributed
immensely to the experience of quality TV. 

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of Chase, let’s do a brief of
the HBO 1999 hit show, The Sopranos: Produced by HBO, Chase Films,
and Brad Grey Television, the story ran for six seasons, revolving
around Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini, a New Jersey-based
Italian-American mobster, portraying the difficulties that he faces
as he tries to balance his family life with his role as the leader
of a criminal organization.

The series has been the subject of critical analysis, controversy,
and parody, and has spawned books, a video game, soundtrack albums,
podcasts, and assorted merchandise. During its run, the film earned
multiple awards, including the Peabody, Primetime Emmy, and the
Golden Globe Awards. 

Even though David has continued to dominate his craft, with other
works like The Rockford Files, I'll Fly Away, Not Fade Away,
Northern Exposure, Almost Grown, Switch, etc, he is still most
known for his television directorial debut, The Sopranos.

The genius is back with the Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of
Newark, which stars Alessandro Nivola and James Gandolfini’s son
Michael Gandolfini as a young Tony Soprano. It has been in theaters
and on HBO Max since October 1, 2021.

The plot explores the life of Young Anthony Soprano. Before Tony
Soprano, there was Dickie Moltisanti, Tony’s uncle. Young Anthony
Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in
Newark's history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to
rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family's hold
over the increasingly race-torn city.
Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie
Moltisanti, who struggles to manage both his professional and
personal responsibilities-and whose influence over his nephew will
help make the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob
boss we'll later come to know: Tony Soprano.

We also talk a bit about David’s five-year, first-look deal to
create shows for HBO parent WarnerMedia. More culture moments,
please!

Let’s get into the chat, shall we?

Enjoy my entertaining conversation with David Chase.

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