An inside look at how David Chase turned a mob story into a cultural phenomenon—and why Tony Soprano’s world still has a grip on ours today.
I’ll likely rank this in the top 3 of my “Best Making of Television Show Documentaries” when I get to it!
Trailer for “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos”
Watch “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos”
You can watch XYZ on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/show/7fe42870-0ca3-43d1-81bf-90bea0411f2a
You can also buy the 2-part series on Apple TV and Amazon ($4.99 last I checked).
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/wise-guy-david-chase-and-the-sopranos
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release date: September 7, 2024
My Review of “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos”
“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” is a must-watch for anyone who’s been hooked on Tony Soprano or loves the creative process of making awesome TV.
This doc plunges deep into the mind of David Chase, the genius behind The Sopranos, revealing how his personal life and creative vision gave rise to one of television’s most groundbreaking shows.
You can’t make this sh*t up:
David Chase originally envisioned The Sopranos as a feature film about a mobster in therapy, mainly dealing with his overbearing mother.
Through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and behind-the-scenes clips, the doc peels back the layers of how Chase’s family dynamics shaped the intense relationships we saw between Tony Soprano and his own mother.
There’s a fascinating sequence about the casting process.
You find out that Edie Falco almost didn’t land the role of Carmela because she thought women who looked like her—authentic, not stereotypically “glam”—weren’t what directors wanted.
James Gandolfini, our iconic Tony, used to joke about quitting the show after rough days on set—until his co-stars convinced him otherwise during late-night hangs.
Director Alex Gibney (who’s a favorite doc maker of mine — see “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (which I rank 94/100); Going Clear: “Taxi to the Dark Side” (93/100), “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley” (91/100); and “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief” (93/100) .
Gibney takes on the storytelling here, blending insightful interviews with raw audition tapes and production details.
His signature style builds a compelling narrative over two parts, clocking in at about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Top Highlights:
- Audition tapes: The early casting tapes, particularly Gandolfini’s second, are pure gold. He thought he bombed the first try so he walked out in the middle.
- Creative inspiration: Chase reveals how much of the show’s tension came from his own family, especially the complex mother-son dynamic.
- Gandolfini’s goodwill: After negotiating his $1 million-per-episode salary, he gifted $30,000 to each co-star.
- Finale secrecy: Cast members didn’t know how The Sopranos would end until the day it aired, their genuine reactions caught on camera.
- Cultural shift: The Sopranos changed the way TV approached anti-heroes and complex storytelling.
Lesser-Known Gems:
- Lorraine Bracco initially wanted to play Dr. Melfi, but David Chase convinced her to play Carmela, a decision that altered TV history.
- Tony Sirico, who played Paulie Walnuts, was just as eccentric off-screen, refusing to let anyone touch his hair, except for a single plot-required moment.
- Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana, thought she was auditioning for an opera show at first.
- Steven Van Zandt, who wasn’t even an actor, wowed Chase so much in his audition that they invented the role of Silvio Dante for him.
- Chase had control over every line of dialogue. No changes without his say. Every word mattered.
Who else auditioned for the part of Tony
Several actors auditioned for the iconic role of Tony Soprano before James Gandolfini was ultimately cast. Here’s a rundown of some notable contenders:
- Steven Van Zandt – Initially considered for Tony, Van Zandt was a guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and had no acting experience. David Chase was impressed by his charisma during a speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although he auditioned, HBO felt he wasn’t a viable lead due to his lack of acting credits. Chase later created the role of Silvio Dante specifically for him.
- Anthony LaPaglia – The Australian actor, known for his role in “Without a Trace,” was also approached for the part. However, he turned it down to pursue a Broadway production of “A View From the Bridge.” LaPaglia envisioned Tony as more urbane than Chase’s conception.
- Ray Liotta – Famous for his role in “Goodfellas,” Liotta was another strong candidate. He ultimately declined the role, preferring to focus on his film career rather than commit to a long-running series.
- Michael Rispoli – Rispoli auditioned and impressed Chase so much that the character Jackie Aprile was adjusted to fit his age, making him a significant part of the series.
- Maurice Benard – Known for his long-running role on “General Hospital,” Benard also auditioned for Tony. His experience as a soap opera actor brought a different flavor to his audition.
- John Ventimiglia – Although he didn’t land the lead role, Ventimiglia eventually played Artie Bucco, the restaurant owner and friend of Tony.
“The Sopranos” faced significant rejection before finding a home at HBO. Several major networks turned down the series, including:
- Fox – Initially interested in the concept, Fox ultimately passed after reviewing the pilot script, citing concerns about its content and tone.
- CBS – CBS rejected the show, with network head Les Moonves reportedly disapproving of Tony Soprano’s therapy sessions, which he viewed as a flaw in the premise.
- NBC – Like CBS, NBC also decided against picking up “The Sopranos,” contributing to David Chase’s frustration during the development process.
- ABC –Turned it down for unknown reasons.
That was a costly error. While exact revenue for Sopranos is unknown, they syndication deal with A&E alone was valued at $200 million for HBO.
Wrap Up
“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” isn’t just a nostalgic look at an iconic show. It’s an exploration of the messy, personal, and sometimes surprising decisions that built the show’s legacy.
Whether you’re a Sopranos fanatic or someone who’s curious about the art of TV storytelling, this doc hits the mark. It’s honest, intimate, and packed with stories only the cast and crew could tell.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc