Thursday, February 09, 2006




SOPRANOS SIXTH SEASON


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Twelve Episodes Debut This Year,
With The Final Eight Episodes To Be Presented In 2007
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New challenges abound for Tony Soprano as his life grows increasingly complicated. Now that he and Carmela are back together, they must face the reality that their kids are no longer children, but not yet grown. And with Johnny Sack in prison, the always-tense relations between the New Jersey and New York families are strained even further.

The critically acclaimed, Emmy(r)- and Peabody-winning HBO series THE SOPRANOS returns for the first part of its sixth season with 12 new episodes, starting SUNDAY, MARCH 12 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET), followed by other episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time. The additional eight episodes of the final season will debut in early 2007.

Creator David Chase's drama series stars three-time Emmy(r) winners James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Tony's wife Carmela, plus Lorraine Bracco as therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Emmy(r) winner Michael Imperioli as Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti, and Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior. Also returning to the series are regulars Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr., Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano, Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts, and Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante.

Aida Turturro, who plays Tony's sister Janice, will return to the show as a series regular, as will Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri, John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco and Vincent Curatola as Johnny Sack.

Other cast members of THE SOPRANOS this season are Ray Abruzzo as Carmine, Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo, Joe Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore, Max Casella as Benny, Lenny Venito as Murmur, Carl Capotoro as Little Paulie, Dan Grimaldi as Patsy, Katherine Narducci as Charmaine Bucco, Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile, Maureen Van Zandt as Gabrielle Dante and Toni Kalem as Angie Bompensiero.

Guest stars for the sixth season include Jerry Adler ("In Her Shoes"), Tim Daly ("Wings"), Frankie Valli (Four Seasons lead singer), Hal Holbrook ("Men of Honor"), Ben Kingsley ("House of Sand and Fog"), Julianna Margulies ("ER"), Treach (HBO's "First Time Felon"), Ron Leibman ("Garden State"), Elizabeth Bracco ("Analyze This") and Lord Jamar (HBO's "Oz").

March episodes:
Episode #66: "Members Only"
Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 12 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: March 14 (midnight), 15 (9:00 p.m.), 17 (10:00 p.m.) and 18 (11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT)
HBO2 playdate: March 13 (10:00 p.m.)
Tony (James Gandolfini) ponders an associate's retirement request, and shares a recent windfall with Carmela (Edie Falco). Junior (Dominic Chianese) takes Tony on a backyard treasure hunt; Hesh (Jerry Adler) seeks restitution for a wrong perpetrated on his son-in-law.

Written by Terence Winter; directed by Tim van Patten.

Episode #67: "Join the Club"
Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 19 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: March 21 (midnight), 22 (9:00 p.m.), 24 (10:00 p.m.) and 25 (midnight ET/10:30 p.m. PT)
HBO2 playdate: March 20 (10:00 p.m.)
Tony suffers from a case of mistaken identity during a west coast business trip.
Written by David Chase; directed by David Nutter.

Episode #68: "Mayham"
Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: March 28 (midnight), 29 (9:00 p.m.) and 31 (10:00 p.m.), and April 1 (10:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdate: March 27 (10:00 p.m.)
Silvio (Steven Van Zandt) divides the spoils from Paulie's (Tony Sirico) latest score, and heads off a territorial impasse between Bobby (Steven R. Schirripa) and Vito (Joe Gannascoli). Carmela turns to an unexpected source for help with AJ (Robert Iler); Christopher (Michael Imperioli) turns to an old writing acquaintance, JT Dolan (Tim Daly), for help in a new venture.

Written by Matthew Weiner; directed by Jack Bender.

Veteran directors of THE SOPRANOS returning for new shows are Jack Bender, Steve Buscemi, Alan Taylor and Tim Van Patten. Directing episodes for the first time will be Danny Leiner ("Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle"), David Nutter (HBO's "Band of Brothers") and Steve Shill (HBO's "Rome" and "Deadwood").

Among the writers this season are Emmy(r) winner David Chase, Emmy(r) winner Terence Winter, Matthew Weiner and Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider.

In 2004, the series won four Emmys(r), including Drama Series; Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Michael Imperioli); Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Drea de Matteo); and Writing for a Drama Series (Terence Winter, "Long Term Parking"). The show has also won five Golden Globe Awards, including the award in the Best Television Series - Drama category in 2000.

THE SOPRANOS is a production of HBO Original Programming, Brad Grey Television and Chase Films; executive producers, David Chase, Brad Grey, Ilene S. Landress, Terence Winter; co-executive producers, Henry J. Bronchtein and Matthew Weiner; supervising producers, Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider; producers, Martin Bruestle and Gianna Smart. Posted by Picasa