Wise Guy: David Chase Revisits The Sopranos in HBO Documentary Trailer

Wise Guy: David Chase Revisits The Sopranos in HBO Documentary Trailer

As a seasoned gamer of prestige television, I can confidently say that the upcoming two-part documentary, “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos,” has me on the edge of my seat. With a background drenched in the mobster culture of New Jersey, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I reminisce about Tony Soprano’s tumultuous journey through life.


25 years following Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) panic attack-induced therapy session in HBO’s “The Sopranos”, its creator, David Chase, is now conversing on Dr. Melfi’s couch. In a sneak peek at his upcoming HBO Original two-part documentary titled “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos“, esteemed director Alex Gibney (known for 2008’s “Taxi to the Dark Side”) offers an exclusive insight into Chase’s mind and career as he reflects on the groundbreaking series that earned 21 Emmys and continues to be a benchmark for premium television.

Wise Guy

8:00pm – 9:15 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, I take you through my journey, starting from my days in New Jersey, where my passion for storytelling ignited. After carving a niche in network TV writing, I felt compelled to create something deeply personal – a film about a mobster with a plot to assassinate his mother. This became the blueprint for “The Sopranos,” a feature that defied expectations and morphed into a tale of a mob boss on the brink of mental collapse.

In the second part (from 9:20 pm to 10:45 pm ET/PT), Chase delves into the difficulties of designing a 13-episode storyline while maintaining a balance between the humor and gravity of the narrative. Simultaneously, he and his fellow writers acknowledge that they use their personal experiences as a source for crafting characters. The cast recalls the kindness, brilliance, and struggle with fame exhibited by the late James Gandolfini. Chase reflects on the enduring popularity of Tony Soprano’s character and how the show’s narrative, from its premiere to its thought-provoking finale, forms a circle.

Wise Guy: David Chase Revisits The Sopranos in HBO Documentary Trailer

Frankly and thoughtfully delving into the intricacies of crafting a hit series, Chase discusses the hurdles faced in keeping the show thriving, the emotional impact of losing some cherished characters, and his collaborative dynamic with the late James Gandolfini. “Wise Guy” offers an intimate look at the writers’ room, tracing the evolution from the groundbreaking pilot to the debated finale, revealing how a series centered on a complex mob boss transformed into a cultural touchstone, a cherished viewer favorite — and a game-changer in television.

In addition to previously recorded interviews with the late actors Nancy Marchand, Tony Sirico, and James Gandolfini, the show Wise Guy includes fresh interviews with writers-producers Terence Winter, Robin Green, Frank Renzulli; former HBO executives Chris Albrecht (Chairman & CEO) and Carolyn Strauss (President of HBO Entertainment); director of photography Alik Sakharov; and actor Steven Van Zandt who played Silvio Dante.

Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos premieres Sept. 7th on HBO and Max.

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2024-08-20 21:40