In celebration of the series’s 25th anniversary, HBO has released Wise Guy: David Chase And The Sopranos, a new two-part documentary about the making of the series featuring interviews with the creator, cast, and crew. The Onion shares the most shocking takeaways from the documentary.
- David Chase originally wrote The Sopranos as a feature film: Only when he did the math did he realize eight years of money was way more than one year of money.
- Edie Falco was a last-minute addition: The role of Carmela Soprano was originally supposed to be played by James Gandolfini in a wig.
- Tony Soprano dies at the end of his life: Though Chase doesn’t specify when it happens, he finally does let it drop that Tony Soprano’s death does come at some point during the end of the character’s existence on Earth.
- The ducks are a metaphor for geese: The famous ducks in Tony’s pool actually symbolize a totally different species of waterfowl.
- There were no pranks: You’d think that on a long-running show like that there would be at least a couple fun on-set pranks. What a bunch of self-serious assholes.
- Paulie Walnuts was operated by three puppeteers simultaneously: The Emmy Award-winning animatronic is considered one of the Jim Henson Company’s finest achievements.
- Mom canceled the family Max subscription: Cheapskate.
- HBO created Sunday as a new way to market the show: Much of the show’s success can be traced back to HBO having the only show available to watch during this brand new time slot.
- James Gandolfini performed his own stunts: Every time Gandolfini is seen eating cold pasta from the fridge, it’s really him, not a stunt double.
- In the season finale ending, the viewer is meant to assume Tony has been circumcised: This theory has been all but confirmed by the show’s creators.
