In the Godfather, the position of family boss was something inherited within the Corleone blood relatives. However, in the Sopranos, the boss is kinda just the next highest guy up, regardless of who is related to who. Which is truer to real life? I would figure that the Sopranos would be.

Soprano's in reletive to rank is a closer reality than The Godfather. Rank isn't necesserally a passed over through blood. I can't think of any real life boss's passing on that responsibility apart from Gotti Snr to his Goombah Son.

Oh I suppose the Gambino operations being handed over to Castellano would count aswell. And everyone knows the disrespect this caused.

That was one the Godfather was't really acurrate about. Micheal would not have become Don as quickly as he did upon his return from Sicily. The more likely Don would have been Clemenza or Tessio depending on who Vito trusted more, hopefully Clemenza

In terms of story and plot- The Sopranos blows it away, because the possibilities are endless, new episodes all the time. The Godfather is a limited classic with a basic/generic/simple plot. The Godfather kicks though.

They're both great. They are hard to compare because one is a show and one is a movie.

I have to agree, this is a tough decision. The Sopranos, is a kick ass show, it's got the believeable, everyday characters, that just happen to be mobsters. It's got slick production and storylines. Best show I've seen in years.
Now the GODFATHER, you have to admit, it's a timeless classic. You can't improve on perfection! I've heard talk of them doing a GF4. But come on now, would you actually buy a modern day Godfather? I couldn't see it.

so i guess i can't pick either...

okay my heart leans toward The Godfather!!!

I wonder what would happen if the Sopranos and the Corleones went to war. I know that Livia Soprano would definitely take care of Mama Corleone.

Turi's right: the American Mafia Donship definitely has not been an hereditary office. Other than the two examples he cited, there have been only two more that I know of: Joe Bonanno's attempt to make his son Salvatore (Bill) the Don, which failed; and Joe Magliocco taking over from his brother-in-law, Joe Profaci, which precipitated the war that lead to the Bonanno failure. It's been a question of might makes right, more often than not involving treachery. That's what makes "Sopranos" a here-and-now show: Everyone wears a wire, nobody has any loyalty, and even the Don's fallable.

I don't know if it is essential in this arguement, but I remember the Godfather novel mentioning that it wasn't hereditory in the Corleone Family either....

It goes on to argue that Mike was better prepared and a better potential Don than Tom, Clemenza, or Tessio....

I haven't seen the Sopranos, so I can't comment on the general topic, but for whatever it's worth, I have read on numerous occasions that passage of powers was by no means hereditory (in several cases, it resulted in "civil war" among the factions in the Family that does it...)

I totally agree Don Corpuzzi, although Livia may be able to take out a whole lot more than just Mama Corleone. Let's face it, she could go head to head with the Don himself.

She is/was one of my favorite characters on the show. Nancy Marchand is missed. RIP.

One thing I really love about the Sopranos is how the women are also indirectly involved. In the Corleone Family, Mama Corleone seemed to be totally out of the loop, as were Theresa, Kay, Sandra, and the other wives. In the Sopranos, Livia Soprano (Tony's mom) is pushing buttons and practically telling the boss (Uncle Junior) what to do. Also, Carmella Soprano (Tony's wife) is also aware of everything, even helping Tony hide stuff from the feds.

I don't have HBO, so I've only seen the two seasons of the show that have been released on DVD. But I can't wait to buy season 3 when it comes out!

This is where I think the Sopranos is much truer to real-life. Like Tony's family most Mafiosi see their membership as a way of part-taking in the American dream...to see that their kids get what they deserve out of the Amnerican Dream by providing for them through ill-gotten gains. Tony as a father wants his kids to have no part of what he's done. In a way this is what Don Vito wanted for Michael. Legitamcy, which participation in the "family" cannot provide.

I'm agree with ya Don tissinno.
But in the other hand i think that AJ in the Sopranos, even if his old man doesn't want him in the bizness, is the person who have the better future in the show.
I'm pretty sure that he will be not like Jakie Junior, but smarter and clever.
He will be be terrific boss later i think, i don't know why, we'll see.

Yeah, but even Connie could kick AJ's ass.

I think Appolonia and Meadow Soprano should settle things with a mud-wrestling match. What do you think?

Depends if it's Skinny Meadow or Fat Meadow.

(I prefer the fat Meadow anyway, not really fat but just more Italian looking, I need meat with my gravy)

Well, skinny Meadow was too adolescent. The Meadow that was on the cover of Maxim a while back looked great. Not supermodel thin, just enough meat on her to look healthy.

You know its off topic but I love the fact that the majority of public opinion prefers women with a naturally and healthier look on them with a bit of "meat" (which seems to be the term here). But still some women and weirdo supermodels strive to not eat and waste away (batchelors super noodle advert suddenly comes to my head, "i'm wasting away").

Probably because the skinny ones tend to look better modeling clothing in print or on the runway. Those 'big' models have made a name for themselves & that's great...but they still don't get the same level of attention that the 'thinnies' do.

Go "figure"....

Apple

If I were a woman and some modeling agency told me that I could earn $20k a night if I dropped another 20 pounds, I'd do it.

I'd do anything for money. I'd even have the sex change to earn that money.

The Corleones would win by far. the Sopranos is more about the life now. Not a good comparison. You should know that the Corleones would win

There was Nicolò Rizzuto in Canada who made his son Vito boss. Carlo Gambino passed the rank to his blood also, unfortunately for Paulie.

In that situation, though, Vito had pretty much been groomed from a very early age and by all accounts was fairly well respected by his father's admin. I doubt whomever ends up leading the Nick/Vito faction will have the last name Rizzuto. Well, maybe if Vito's son who was involved in the life hadn't been whacked.

You're right though there is at least some precedent for it happening in North America.