'Sopranos' may extend final run By Cynthia Littleton
Thu Aug 11, 3:28 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The upcoming season of "The Sopranos" might well be a whopper, at least in terms of the number of episodes.

Sources said series creator/executive producer David Chase is close to finalizing a pact with HBO to produce as many as 10 additional episodes for the upcoming sixth season, set to bow in March. Sources said the tentative game plan is for HBO to stretch out the mob drama's swan-song season over many months, much as it did with the final batch of "Sex and the City" episodes by running a batch of 12 from June-September 2003 and the final eight in January-February 2004.

It's understood that the "Sopranos" cast and crew went into the sixth season, which recently began production on the East Coast, expecting to film at least 10 but no more than 13 episodes for Season 6. Details were sketchy late Tuesday, but sources said that Chase was close to signing on to produce at least seven more installments of the Emmy-winning series.

Of course, when it comes to long-term planning for "Sopranos," the other X factor is the wishes of star James Gandolfini. It was unclear whether the extended-season plan would trigger new contract negotiations for Gandolfini, who was embroiled in litigation with HBO in early 2003 when he sought to renegotiate his pact before starting work on the fifth season.

Reps for HBO and Chase declined comment on the matter Wednesday.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Well, I hope this is right. But it could also be another example of Chase and HBO jerking us around. I get the feeling, continually, that Chase knows he controls the hottest TV series ever--and that he has a license to dole out his series as if it were our privilege to view it.

Withdrawal from the Sopranos was sort of like my divorce; sadness, anger, and finally acceptance. I'm so use to it NOT being on. We have what? 7 more months??? Why just around the corner. :p

Anyway, I did just see this story and was going to post it but noticed TS already did. It really is good news (unless like TB says they're just jacking us around ). In spite of the extremely long wait, I will look forward to seeing my favorite tv family again....and 7 extra episodes? Wow!! Can't believe it.

TIS

This confuses me, because Chase and company have also claimed that season six will not be the last season. Now I read news to where, this next/last season will be longer. What's the scoop?

Its official. We're getting a seventh season*!!

Below is a story in today's NY Daily News:

'Sopranos' get new life

HBO makes offer they can't refuse

BY MARISA GUTHRIE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER


Just when the cast of "The Sopranos" thought they were almost out of the mob, they've been pulled back in.

HBO executives announced yesterday that the sixth season of the hit show will not be the finale for Tony and his goons after all.

Creator David Chase has told the cable network that he has enough goods on the fictional North Jersey mob to make an abbreviated seventh season.

"When something is as remarkable as 'The Sopranos,' our audience would like to see it continue as long as possible, so we are thrilled that David Chase felt there are more stories to be told," HBO chief Chris Albrecht said in a statement.

Chase and "The Sopranos" crew are currently filming the 12-episode sixth season, and has informed HBO they have material for at least eight more episodes.

"We are obviously delighted that we will be able to extend 'The Sopranos' beyond its slated 12 episodes," Albrecht said.

The news comes as fans of the show are craving a new fix of the bullets and pasta series. The fifth season ended in June 2004, and the new season isn't set to air until March.

"With every season, this series continues to creatively evolve and grow," said "Sopranos" executive producer Brad Grey.

The prospect of more episodes suggests Tony Soprano, the Prozac-popping mob boss, won't get whacked in the sixth season.

Neither Grey nor Albrecht were willing to squeal about who will get deep-sixed before it's all over.

"We are all looking forward to spending more time with 'The Sopranos,'" is all Grey would say.

"The Sopranos" extention is similar to the last episodes of "Sex and the City," in which HBO programmers stretched out over two seasons.

Originally published on August 12, 2005

It was reported on one of the local tv stations this morning that the seventh season will start airing in January, '07.

* The network isn't calling it a seventh season, though. They're considering the 8 new episodes simply as a bonus.

BTW - The sixth season is scheduled to follow real-life time. In other words it will pick up 2 years after the Feds busted Johnny Sack; the same amount of time the show has been off the air.

Well, that's great news! If true, we won't have to wait two years between seasons. :rolleyes: It'll be good to see this thread come alive again.

"bullets and pasta series" Never thought of it that way.


TIS

Just got my Sopranos Newsletter:

Chase Will Produce More Sopranos

Saying he was "obviously delighted," HBO chairman Chris Albrecht announced on Thursday that the network will produce eight bonus episodes for The Sopranos' upcoming sixth season. The new episodes, which are slated to debut in January 2007, will follow the previously announced 12 episodes, which begin in March 2006.

"When something is as remarkable as The Sopranos, our audience would like to see it continue as long as possible," Albrecht said. "So we're thrilled that David Chase felt that there are more stories to be told."

Brad Grey, executive producer of the series added that the show had "continued to grow and evolve" with every season. "We're all looking forward to spending more time with The Sopranos," he said.

Its all good news my friends

Very good news.....Sopranos rocks it,

I get that same newsletter, JG. I never usually open them, due to spoilers and such, but as it's off season and we're all in the same boat, I read this one. Excellent news. I'm thoroughly looking forward to this already.

Mick