The Sopranos (Console-Ing Passions/Spin Offs) by Dana Polan (3-Apr-2009) Paperback

Spin-Offs

by Dana Polan

“In its original run on HBO, The Sopranos mattered, and it matters still,” Dana Polan asserts early in this analysis of the hit show, in which he sets out to clarify the impact and importance of the series in both its cultural and media-industry contexts. A renowned film and TV scholar, Polan combines a close and extended reading of the show itself—and of select episodes and scenes—with broader attention to the social landscape with which it is in dialogue. For Polan, The Sopranos is a work of playful irony that complicates simplistic attempts to grasp its meanings and values. The show seductively beckons the viewer into an amoral universe, hinting at ways to make sense of its ethically complicated situations, only to challenge the viewer’s complacent grasp of things. It deftly exploits the interplay between art culture and popular culture by mixing elements of art cinema—meandering plots, narrative breaks, and an uncertain progression—with the allure of a soap opera, delving into its characters’ sex lives, mob rivalries, and parent–child conflicts. A show about corrupt figures who parasitically try to squeeze illicit profit from the system, The Sopranos itself seems a target of attempts to glom on to its fame as a successful TV attempts by media executives, marketers, critics and writers, and even presidential candidates. “Everyone wants a piece of Sopranos action,” says Polan, and he traces the marketing of the series across both official and unauthorized media platforms, including cookbooks, games, DVDs, and the kitschy Sopranos bus tour. Critiquing previous books on The Sopranos , Polan suggests that in their quest to find deep meaning, many of the authors missed the show’s ironic and comedic side.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Dana Polan is Professor of Cinema Studies at New York University. He is the author of The Sopranos, Julia Child's The French Chef, and Scenes of Instruction: The Beginnings of the U.S. Study of Film.

Reviews

[Arash · Rating 2 out of 5]

if you want some in-depth, multi-faceted and somewhat scattered analysis of the TV show, then read this book. it's written in very academic language, with a very academic tone and Polan definitely puts himself above the rest of the pack in his attempt to analyze most every major element or theme of the show.



the strength of the book is that he does just that. he covers so much, with a surprising amount of depth and with references to other pop culture icons and all in very short, readable chapters. the scope of the book is great and gets you excited to watch the show all over again, just to look out for the references he's made. if you can deal with his almost condescending, profesorial jargon, you'll enjoy it

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review published in Criticism 51:2 (2010): 339-438.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the show and this book does not disappoint . Any fan of the HBO show needs this book .