The Sopranos

The Soprano’s A few months ago, John Gotti, the granddaddy of all gangsters, who ran the Gambino crime family, passed away quietly in a hospital in Missouri. Cancer isn't probably how he would have wished to die. Given his reputation as a ruthless mobster, Gotti would probably have desired to depart in a blaze of criminal glory: getting whacked by his enemies. It would have been the expected and understandable end to a tumultuous …

…may be undisputable, yet critics abound. The most vocal are, interestingly enough, Italian Americans who are tired of the mafia references which they fear only serves to strengthen the negative Italian American stereotype. According to an article in SicilianCulture.com, "The Sopranos is vulgar, violent and defames Italians." True, but actress Edie Falco who plays Tony's wife on the show, was invited to appear on Sesame Street, so there. They must be doing something right.