The Sopranos

For the second year in a row, The Sopranos has won a Peabody for its sharply honed portrayal of “family” —one traditionally American and the other composed of larger-than-life mobsters. Caught between these two families is Tony Soprano, exquisitely played by James Gandolfini. Helping Tony sort out his family issues is therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco. His complicated relationships involve his wife Carmela, played by Edie Falco, and his children Meadow and Anthony, Jr. played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler. Also inhabiting Tony’s often disturbing world are his extended family—Michael Imperioli as Tony’s nephew Christopher, Dominic Chianese as Tony’s uncle, Junior Soprano, and the late Nancy Marchand as his mother—and his “boys”—Big Pussy (Vincent Pastore), Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt), and Pauli Walnuts (Tony Sirico). With an authenticity described as “gritty,” “violent,” and “endearing,” this darkly comic drama about a conflicted mob boss makes for mesmerizing television. In doing so, the program has become cable’s most watched series ever and gives its creator and co-executive producer David Chase the unparalleled distinction of back-to-back Peabodys for two entertainment programs, The Sopranos this year and last and Northern Exposure in the early 1990s. Assisting Mr. Chase in creating this second season of landmark television are co-executive producers Brad Grey, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green and Frank Renzulli and producers Ilene S. Landress, Allen Coulter, Martin Bruestle, Terence Winter and Todd Kessler. For continuing to be a complex engaging series of exceptional achievement, The Sopranos merits particular recognition with its second consecutive Peabody Award.