"Madon'!!!"

15 Emmy nominations for The Sopranos

MADISON, WI - After much scrutiny and fan outrage over the series finale, validation may be at hand for David Chase and company.

HBO's ground-breaking series, The Sopranos, will be up for awards in 15 categories when the Emmy winners are announced in September. Among them: Best Drama, Lead and Supporting Actor and Actress, and a slew of technical noms.

A perennial Emmy favorite, the series finale was met with much scorn in June when the final scene abruptly cut to black. Fans quickly sought solace on the official site's community chat room by vehemently attacking the shocking conclusion like a pack of rabid dogs. So much so that the website crashed under the enormous volume of hate posts. What happened to the Soprano family as they gathered for dinner at local eatery? Who was that suspicious looking man in the members only jacket, eyeing Tony like he had a hard-on for Soprano blood? After six seasons of commitment, many viewers felt entitled to a clear cut and decisive ending.

However, after months of calming the fuck down and reflection on what actually happened in that final momentous scene, those initial complaints have turned into praise. Much like any of the previous 85 episodes, the beautifully painted strokes of cinematic subtlety by Chase and his entire family of filmmakers are what will linger and resonant with fans of the show.

The orgiastic outbursts of violence, sex, and profanities are wonderful in the moment. But for me at least, the gentleness that underlies the blood soaked carnage is what makes The Sopranos the single greatest mass media-pop culture-art form of the twentieth century.

A post detailing my man-love for Tony Soprano is forthcoming. Hopefully in it, I'll be able to contribute some new insight as to why this show kicks much ass, but most likely my thoughts will simply replicate the piles of praise the show has received over the years.

Eh, fuck it...I'dve never gotten around to it anyway so I better do it now.

OK, so here's the one thing that no one has ever clued into. Think back to season one. Picture it.

The very first image is that of Tony sitting in Dr. Melfi's waiting room, staring at a nude sculpture. The camera is placed behind the sculpture's legs, framing Tony in a 'behind bars' aesthetic. Remember? Good. Now here's my profound point that will shatter your very thoughts about what this show has meant and what ultimately happens in that final scene.

Tony Soprano is actua