10 Reasons The Sopranos Is Still The Best TV Show Of All Time
8. It's Both The Best Drama And Best Comedy
The tone of The Sopranos is simply pitch perfect. It’s a drama through and through, a dark exploration of a damaged psyche, a violent industry, and the decline of modern society. It’s also, at its best, one of the funniest comedies you can ever hope to watch.
They never undercut the seriousness of the show to get a cheap laugh; The Sopranos’ comedy is simply an acceptance of the absurdity of everyday life. There are characters who sometimes serve primarily as comic relief - Paulie Walnuts, Junior Soprano - but all of the actors get to exercise their comedic chops on occasion.
What’s more, the funnier characters aren’t short on dramatic moments, either. The full gamut is explored in depth - Paulie may come across like a belligerent old fool early on, but in time Chase and co get to the dark heart of the man.
The tone never drops, either. Some shows, like Breaking Bad, started off with a similarly refreshing blend of styles, only to shift into something far less varied towards the end. The Sopranos maintains this delicate balance from start to finish.