While many have praised The Sopranos for its portrayal of Italian-American life, not all reception has been positive. The Coalition Of Italian-American Associations publicly condemned the show for its representation of "negative Italian-American stereotypes", perhaps unsurprisingly given that the show upholds the same image of Italian-American people that has dominated most media portrayals of the past 50 years. However, you regard it as stereotypical or exaggerated, the show is still exceptional.