Why did Martin Scorsese not like The Sopranos

Look, here's the thing - Martin Scorsese, the guy who basically wrote the book on mob movies with Goodfellas and Casino, has never actually said he hates The Sopranos. Not once. He's actually praised it, worked with its creator David Chase on The Many Saints of Newark, the whole nine yards. But somehow people keep thinking there's bad blood. Where'd that come from? Honestly, it's mostly from Scorsese being kinda meh about television as a format for his own stuff, not from any real beef with the show itself. Let's dig into this mess and sort out what's actually true.

What did Martin Scorsese actually say about The Sopranos?

Scorsese's been pretty clear about liking the show. In a 2021 Variety interview he straight up called it "masterful" and tipped his hat to Chase's storytelling. He liked how it dug into the psychological side of mob life - something his own films do too, but differently. The whole rumor thing probably started with a 2012 interview where he mentioned he didn't watch much TV, The Sopranos included, because he'd rather be making movies. People twisted that into "he hates it," when really he was just talking about his own viewing habits. Simple miscommunication, really.

Did Martin Scorsese and David Chase have a rivalry?

Nah, not even close. These guys respect each other. Chase has always said Scorsese's Mean Streets was huge for The Sopranos. Then in 2021, Scorsese produced The Many Saints of Newark, Chase's prequel film. During that whole promotion thing, Scorsese said Chase "created something entirely new" and "turned the mob genre inside out." That doesn't sound like rivalry to me - sounds like mutual admiration.

How did The Sopranos influence Scorsese's later work?

I don't think Scorsese changed his style because of the show. But The Sopranos probably made him think more about psychological stuff. The show's therapy scenes and Tony's family drama - you can see echoes of that in The Irishman (2019). Both are about the emotional toll of mob life, not just the violence. Scorsese's said Chase's character work was "revolutionary" and helped open doors for more serialized storytelling in movies.

Why do people think Scorsese disliked the show?

The myth sticks around for a few reasons:

Misquoted interviews: That "I don't watch TV" comment got ripped out of context big time.
Genre competition: Some fans treat The Sopranos like it's competing with Scorsese's movies, so they imagine drama where there isn't any.
Scorsese's film purism: He's been loud about cinema dying, so people assume he hates all TV. But his beef is with streaming industry trends, not the actual shows.

His real critique? It's about how the industry's changing, not about The Sopranos being bad.

Data Table: Comparing Scorsese's Mob Films and The Sopranos

Aspect	Scorsese's Mob Films	The Sopranos
Central character	Henry Hill (Goodfellas), Sam Rothstein (Casino)	Tony Soprano
Timeframe	Specific eras (1950s-1980s)	Contemporary (1999-2007)
Narrative style	Fast-paced, linear, with voiceover	Slow-burn, serialized, with therapy sessions
Violence portrayal	Stylized, graphic, with dark humor	Realistic, psychological, with moral weight
Family focus	Secondary to crime life	Central theme (both crime and biological family)
Critical reception	Academy Award nominations, cultural landmarks	Emmy Awards, considered one of the greatest TV series

Checklist: Debunking the Myth About Scorsese and The Sopranos

Scorsese praised the show: Called it "masterful" and "revolutionary."
He collaborated with David Chase: Produced The Many Saints of Newark.
The "not watching TV" comment: Was about his personal preference, not the show's quality.
No rivalry exists: Chase cites Scorsese as a major influence.
Scorsese's film purism: Targets streaming industry trends, not individual TV series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Martin Scorsese ever watch The Sopranos?

He's said he watched bits and pieces, not the whole thing. But he praised the writing and acting, especially James Gandolfini's Tony.

Is The Sopranos a rip-off of Goodfellas?

No way. Sure, it was influenced by Goodfellas and other mob movies, but it carved its own path with therapy, family drama, and suburban stuff. Chase says it came from his own experiences, not just Scorsese's work.

Why did Scorsese produce The Many Saints of Newark?

He liked Chase's idea for a prequel about young Dickie Moltisanti. Thought it was a cool way to expand the mob genre and honor The Sopranos legacy.

Does Martin Scorsese prefer his own mob movies to The Sopranos?

Never made that comparison. He respects The Sopranos as its own thing, not a rival.

What did David Chase say about Martin Scorsese?

Chase calls him "the master of the mob genre" and says The Sopranos wouldn't exist without Scorsese's films.

Short Summary

Myth Debunked: Martin Scorsese did not dislike The Sopranos; he praised it as "masterful" and collaborated with David Chase.
Origin of Confusion: A misquoted comment about not watching TV was misinterpreted as criticism of the show.
Respectful Relationship: Scorsese and Chase have a mutual admiration, with Chase citing Scorsese as a major influence.
Legacy of Collaboration: Scorsese executive produced The Many Saints of Newark, proving his support for the series' universe.