‘The Sopranos’ Mastermind David Chase Still Refuses to Watch His Legendary Show At All Costs for One Reason No Fan Can Relate to

The Sopranos’ mastermind, David Chase followed legendary filmmaker, Orson Welles’ philosophy to not watch his own projects.

If one is a fan of the crime-drama genre, The Sopranos is surely one show that cannot be skipped. The genius behind the acclaimed series, David Chase, has delivered a groundbreaking work, redefining the storytelling narrative in the television industry.

However, he has admitted to having a surprising stance on revisiting his masterpiece, revealing a specific reason why he has never watched his series from start to end.

David Chase Revealed Why He Don’t Watch The Sopranos

The iconic series, created by David Chase, has made an enduring legacy in popular culture, which entertained the fans for over 8 years with six seasons from 1999 to 2007.

It follows the life of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss who navigates the challenges as the head of the DiMeo crime family while dealing with personal and family issues.

Given that the series received widespread acclaim for its writing, plot, and performances, it would surprise many that the former has never watched the entire series from start to finish.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he reflected on the same, revealing that his decision has been influenced by the legendary filmmaker, Orson Welles. He shared,

I read that Orson Welles said never do that. So if Orson says I don’t do it…

The filmmaker was renowned for his reluctance to watch his own projects, believing that it would only lead him to become overly critical of his creative process. The weight of the late filmmaker’s words has heavily influenced the former, who shares this sentiment as well.

He continued,

I mean I have watched pieces of it, and you’re sitting there going, ‘You know, we should have jacked that up a little bit,’ or ‘We shouldn’t have said that,’ or ‘He should have come around the corner.’

The Sopranos mastermind revealed that watching his iconic show would often lead him down a path of regret and second-guessing, which wasn’t a healthy decision for him.

David Chase Shared His Insights on the Making of The Sopranos

While Chase remained stern about watching his series, he also gave an insight into the creation process, highlighting the creative freedom he experienced which heavily contributed to its success.

One of the most significant aspects he emphasized was having no interference from network executives.

Unlike his previous experiences with network television, which involved various levels when some creative idea needed approval, The Sopranos allowed Chase to bring more complex narratives without restrictions.

He delved into how this creative freedom allowed him to bring a more realistic scenario on-screen.

Yeah, hence the realism question comes into play. It’s more realistic than some television series, which is not realistic. I don’t know how to explain it, but it just… I believe it was, or people have said, it’s more representative of actual human behavior.

The show’s focus on realism also helped in setting the series apart from other shows of its time, thus contributing to its enduring appeal. It garnered widespread acclaim for the genuine, flawed, and relatable characters who were immersed in complex situations, reflecting the similarities of real life.