When all the hype started in '99, I decided to tune in to "The Sopranos." What I found was a thorough rip-off of GOODFELLAS. Though I stopped watching after about three episodes that first season, I have followed the progress of the show on various Internet forums, like this one. I did watch the ending last night, and am confused by those who insist that Tony was "whacked." The last two things we see are:

1. Meadow walking into the diner

2. Tony looking up and reacting as she walks in.

That's it. Yes, Chase deliberately made it feel like something terrible was about to happen, but they were all red-herrings. And I've had to chuckle at those who keep insisting that Tony was shot in the back of the head. If that's true, then it was by the world's first invisible hitman with the world's first invisible gun, because there was no one standing behind Tony in that last moment.

Those who argue that we were meant to experience Tony's world/life as he does are forgetting who wrote and directed the show. David Chase has flatly stated in a number of interviews that he despises the character Tony Soprano, and is somewhat appalled by people's admiration of and fandom for what is essentially a sociopathic killer. I seriously doubt that Chase would, at this late stage, try and have us empathize with poor Tony Soprano.

The people here who have gotten it right are those who have stated that Chase was essentially giving his audience the finger. Of that there can be no doubt. It's one thing not to offer "closure", to refuse the temptation to tie everything up in a nice pretty bow. It's another thing entirely to yank the narrative rug out from under your audience and leave them on the floor, rubbing their aching heads.

Simply put, "The Sopranos" started out as an over-hyped but mediocre show, and ended as an over-hyped but awful show. Nothing more needs to be said...or written.

Booze is his only escape. One day he buys a cheap bottle of something called Viper to dry and drown his sorrows.

Click on my name below to see what happens next.

As the only surviving member of the starring cast of the '61 original, I bet he has a few pithy things to say. Does anyone know if he was interviewed about it?

Sorry, but the music of that era, on average, was and remains VASTLY better than the music of our own. And I'm not a Boomer.

....DISGUSTING. Fat tubs of shit that no man could or would ever want, they make me sad.

But then fat, ugly male tubs of shit are no different.

If there's one thing we need to learn in this country is that obsese is ugly. It doesn't matter how pretty your eyes are, or how shapely your mouth; it doesn't matter how prominent your chin is, or how mesomorphic your body might be.

If you're obese you're OUT. End of story.

That doesn't mean you should be discriminated against. But it probably means you will. But you have control. Change yourself, for your own sake!

Here's a tip, Kerry: STOP TAKING TIPS FROM YOUR FRIENDS. Instead, take the advice of your enemies (at least when it comes to Video Dog).

This "piece" is really awful: Boring, artless, unfunny. And now we're stuck with it every Wednesday. Try again.

She was very, VERY good in nearly every sketch, as well as Weekend Update. The following season I missed her gracious yet funny presence. Then I saw her in AMADEUS and thought to myself, "Oh, no wonder she left. This woman is a huge talent!" Glad to know that she's still wowing people.

Don't fret. curmudgeon2 is full of shit. I'm betting he's a twenty-something troll who likes to tweak the letter boards.

Kill It and Grill It.

That's rich, considering that Mikhail Kalashnikov ripped off the design of the German MP-44, introduced near the end of WWII as an answer to the Soviet SpSh submachine gun.

When countries like Bulgaria were part of the Warsaw Pact Moscow had no problem with them manufacturing knock-offs. Now all of a sudden it's a problem. Geez, what a crock of shit!

I HAVE read everything he's ever written (except the kiddy books). I was responding to what he said in the interview which, considering what he's written, was quite a shock.

When I first read the link to page three, indicating that Mr. Breathed had done battle with the P.C. morons, I was greatly thrilled. Then I clicked the link and read the above. There is nothing "P.C." about that issue. While it may not mean a thing to a five-year-old, it sure as shit means something to a ten-year-old, and even more to a 14-year-old, and more still to an 18-year-old.

I grew up in a working class family. I'm not ashamed of that, but then I was raised in a smart working class family. They bluntly told me that I didn't want to end up like them, and so I'd better get my ass in gear and go to college. And they were right. But had they just malingered along, never offering a sense that I could be different, my life wouldn't be worth a plug nickel.

Mr. Berkeley "I've-Been-A-Wealthy-Creative-Artist-Since-I-Was-25" Breathed needs to pull his head out of his ass on this one. And quick.