It's About Time: A Sopranos Watch Podcast

It's About Time it's over. Bill Russum and Mike Peters wrap up the entire run of The Sopranos by talking about their favorite deaths and what two comedians with zero TV background would've done to make an almost unanimous, top-five show better. Just what David Chase was hoping for 24 years after writing the pilot. These idiots will be back with another form of the show, so keep following along. Thanks for listening and providing feedback. It's been a fun 90 episodes. 

We went back in time to watch Tony hang out with his pal, Uncle Dickie Moltisanti on The Many Saints of Newark. We got to see Tony and Janice watch Johnny Boy get arrested and see what Junior looks like without hair. So not everything changes. Plus there's Leslie Odom, Jr., playing Harold McBrayer, and Christopher's (two) mom(s) and Ray Liotta twice. A lot happens and Bill and Mike are trying (badly) to figure it out on the second-to-last episode of It's About Time -- The Sopranos version.

We're done watching The Sopranos' series. We're almost caught up with the rest of you. Bill Russum and Mike Peters are going to talk about what they liked and didn't like and how it could've been done better -- 16 years after the finale. Like they know anything about anything. We've got two more episodes. We're talking about The Many Saints of Newark and what we thought about The Sopranos as a whole. So two more weeks until we shut down and retool. 

It's the Sopranos finale. Made in America, the 21st episode of the sixth season. It's taken us about 18 months -- plus 22 years -- but we've finally watched the Sopranos. Tony returns from the safe house and strikes a deal with the Lupertazzi family, minus Phil. A.J. gets a new job and Tony says goodbye to Junior, Silvio and Phil -- with help from Warden and Benny. All is right with the Soprano family until everything cuts to black. Now what? Now I understand why everybody has been so mad.

We're down to the last two episodes. It's Season 6, Episode 20: The Blue Comet. Phil decides that Tony, Silvio and Bobby need to go and puts a plan together. Tony's got a plan, too, but it doesn't go well. Dr. Melfi decides to cut ties with Tony after Elliott and her peers have their say and A.J. is out of the psych ward and is hanging out with a new lady-friend. We say goodbye to another main character and Tony sleeps with a gun. It's a good one.

It's The Second Coming, the 19th episode of Season 6. AJ is really depressed again. Apparently, beating up an innocent Somalian biker doesn't do much for the kid. Weirdo. After reading The Second Coming, a poem, he decides to try to kill himself. He changes his mind and Tony comes to his rescue. Tony's a busy boy. He defends Meadow's honor, brings a tooth with him, and ruins any relationship he had with Phil. 

Well, this is a sad one. It's Kennedy and Heidi, the 18th episode of Season 6.  Christopher finally got clean, but it took a car accident to get him there. High again with Tony in the car, Christopher nearly hits two teenage girls and flips his new car. Tony gets out of the car, but has had enough and suffocates him. Paulie's mom or aunt -- whatever -- dies, too. But no one cares. AJ has a crisis on conscience and goes all Rodney King on his therapist. 

Christopher, Christopher, Christopher. When will you learn that you can't drink and not hurt people? It's Season 6, Episode 17: Walk Like a Man. A.J. is in a funk because Blanca left him and Tony has an idea to get him jump-started. Tony almost quits therapy, but a new realization keeps him there. Little Paulie steals from Christopher's father-in-law and goes for a ride through a window, which angers Paulie a tad. Christopher drinks to make things right with Paulie and a new problem arises. 

It's Chasing It, the 16th episode of Season 6. Tony has a problem and now so do Hesh, Marie and Vito, Jr. Funny how that keeps happening. Dominos, man. Tony develops a big-time gambling addiction that causes problems throughout the family -- the real one -- and Carmella. She just sold a house to her cousin, Brian, and is worried about Hugh's craftmanship. A.J. gets engaged to Blanca, who has immediate second thoughts. But at least there's a parade.

It's Season 6, Episode 15: Remember When. Paulie and Tony take a little trip to Miami because the FBI found a body they hid under a house a couple decades ago. Oops. Tony tries to get Paulie to admit to the joke about Ginny, but there are no dice to be had. Junior makes a new friend in the hospital ward and then gets a beating from karma. 

Another episode of the Sopranos and another death. Maybe two. Fine. Definitely two. We've got Stage 5, the 14th episode of Season 6. Johnny Sac has cancer and it's not good. Phil decides he doesn't want to lead his family anymore. Cleaver is done and Christopher has a new problem with Carmella and Tony, who's coming to a new realization. 

It's Tony's birthday and he celebrates by getting arrested. The gun charge is going away -- for now -- so he and Carmella go to the lake to spend it with Bobby and Janice. Just some Monopoly, booze and a knock-down, drag-out fight. Just the way the the old Sopranos used to do. It's Season 6, Episode 13: Sopranos Home Movies.

Christopher is dating a black woman named Kaisha. Or is he? (He's not. Like you haven't watched the episode already.) It's Season 6, Episode 12. Tony gets rejected by Julianna, who's dating Christopher. The two of them try mixing drugs with everyday life. I'm sure it'll work out well. Carmella is trying to figure out what happened to Adrianna. Carlo and Silvio say their final goodbyes to Fat Dom. And Phil almost gets blown up. A lot is happening. 

We're back with Season 6, Episode 11: Cold Stones. Vito comes home and wants to work in Atlantic City. Phil finds out Vito's back and wants Tony to set up a family reunion. Silvio and Carlo have a short meeting with Fat Dom and Carmella goes to Paris for a week. There's a lot of stuff going on right now. Bill and Mike are talking about it.

We're back with Moe n' Joe, the 10th episode of Season 6. Sal is tired of mowing enormous lawns for free and finds an out when Johnny Sac agrees to a plea deal with the feds. Johnny is trying to save his assets and take care of Ginny, while Janice only cares about herself and Bobby -- but mostly herself. Tony finds a solution for Johnny and Janice. Plus Vito decides to come home, has an accident and finds a quick fix.

It's time for The Ride, the ninth episode of Season 6. Christopher and Tony go for a ride to Pittsburgh and come back with a bunch of alcoholic presents. Christopher begins a couple new chapters in his life and then stumbles in his sobriety. Paulie finds a new way to put money in his pockets and ignites the anger in Bobby. 

Let's rewind a little: Due to a clerical error -- Mike forgetting to upload this episode from three seasons ago -- we're finally releasing Season 3, Episode 10: To Save Us All from Satan's Power. Tony is having flashbacks about Pussy's betrayal and then finds out Jackie Jr. isn't living up to his potential. Plus the crew needs a new Santa. 

It's a wild one on It's About Time. We're talking about Season 6, Episode 8: Johnny Cakes. Vito comes out to his new fire-fighter friend and then punches him in the face. Just like the do in New Jersey. Tony gets a new business proposition from a pretty woman. AJ becomes a club kid and passes out in the bathroom. Just another episode of the Sopranos. Programming note: While feeding the OCD's needs, we discovered there's a forgotten episode of It's About Time. Aren't they all? We recorded but forgot to release our recap of To Save Us All from Satan's Power, the 10th episode of Season 3. That's going to come out on April 26. We'll resume our march toward the end on May 3. 

Artie, Artie, Artie. If you only shut your mouth, Benny wouldn't want to kill you right now. These people. It's time for Season 6, Episode 7 with Bill Russum and Mike Peters. Artie's restaurant is doing poorly and he's on the verge of losing it. Benny starts dating the hostess and runs a scheme while Christopher is in Las Vegas. Things get a little tight. 

It's Live Free or Die, the sixth episode of Season 6. Vito is outed and on the run in New Hampshire. Tony and the family investigate the rumor and decide Vito's fate. Phil Leotardo is doing the same thing. Who's going to find him first? 

It's Season 6, Episode 5: Mr. and Mrs. Sacrimoni Request. Johnny Sac is getting out of prison to attend his daughter's wedding. He's got six hours and he's got work to do. Tony is dealing with some insecurities as he's getting back to work. Plus he's got a new driver named Perry and they're going to be very good friends for a very long time. Plus Vito is busted at a gay club. I'm sure he'll be fine.

It's time for Season 6, Episode 4: The Fleshy Part of the Thigh. Bobby has an idea for a young rapper. No. It's not about the lyrics. Not yet, at least. Tony is about the be released from the hospital -- against his wishes -- but first, he's hanging out with new friends he's made on his wing. Johnny Sac is working an angle from prison that could make things rough for Tony and the family, and Paulie's world is falling apart. It's a good time.

Bill Russum and Mike Peters are back to talk about Mayham, the third episode of Season 6. Tony is still in a coma and has to decide which direction to go. Does he go to the fancy party or does he go toward the familiar voices? Christopher meets up with an old friend to talk about a movie idea and Paulie and Vito have to split some newfound money. 

Tony is in a coma after Junior shot him in the stomach. Carmella and the rest of the family are in and out of his room, while Tony is in and out of reality. Bill Russum and Mike Peters are talking about Join the Club, the second episode of Season 6. 

The sixth season is here and so is Gene -- for now. A relocation to Florida goes out the window and a couple of snitches say goodbye. Junior needs all the extra help he can get, so Tony cooks for him and pays for it. Listen along with Bill Russum and Mike Peters.

It's the Season 5 finale. Who's making it to Season 6? Not everybody. Johnny and Phil want Tony B's location and Tony S. doesn't want to give it up if torture is an option. Christopher is in hiding until the mess with Tony B. is cleaned up and Benny pays the price. Listen along with Bill Russum and Mike Peters.

It's finally happened. We had to say goodbye to the best person on the show. Not Bill Russum. It's Season 5, Episode 12: Long-Term Parking. Adrianna is cornered by the FBI and confesses to Christopher and they make a plan to get away. Tony has to turn Tony B. over to Johnny Sack and Phil Leotardo. Things aren't going well. But at least Carmella wants Tony to move back into the house -- for a mere $600,000 investment. 

Tony decides he needs to get away for a while, but the troubles keep coming. Tony B. gets revenge for the death of a good friend and puts everybody in trouble. Bill Russum and Mike Peters are talking about The Test Dream, the 11th episode of Season 5.

Tony and Janice address their anger issues in different ways on the 10th episode of Season 5, Cold Cuts. Bobby gives Janice an ultimatum and Tony give Georgie a hard-earned vacation. Christopher is upset how he's being treated and Adrianna offers him a chance to get away. Come along with Bill Russum and Mike Peters for another episode of It's About Time.

Looks like we've got a new scapegoat in town. Or an old one. Whatever. Anytime someone gets in trouble, two unidentified black males come to the rescue. It's the ninth episode of Season 5, Unidentified Black Males. Tony tells Dr. Melfi a secret he's been hiding from everybody for more than 15 years and Johnny Sacks finds out who killed Joey Peeps. Finn gets a job and makes a new friend in Vito -- for now. 

It's time for Marco Polo, the eighth episode of Season 5. Carmella's dad turns 75 and they're planning a surprise party for him. The big question is: Should Tony attend the party? Tony B. picks up a side job that didn't end well for Joey Peeps or his foot. I'm sure it won't lead to any trouble. 

This is pretty much an episode about friendship and cars. It's In Camelot, the seventh episode of Season 5. Tony meets one of his dad's, uh, associates and she needs the money she's owed. Phil has it and now he needs a new car. J.T., a Hollywood writer, learns never to borrow money from a friend, especially if his name is Christopher. Watch along with Mike Peters and Bill Russum.

Tony B. has a new job and Carmella has a new person in her life. Surely, both of them will be happy for longer than an episode, right? Tony and A.J. decide living together isn't as awesome as they thought it was going to be, so it's time to move back home. Bill and Mike are talking all about it on Sentimental Education, the sixth episode of Season 5.

Tony and Adrianna try to squash a rumor before Christopher finds out and they fail big-time. It's Season 5, Episode 5, Irregular Around the Margins. Tony has a weird mole and Adrianna has IBS and a late-night coke run turns violent. Hang out with Mike and Bill as they discuss what happens.

Bill and Mike are back to talk about All Happy Families, the fourth episode of Season 5. Feech has an idea and it ends up costing him. Johnny Sacks gets his last paycheck from Lorraine. AJ gets drunk and high and moves in with Tony and Artie. It's a doozy.

Bill and Mike are back to talk about Season 5, Episode 3, Where's Johnny? Who's going to be in charge, Little Carmine or Johnny? Everything will work out just fine, so long as Christopher doesn't get involved. Let's see what happens. Also, Junior goes for a drive and a walk before he and Tony have a heart-to-heart talk. 

Tony B. comes to town and is ready to ... massage? Whatever. Tony's got his favorite cousin back and a nice, new painting I'm sure he'll cherish forever. Bill and Mike are talking about Rat Pack, the second episode of Season 5. Adriana almost comes clean on movie night and another informant takes a nap.

Season 5 is upon us and Bill and Mike are going to talk about it. Why switch things up now? This is Two Tonys. Tony and Carmella are still separated. Janice and Bobby are married. AJ sees a bear. Chris and Paulie get into an ethical tussle with each other and a violent one with a waiter. Then Tony and Dr. Melfi hit sort of a rough patch. Just listen. 

The Season 4 finale is here. Tony decided to buy a house for Carmella and the kids and his timing is amazing. Christopher is out of rehab and he's back on Tony's good side. But is Carmine? Bonus: Vincent Darpino is here and he's got a gun. I hope Doogie doesn't find out. Listen along with Bill and Mike. 

We're almost done with Season 4. It's time for Eloise, the 12th episode. Furio makes a couple moves without Tony knowing and Carmella takes a turn. Paulie shows how good he is with the elderly. But at least his mom got the rolls she wanted. That's all that really matters anyway. Listen along with Bill and Mike. 

Bill and Mike are back after watching the 11th episode of Season 4, Calling All Cars. Tony decides he's gotten enough out of therapy and furthers his lie about Ralphie's disappearance. Carmine wants 40 percent of the HUD scam and Tony settles on 5.5 percent. It doesn't go well. Poor Vic, the Appraiser. Plus AJ scares kids and Janet and Bobby eat pasta. This one has it all.

Christopher is an asshole again. He's on heroin and a dog. Which is worse? Well, depends on if you're the dog or not. Tony and Furio face off without even knowing it and Paulie has some new artwork for his house. Strap in for the 10th episode of Season 4 and listen to Mike fail at being funny while Bill humors him.

We're back for Whoever Did This, the ninth episode from Season 4. Tony and Ralphie suffer big losses in this episode. Whose is bigger is up for debate. Christopher's drug use is getting in the way of his mafia duties and Pie-O-My goes for her last ride. It's a sad one.

Raphie has a new girlfriend and so does Tony. Because sharing is caring. Furio had to leave the country and is coming back with some bad intentions and Carmella is finally getting even with Tony. I'm sure he won't mind. 

Adriana and Christopher are getting engaged, strictly for romance purposes. It has nothing to do with getting out of testifying against the family. Brian gives Tony and Ralphie some realty advice and Irina is dating Assemblyman Zellman. Tony's cool with it. He said so. Listen along with Mike Peters and Bill Russum as they talk about Watching Too Much TV, the seventh episode of Season 4.

The guys are back to talk about Everybody Hurts, the sixth episode of Season 4. Artie gets a taste of being part of the family and finds out he's no good at it. Gloria says goodbye on her own terms -- or does she? -- and Tony tries to change his ways. At least for now. We'll see how long that lasts. Plus AJ finds love in the bakery section. 

We're back with the fifth episode of the fourth season, Pie-O-My. Ralphie and Tony buy a horse and watch it run. 

Johnny has enough of Ralphie and his attempt at humor and decides to shut him up -- with or without the family's approval. Tony urges Ralphie to take a vacation until things blow over. All it takes is a crying wife and a secret stash of candy bars to find peace. Listen as Mike Peters and Bill Russum watch the fourth episode of Season 4, The Weight. 

Bill Russum and Mike Peters are talking about everything that happened on Christopher, the third episode of Season 4. Johnny Sack finds out about the joke Ralphie told. Ralphie choses Janice over Rosalie. Uncle Junior's trial starts. Bobby becomes a widow. It's like the universe didn't want them to celebrate Columbus Day or something. Hmm. 

Christopher got a temporary promotion while Paulie's spending quality time in an Ohio jail and Patsy and Silvio take exception. Ralphie debates his relationship with Janice while playing basketball for what has to be the first time ever. Adriana and Danielle have a disagreement over a would-be threesome and let's say a vomit-inducing secret.