Shyne has reacted after Ray J said he would “slap the daylights” out of him and Mase for claiming they allegedly dated Brandy at the same time.

RELATED: Ray J’s Mom Sonja Norwood Speaks Out & Sets The Record Straight On His Health (WATCH)

Mase & Shyne Allege They Dated Brandy At The Same Time

During a recent episode of Cam’ron and Mase’s podcast, ‘It Is What It Is,’ Shyne was featured as a guest, and the conversation shifted to an alleged overlap between him and Mase. In a short shared via YouTube, Cam’ron asked Mase if he was “dating Brandy at one time.” In turn, Mase explained that he was “special.” However, he added that Shyne “came in” and “wound up being special too.”

“So I had to let him be special,” Mase added as the room cracked up in laughter.

In turn, Shyne appeared to joke about wanting to be “special” to Brandy, too. However, he seemingly explained that he had no idea about Mase and Brandy’s relationship.

“We had a mutual friend who was a snitch… but I was so excited, so I kept telling one of our mutual friends, and he was snitching me out. So Brandy was like, ‘Yo! Who you told you here? How does so and so know that you here with me right now?’ And I’m like, ‘Aw, man,’” Shyne claimed.

Ray J Says He’ll Slap The Daylights Out Of Shyne & Mase For Claiming They Allegedly Dated Brandy At The Same Time

On Tuesday, March 17, Ray J took to a livestream and shared strong words for Mase, Shyne, and even Cam’ron, in a clip captured by Instagram user @livebitez.

“Keep my sister name out your mouth before I slap the f*****g daylights out of you, period. ‘Cause one thing n****s not gon’ do is talk s**t about my sister without me going back on these big head ass n****s. Shyne, Mase, and Cam — like, I don’t know. I never had a problem with them but I saw some s**t today, and they gotta know that a n****a gon’ come back strong and say some s**t,” Ray told viewers.

Watch the NSFW clip by clicking here.

Shyne Reacts Alongside Social Media

On Wednesday, March 18, Shyne took to Instagram to share an apparent throwback photo of himself, Brandy, and Ray J alongside Ray’s single, ‘I Hit It First.’

“Let the record reflect I DID NOT ‘HIT IT FIRST’…….. Most respectfully @masonbetha @mr_camron @itiswhatitis_talk MAY 2 @kingsbklyn,” he wrote alongside the clip.

Meanwhile, the reactions poured in via @livebitez’s comment section.

RELATED: Ray J’s Mom Sonja Norwood Speaks After Kim Kardashian & Kris Jenner Reportedly Deny Planning Intimate Tape Release Under Oath

Published Mar 19, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT

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From long-running series to one-off guest spots, Bruce Willis has been all over our television screens. How many of these appearances do you know?

Image via ABC Photo Archives/ABC Photo Archives

The Price Is Right may not have been all fun and games for a long period of time.

During the Wednesday, March 18, premiere of Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Price Is Right, several former models came forward to share their experiences working on Bob Barker’s game show.

“I wanted to wait until Bob was gone because I knew he would jump in and deny everything,” Holly Hallstrom shared on E!’s two-part documentary. “But I was there. I heard what was said. … For years, Bob Barker controlled the story. But that ends today.”

Before Barker’s death in August 2023 at the age of 99, the TV personality held the mic and served as host of The Price Is Right from 1972 until 2007. (Drew Carey currently hosts the show, which still airs new episodes on CBS.)

Related: Bob Barker Through the Years: From Radio Host to ‘The Price Is Right’ Icon

Bob Barker was a household name in the entertainment industry among generations. Decades before becoming a beloved game show host, Barker was born in Washington. After spending his formative years in South Dakota and Missouri, he and late wife Dorothy Jo Gideon moved to Florida after college graduation, where he began his career in entertainment […]

In Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Price Is Right, several models — previously referred to as “Barker’s Beauties” — painted a picture of a set that featured everything from alleged affairs to alleged sexual harassment.

Keep reading to see some of the biggest claims made in the shocking documentary:

‘The Price Is Right’ Model’s Boob Job Ask

According to Holly Hallstrom, producers wanted to put models in bathing suits “every opportunity they got.”

“They liked to remind us that we were replacements so that we would never feel secure,” Hallstrom claimed. “The producers would call us every week and say, ‘We would like to use you this week,’ like, we were weekly contract players when actually, we were a huge part of the show.”

At one point, Hallstrom alleged that producer Frank Wayne — who died in 1988 — came to her and said, “We really need a model who can fill out a bathing suit. I would advise you to use your hiatus wisely.”

What did that mean?

“Meaning I had to go get breast implants, and I had to pay for it myself,” Hallstrom claimed. “They could do that back then.”

‘The Price Is Right’ Model Gets Injured 

In the documentary, stage manager Robert Cisneros recalled a story of being backstage when the announcer started asking contestants to come on down.

As cameras began to move, Cisneros claimed that “a guy whipped his camera and [model] Janice [Pennington] happened to be standing right there. There’s a ledge and a 3-foot job. … She went over. People started screaming.”

According to Cisneros, Bob Barker said the show must go on and filming continued quickly after the frightening injury.

‘The Price Is Right’ Model Alleges Racism

As the first permanent Black model on The Price Is Right, Kathleen Bradley claimed that she heard — and saw — a lot on set.

“One of the ladies on the production team brought to my attention that inside a production meeting, when the models weren’t in there, they would use the N word,” Bradley claimed on Dirty Rotten Secrets. “I think people should know the truth — the good, the bad and the ugly.”

In a separate part of the documentary, Holly Hallstrom claimed she was told: “Bob has always said that Black men are the most diseased people on earth.”

‘The Price Is Right’ 10-Second Rule

After some models expressed concern about their treatment on the set of The Price Is Right, CBS initiated a 10-second rule where people couldn’t stare at models for longer than 10 seconds.

“There was no one monitoring how long the guys were staring at the models,” Holly Hallstrom claimed when confirming the rule. “It was a joke. It was an appeasement. They did things that made it look like they were taking action so you will stop complaining and go away.”

Bob Barker Has an Alleged Affair With ‘The Price Is Right’ Model

At the end of part one of Dirty Rotten Secrets, Bob Barker’s romantic relationship with model Dian Parkinson was explored at length.

“Dian confided in me. ‘Did you know I’m seeing Bob Barker?’ I was really kind of surprised because Bob also had a girlfriend,” Kathleen Bradley shared. “As time went on, people were noticing how close Bob and Dian were. … It didn’t really stay private for very long.”

The relationship caused friction amongst the models because Parkinson was considered “top dog.” According to Dirty Rotten Scandal producers, “many attempts were made to contact Dian Parkinson for comment, but her whereabouts remain a mystery.”

‘The Price Is Right’ Model’s Weight Struggle 

Holly Hallstrom recalled a moment when Bob Barker came to her dressing room and said that her weight “was a problem.”

Hallstrom explained that she was on a prescription medication, which was likely causing the temporary weight gain. According to Hallstrom, Barker said, “Well, just do whatever it takes to lose the weight.”

After the fact, Hallstrom claimed she was “cut out at least 50 percent of the show.” She was later let go from the show.

‘The Price Is Right’ Model’s Off Timing

During her time as one of The Price Is Right’s models, Claudia Jordan recalled always attending meetings at the correct time. For some reason, however, the clock in the meetings would always show her late.

“I found out from a security guard that as soon as I walked in the lot, they were supposed to report to [a producer] when I arrived,” Jordan claimed. “A security guard said, ‘I think [the producer] set the clocks forward so you would look like you’re late,’ and it only got worse.”

Jordan claimed that same producer inappropriately touched her. She also alleged that Barker sided with the male coworker.

“Once that happened, I knew Bob was the enemy,” Claudia shared. “He does not have my back.”

‘The Price Is Right’ Model Quits

In the two-part documentary, Claudia Jordan recalled the moment she had enough and decided to make a grand exit.

“At the end of every show, a model goes out and has the microphone and gets to say hello to the audience,” Claudia recalled. “I got the microphone and said, ‘I just want to say something. I can’t do this anymore. …. I’m going to miss this, but this is my last day.’”

The next day, she found the same lawyer who worked on Holly Hallstrom’s lawsuit and filed her own suit. (Bob Barker previously sued Hallstrom for libel and slander but dropped the case 48 hours before trial. Hallstrom later countersued for wrongful termination and malicious prosecution. According to the doc, she won her case.)

Jordan sued for sexual harassment and racial discrimination in 2004. According to Jordan, “the production company settled with me out of court.”

TLC’s reality show Counting On documented Joseph Garrett Duggar courting his wife, Kendra Duggar, years before his arrest on suspicion of child molestation.

Joseph was apprehended by Tontitown police in Arkansas on March 18, 2026, amid allegations that the 19 Kids and Counting alum allegedly sexually abused a 9-year-old girl during a family trip to Florida in 2020.

At the time, he was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, per the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph’s arrest is the latest chapter in a dark decade for the deeply religious Duggar family. In 2015, Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar publicly apologized for “acting inexcusably” after a police report resurfaced accusations that he had molested five girls, two of whom were his sisters, when he was a teenager. (Josh was later sentenced to 12 years in prison on an unrelated charge of receiving child pornography. He maintains his innocence and is actively appealing his sentence, as of publication.)

Amid his older brother’s scandal, Joseph married Kendra in September 2017 and they subsequently welcomed four children.

Keep scrolling for more about Joseph’s wife Kendra:

How Did Joseph and Kendra Duggar Meet?

Counting On explored Joseph and Kendra Duggar’s courtship over the years. They originally met in church as teenagers and later officially started courting each other.

An October 2017 Counting On episode showed Joseph asking Kendra’s father, Pastor Paul Caldwell, for his permission to propose.

“I do feel like the Lord is leading in this direction,” Pastor Caldwell told him. “I do want to remind you, you are taking one of my most precious gifts. … You have my wife and my blessing to go further with this.”

Joseph ultimately proposed to Kendra during his sister Joy-Anna Duggar and her husband Austin Forsyth’s wedding reception in May 2017.

“We are so excited to be engaged and look forward to a lifetime together,” the engaged couple wrote on the Duggar family website at the time. “We are so grateful for how the Lord brought us together, and we look forward to this special time of engagement and to some day serving Christ as man and wife.”

When Did Joseph and Kendra Duggar Get Married?

Us Weekly reported in September 2017 that Joseph and Kendra Duggar tied the knot in Arkansas. Kendra’s father, Pastor Paul Caldwell, served as the officiant for the ceremony.

The wedding used navy and blush for its color theme, with Joseph’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, as well as several of his siblings in attendance. Joseph’s sisters Jana, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joy-Anna, Johannah and Jennifer reportedly all served as bridesmaids.

Do Joseph and Kendra Duggar Have Children?

Joseph and Kendra Duggar share four children: Garrett David, born in June 2018, Addison Renee, born in November 2019, Brooklyn Praise, born in February 2021, and Justus, born in February 2022.

The couple launched a joint Instagram account – called The Little Duggar Family — in February 2019, where they posted photos of their growing family and life updates.

The Duggars completely stopped updating their family Instagram account following a November 2021 post celebrating their daughter Addison’s 2nd birthday.

“Happy Birthday sweet girl,” Joseph and Kendra wrote to their daughter on November 3, 2021. “We love seeing this girl’s sweet little personality blossom over the last two years! Looking forward to making many more memories.”

Why Was Joseph Duggar Arrested?

Joseph Duggar was arrested by Arkansas’s Tontitown Police Department on March 18, 2026. Local police were reportedly tipped off to a child molestation allegation involving Joseph in Florida.

Florida’s Bay County Police Department confirmed in a statement that Joseph had been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.

According to police, a 14-year-old victim spoke to police about sexual abuse allegations that she said took place on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020 when she was 9 years old.

“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” Bay City police said in a statement. “As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”

Per the police, Joseph “eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.” As of publication, Joseph is awaiting extradition from Arkansas to Florida.

Has Kendra Duggar Addressed Joseph Duggar’s Arrest?

As of publication, Kendra Duggar has not commented on her husband Joseph Duggar’s arrest.

Us Weekly has reached out for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Neon Genesis Evangelion has spent nearly three decades being called one of the greatest anime ever made, which is usually the quickest way to scare off new viewers. Hype like that tends to promise something definitive and universally satisfying. Evangelion is neither: it’s messy, polarizing, occasionally frustrating, and still, somehow, essential.

The TV series originally aired in 1995 and had 26 episodes written and directed by Hideaki Anno. Now the series is available on Netflix and is readily accessible to audiences worldwide, at a time when many viewers are discovering one of television’s most significant yet controversial series ever. What can initially be assumed to be a simple sci-fi story becomes a much more complex piece of art when examined through the lens of emotional and physical discomfort rather than the visual spectacle familiar in traditional media industry practices.

A Mecha Anime That Deconstructs Its Own Genre

Image via TV Tokyo

The setup is clean enough. In a post-apocalyptic future, humans are being attacked by beings referred to as Angels. The only way to combat them is through bio-mechanical weapons called Evangelions, which can only be piloted by a select group of teenagers. Shinji Ikari (Spike Spencer), a 14-year-old recluse, is dragged into this nightmare by his father, who has abandoned him, to become a savior of the human race.

For a while, the series follows those clichés. After several missions, the threat of the Angels increases, and some actions still hold up after years have passed, but from the beginning, there are subtle hints that something about them is off. The victories aren’t triumphant, the systems in place feel cold and transactional, and Shinji, rather than rising to the occasion, hesitates — often. By the midpoint, Evangelion has already started shifting its weight. The battles remain, but they are no longer the point.

A Psychological Character Study Disguised as Sci-Fi

Image via Prime Video

What replaces the spectacle is a much more difficult experience: a continuous exploration of characters who are almost universally emotionally shattered. Shinji is written as withdrawn, self-critical, and desperate for approval, shaped by abandonment and a constant fear of rejection. The series does not provide a fix to that, but rather shows how he lives with it; Asuka’s (Tiffany Grant) self-confidence is simply a cover for her insecurities, and Rei’s (Amanda Winn-Lee) emotional detachment elicits discomforting thoughts about who she is or why she exists.

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Adults are just as negatively affected by these issues, with Misato’s (Allison Keith) ability to operate in the field contrasted with her inability to maintain stability in her personal life, and Gendo’s (Tristan MacAvery) methodical personality causing one to question the intentions behind the company’s goals.

The series draws on psychological frameworks associated with figures like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, but it doesn’t come off as having been studied or analyzed. Rather, they aggregate and build to create an experience that is personal to each viewer, through themes of loneliness, avoidance, and the struggle to develop interpersonal relationships, or face the alternative: isolation.

The Ending Is Divisive — and That’s Not a Flaw

Image via Gainax

The final two episodes are where Evangelion stops pretending to be anything conventional. The narrative collapses inward, focusing almost entirely on Shinji’s internal state, delivered through abstract imagery, minimal animation, and extended introspection.

At the time, it frustrated audiences, and it still does, but that reaction is part of what’s kept the series relevant. The ending doesn’t resolve the story in a traditional sense; it just reframes it, prioritizing emotional clarity over plot closure. The later release of The End of Evangelion offers a more external version of events, but it doesn’t replace what the series finale is trying to do; if anything, the tension between those interpretations is part of the experience.

What’s striking about revisiting Neon Genesis Evangelion now is how little it feels like a relic. The animation has its limitations, especially toward the end, but the direction remains sharp, and the storytelling still feels unusually bold. More importantly, its themes haven’t aged; if anything, they’ve become more recognizable. The fear of rejection, the instinct to withdraw, the difficulty of understanding yourself in relation to others — these are ideas that land just as hard now as they did in the ’90s. It’s not always an easy watch. It’s not always an enjoyable one, either, but it’s the kind of series that stays with you, whether you love it or push back against it.

John Stamos has marked a new milestone by getting his first tattoo ever.

The actor revealed the significance of the ink job, linking it to his own personal journey in trusting himself artistically.

John Stamos is also expanding his career with darker roles in “The Hunting Wives” and the film “Drag,” while working on a book about fatherhood and personal growth.

John Stamos Reveals The Meaning Behind His New Tattoo

Stamos has officially joined the tattoo club at the age of 62. On March 17, the actor shared a behind-the-scenes look at getting his first real tattoo, inked by artist Oscar Jordan Urbina on his upper arm.

He chose a design inspired by Cyrus Dallin’s early-1900s sculpture, “Appeal to the Great Spirit,” which depicts a Native American man on horseback connecting with a “divine power,” according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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The artwork also influenced the Beach Boys’ Brother Records logo, symbolizing “artistic freedom and trust in a higher creative path.”

Stamos explained that the tattoo reflects his own journey of creative freedom and trust in following his artistic instincts.

“Lately I’ve felt that same pull in my own life, stepping into this new chapter of my career, taking bigger swings, following the work wherever it leads,” he wrote. “The timing felt right, so I put that Great Spirit on my arm as a reminder to stay brave, stay open, and trust the direction the art is taking me.”

The Actor Reflects On Fatherhood, Growth, And His First Real Tattoo

Besides the new tattoo, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of growth for Stamos.

He recently revealed to People Magazine that he’s working on a book about “modern masculinity, fatherhood, and the lifelong process of growing up.”

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The project was inspired in part by performing “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)” with The Beach Boys alongside his 7-year-old son, Billy, whom he shares with wife Caitlin McHugh.

Reflecting on his own father’s guidance, Stamos said, “I’m writing it as a dad who’s still learning, still asking questions, and hoping that by talking honestly with other men about kindness, respect, and courage, we can raise boys who grow up with both heart and backbone.”

John Stamos Embraces Darker Roles In ‘The Hunting Wives’ And ‘Drag’

Stamos is also taking his career in a darker, more daring direction. He is set to appear in season 2 of “The Hunting Wives,” a role he describes as darker and more challenging than his typical work.

“I’m in this phase of my career where I’m really looking for challenging, different roles,” he shared during a chat with People Magazine. “People trust me. I’ve been coming to their homes for 30 to 40 years or so. It’s like, ‘Okay, we’ll take this ride with him,’ and then it’s like, ‘Oh no, oh no, it’s getting weird. It’s getting weird.”

He also recently wrapped the second season of “Palm Royale” and is starring in the upcoming film “Drag,” produced by Danny DeVito and his children, Lucy and Jake. The film follows two sisters attempting a rural home robbery in upstate New York, which spirals into a tense, dangerous night.

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Stamos plays an eccentric artist, a role far from his usual work. “It becomes very dark in this movie,” he shared. “I watched a lot of true crime [to prepare for the role]. I really wanted to change my look. I wore dark contacts, and I had my eyebrows thinned. It really freaked my wife out.”

The Actor Recently Revealed A Hair Makeover

Earlier this year, Stamos shared a close-up of his new hairstyle on Instagram.

His longtime stylist, Riawna Capri, took the front section of his hair and lightened it with aluminum foil, while the rest of his strands, once dark chocolate brown with a hint of gray, were dyed black and styled with soft waves to add extra volume.

“The Full House” star captioned the makeover post, “trust the process.”

This isn’t Stamos’ first hair adventure. Last summer, he attempted a DIY haircut while Riawna was out of town, using a FaceTime call to get guidance from the pro.

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John Stamos Supported His Close Pal Dave Coulier During Cancer Battle

When he’s not experimenting with his own style, Stamos is lending a hand to friends in need.

In November 2024, he helped his “Full House” co-star Dave Coulier shave his head during his fight with stage three Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The actor also rocked a bald cap in solidarity with Coulier, sharing the moment on Instagram with a heartwarming caption.

Stamos wrote, “Nothing like throwing on a bald cap and flexing some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my bro @dcoulier.”

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While you may have been busy watching (and rewatching) Taylor Swift’s new music video for “Opalite” to find Easter eggs, we had ulterior motives. In one scene, the megastar wore a yellow cat sweatshirt with a red collar sticking out — and a bedazzled, flower claw clip. Hey, we can’t help it if our eyes like shiny things! So, we hunted down a similar flower claw clip that can add sparkle to an everyday look. Bonus: It’s only $9 on Amazon!

Swift’s claw clip features five sparkling flowers, so it’s unique to what we typically toss in our hair. The Anbala Floral Claw Clip with Rhinestones gives a similar vibe, though, as it combines flowers and shine. Plus, for only $9, we can’t resist adding (another) cute clip to our collection.

Get the Anbala Floral Claw Clip with Rhinestones for $9 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Anbala clip comes in white and blue iridescent options, with the former being closer to Swift’s accessory. It features flowers and butterflies that are amped up with rhinestones. Even if you’re feeling casual, this claw clip adds a little something.

Related: Natalie Portman’s Walking Sneakers Are an ‘It’-Girl Spring Must-Have

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Even celebrities like to dress down sometimes — including Natalie Portman. Though it can be hard to make casual outfits look effortless, the actress mastered low-key dressing for warmer months with a popular pair of chunky walking sneakers. The Oscar-winning star opted to step out in a pair of all-black kicks from French brand Hoka, […]

The clip is a generous size, too. It’s 3.4 inches long and 1.8 inches tall, so it can handle thick, curly strands that need more support. Bonus: The claws have rounded edges, so it won’t painfully dig into your head like others might.

The Anbala clip is a new offering on Amazon — perhaps just as new as the “Opalite” music video! Early reviews, though, say that it can hold a lot of hair while remaining comfortable. When you add in the pretty shine from the rhinestones, this versatile hair accessory can take you from lounging at home to a night out (or maybe a mall date, which is where Swift wore hers).

Get the Anbala Floral Claw Clip with Rhinestones for $9 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more claw clips here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Calling the iconic crime/drama series The Sopranos one of the greatest shows of all time is far from a controversial opinion. It’s arguably not even an interesting one anymore because, by now, everyone is well aware of how it excels. It was a huge hit during its run between 1999 and 2007, helping to define HBO as the powerhouse network/production company it still is to this day. Since its initial airing, it’s maintained a level of popularity and cultural relevance, whether watched on physical media or streaming services.

Its greatness means that trying to rank all six seasons (or seven, considering the final season ran for 21 episodes instead of the usual 13 and was split into two: 6A and 6B) is a surprisingly difficult task. It should be noted that every season of The Sopranos is fantastic, and the show, at its worst, is still better than most others at its best. What follows is a ranking of all seasons — counting 6A and 6B as separate from each other — starting with the great and ending with the masterful.

7

Season 6A (2006)

Image via HBO

Sorry, Season 6A, but one season of The Sopranos has to be considered the weakest. This is still excellent television, in any event, kicking off the final (and very dramatic) season of the show in style. This collection of 12 episodes is at its best towards the beginning, with the opening episode featuring a shocking event that puts ruthless protagonist Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) in jeopardy. He spends the next two episodes stuck in a series of surreal coma dreams while his family and associates come to terms with the fact that he may not pull through.

Once this particular storyline is resolved, the rest of GA does occasionally feel a little directionless. The subsequent nine episodes may just suffer in comparison to the superior first three episodes and the excellent 6B, which aired one year later, because, otherwise, they still make for compelling television. There’s probably no other multi-season show out there that has a “worst” season this good, so in no way should this low ranking suggest that 6A is bad or even skippable. It’s still great TV. It’s just that the other seasons are even greater.

6

Season 1 (1999)

Image via HBO

Naturally, Season 1 is where it all began for The Sopranos. While numerous characters came and went throughout the show, thanks to the frequent and often surprising deaths, plenty of them make a great first impression in Season 1 and stick around until the show’s conclusion. Right away, The Sopranos makes it clear that the people who audiences will get to know aren’t exactly the nicest or most heroic out there.

Season 1 introduces Tony’s family life and sees him beginning therapy, which he continues on and off throughout the show. The main conflict is between Tony and Junior (Dominic Chianese), his uncle, as both want to be the new boss of the DiMeo crime family after the previous boss, Jackie Aprile (Michael Rispoli), passes away. Season 1 has a more comedic tone than later seasons, and while those aren’t without humor, they don’t lean quite as heavily into near-sitcom territory. It’s an incredibly strong foundation for future seasons to build on, and despite being largely brilliant, newcomers to the series should know that the best is yet to come.

5

Season 4 (2002)

Image via HBO

Season 4 is notable for somewhat slowing the pace of The Sopranos. Initially, it might feel like this makes it a little less exciting or interesting than earlier seasons, but its willingness to be more of a slow-burn ultimately makes it stand out from the other seasons of the show. Season 4 of The Sopranos feels more grounded and melancholic than the more explosive first three seasons. In fact, some may find they have to finish the show and let the memory of it all marinate for a while before properly appreciating its fourth season.

While many seasons involve Tony Soprano clashing with a central antagonist who’s similar to him but more ruthless, Season 4’s central storyline is the disintegration of his marriage to Carmela (Edie Falco). Still, for numerous episodes, Ralph (Joe Pantoliano) does a good job of being a more traditional thorn in Tony’s side. The season peaks with its finale, “Whitecaps,” which focuses on the family drama side of The Sopranos in a more visceral and devastating way than any episode before or since. The mafia business takes something of a backseat to the familial drama, but Season 4’s destination more than justifies the occasionally slow-paced journey there.

4

Season 3 (2001)

Image via HBO

In many ways, Season 3 of The Sopranos is comparable to Season 4, though perhaps it’s a little more eventful. It lacks an episode quite as devastating as “Whitecaps” or the final episode of the second season, “Funhouse,” but is remarkable for its consistency. Season 3 can seem like a large blur, but when the episodes are as great as they are, it’s obviously good consistency.

Well, there is one standout episode that ultimately gives Season 3 a slight edge over the also excellent Season 4: “Pine Barrens,” perhaps the show’s most famous episode. Its plot and overall feel make it reminiscent of a great Coen Brothers movie, but with characters with whom viewers are already familiar. Paulie (Tony Sirico) and Christopher’s (Michael Imperioli) chaotic and darkly comedic failed execution of Russian mobster Valery (Vitali Baganov), one of The Sopranos‘ most memorable guests, is the stuff of legends and the highlight of a still remarkably strong television season. Season 3 also features the death of the infamous Livia Soprano, a pivotal point in Tony’s journey.

3

Season 5 (2004)

Image via HBO

For as fantastic as Season 5 of The Sopranos is, it should be noted that it gets off to a slightly rough start. The beginning of the season sees various mobsters released from prison, attempting to re-enter their lives of crime and throwing Tony’s crew’s routines out of balance. Chief among these new characters are Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent), a major antagonist throughout Seasons 5 and 6, and Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi), Tony Soprano’s cousin.

For a while, all the new characters feel a tad overwhelming; considering Blundetto is supposed to be Tony’s cousin, it’s weird that he never got mentioned in the first four seasons. However, it doesn’t take long for Season 5 to find its feet, representing the show at its very best. The final stretch is especially incredible, especially the final two emotional episodes, including the now-iconic “Long Term Parking.” Season 5 expertly paves the way for the conflict that ends up playing out during the extended final season, making it crucial and highly rewarding despite the devastation it brings.

2

Season 6B (2007)

Image via HBO

If Season 6A had fans a little worried about the final season’s ability to conclude The Sopranos, Season 6B surely put those fears to rest. Season 6B is an essentially perfect final nine episodes for the show, featuring an escalating conflict between the DiMeo crime family and the rival New York crew that results in an eventual all-out war and numerous shocking casualties on both sides.

6B represents the show at its most dramatic and surprising, which is fitting, considering it’s the show’s ending and obviously had to conclude on a high note. Season 6B also can’t be brought up without mentioning the show’s infamous finale, “Made in America.” It was not what people were expecting, and the show’s final moments were undoubtedly controversial. However, viewers who sit with it for a while and think about it will surely come to terms with the conclusion and realize that it’s genuinely great. If not, they’ll at least agree it’s unforgettable and bold, and at the end of the day, that at least has to count for something.

1

Season 2 (2000)

Image via HBO

The second season of The Sopranos saw Tony at last established as boss of the DiMeo crime family, a position he’d retain for the remainder of the show. However, Season 2 was where the show established that it’s not always great to be king, because Tony’s struggles exceeded those he grappled with in the first season. Continued family drama, a chaotic new antagonist in the form of Richie Aprile, and the slow realization that one of his closest friends may be ratting on him to the FBI all made Tony’s existence a living hell.

Although bleaker than its predecessor, Season 2 still retained a level of dark comedy when needed. It feels remarkably well-balanced and is consistently well-paced, building to a great penultimate episode and an even greater final episode, “Funhouse,” a turning point for The Sopranos and quite possibly one of the greatest TV episodes ever. From front to back, Season 2 represents The Sopranos at its best, and seeing the show as a whole represents television at its best. Season 2 can easily be regarded as one of the best TV seasons of all time.

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The Sopranos

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Release Date

1999 – 2007

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Network

HBO

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Showrunner

David Chase

Directors

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Tim Van Patten, John Patterson, Alan Taylor, Jack Bender, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Attias, David Chase, Andy Wolk, Danny Leiner, David Nutter, James Hayman, Lee Tamahori, Lorraine Senna, Matthew Penn, Mike Figgis, Nick Gomez, Peter Bogdanovich, Phil Abraham, Rodrigo García

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