Sopranos may take the fifth
By Allison Romano -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/23/2001
The good news for Sopranos' fans: HBO's hit Mafia drama is probably getting a fifth season. However, there's bad news: Production on the fourth season of The Sopranos won't begin until October, meaning that new episodes most likely won't air until September 2002.
The delay means The Sopranos will miss the deadline for next year's Emmy's, after it captured 22 nominations last week—the most for any show this year.
It will return for a fifth season if HBO wants them. The network reportedly made a $20 million deal with Soprano creator David Chase said to include advances for Chase against revenues from DVD and video sales and reruns. In February, Chase told reporters he was hesitant to take the show beyond four seasons, concerned that the story lines and characters might get stale.
