Few shows have changed the way we watch television like “The Sopranos.” As one of the most critically and commercially successful TV shows in history, “The Sopranos” has also maintained a cult-like following that has lasted since its literal abrupt ending in 2007. So it makes sense that fans would rally together to commemorate 10 years of hitjobs and hotheads with the first-ever “SopranosCon.”
Billed as “for the fans, by the fans,” the inaugural SopranosCon was hosted at the Meadowslands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. Nov. 21-22. Mike Mota and Dan Trader, who created and organized the two-day convention, were given permission by HBO (which originally aired the program) to proceed with the festivities as an unofficial fan event. Maybe the premium cabler only signed off to help promote the upcoming “Sopranos” prequel “The Many Saints of Newark,” which is coming in 2020, but judging from the turnout, it may have been smart for the network to capitalize on the event.
In case you missed it, Variety spent two whole days in New Jersey to cover the festivities. Read more if you had some serious FOMO and want the greatest hits from the first-ever SopranosCon.
Getting There
The true SopranosCon experience began on the way there: Taking the 320 bus from Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, approximately 80% of riders were eager “Sopranos” fans making their way to the inaugural convention. It was almost like a pilgrimage crossing the Lincoln Tunnel. But the ride was anything but quiet: generations of families were eager to cross the bridge into the event. Getting there was almost like the unofficial unofficial SopranosCon.
In the Will Call line into the center, people were shouting and yelling at the ticketers, wondering why the line was moving so slowly and blaming them for any errors that took place. At one point, there was a small altercation between a box office staff member and an elderly male patron. Voices were raised very quickly, with the “Sopranos” attitude coming out quickly: “This guy is a f—ing a–hole!” exclaimed the angry patron in a thick New Jersey accent.
His son then chimed in, saying: “Don’t give this jerk your f—ing money” in an equally robust accent. But they weren’t escorted out. Rather, they got their tickets and walked in — but not before a middle finger was thrown. Once they left the line, it was as if nothing had happened. It was truly a warm welcome into SopranosCon.
The Venue
The supposedly spacious 61,000 square-foot Meadowlands Exposition Center was a bit small for all of the hullabaloo. Although there was organization in the layout, the walking paths were way too narrow to handle the multitude of people. There was only one way to get to the main stage, with people going in and out on the same, very thin pathway. It sometimes took up to 10 minutes to get through, so it would have been wise to have at least two paths, if not more. But this being the first convention of its kind for “The Sopranos” it’s easy to forgive the shortcomings of the event.
(Excerpt) Read more in: Variety