Wise Guy’s Mother: Livia Soprano - The Real Sopranos Gangster!

This video is about Livia Soprano and my thoughts on this infamous HBO mother figure and villain, whose character was inspired by the mother of David Chase, creator of The Sopranos. As the mother of Tony Soprano, she’s a central figure in The Sopranos story, not just while she’s physically present, but really throughout the entire journey. In fact, David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, talks about the show was inspired by his relationship with his own mother, and the documentary is titled “Wise Guy - David Chase and The Sopranos” and premieres on HBO on September 7, 2024.
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[@joachimgoethe7864]

Livia's pathological narcissism set the stage for all of her children's problems in life.

[@michaelcoletta4547]

Barb was the only normal one

[@bilalashraf1611]

@@michaelcoletta4547we don’t know that. She might be a headache for her spouse.

[@thisgirlisoverit]

@@bilalashraf1611it’s well written that barbara left and became well adjusted

[@bilalashraf1611]

@@thisgirlisoverit good for her then. I suppose she had to separate herself from her NJ family to grow and move on. Perhaps that may be a big reason why Tony wasn’t able to change like her, because of his environment.

[@davidmajer3652]

This is probably your best essay yet. You touch on Livia, who was the reason for the show, and You really got to the essence of the Livia character. Writers tend to write about what they now, and Livia was based on David Chase's mother. I have seen enough people playing psychiatrists on this show to know the writer could not let go of the character. Tony was a mama's boy, just like A J., and probably David Chase. The show does divide into the Livia and post Livia periods, but her influence is everywhere going on. The Sopranos is an excellent time capsule. Livia is a woman, who in her time, was expected to have children, but after the feminists, not expected to do so. Today she would be one of those miserable, childless cat ladies, but she would love the cats, because they do not talk back.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thank you, my friend! I really appreciate your comment, as always, along with your insight and point of view on Livia and other characters we meet in this special thing of ours.

[@James_Price79]

Tony, those records are yours too. It's sad that you don't care. Those old albums... They're a window into Ma's soul. In fact, I'm making a documentary. World War ll generation's music, exemplified by Ma. Who are you kidding? You're gonna sell them on the Internet!

[@kdizzle901]

Livia is probably the most misunderstood character in all of television….ur supposed to love to hate her

[@FranktheDachshund]

Livia definitely had a 45 under her pillow.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Can you imagine the plans Chase had in store for her if Nancy didn't pass? The second womens Don in the series!!!

[@FalkZad]

I watched the show countless times and I keep on thinking the very same thing, RIP Nancy Marchand, criminally underrated performance

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@gabbyhyman1246 She was a real gangster for sure!!! RIP to the incredible Nancy Marchand - nobody could’ve played Livia Soprano like she did!

[@matthewvolb94]

The degenerate gambler for bingo line always cracks me up

[@robertlee4172]

She was soooo shanty Irish too.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@matthewvolb94 😂😂😂 Yes!! That and “She had a stroke. Now half her brain is gone.”

[@RobbaKeef]

Seems he wrote certain characters just to grate on my nerves. In no particular order. 1. Livia 2. AJ 3. Ralphie 4.Janice 5. Richie

[@jimfree0]

It's like they were representatives of the people who tormented David Chase's subconscious - he was just spreading his pain around for us to share lol. Full disclosure: I think Robert Loggia was fantastic (in everything!) as Feech.

[@RobbaKeef]

@@jimfree0 Feech was probably the least irritating....... you're right gonna switch him out with Janice right now lolol

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@RobbaKeef They certainly were irritating, but the more I watched, the more I came to appreciate how brilliantly they play their characters to the extent that we become so emotionally impacted (in this case, with them getting on our nerves).

[@tcwilson815]

Livia was a piece of work Sadly her portrayal im sure was someone's loved one in their lifetime and could relate .....the actress did a great job in that role

[@RobbaKeef]

@@SopranosBlueprint absolutely

[@therealdojj]

Livia was essentially the same character as Mom from Futurama, plays the little old lady but is as devious as any of them

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@therealdojj I have to be honest and admit it I’ve never seen it before, but now I’ll be checking some clips out for sure 😅

[@robertlee4172]

Regrettably, I missed that episode.

[@pagodebregaeforro2803]

Horrible comparison. Mom from Futurama at least was fun. This Livia soprano was an annoying and a hateful character, the worst of the series, some of the other were at least entertaining (despite being horrible persons), not her to, she was just despicable, no entertainment value

[@jimfree0]

Stupendous read on the Livia-Janice-Domenica continuum (10:05). I totally missed that, and it's such a payoff. Diving back in for 3rd rewatch 🌊

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@jimfree0 Thank you! Along those lines and also in this episode, when we hear Nica and her nanny singing “Four Little Ducks…” Tony can hear it and he’s already in a grumpy mood. Makes me wonder if he’s also thinking what we’re thinking (those DUCKS again) 🦆🦆🦆🦆

[@markclark1803]

Only three?

[@jimfree0]

@@SopranosBlueprint ~!!!!~

[@jimfree0]

@@markclark1803 Of *this* video~!

[@robertlee4172]

Janice was reminded how Jackie Jr almost drowned at the penguin exhibit in 3" of water. Look how he turned out. Killed by a parade float, in see through stockings, at the Boonton projects.

[@robertlee4172]

Livia would sing the blooos, with a Virginia ham under each arm, because she got no bread.

[@bilalashraf1611]

She called a hit on her own son. That’s fucking cold.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@bilalashraf1611 Amen!! 💯💯

[@erics362]

More like a hotel at Captain and Toniels. I know I butchered that spelling.

[@vrokyoto]

It was so interesting watching livia use jr to her advantage so effortlessly, she always got what she wanted and honestly I still don’t really know what that was, revenge? I think that’s what I can imagine since Tony sent her to the retirement home whatever happend there

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@vrokyoto 💯💯💯 “Well, maybe it was you they were talking about.” She got him so good there…and re: Livia’s motives, it’s such an unnatural thing (wanting to kill your own child) that it’s weird to wrap our heads around, especially considering the place he sent her was extremely nice (Nucci was crying tears of joy that Paulie let her live there), and I think she was especially offended by his talking to a psychiatrist bc she assumed he was talking about her, but it made more sense for Junior to be paranoid with that one. Whatever happened there…God rest his soul, huh?

[@prophetmargin7497]

The look on Artie Bucco's face when he found out who was responsible for burning down his restaurant!

[@robertlee4172]

He heard that his ragu stayed out too long in the hospital room without refrigeration.

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@robertlee4172 He's tired of being ass raped like there's no fucking tomorrow!

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@robertlee4172 Artie leads the world in organized ass rape!

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@prophetmargin7497 “YOU F*%KIN’ BENT PSYCHO!!”

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@SopranosBlueprint Please tell me that's a line from the show!

[@barbraseville8984]

I put off watching this show for twenty years. As soon as i started the first episode, and heard Livia on the other side of the door, I was hooked. She's TheWorst™️

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@barbraseville8984 Yes!! She sure is!! The worst in all of the best ways 🔥🔥🔥

[@frankmarx8997]

Great video. At the time of the original airing, Livia testifying on Tony was the big cliff hanger. Everyone was talking about it. When Nancy Marchand died, everyone was wondering if they would replace her character or write her off. It seemed like forever until season 3 premiered.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@frankmarx8997 Thank you, as always! And I appreciate your insight as someone who did not see it at the time of the original airing. That must’ve been interesting to see CGI Livia in “Proshai, Livushka”!

[@frankmarx8997]

@@SopranosBlueprint People didn’t like it. CGI has come a long way.

[@nancyvillines4552]

Another great one! 😉 Thank you 😊 Great actress! RIP ❤

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thanks so much 🥰 and Yes ❤️❤️❤️ an incredible actress for sure 🙏🏼🪽

[@nancyvillines4552]

@@SopranosBlueprint you're welcome 🤗

[@KRS2000]

I never knew she was the mayor on the first Naked Gun movie.

[@nancyvillines4552]

@@KRS2000 she was also the newspaper editor in Lou Grant. An old series back in the old days 😅

[@jimfree0]

@@nancyvillines4552 ~!!!!~

[@James_Price79]

Another mystery of the Sopranos why they age so badly 😂 Livia is my mums age but acts like my Grandmothers age, Phil thinks being in your 60s is old etc loads of examples always found bizarre. 🤓🥩🥂

[@davegentry-pu9xm]

The Sopranos didn't age badly. The show was accurately representative of how old people were 20 to 25 years ago. So it stands up. Nowadays we have boomers who are getting elderly. And they're a whole different kettle of fish. They could live to be 120 and still think Woodstock and the 60s happened just yesterday.

[@TooLooze]

@@davegentry-pu9xm I'm 75; don't make me wear my shirt with fringe from 1967!

[@elvisprez6005]

And to think (keeping T's schoolwork over his siblings') Tone was her favourite child! Oof, Madon

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@elvisprez6005 Right?! And one of Barbara’s baby shoes…even though everyone was impressed with Janice’s extraordinary visualization skills…

[@elvisprez6005]

@@SopranosBlueprint Janice? Bit of a po-seur, you ask me

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@elvisprez6005 Her turf, her appraiser…

[@JamesJones-jb3vx]

Deep one, Blue. Especially the parts about Janice. Really insightful. Great work.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Much appreciated! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. 😊 There’s so much to explore with Livia (and Janice, too!)

[@erickennedy8534]

Livia funeral was sad, happy and confusing, nobody liked her, but nobody wanted to upset Tony

[@SopranosBlueprint]

“Who are you, minister of propaganda!?” Her wake was also epic!

[@James_Price79]

Great video and insight as always! I think she was a brilliant character that influences a large part of the show. I also found Nancy to be an amazing actor because she is one of those people you can’t tell she is acting, it’s like she really exists in that world and I can’t imagine her out of the screen and in real life 🤓🥩🥂

[@victorsforza6213]

hey Janet Jackson........Hi Mr soprano....... where's meadow??? ........ I give up, in the house????

[@James_Price79]

@@victorsforza6213 😂😂😂 Titanium? The track's freezing up, it's too hard for aluminum. Whatever she's got on those feet, she's a winner.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@James_Price79 Thank you, my friend!!! Such a brilliant character - every scene she was in was a memorable one!! And as evil as she could be, she was also downright hilarious (like many of our favorite villains).

[@James_Price79]

@@SopranosBlueprint ❤️❤️❤️

[@gregguralnik2512]

What's scary, is that Livia Soprano was based on David Chase's mother.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Yep!! I’m looking forward to watching the new documentary when it comes out on Sept 7 on HBO.

[@oldman975]

This isn’t about Livia per say,but about the actors. That scene in the hospital was some amazing acting;just look at actors faces and especially their eyes as they looked at young Tony. It blows me away every time I watch it.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Absolutely. A very, very powerful scene and a unique look into Livia’s story and some of what may have led her to have the outlook she did re: people being there for her, etc.

[@robertlee4172]

7:37 - It's the ja-ack-et. Thanks, Mrs. for tv., I took him home, straightened him out, owes me $30 bucks.

[@erickennedy8534]

Liv was a sweet old Italy lady. Who knew how to work Junior , like a fiddle. Na Livia is a horrible person , who probably hated Tony. A.J was not the silent type

[@SopranosBlueprint]

“An old woman made an ass out of you…” 😂😂

[@jamesmorant1406]

Great video she was such a great character, love making people miserable, and a master manipulator

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thank you! She truly was one-of-a-kind! Wicked, funny, and wickedly funny 🔥

[@TooLooze]

That would have been one of your best analyses if it wasn't all a big nothing. WTG Blue.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

What makes me think I’m so special?!? The world is a jungle! 💙🙏🏼

[@ingenieroresidente285]

i always get blocks from women in social apps for saying mothers and wives could do better at raising problematic men

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@ingenieroresidente285 Hmmm, not sure why someone would block you over that…

[@XanderShiller]

Nice editing

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@XanderShiller Thank you!! Appreciate it 😃😃

[@terry4137]

I f loved Livia❤

[@thisgirlisoverit]

she was funny😂

[@jimfree0]

I was hoping you had seen that teaser~! It's like the Rosetta Stone for Sopranos creation myth. And I thought I had a prickly relationship with my mother~!!

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Yep!! Looking very forward to it. And I also have quite a prickly relationship with mine, to say the least 😬 so we’re in the same boat there 🛥️

[@nancyvillines4552]

I just moved my 94 year old mother and myself into a senior living community. It's trying at times. But she's so active and she is on no meds that I can't keep up 😂 I'm 67. She just has a way of making me feel like a child sometimes. But I don't mind because she's given up so much for us kids. I can definitely say anyone would be better than Olivia 😂

[@jimfree0]

Being predominantly of Irish extraction, I have no problem beefing with anyone (everyone?). But it must have been hard for Mr. David Chase, of largely Italian ancestry, to not reflexively sanctify his mom. They say the best art comes from the worst pain...

[@nancyvillines4552]

@@jimfree0 I believe that is true.

[@jimfree0]

@@nancyvillines4552 Kudos to you both! And best of luck keeping up lol. [I've heard it's a beautiful facility, more like a hotel at Captain Teebs]

[@JamesDomenicoGrabban81]

I can relate as some of the women in my family, including my late grandmother, suffered from the bad blood of the old country. She was ruthless and filled with pure hatred at times.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@JamesDomenicoGrabban81I would’ve loved to have seen more of Livia’s origin story and get some more insight on her childhood, as well.

[@JamesDomenicoGrabban81]

The Many Saints of Newark should have been a prequel series focused on Livia, Johnny Boy, and Corrado Soprano.

[@mryagami8448]

She knows how to cut deep. Good video.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markhouse256]

Another great episode, great edit-splicing, and great analysis.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@markhouse256 Thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, too. 😃 Thanks for the comment 🙏🏼

[@DaytonJoey]

Great actress.

[@SopranosBlueprint]

She sure was! RIP to the incredible Nancy Marchand 🙏🏼❤️

[@tawan20082008]

I agree with the person who said this is your best video ! but you really think livia wanted tony whacked? I always attributed whatever happened there with her old age

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thank you very much!! So glad you loved it ☺️ and it’s hard to say. I don’t think she would’ve been a rat and testified against him, but I think she did know what she was doing in terms of encouraging Junior to get in an uproar over stuff w/ his capos, Tony seeing a psychiatrist, etc. (She knew just what to say to really trigger him, similarly to how she did with Tony). But it will never feel “normal” that she’d want to set her son up to get popped, so I understand why you’d think that. When it comes to backs (and Livia Soprano), nobody knows anything really…😉

[@SolicitorRandolph]

This channel is smart. Covering Soprano’s topics that have already been covered by 1,000 other channels. But! This one has a female voice!

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Haha! Thank you!! I like to think that I add something new and fresh 😊

[@jeremyc2445]

Pay no attention to that Debbie downer

[@behzadshariati1297]

Livia = The Devouring Mother

[@SopranosBlueprint]

She gave her life to her children on a silver platter!! 😄😅

[@original_m.o.d.]

S02E04 Commendatore Notice on the way to Annalisa's house... The old woman? Looks like Livia

[@Aivottaja]

10:00 = Get a glimpse of that face. Kind of creepy. She looks like she's wearing a mask.

[@Amish_Trivedi]

I'm really excited by the doc too, if only because it seems to me that it shows the roots of the show were more about the psychological aspects (which imo fell away as we got beyond Livia's death) and less about the cool mob life that it seems to be for so many. Chase seems to have chosen the mob second as a response to what kind of character would be an interesting person to put into this situation. I have felt for some time that Marchand's death change the direction of the show quite a lot (as you note) but I'm also kind of wondering of the spectre of Livia's ghost made the show all the more interesting as we move along. I also noticed, having come to Sopranos after Mad Men, that Tony's father and Betty's mother are dead at the start of the series but weigh heavily on those characters. Parallels between the two shows would be a whole other video channel probably! Stellar work as always!

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Thank you and YES!! 💯💯💯💯I agree and I’m really really excited to see it for those reasons, as well. And if you can believe it, I still have to watch Mad Men!!! I think I’m going to give in and purchase a trial of AMC+ because I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else.

[@Amish_Trivedi]

@@SopranosBlueprint Obviously the penance for not having seen it is buying the Blu Ray :P Oooooh what about a live chat situation after it's released? Could be good content? Maybe I have no idea!

[@SopranosBlueprint]

@@Amish_Trivedi That is a great idea! Hmmmm…stay tuned 😎!

[@bw5888]

They were originally going to write Livia's character getting killed at the end of season 1. But Nancy Marchand was so good, they felt they needed to keep her around. She was just too good as Livia.

[@weezy66]

I am so happy you uploaded about Livia. She was one of my favorites! I always would say that she was crazy allright, crazy like a fox! 😂 thank you for bringing a smile to my face on my work break! Looking forward to the next upload ❤❤❤

[@terry4137]

I loved Livia!❤

[@SopranosBlueprint]

Me too! She was sooo bad and soooo good at it!! Her lines crack me up and she reminds me so much of someone I know, so it makes it that much more relatable.

[@chrisxavier3147]

You're gonna miss your bus!

[@FalkZad]

Another excellent video, and omg how on earth did I never pay that much attention to that bus metaphor!

[@Aivottaja]

I'm glad you caught that, FalkZad. Very observant of you. The sacred and the propane.