# Any Sopranos in-jokes on Boardwalk Empire? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931 "2012-09-17T02:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/1 "2012-09-17T02:40:38Z")
Given the fact that both are on HBO, both are set in New Jersey and deal with organized crime, and they even have some cast members in common, the temptation would seem overwhelming. Any references to Twenties-era Soprano family members, for instance? ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/2 "2012-09-17T15:45:27Z")
I think the quick answer is “No.” Boardwalk Empire is off on an entirely new track and I highly doubt the writers would intentionally put in any reference to any of the Sopranos. Granted, I am sure if someone combed the scripts they could probably find some esoteric phrase or hand gesture or whatever and come up with something. But I think the writers of Boardwalk are doing a fine job keeping within their era and don’t need to sneak in any reference to The Sopranos. If they did, and it was obvious, I think more people would be pissed off than find it even slightly amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/3 "2012-09-19T03:07:03Z")
Thanks. Anyone else want to weigh in? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/4 "2012-09-19T04:36:25Z")
Tony Soprano’s grandfather, Corrado Soprano Sr., would have been a stonemason in his twenties in northern New Jersey at that time. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/5 "2012-09-19T13:20:36Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > If they did, and it was obvious, I think more people would be pissed off than find it even slightly amusing. Why? I think it would be kind of fun, so long as they weren’t gratuitous about it, or did it more than once or twice. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/6 "2012-09-19T13:37:54Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Why? I think it would be kind of fun, so long as they weren’t gratuitous about it, or\*\* did it more than once or twice.\*\* Meant to say “didn’t do it more than once or twice.” ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/7 "2012-09-19T14:26:14Z")
I love BE and freaking hate the Sopranos. So I’d only find out about any references if I looked at fan discussions… But they would piss me off. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/8 "2012-09-19T14:41:24Z")
Also, North Jersey and South Jersey are two completely different universes. Trust me - I’ve got a parent from each. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-sopranos-in-jokes-on-boardwalk-empire/634931/9 "2012-09-19T19:10:18Z")
Where’s the _Sopranos_ cast nowadays, anyway?: [http://www.hlntv.com/slideshow/2012/09/18/gallery-where-sporanos-cast-now?hpt=hp\_c2](http://www.hlntv.com/slideshow/2012/09/18/gallery-where-sporanos-cast-now?hpt=hp_c2)