After eight years, New Jersey will soon have to face a life without The Sopranos. The long-running show is about to enter its last season when part two of season 6 returns April 8, 2007. The end of the series will be leaving residents and business owners with a city missing of mafia actors, not to mention a little short on cash.

Generally, the show is filmed at a New York City soundstage. However, many scenes are shot in New Jersey to depict a more realistic atmosphere. Majority of the residents of New Jersey welcome The Sopranos since they get a chance to peek during filming, as well as take pictures of actors and earn some extra cash. In fact, the building beside the fictional mafia hang out Satriale's, The Irish-American Association, has been getting $20,000 in rental fees just for taking down its Irish flag and putting up an Italian flag during filming. In addition, the city has collected permit fees amounting to $76,650.

With the end of The Sopranos, a new vista rises. The Satriale's building will be taken down and will be subsequently constructed with new condos and a parking garage. The strip club Bada Bing, which is called Satin Dolls in reality will also be revamped. Nick D’Urso, general manager of Satin Dolls, asserted the need for its renovation. He said, “It's an old building. We like to keep up with current trends and keep a fresh face on the nightclub.”

The Sopranos, a mob television drama created by David Chase, centers on the lives of an Italian-American mafia set in Northern New Jersey. The show brings light to the mafia lifestyle and entails violence, nudity, strong language and other controversial subject matters. Leading the cast is James Gandolfini, who plays the mob boss Tony Soprano. Also included are Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, and Michael Imperioli among others.

-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Source: ABC News