I've a theory you can learn about what American family life in the 60s was really like from The Munsters more so than proper family shows - because the latter had to present an idealised picture it would be off balance, whereas the Munsters had an in-built point of difference and could be more accurate. This is why, also, I think The Sopranos can be so accurate and cutting about American family life. Because its about the Mafia, that is the gimmick - so it can be more truthful in other others. So while there are some key differences (dad's job, dad's hot mistress, problems with the police), you feel the shock of recognition in so much of it: Tony's mid life crisis, the mother who always complains about her son then complains that her son would complain about her, putting mum in a home and complaining about how much it costs and it makes mum miserable, an overweight son hooked on Nintendo, a teenage daughter who clashes with her mother, etc.
It took me ages to get around watching this show and a few eps to get into it, but it is extremely well done - beautifully acted (what a stunning collection of Italian American actors), funny, exciting. The main debit is too many characters talk too much about movies - obviously this does go on in real life, but it's too much here, and reflects I think the life experience of people writing television shows. And these macho shows seem unable to resist showing women's tits (e.g. David Milch's stuff).
Best episode for me was the one where Tony takes his daughter to see colleges and runs into a person he thinks is an old stoolie, though I also liked the last few. James Gandolfini and Edie Falco are especially magnificent.
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