Perhaps if you didn't live there, the show would be a big bore. I watched about 3 episodes the other night. I was surprised - considering how Gandolfini died - at how many references there were to his overeating. I wonder if the writers were aware of HIS foibles.
It could have something to do with Gandolfini's high whiny voice. It grated on my nerves. The stupidity and brutality of most of the characters. Two episodes in I realized it wasn't my cup of tea.
Absoloootly, doll. I lived among the I-A community with its 1% of wiseguys in South Philly during the same time frame, and was astounded how exquisitely The Sopranos captured the ethos. I am a great fan and was riveted by the perfection of details like "Satrialie's Pork Store," or when Carmella tried to impress (and possess) the priest with her ziti. Her hair, her jewelry, her manicure... omg. So many details come to mind, just amazingly accurate, like when Tony wanted to get out of his contract to buy the shore house owned by (and next door to) a shark lawyer, who wouldn't let him out of the contract, and what Tony and his men did next. That episode slayed me.