Alex Gibney

I mean, it wasn't at all in terms of its artistry and all of that, but it didn't come about because David thought, how can I make a lot of money? It came about because David was like, I'm obsessed with my mother.

To work out their own personal shit about their mother. I totally agree. And that, to me, was the beauty of the moment. You came across a network that was like, fuck it, let's roll the dice.

To work out their own personal shit about their mother. I totally agree. And that, to me, was the beauty of the moment. You came across a network that was like, fuck it, let's roll the dice.

To work out their own personal shit about their mother. I totally agree. And that, to me, was the beauty of the moment. You came across a network that was like, fuck it, let's roll the dice.

You know, what have we got to lose? But a lot. But a lot. I mean, it is true, and they were scared, too. I mean, because after they shot the pilot, they waited... six, seven, eight, nine months before they made the decision to go ahead and order the series. They were terrified.

You know, what have we got to lose? But a lot. But a lot. I mean, it is true, and they were scared, too. I mean, because after they shot the pilot, they waited... six, seven, eight, nine months before they made the decision to go ahead and order the series. They were terrified.

You know, what have we got to lose? But a lot. But a lot. I mean, it is true, and they were scared, too. I mean, because after they shot the pilot, they waited... six, seven, eight, nine months before they made the decision to go ahead and order the series. They were terrified.

Because, like, how can you have a mobster who's the... Yeah. Somebody who kills people for a living is going to be the protagonist of this family drama, right? And they were really nervous about it. And one argument that David had with the creative executives at HBO was over Tony killing somebody on camera. And they were worried that they would turn viewers off. But David convinced them.

Because, like, how can you have a mobster who's the... Yeah. Somebody who kills people for a living is going to be the protagonist of this family drama, right? And they were really nervous about it. And one argument that David had with the creative executives at HBO was over Tony killing somebody on camera. And they were worried that they would turn viewers off. But David convinced them.

Because, like, how can you have a mobster who's the... Yeah. Somebody who kills people for a living is going to be the protagonist of this family drama, right? And they were really nervous about it. And one argument that David had with the creative executives at HBO was over Tony killing somebody on camera. And they were worried that they would turn viewers off. But David convinced them.

He said, look, we're making a show about a mobster. If he doesn't kill the guy who was the snitch, then what are we doing? We're just making bullshit. And so they move forward.

He said, look, we're making a show about a mobster. If he doesn't kill the guy who was the snitch, then what are we doing? We're just making bullshit. And so they move forward.

He said, look, we're making a show about a mobster. If he doesn't kill the guy who was the snitch, then what are we doing? We're just making bullshit. And so they move forward.

Very violent and grisly, yeah. He literally chokes him to death with a wire.

Very violent and grisly, yeah. He literally chokes him to death with a wire.

Very violent and grisly, yeah. He literally chokes him to death with a wire.

Yeah, I think that's right. And that's the best thing often about notes in general. You know, sometimes, particularly reaction, not so much the prescription, but the, you know, the reaction to like, this doesn't feel right. It's sometimes worth listening to.

Yeah, I think that's right. And that's the best thing often about notes in general. You know, sometimes, particularly reaction, not so much the prescription, but the, you know, the reaction to like, this doesn't feel right. It's sometimes worth listening to.

Yeah, I think that's right. And that's the best thing often about notes in general. You know, sometimes, particularly reaction, not so much the prescription, but the, you know, the reaction to like, this doesn't feel right. It's sometimes worth listening to.

I think they were talking about political correctness. You know, there was a willingness to say things that were downright offensive. And also a willingness, even in the writer's room... to get ugly, to talk about stuff in a way that was brutally honest and would reveal about themselves stuff that wasn't particularly elevating or inspiring, maybe just the opposite.