Sopranos Saturday: Best Episodes

Our first list will rank the top five best episodes of The Sopranos. In a true American classic, this HBO series had some of the greatest moments in television history. Here are the top five.


TOP FIVE BEST EPISODES:

5. Season 2, Episode 13 -- Funhouse

The Sopranos best moments often took place in a dream sequence. Dreams, one of the most overdone and outdated television tools, was somehow made new again in the Sopranos. The first extended dream, which took place in the episode entitled "Funhouse," was by far the creepiest. Very memorable episode.

4. Season 6A, Episode 8 -- Johnny Cakes

The season 6 subplot involving a closeted gay character struggling with his own insecurities and feelings of danger vs. safety was one of the bravest moments in television. They don't shy away from the touchy subject, exposing all facets of the beauty and ugliness involved in the battle for gay rights.

3. Season 5, Episode 11 -- The Test Dream

Without a doubt the best dream sequence in the series, the dream lasts an impressive 20 minutes while avoiding a single boring/redundant part in the story. Really great episode.

2. Season 6A, Episode 2/3 -- Join the Club/ Mayham

If you like Sopranos dream sequences, then episodes two and three of season 6A were like a dream come true. When Tony Soprano gets put in a coma, he essentially goes through two full episodes of non-stop dream sequence. Trippy imagery and eerie symbolism flood the plotlines. 

1. Season 6B, Episode 9 -- Made in America

The series finale has been one of the most talked about, loved, and hated finales in television history. I have my own theories, yet I'm hesitant to shine my own light on the episode, as it's truly something you have to experience for yourself. If you're dying to know what I think, you can email me and ask. All I'm going to say is this. Listen to the flashback quote from Bobby earlier in the episode. That's what gave it away for me.

The Ultimate Fighter Final Four

This season of The Ultimate Fighter has been one of the best ever. Between the coaches, the competitors, the brutal knockouts, and the shocking upsets, MMA fans have little to complain about this year. The semifinals of TUF air tonight at 9:00 pm ET, followed by the live, 3 hour season finale on Saturday at 9:00 pm ET. The final four fighters have been selected and the matchups have been set. If you've been watching from the very beginning, you already know what you're in for. If you haven't, here are the top five reasons why you should start watching tonight.


5. Top Level Coaching

The coaching this year has been absolutely top notch. I'll admit, I was skeptical when the names were first announced. There is no questioning Jones' and Sonnen's talent as fighters, but coaching other fighters is a whole different animal. Sonnen is a world class shit-talker, who surprised everyone with how caring and sensitive he was towards his team of fighters. Jones is a freak athlete, but at the age of 25, who knew he would have the maturity and leadership to be an MMA coach? Not to mention the fact that many of the fighters on Team Jones are older than him. 

(Chael Sonnen's Speech About Failure)

4. Likable Underdogs

In the history of underdogs, these are two of the very best. If you like rooting for the nice guy, these fighters are for you. Dylan and Kelvin, the last and second to last overall picks respectively, are two of the most unexpected champions out of the bunch. Nevertheless, they have ignored the critics and battled their way to the Final Four. Can one of these guys go all the way and bring home the title? They each face their toughest challenge tonight.

(Dylan Andrews - Ultimate Underdog)

3. Hateable Josh Samman

Okay so his hair isn't quite as douchey as it was in those pictures, but Josh is just as hateable, I assure you. Every good competition needs a good guy and a bad guy. While The Ultimate Fighter had other candidates for the 'Most Hated' award, Josh has taken the cake. Josh continues to refer to himself as the most talented fighter in the pool, providing fans with the quintessential cockiness that everyone loves to hate. Add his signature mounted-double-punch attack to the mix, and you have one of the most annoying, self-centered jerks in TUF history. Assuming there are no upsets tonight, we'll get to see Uriah take on Josh in an Ultimate Fighter Finale for the ages.

(Double Punch Finish vs. Chris Cope)

2. Sonnen vs. Jones

If you're like me, the reason you were excited about this season in the first place was due to the upcoming matchup between the two coaches. Although it won't have the same hype as the Sonnen vs. Silva bouts due to a significant lack of hatred between the two parties, this should still be a heck of a fight. Jon 'Bones' Jones has never been taken down. Take a second to let that sink in. Over the course of his entire career, while admittedly short, he has never been taken down. Chael Sonnen is arguably the best wrestler in the entire world. A man who took down Anderson Silva seemingly at will, should have no problem doing the same to Jones. This should be an exciting one, to say the least. After the season finale of TUF on Saturday, we are just two weeks away from UFC 159, where the two coaches will square off for the Light Heavyweight Championship. This is a great time to be a UFC fan.

(UFC 159 Extended Preview)

1. Uriah Hall

Uriah Hall is the MMA version of the Incredible Hulk. The first and most obvious comparison is his sheer power. This guy is downright scary in the octagon. I believe that UFC President Dana White said it best; "The way this guy knocks people out... You don't even want to clap; you feel bad clapping. It's viscous, it's quick, it's nasty. This guy is the nastiest guy in Ultimate Fighter history." The person who feels the worst after these brutal knockouts, however, is the man behind the devastation. Further enforcing the Hulk metaphor, Uriah seems to come back to his senses after his fights are over and immediately fill with regret. His "What have I done?" attitude makes him as lovable as he is terrifying. Uriah is the best fighter in the competition and the most deserving of a UFC contract. Can somebody pull off the ultimate upset and knock him out of the competition prematurely? We'll have to watch to find out. 

(Uriah Hall vs. Adam Cella knockout)

Breaking News: The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

NBC has just announced that in one year, Jimmy Fallon will be taking over for Jay Leno at 11:35. We all knew this day would come eventually, but now it's official! I'm confident that the Conan/Leno fiasco will not be repeated, as both NBC and Leno have likely learned from their mistakes. Plus, as much as I love Conan, he never had quite the right vibe for the Tonight Show. Jimmy, on the other hand, is perfect. With a plethora of talent, an amazing house band, and a top notch team of writers, Jimmy is poised to not only take the late night scene by storm, but to redefine what the Tonight Show is all about. His experience on SNL and his background in sketch comedy should be fully utilized as Lorne Michaels has signed on as the executive producer. The show will also remain in New York, as opposed to Leno's Tonight Show, which is currently filmed in Los Angeles. Who will be taking over for Jimmy at 12:35? No announcement has been made yet. So we decided to take it upon ourselves to pick out the top three candidates.

Bert Kreischer

Extremely well-liked? Check. Awesome story teller? Check. Hosting extraordinaire? Check. Loyal Deathsquad following that would drive up ratings/flood the internet with positive reviews? Check! If I keep doing NBC's job for them, I expect to receive at least a check in the mail, if not a producer credit. Bert Kreischer would make an amazing Late Night Host. It's that simple. Who's Bert Kreischer? Read my post about The Machine or check out our write up on the Bertcast! 

Seth Meyers

From SNL Weekend Update anchor to late night television host; this would not be the first time. After Jimmy Fallon blazed this very same path, Seth Meyers has been on the short list for next Late Night host for a while now. He has slowly weened himself out of most of the SNL sketches, and currently focuses on the behind the scenes aspect, as well as the mid-show news segment, which closely resembles a late night monologue. Saying Meyers is the obvious choice for the job is an understatement.

Joel McHale

The relationship with NBC is already there, even if Community is NBC's redheaded stepchild. Joel has hosting experience with the fan favorite, celebrity least favorite "The Soup." And he is more handsome than the guy who's famous for being handsome. With Community seemingly coming to an end, Joel is the perfect candidate for the job! 

Hulu's Best in Show 2013

Every year, Hulu conducts a vote-based bracket, pitting television program against television program in an epic tournament of champions, referred to as "Best in Show". This year's tournament began on February 28th and has finally been narrowed down to the final two. I'll start by presenting the Real Radio break down of the championship matchup between Community and Game of Thrones and finish by recapping the earlier rounds of the tournament. Let's get started.

I couldn't be happier with this final matchup. Community and Game of Thrones are two of my very favorite shows, without question. Game of Thrones is one of the biggest and most popular shows out right now. Set to start their third season on Sunday, Thrones has been everywhere from billboards and newspapers, to everything in between. In addition, Game of Thrones has launched one of the coolest ad campaigns ever, in which they send their biggest celebrity supporters a fan package, complete with a custom T-Shirt, Game of Thrones Season 1 and 2, and more. Check out a screen shot of Joe Rogan's "House Rogan" T-Shirt and hear him talk about the package on his podcast with Ben Hoffman.

That being said, I don't think there is a single show on television that I have a stronger connection with than Community. It could be the outstanding writing, the lovable characters, or the constant frustration of a cult classic that lacks great popularity and success. Whatever the reason, I love Community, and it would mean a lot to me if Community won this championship match. However, if I'm being completely honest with myself, a Dan Harmon-less Community is not the Best in Show. It's just not. I still enjoy the show, but it's no where near the best. Game of Thrones, on the other hand, just might be. So as much as it pains me to say this, I think I'm going to vote for Game of Thrones this year. They deserve it more.


Round 1:

The Walking Dead vs. Community 58% 

The Office vs. 30 Rock 56%

53% Sherlock vs. Doctor Who

64% New Girl vs. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The Vampire Diaries vs. Game of Thrones 77%

American Horror Story vs. Mad Men 67%

61% Once Upon A Time vs. Happy Endings

Homeland vs. Archer 52%

62% Scandal vs. The Good Wife

House of Lies vs. Parenthood 61%

53% Boardwalk Empire vs. Girls

Sons of Anarchy vs. Breaking Bad 81%

52% Glee vs. Pretty Little Liars

Bob's Burgers vs. Revolution 56%

Masterpiece: Downton Abbey vs. Parks and Recreation 62%

69% Modern Family vs. Louie


Round 2:

74% Community vs. Glee

72% New Girl vs. Revolution

50% Sherlock vs. 30 Rock

Scandal vs. Parks and Recreation 71%

Once Upon A Time vs. Breaking Bad 52%

56% Mad Men vs. Archer

79% Game of Thrones vs. Boardwalk Empire

Parenthood vs. Modern Family 73%


Round 3:

50% Sherlock vs. Parks and Recreation

56% Community vs. New Girl

Mad Men vs. Breaking Bad 64%

Modern Family vs. Game of Thrones 53%


Round 4:

51% Community vs. Sherlock

55% Game of Thrones vs. Breaking Bad


Championship Round:

Community vs. Game of Thrones - - - > Vote Now!

Top 5 Game of Thrones Characters

It's March. That means we're less than a month away from the highly anticipated return of HBO's fantasy drama, Game of Thrones. Author and creator of the series, George R.R. Martin, never saw the books' potential for television success. In fact, he originally tried to dissuade HBO from adapting the fantasy series, claiming "It's too big. It's too complicated. It's too expensive." A big reason why the series was so "big" and "complicated" was due to its hordes of diverse, multidimensional characters. Lucky for Throne fans around the world, George R.R. Martin couldn't have been more wrong. The show is a huge hit and we are left with a multitude of rich characters from which to select our favorite and least favorite individuals. Having had this discussion with a number of my friends who watch the show, I figured the best course of action would be to post my picks on the blog and get the discussion going among Throne fans everywhere. If you agree, let me know. If you disagree, post your picks. Remember, this is a discussion, not a lecture. Let's all start treating it that way.


5. Bronn as played by Jerome Flynn

Pound for pound, Bronn is by far the biggest bad ass on the show. Whether he's spitting out quick witted remarks or helping a small friend in need, Bronn wins over more fans each time he works his way into a scene. Refusing to give up on the 'loner' image, it's becoming increasingly evident that Bronn is not as stern as he appears on the outside. Playing the classic role of a 'jolly giant,' his tough exterior is only a facade to mask his compassionate, friendly core. There's nothing too cutting edge about Bronn, just plain, simple, and downright entertaining. Well deserving of the five spot.

4. Robb Stark as played by Richard Madden

Robb Stark's placement in the number 4 spot is less a knock on the quality of his character, and more a compliment to the characters that follow. Robb, in my opinion, is the one true hero of the series. What makes the show so interesting is the duality that each character displays, showing both flaws and attributes, alike. Robb, however, is more of a straight arrow. While some of the decisions he makes are rash and, often times, misguided, the intent is always well placed. We all make mistakes, but the driving force behind your thought process is what truly shapes your character. Robb Stark is as pure as they come, and a hell of a leader at that. THE KING IN THE NORTH!


3. Jaime Lannister as played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

A good show needs a good villain. Game of Thrones is a great show. Jaime Lannister is a great villain. Cunning, egocentric, and so damn hateable, Jaime is a true Lannister in every sense of the word. Sure he likes to sleep with his sister every now and then, but if I learned one thing from Anthropology 101, it's that we simply cannot judge other cultures through the eyes of our own. No matter how many times he pushes little children out of windows or brings evil, golden haired boy-kings into this world, we simply cannot judge. Maybe Mr. Lannister is just misunderstood.

P.S. what are the odds that he gets together with Brienne of Tarth at some point? I saw some serious chemistry there. Plus we all know he has a thing for angry blonds.


2. Arya Stark as played by Maisie Williams

I can't quite put my finger on what makes Arya Stark such a fan favorite, but I wholeheartedly agree. While child actors usually lack a certain level of talent for obvious reasons, every once in a while, someone will come along who transcends age. There is no point while watching Maisie act, that I think to myself, "She's pretty good for a young kid." She's just flat out good. And with a character arch like hers, it's impossible not to root for her success. She watched her dad die in front of her and had to cut off all her hair. Now she dresses like a boy, outsmarts her elders, and hatches clever little plans to get what she wants. Seemingly much smarter than most of her siblings, with the possible exception of Robb Stark, she will most likely grow up to be a great leader one day; if she grows up at all. By the way, I don't think there is a single character on the show that could make me more upset, should something bad happen to them. I'm 100% emotionally invested in young Arya Stark's journey to the top.


1. Tyrion Lannister as played by Peter Dinklage

My number one pick was a bit of a no-brainer and should come as no surprise to fans of the show. Tyrion Lannister is definitely the most recognizable face of the series and for good reason. Nobody rides the fence between good and evil better than Tyrion. He is, after all, a Lannister, but seemingly cast aside by his family, he also seems to hate the Lannisters. By far the smartest character on the show, Tyrion Lannister not only outsmarts his fellow Throne characters, but often times the audience, as he concocts master plans to further increase his position in this world. If Game of Thrones was a real game, Tyrion Lannister would definitely have a healthy lead, and for that reason, along with many others, he is well deserving of the number 1 spot in our countdown.

As I said before, whether you agree or disagree with this list, we want to hear your opinions. Please like/retweet, comment, and share this story! Follow the blog on twitter @RealRadioBlog and be sure to tune in for the season 3 premier of Game of Thrones, March 31st on HBO.

Talking Dead

Back in October, we did a write up on The Walking Dead, a highly realistic and extremely entertaining take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Currently in its third season, the show has been renewed for at least one more and has grown in popularity year after year. Recognizing The Walking Dead's potential for generating ratings, AMC developed a half hour talk show set to air directly after each new episode, discussing plot points, revealing behind the scenes information, and hosting a myriad of guests. Talking Dead began airing during season 2 of The Walking Dead and was later expanded from its half hour format to a full hour for its season 3 counterpart. The show has featured some pretty notable guests including Patton Oswalt, Kevin Smith, and Sarah Silverman, as well as a number of members of the cast and crew. What makes the guests so unique is their genuine love for The Walking Dead. They are all fans, more accurately junkies, who often site obscure references from old episodes or the graphic novels on which the show is based. No one seems to come on to simply promote whatever project they happen to be working on. This adds a very honest vibe to the whole production.

Chris Hardwick, who has done everything from stand up comedy to animated voice over work, is the host of Talking Dead. Between his reputation as comedy's resident nerd, his plethora of hosting gigs, and his little known/unexpected small roles in horror movies like House of 1000 Corpses and Halloween 2, Chris was the obvious candidate for the job. While it took me a little while before I finally began watching Talking Dead, I became an addict in no time at all. The show not only carries its own weight, but also greatly enhances The Walking Dead as well. For example, when series creator Robert Kirkman stops in, he will often give insight behind certain actions of the characters in the show. In addition, he'll occasionally slip in some carefully placed foreshadowing that teases future episodes while maintaining a certain air of mystery and suspense. Reoccurring segments like "In Memoriam" and the weekly online poll are always good for a laugh, while behind the scenes footage and fan questions provide a deeper look into the finer details of the show. It's gotten to the point where I look forward to Talking Dead as much as I do The Walking Dead. If you haven't checked it out, I strongly suggest you give it a shot. If you're looking for a test drive, I've included the premier episode, which aired after season 2: episode 1 of The Walking Dead. Be sure to tune in Sundays at 9 pm for The Walking Dead and Sundays at 10 pm for Talking Dead.

(Talking Dead Episode 1)

P.S. As Real Radio is primarily a hip hop blog, I feel compelled to include some sort of tie in, so here goes. Back in 2005, Chris Hardwick played host of "The Minstrel Show," on hip hop trio, Little Brother's second studio album. Check out Talking Dead host/aspiring hip hop hype man, Chris Hardwick, below.

(Little Brother - Minstrel Show Closing Theme feat. Chris Hardwick)

Saturday Night Live Performance Reviews

CLASS OF 2012

While it is still relatively early in these young SNL Careers, the world is beginning to get a look at who is going to break out and who is going to disappear before the next season. Here are their first year performance reviews.

Cecily Strong - Receiving by far the most air time out of any of the newbies, Strong has earned her way into the spotlight with hilarious characters, a wide range, and outstanding comedic timing. Her break out performance was her "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party" character, featured on "Weekend Update." She completely nailed down a character that I have never seen acted out before, but have seen a million times in real life; the should-be goal of any SNL cast member.

Aidy Bryant - This is where we start to get into the unknown. With such a lack of exposure to the audience thus far, it is impossible to truly and fully judge Bryant's performance. On one hand, she has made me laugh on more than one occasion; on the other, it may have been the writers and not the actress who were truly responsible for the humor. If Aidy doesn't step up to the plate with a unique character or reoccurring sketch soon, she may become 2012-2013's one-and-done cast member.

Tim Robinson - Like Aidy Bryant, Robinson has had little television exposure as a rookie cast member. Unlike Bryant, I feel like he has made the most of it. He has been involved in some of the funniest moments of the season, however he is usually a role player, rather than the star of said moments. Nevertheless, I feel as if he could break out at any moment. He just needs that career defining sketch that fans can't get enough of. I look forward to seeing more of Tim Robinson in the future.

Kate Mckinnon - Mckinnon is by far the cast member I'm most hot and cold on. SNL has put her in more sketches than any of the rookies with the possible exception of Cecily Strong. At times she is very funny, like in her role as mediator for the "Vice Presidential Debate", but at other times I find her downright irritating. I'll admit, I felt the same way about Vanessa Bayer before she turned my opinion around, so I'm not going to give up on Mckinnon just yet. Plus, it seems as if she'll be around for a while.

CLASS OF 2010

The last incoming class of SNL cast members were introduced to the world back in 2010. While not all of the former newbies have lasted the past few years, three have survived and prospered. Here are their performance reviews.

Vanessa Bayer - Initially my least favorite cast member from this incoming class, Bayer has come a long way in three years. She is not only on-par with the rest of the class, but at times, she even outshines her costars. It took me a little while to get used to her style, but once I did, I have become a big fan.

Taran Killam - Taran Killam is not only my favorite new cast member, but he is second in line behind my current front runner, Mr. Bill Hader. A unique ability to make the audience erupt with a simple facial expression or one liner, Killam has natural talent combined with great timing and range, and it shows through. Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes would be proud.

Jay Pharoah - With spot on impressions of Denzel Washington, Will Smith and others, Pharoah quickly rose to widespread popularity very early in his SNL career. Unfortunately, I feel as if he became too reliant on the impersonations that made him famous. It wasn't until his "Attention teachers and students!" bit that was tucked in at the very end of an episode that I began to see his potential. Since then, Pharoah has been a much more integral part of the cast, finally earning the role of President Barrack Obama, the next man in a long line of iconic presidential SNL characters.