not because it was unrealistic
but because 1) they were wealthy, so in that sense it carries a similar appeal to more mainstream shows that focus on rich people and their problems like say a "dallas" or "dynasty" or soap operas like dude above mentioned
and because 2) it played into the american mafia obsession that most people that most people's only experience with is in great american films.

also even though it was often as brutal and violent as the wire, it's a little less unsettling for broader, whiter audiences because they're white and they aren't judging it in the same way as they would a buncha niggas in the projects selling drugs. it's ok to root for tony because he's kinda like the tough guy you wanted to be, but it's not ok to root for avon or stringer or marlo if society has told you your whole life that these guys are public enemy #1.


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No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public. (c) HL Mencken or some other motherfucker.

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