Podcast Summary: "The Sets of 'The Sopranos' at the Museum of the Moving Image"
Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC
Guest: Barbara Miller, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, Museum of the Moving Image
Date: March 2, 2026
Exhibit: "Stories and Set Design for the Sopranos" (On view through May 31st, 2026)
Episode Overview
This episode explores the new exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image dedicated to the iconic sets of The Sopranos. Host Alison Stewart interviews Barbara Miller, who organized the exhibit, for an in-depth look at how the show's physical environments contributed to its groundbreaking storytelling. Together, Stewart and Miller discuss the artistry, research, and meticulous detail that went into creating spaces like Dr. Melfi’s office, the Soprano family home, and Satriale’s pork store, and how these choices shaped the narrative and cultural resonance of the series.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Importance of Sets in Storytelling
[04:05] Why TV Sets Matter
- Barbara Miller: Sets differ for TV versus film because TV shows often don’t have the luxury of knowing how long they'll run. Sets are spaces where characters "live for an unforeseeable amount of time."
- The design of the pilot and first season was crucial—once those sets were established, characters would inhabit them for years.
The Exhibit’s Approach
[03:00] Multiple Perspectives on 'The Sopranos'
- The exhibit resulted from a collaboration tied to screenings of season three episodes at the museum.
- The show is examined from both a curatorial and fan-centric perspective, including screenings with creator David Chase and cast.
Authenticity and New Jersey
[06:25] Capturing Real New Jersey
- Sets needed to "have a feel for New Jersey" to honor creator David Chase’s roots and the show’s unique blending of mob drama with suburban Americana.
- Alison Stewart: Describes her own connections: “I used to say documentary. As I watched it, I was like, oh, yeah, I went to that soda shop. I went to that place to get food for my mom. You know, I recognize all the places they picked.”
- Miller highlights the show's shift: representing organized crime within "suburban America," contrasting with traditional portrayals.
Set Designers Throughout the Series
[05:17] Production Design Evolution
- Edward Pizzoni designed the pilot.
- Dean Tauscher took over for the first season, translating location shots (except Dr. Melfi’s office) into built sets at Silvercup Studios in Queens.
- Bob Shaw handled later seasons, maintaining continuity and evolving the series’ look and feel.
In-Depth: Dr. Melfi’s Office
[08:30] The Dreamscape of Tony’s Therapy
- The office is notable for its intentional circular design—"building a circular office...create an environment where Tony had no place to hide."
- The office is minimalist and Zen, reinforcing Tony’s vulnerability.
Research and Materials: The David Chase Archives
[09:41] Accessing the DNA of the Series
- Miller: David Chase provided access to his personal archive focused on the transition from pilot to series.
- Materials include handwritten notes on character arcs, research into mob life, and outlines for how characters would develop.
- Key Insight: The exhibit displays how stories were crafted not to simply “resolve” each episode but to let characters evolve over time.
“One of the strengths of the Sopranos...is about how these characters evolve.” – Barbara Miller [10:30]
Iconic Locations: The Pork Store
[11:38] From Real Life to Set
- In the pilot, the pork store was filmed at a real shop, Santani’s.
- For the series, a replica set was built to retain continuity, resulting in the iconic Satriale’s pork store.
The Soprano Family Home
[12:35] The Heart of the Series
- The pilot used a real family’s house, with a floor plan aiding both writers and directors in visualizing family dynamics.
- For regular filming, interiors were recreated and modified at Silvercup Studios for technical and narrative purposes.
Favorite Artifact from the Exhibit
[14:22] Behind the Curtain
- Miller’s favorite: David Chase’s original, annotated notes and the production binder from the pilot.
“We like to kind of pull the curtain back to show how things happen. It feels like magic, but it’s work.” – Barbara Miller [14:22]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On suburban authenticity:
"It was average America. It was suburban America. ... Shooting the action of organized crime in suburban New Jersey ... was a real change from how mob activity had ever been represented on screen."
— Barbara Miller [07:10] - On the purpose of set design:
"The design of sets for television is a space where characters live for, you know, an unforeseeable amount of time."
— Barbara Miller [04:05] - On Dr. Melfi’s office:
"He wanted to create an environment where Tony had no place to hide. There were no corners to hide in, so he was exposed."
— Barbara Miller [09:00] - On the show’s evolution:
"They had no idea what was coming. They're producing a pilot, and all these years later, it becomes this iconic thing."
— Barbara Miller [15:10]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:00] – Exhibit’s curatorial approach and special screenings
- [04:05] – Importance of sets in serialized TV
- [05:17] – The show's different production designers
- [06:25] – Authenticity and the depiction of New Jersey
- [08:30] – In-depth on Dr. Melfi’s office design
- [09:41] – Artifacts and research from David Chase’s personal archive
- [11:38] – Satriale’s pork store: from real location to set
- [12:35] – Creating and modifying the Soprano family home
- [14:22] – Miller’s favorite objects in the exhibit
Conclusion
This episode offers an engaging, behind-the-scenes look at how The Sopranos' settings shaped the narrative and cultural identity of the show. Through vivid anecdotes, expert insight, and the magic of archival materials, listeners gain a new appreciation for the craft—and community—behind television’s most iconic mob family.
To visit:
"Stories and Set Design for the Sopranos" is on view through May 31st at the Museum of the Moving Image.