Catherine Shannon

Catherine Shannon

The male mind cannot comprehend the allure of Tony Soprano

What Tony gets right even though he's so wrong

Catherine Shannon's avatar
Catherine Shannon
Oct 16, 2024
∙ Paid

It was a dry spring day, April, and we were a few blocks from Wall Street. My female colleagues and I secured our cocktails and canapés at Fraunces Tavern, the oldest bar in New York. We were a relatively diverse group, ranging in age from twenty-three to late forties, from all over the place: England, California, New Jersey. Gathered around a high wood table, we cast our votes.

The question: “Do you think Tony Soprano is hot?”

Buongiorno

Yes. Of course. Duh. Absolutely.

We were unanimous. Some of these women were practically squealing with delight just thinking about it. “Wait—he’s literally so hot and I don’t know why!” said the twenty-three-year-old. (Haha.)

“But he’s fat.” A male colleague inserted himself into the discussion. “And balding.” We looked up at him with annoyance and pity. This is when I realized: the modern male mind simply cannot comprehend the allure of Tony Soprano.

Sopranos Creator David Chase Finally Confirms Tony's Fate

Men cannot fathom Tony’s attractiveness because he flies in the face of two extreme stereotypes men think women want.

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