TV Notes: Final ‘Sopranos’ should begin airing in mid-April

Sat., Dec. 16, 2006

From Wire Reports The Spokesman-Review

“Sopranos” fans can set their countdown clocks now: HBO has set at least an approximate premiere date for the show’s final episodes.

A little note on the show’s homepage at HBO.com says, ” ‘The Sopranos’ final season starts in April.” That’s not a lot to go on, but given the sometimes huge gaps between seasons (21 months between seasons five and six, for example), the semifirm commitment from the network should be something of a relief.

The final “Sopranos” arc originally was set to debut next month. However, HBO chief Chris Albrecht told TV critics last summer that the show’s filming schedule, and thus the premiere date, had to be pushed back after series star James Gandolfini had knee surgery.

HBO also says it will re-air season six of “The Sopranos” beginning in mid-January. Assuming the network will want to air all 12 episodes before the new season begins, the final season of “The Sopranos” likely would premiere in mid-April.

Animated Amy

Amy Poehler is getting animated – literally.

The popular cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” is jumping into the cartoon arena as the executive producer – and voice – of a new series for Nickelodeon.

“Mighty B” is about Bessie Higgenbottom, a 10-year-old girl who is a Honeybee Scout determined to amass more badges than any scout in history.

“Bessie represents the ever-optimistic spaz who believes she can grow up a rock star, actress, politician and brain surgeon all at the same time,” says Poehler, adding: “I can’t wait to find out how they make those cool little people move around.”

Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of the series, which will premiere in 2008.

Another ‘30 Days’

He’s tried to live on minimum wage and had himself thrown in jail, and now documentarian Morgan Spurlock will get a few more chances to see how the other half lives.

FX has picked up a third season of Spurlock’s series “30 Days,” in which he and other subjects live for a month in a way that’s far outside their comfort zones. The show will go back into production in the spring; there’s no word on a premiere date yet.

Spurlock, the director and subject of “Super Size Me,” will take part in two of the experiments in the coming six-episode season. He and his fiancee spent one of the first season’s installments working in minimum-wage jobs, and last season he spent time in a county jail.

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