"A Sopranos Tour?"

"Out in the wild marshlands of Northern New Jersey?"

"Who ever heard of such a thing?"

"Get ready!" "We're going!"

The Greenes and the Greenbergs were off and running. Why has the Soprano family captured the interest of the American public?

Because they are a typical American family! Certainly not Ozzie and Harriet, but there is a true universality and humanity at work here. Mom (Carmella - stay-at-home housewife), dad (Tony - has his own business), daughter (Meadow - budding Ivy leaguer) and son (A.J. Anthony Junior - surly, troubled teenager).

Okay, Tony (James Gandolfini) is not exactly in an honest, wholesome profession. He has personnel problems and money worries like most CEOs. He just handles them differently with a bit more brute force than your average head of an American corporation.

Due to a troubled childhood and an uncaring mother, Tony seeks psychiatric help from a female analyst, Dr. Jennifer Melfi. At one point Tony discontinues his treatment for a short time but he eventually returns to the couch (or the chair opposite Dr. Melfi). She discovers that Prozac does not always solve Tony's deep-seated problem.

Back to the tour!

The Zerve Tour meets on the corner of 39th Street and 7th Avenue in front of the famous Garment District "button sculpture."

The bus is comfortable but packed. A survey by our tour guide elicited the presence on board of four Australians, four from England, two from Scotland, three from Texas and a smattering of North and South Americans. The Sopranos are popular all over the world.

The opening scene in each Soprano episode starts with Tony driving his SUV through the Lincoln Tunnel while lighting up his huge Montechristo #1 cigar ($25 per - according to our guide). We, while on our tour, are retracing Tony's exodus from Manhattan and into the light of Weehawken, NJ. The TVs and clips of shows on the bus are in synchronization with his entrance into Northern Jersey. Music from the Godfather plays on the sound system and our excellent guide feeds us information of the filming, the actors and the trivia related to The Sopranos. He asks questions and gives out gag prizes for correct answers.

It is amazing the accumulated knowledge of our bus load of viewers. No picayune detail was missed from the six years of Soprano episodes. Some of the things we learned from our guide:

• All actors playing Italians must be Italian. They must also have lived in New York or New Jersey.

• Carmella (Edie Falco) - just adopted a baby son.

• Casting director is Geogeianne Walken, wife of actor Christopher Walken.

• Most indoor shots are taken at Silvercup Studios in Queens.

• Tony Soprano and family live in North Caldwell, NJ.

• Tony has two sisters, Janis and Barbara.

• Janis (Aida Turturro) is married to Bobby "Bacala" (Steve Shirripa) and has a son named Harpo.

• Tony's father was "Johnny Boy" and was in the mob.

• Tony's grandfather was a stone mason and he built churches.

• Uncle Junior's (Dominic Chianese) name is Corado Soprano.

• Opening music is Woke Up This Morning by A3, a British rock group from Britain.

• Tony's firm is called "Waste Management Company."

• Ray Liotta was first choice to play Tony Soprano.

• Tony drives an Escalade, SUV.

• Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) writes screenplays.

• Tony is a history buff. He watches the History Channel.

• Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) got his name when he hijacked a truck he thought had computers but it turnout out to be walnuts.

• Arty Bucco (John Ventimiglia) - restaurant owner and gourmet Italian chef, has a line of food products. Artie Bucco is one of David Chase's cousins.

• Drea (Adriana La Cerva) - Her tattoos are real.

• Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) - List of her boyfriends: Jeremy, David Schittino, Noah Tannenbaum, Jackie Jr., and Finn.

We made four stops on the tour:

• Mr. Bill (opening scenes) - 25-foot statue in front of the muffler shop.

• Diner under Pulaski Skyway - (Christopher was shot here.)

• Satriales Pork Store - Actually just a facing on a building bought by HBO as an exterior shot.

• Bada Bing Club - Actual name is Satin Dolls in Lodi, NJ. Dancers gyrated on a rectangular bar platform with poles and ultraviolet lights. They are not topless. New Jersey does not permit nudity where drinks are sold. Souvenirs available: Hats - $20; G-strings - $10; Sweatshirts - $25; T-shirts - $20. Drinks were served if desired.

On our five-hour tour of Northern New Jersey, we traversed these towns - Union City, Harrison, Kearny, Lodi, Newark and Jersey City.

The tour was run very well and the guide was excellent. We returned to Manhattan in time to have supper and rush to the TV and HBO to watch the most recent adventures of The Sopranos - an American family.

Details:

Zerve: (name of company)

Sopranos Tour: Duration, 4 hours - $42 per ticket

Phone: (212) 683-2027

Email: gblau@screentours.com