I’m addicted to the Sopranos.

In addition to not having a cell phone, I don’t have any cable television either. It’s been seven years since I’ve had a cable box.

Now, the world is much different. There’s cable, satellite television, hundreds of channels.

But that aside, we’ve finally put the DVD player that came in the mail to good use.

There’s been so much hype about original cable programming, Sex in the City, Six Feet Under, and the Sopranos.

Normally, I’m not the least bit interested in mob movies. Too much violence — and you know how they denigrate African Americans.

Despite these characteristics, I love the Sopranos. My life’s been on hold while I’ve rented the first two season.

The reason, I like the show — for the one thing no one ever mentioned. Tony Soprano is in therapy. The sessions between Soprano and Jennifer Melfi are inspired. Those sessions keep me rivited to the show. That and the sheer east coast nature of the show. The characters act just like people I remember from Brooklyn in the 1970’s. The tooting car horns. The vulgar behavior. Everyone yelling all the time.

My question, why isn’t there anything good like this on the six of seven broadcast channels that I do receive.

Judging Amy just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Every so often I think of getting cable. Those nights when I’m not eating out, or hanging out with friends. When I don’t have any books, and I’m looking for a little passive entertainment — I think about cable.

That is until I ask someone what they’re paying monthly (over $75), or I watch a little cable at someone’s apartment — how many eighties movie re-runs can anyone watch?

So for now, I’ll get my television fix with a Blockbuster DVD rental . . .