DID THE FINALE WHACK TONY'S EMMY HOPES?

[Brian Damage]

June 20, 2007 -- HBO is worried that Emmy voters who were angered by the open-ended "Sopranos" finale will take it out on the show.

Ballots are due back this Friday and the network is unsure what effect the whirlwind of debate and controversy that has swirled around the June 10 finale will have on the last chance "The Sopranos" will ever have to win TV's top prize.

The vote will represent a verdict on how the Hollywood establishment felt about the ending.

"The Sopranos" finale disappointed those viewers who, for better or worse, wanted a sense of "closure" to the series and were vexed - and, in some cases, angry - over show creator David Chase's cut-to-black ending.

"It would be foolish to say that some people won't vote against 'The Sopranos' because they were upset," says one industry insider, who declined to be identified because of his ties to Chase. "Clearly there are some [Emmy] voters bent on vengeance out there.

"The finale is fresh in people's minds, but maybe not fresh in the right way if [a voter] didn't like it."

Voters are theoretically voting on the episode HBO submitted for Emmy consideration, "Sopranos Home Movies" (Tony and Bobby at the lake).

That is the very first episode of the final season. But realistically, it's the finale the Emmy voters will be casting their ballots for - or against.

"Some viewers wanted more killings all along, and more resolution," says another source. "But I'm not sure if Hollywood is representative of the mainstream or if they liked the fact that [series creator] David Chase did something really different."

While "The Sopranos" has won a slew of Emmys over the years - including best actor and actress awards for stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco and best supporting actor for Michael Imperioli - it's only claimed one statuette for "Best Drama" over its eight-year run (in 2004) - despite being nominated nearly every year.

Some attribute that snub to the "East Coast vs. West Coast" factor in an industry dominated by L.A.- based Emmy voters - who consider "The Sopra nos" a pro vincial "New York show."

"Those who watch 'The Sopra nos' are the most pas sionate viewers around," said an HBO spokesperson.

"Whether or not you appreciated the finale - and so many did - there is little question that the series is a masterpiece.

"We hope the Emmy voters agree."

Emmy nominations will be announced July 19.


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