The subject matter may not have been for everyone, but no one can deny the impact and success of the HBO series “The Sopranos,” which really put cable television dramas on the map. Now, with the release of WOKE UP THIS MORNING, readers have the opportunity to relive some of the best moments of the program and all involved with it via rewritten transcripts from the popular podcast “Talking Sopranos,” hosted by stars Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Steve Schirripa ("Bobby Bacala").

When Michael and Steve speak about the first season, it is with a sense of awe because no one knew if a show like “The Sopranos” would be well received. Once it was all over, the final tally was 112 Emmy nominations and 21 wins. This includes being the very first cable TV show nominated for Best Drama, an award that they won in 2004. They talk to casting director Sheila Jaffe, who says that the idea for the program actually came out of the film Trees Lounge from Steve Buscemi. Michael was in that movie, and it helped give him his start, springboarding him to his unforgettable role of Spider in Goodfellas.

"WOKE UP THIS MORNING is a wonderful reading experience, thanks to all the memories, stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The fact that we are getting these from the very source makes them breathe with life."

I enjoyed their first conversation with Edie Falco, who portrayed Tony Soprano’s wife, Carmela. It is humorous to learn that Falco cannot cook at all, whereas Carmela was hosting huge food-centered gatherings nearly every week at the Soprano house. I am proud to share that I had the privilege of acting with Falco’s mother, Judith Anderson, when she performed with my regional theater group on Long Island in a production of the Sherlock Holmes mystery “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Sadly, Judith passed away recently.

Rock guitarist Steven Van Zandt, a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, talks about playing Silvio. It is funny to read that Silvio was the only one who could bring bad news to Tony just as Van Zandt used to do with Bruce! Michael and Steve don’t recount episode by episode in the book, instead focusing on great singular moments like these throughout. They spend time talking about the season one episode “College,” which TV Guide ranked #2 on their list of all-time greatest TV episodes. It involves Tony taking his daughter, Meadow, to look at a college she is considering while also trying to put a hit on someone, making for a tense and extremely memorable show.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible work of James Gandolfini in the lead role, and much discussion is given to his professionalism and commitment to making the character real and believable. Show runner David Chase had to perform the eulogy at his funeral and was not sure what to say. He is reminded by Steve that he once said to Gandolfini, “I feel you’re my brother because of the things we both loved. Family. Work. People in all their imperfection. Food. Alcohol. Talking. Rage. And a desire to bring the whole structure crashing down. We just amuse each other.”

Michael and Steve explain how “The Sopranos” put New Jersey on the map. It previously had a bad rap, but people now saw the Garden State in a different light. There is a great discussion with Aida Turturro, the cousin of actors John and Nicholas. She was one of the few who already had acted with Gandolfini and pushed hard to get the role of his sister, which ended up being the apex of her career. Michael talks about the episodes he got to write, such as “From Where to Eternity,” which features some great dream sequences for Christopher. I even learned that he co-wrote the screenplay for the Spike Lee film Summer of Sam.

They describe the challenges of beginning season three following the death of Nancy Marchand, who played Tony’s mother. Gandolfini actually had to act in a scene with a different actor portraying her as the producers later used CGI to add in Marchand’s face. Just as we learn a bit about Michael, similarly we get to go behind the scenes with Steve. He grew up in Brooklyn, surrounded by wise guys, and is actually half Jewish --- even though he was raised Catholic. Steve also is a writer and director, and his friendship with Michael includes each of them acting in independent films that the other wrote.

It all came full circle for the actors when Buscemi joined “The Sopranos” for a brief but memorable stint as Tony’s cousin, Tony Blundetto, who had one of the best death and disposal scenes ever filmed on the show.

WOKE UP THIS MORNING is a wonderful reading experience, thanks to all the memories, stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The fact that we are getting these from the very source makes them breathe with life. Michael, a big music fan, even puts together a Top 10 list of his most memorable songs from “The Sopranos,” which includes such diverse talents as Van Morrison, Mazzy Star, The Pretenders, and his favorite from Johnny Thunders, “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory.” To quote Michael and Steve in this fun and complete retrospective, “Some things never fade away.”