ITALIAN-AMERICAN GROUP PUTS A HIT ON `THE SOPRANOS'

ITALIAN-AMERICAN GROUP PUTS A HIT ON `THE SOPRANOS'

WASHINGTON (Wireless Flash) -- An Italian-American activist group isn't singing the praises of the HBO series "The Sopranos." The National Italian American Foundation claims the popular mafia comedy is creating unfair stereotypes by depicting Italian- Americans as thick-necked, violent mobsters. Chairman Frank Guarini claims shows like "The Sopranos" make it hard for Americans of Italian descent to land jobs or get elected to public office because folks assume all Italians are connected to the Mob. Guarini says he'd be happy if the show depicted at least a few good role models with Italian backgrounds -- something the show already does, according to the folks at HBO. Spokesperson Henry Gomez says the shrink played by Lorraine Bracco is a great Italian-American role model because she's professional, ethical and highly-educated.