NEW YORK – No "Sopranos" family members will get knocked off in 2005. That's because HBO (search) has announced Thursday that the sixth and final season of the popular mob drama won't premiere until sometime in 2006.
"It's like the Harry Potter book," HBO chairman Chris Albrecht said last week. "You'll wait very long and be happy when you get it."
Albrecht said "The Sopranos" (search) creator and executive producer David Chase (search) can take all the time he needs to write, hinting the final season could become longer than the 10 episodes Chase committed to in January.
"The Sopranos" wrapped up its fifth season last month.
"Until the last episode of 'The Sopranos' airs, I'm always hopeful," Albrecht said.
Other HBO shows that will live on include a fifth season of Larry David's comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and sophomore seasons of the dark dramas "Carnivale" and "Deadwood."
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