The Arrest of Tony Soprano, Jr.

Before everyone goes off the deep end upon hearing that Robert Iler, age 16 has been arrested in New York, AMC wants to remind everyone that there is a boy, an adolescent boy inside the public character of a mobster's son. It's the boy we care about...and so should you. In ordinary circumstances Robert's age would prevent the broadcast of his name and image, but that kind of sensitivity has already been blown to smithereens because the arrest has received national coverage in all media. Still think it's fun to be a celebrity?

Here's the point, dear friends. Robert and his family...his extended family...need help and they need it right away. The Producers of "The Sopranos," indeed the whole of the Industry, need to step in at once to help this young person. We have the knowledge and the resources to help Robert's mother deal with a terribly painful event. This is the first time Robert has ever been in trouble, and we must make our best effort to make sure it is the last. Part of that process is understanding that special tools must be employed to deal with a troubled young celebrity. Those tools exist, and anyone who thinks they can just tackle this alone is making a huge mistake.

Robert Iler belongs to all of us. He is not a fictional character. He is not the first young star to find himself in trouble and he won't be the last. It's time to step back and do some serious soul-searching. Where does the character stop and the person begin?

Has anyone ever stopped to wonder what impact the role of Tony Soprano, Junior, son of a mobster who loves his father and on the Show is already showing signs of wanting to join the Family Business, could have on a real live boy?

A Minor Consideration understands these things. If you're close to Robert Iler and you care, please let us help.

Paul Petersen,
President, AMC