Have you ever noticed this trend on popular TV programs?

[Jara sang]

During the first season of the show all the characters have full names but as the show becomes more popular, the writers come up with cutesy little nicknames that the characters start to call each other. Par example, on 'The Sopranos', Meadow has become "Med", Tony has become "Tone" or "T", Carmella is now "Carm", "Silvio is now "Sil" and so on and so on. It isn't just 'The Sopranos' either, I've seen it on other shows as well. So what is this? Some kind of tactic to "lure" you in to the show? It's like the writers are saying "Come on, you know these guys. You've sat in front of your TV watching their kids grow up and their lives unfold, these people are your family. Now shut the fuck up and buy the products we're trying to shove down your throat!" Anyway, I thought it a bit strange.