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From IGNTv:
True Blood Preview: "Timebomb" Maryann continues to wield power over Bon Temps.   August 7, 2009 - Sookie's ( Anna Paquin) strong will to survive was ondisplay this past week when she was attacked by Gabe (Greg Collins) and cried out for help. Few people expected her savior to be the vampire she has been looking for: Godric ( Allan Hyde). Eric ( Alexander Skarsgard) won't be far behind his master.
Meanwhile, Sam (Sam Trammell) finds himself in trouble following the gruesome death of Daphne (Ashley Jones). Will Andy Bellefleur (Chris Bauer) try to pin Daphne's murder on Sam? The place of Daphne's murder seems like a clever move on Maryann's (Michelle Forbes) part.
Elsewhere, Hoyt (Jim Parrack) and Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) get down to business. After just a few weeks of courtship, the cute couple learns that when it comes to sex, every time is the first time.
08/07/2009 |
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From BloodCopy:
MIDNIGHT COWBOYS 
Vampires have been in existence for some time. Our lives have spanned generations, centuries, eras. I’ve heard of vampires who were present for the fall of Rome, only to return as tourists to see the ruins of the very buildings they once occupied. Undead have witnessed the bubonic plague, fled from Mongol hordes, I’ve even heard one who claims to know the real reason behind the demise of the Maya. But of all these historical accounts, one of my favorites has always circulated around the Old West.
Vampires in the Western American territories have often enjoyed reputations as among the most rugged and resourceful. They eschewed the comforts of civilization for open land, lived more solitary existences with less pull from the structured societal vampire hierarchy. They weren’t interested in striking their fortunes in gold or precious metals, they needed no promise of cheap land. They did it because they enjoyed the lifestyle, even the dangers that came with it.
Make no mistake, of any time and era, this was among the more hazardous for vampires. Traveling at night was dark and perilous, as the trails were often deserted and poorly marked, if at all. And while they had little to fear from settled camps of breather cowboys (which, I’m told made for especially easy…uh…meals), the numerous Native American tribes were another story altogether. The very disadvantage in weaponry they had against Western settlers made them all the more deadly to vampires, and I’ve heard wooden arrows and expert marksmanship led to the demise of no small number of undead. On the plus side, I’ve never heard a single instance of a vampire who lost a gunfight or duel, though obvious circumstances led many to be labeled cowards for failing to show up for challenges issued at high noon.
Plenty of these original cowboys are still among us, though by and large I believe they’ve settled down considerably. I’ve encountered one who was more than generous in recounting “old times” for a curious vampire, and in telling it became all too clear how much those pioneering days meant to him:
“Didn’t have much back then. Just you, your horse, and whatever lay in your path as you rode off into the moonlight. It was dangerous. It was uncomfortable. It could get lonely. And if there’s a better way for a vampire to live his life, I still haven’t found it.”
I haven’t been around nearly as long as this ex-cowboy, but I’ve gotta say I tend to agree with him.
08/05/2009 |
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From BloodCopy:
A TALE OF TWO FANGS
This is a true story.*
There’s this guy, let’s call him Ted. Ted’s parents were divorced when he was very young, and he lived with his father, rarely seeing his mother at first, and eventually not at all. Perhaps because of this upbringing, Ted had spent his life drifting through unhealthy relationships, and recently a particularly rough break up had left him with low spirits and a strong bought of insomnia. While up watching late night television he saw an ad for a phone chat line offering the chance to speak with a real vampire. At first he laughed it off, but ended up seeing it again the next night. And the next. Finally, curiosity overwhelmed him and he called.
Ted ended up speaking with a woman, Annie, who was eager to tell him about the “pleasures of the undead.” However, Ted found himself more curious about vampires in general than any salacious activities they could offer. She explained this was against the rules, but he persisted. Figuring he was the one paying for the call, she agreed to only offer minor details about herself. Taste in music, interest in modern dance, a love of swimming under the moonlight. Ted ended up speaking with her nearly until dawn, at which point her need to sleep (and the max on his credit card) forced the conversation to come to an end.
Ted enjoyed it so much he called the next night. This time Annie made a request. She couldn’t remember what the sun looked like. Ted recalled his most memorable visions of the sun rising and setting. He described the majestic colors, the feeling of awesome power standing beneath it. Again they spoke late into the night, and by now Ted had decided to request she meet him in person. She refused, and asked him not to call again.
Ted honored her wishes, but couldn’t stop thinking about her nonetheless. He couldn’t say just why, but he felt something while he spoke with her. Something that was lacking through much of his life. A connection.
Then, about a week later, Annie called him. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him either. She wanted to meet. Ted felt butterflies on the way over. Almost like he was a kid again going on his first date. He arrived at the location and eagerly awaited her to join him. After a few moments, Annie arrived, looking stunning. Ted rose and met her gaze.
His mother stood before him.
08/07/2009 |
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From Ireland's Independent:
Home and Away at home in LA
Friday August 07 2009
 Long gone are the days when appearing on rival Australian tea-time soaps Neighbours and Home and Away was a passport to a panto engagement in Britain. These days Aussie soap veterans bypass Christmas in the UK and head straight for Los Angeles.
In fact it seems you can't watch a high-end US TV drama without coming face to face with a former Erinsborough or Summer Bay favourite – most recently in HBO's vampire saga True Blood. This has Ryan Kwanten – formerly Vinnie Patterson in Home and Away – as Sookie's priapic younger brother Jason, and when in 2003 Kawatan got himself an American agent he was simply following a path trod by Neighbours/Home and Away alumni Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Naomi Watts, Isla Fisher and the late Heath Ledger.
[Continue reading...]
08/07/2009 ~ http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/home-and-away-at-home-in-la-1852093.html |
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From FearNet.com:
Exclusive: Carrie Preston Talks ‘True Blood'E
by Joseph McCabe, Today 9:30 AM PDT
Anew episode of True Blood is on this Sunday night. And to whet your appetite we've got an exclusive interview with Carrie Preston, who plays Bon Temps' pie-slinging skeptic Arlene. I chatted with Carrie at this year's Saturn Awards, at which her husband Michael Emerson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Television for his role as Ben Linus on Lost. Preston told me what to expect this season from True Blood, what direction she'd like Arlene's love life to take, and what differences she sees between Lost and True Blood fans. Hit the jump to read what she had to say.
True Blood has become quite a phenomenon in just a short time.
Yeah! I'm so excited.
What can you say about this season?
You've probably seen the first two already and you can tell the show is definitely a departure from the books already. The second book was completely different than the series. I mean, Lafayette was supposed to be dead and the second book was about finding his killers, so already we're kind of departing from that. But the show really established itself in the first season and I think now it feels very free and able to kind of go to new places. There are new supernatural characters introduced; we're going to be going places that you don't expect, that certainly our characters don't expect. Alan Ball even sat us down in our table read for the very first episode and said, "You guys are going to be doing things that you aren't going to believe and if you have any problems just come and talk to us." It's true. We've done some crazy things this season.
Alan even seems shocked by what he's seen on screen. For example, when we spoke with him he seemed surprised by how extreme the first episode's love scene appeared on screen.
Yeah, I know, I know. I think there's an amazing team around him, cause it's not just him. We've got all these great writers and producers and stuff that are helping make it happen. I don't know… I hope Alan sticks around for the whole series. He might just want to, you know, sort of turn it over to everybody else and move on. But he likes to have his hands on things, so hopefully we're going to have Daddy around for a little while longer.
[Continue reading...]
08/07/2009 ~ http://www.fearnet.com/news/interviews/b16242_exclusive_carrie_preston_talks.html |
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| ***SPOILERS*** | ***SPOILERS*** | ***SPOILERS*** |
From OCRegister:
Q&A: Charlaine Harris on her Sookie books and 'True Blood.'
By DIANA McCABE
Charlaine Harris is interviewed at her home in Magnolia, Ark. DANNY JOHNSTON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | 3 releases coming up"Must Love Hellhounds" (September)A Sookie short story compilation, "A Touch of Dead" (October) "Grave Secret," the next Harper Connelly novel (November) Charlaine Harris Blog – The author's blog with message boards SookieStackhouse.com – Weekly podcast about True Blood and the books. Lots of news on the Web site. Paranormalromance.wordpress.com – News on authors, books, entertainment in the paranormal romance genre. |
Charlaine Harris is pretty much everywhere these days. The author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, which HBO is basing its "True Blood" shows on, is working on her 10th Sookie book (due May 2010) and keeping an eye on the TV show.
I asked her a few things about the latest book out, "Dead and Gone," and a little bit about the show.
Text is hidden - highlight to read.........♦
Q . Do you think Eric (the powerful vampire and love interest in the book) has grown because of his relationship with Sookie, who is human?
A. I think parts of Eric have surfaced that he thought were buried for good.
Q. What will it take for Sookie to understand the blood bond? It seems as if she is losing her ability to distinguish between her own feelings, Eric's feelings and those generated by the blood bond.
A. This is an issue in the next book.
Q. How would you compare the strengths between the bonds of vampire and sire, a vampire and his/her king or queen, and a vampire and his/her sheriff?
A. The vampire/sire relationship is the strongest.
Q . In one podcast interview, you said you didn't see Sookie turning into a vampire or even winding up with one – in the sense that she would lead a normal life and be with a human. Do you still think she will be able to do that – settle with one person? Not a vampire?
A. I said that Sookie will never become a vampire. And a vampire can't give her what she's always thought she wanted; a regular marriage with children. But that doesn't mean Sookie will end up with exactly what she wants. I see no reason why she couldn't settle with one person.
Q. What did you want readers to take away from "Dead and Gone"?
A. I don't know that I had a specific goal; I had several themes, though. The ruthlessness and inhumanity of the fae, the outrages we commit in the name of love, and the loneliness of those who simply can't fit in and are doomed by their own nature . . . those were all elements of the book.
Q. Do you have a good idea of how the series will eventually end? If so -- have you ever changed your mind about the ending?
A. I do know how the series will end. And I have never changed my mind.
Q. Tell us a little bit about your cameo at the end of season 2.
A. I'm sitting in Merlotte's at the bar talking to Sam. I'm wearing a striped shirt. I have a line. I almost hope they cut it. I'm not an actor.
Q. Alan Ball has certainly developed the HBO show differently from the books. Does his vision of the show make you think about how you're writing your current book? Have you ever gotten an idea from the show to build on in the book series?
A. I keep them separate in my mind. The book characters have been living with me for a long, long time.
Q. Do you and HBO's Alan Ball talk before, during, after the season? A. We e-mail back and forth from time to time, more frequently before each season. We are both very busy people. If I'm in Los Angeles, we usually have lunch together or something. And we have some good conversations when we're doing publicity for the show.
Q. What's been the most interesting/surprising or creative storyline(s) that HBO has developed in the series?
A. Jessica, without a doubt.
Q. Which parts of the TV series most visually match what you envisioned when you wrote your book series?
A. Sookie's house is perfect, though it doesn't have the same layout. But the rooms are just right. In Sam's office, the desk is turned in a different direction, but other than that it's wonderful.
Q. Do you know ahead of time what is on each episode? Do you watch each Sunday?
A. I do know ahead of time. And I do watch each Sunday.
Q. OK— gotta ask because fans of your books and "True Blood," and fans of the Twilight series and movie are fighting about this all over the Internet. Your vampire Bill Compton vs. Twilight's vampire Edward Cullen?
A. There is no contest.
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vampire-book-sookie-2520680-series-time |
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| *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* |
From TVGuideMagazine.com:
First Look: Evan Rachel Wood on True Blood
by Rob Moynihan August 06, 2009 06:00 PM EST  Just when we thought True Blood could not get any sexier, Evan Rachel Wood joins season two of the HBO hit as Sophie-Anne, the Vampire Queen of Louisiana. Wood will make her first appearance in the August 30 episode when a desperate Bill (Stephen Moyer) seeks Sophie-Anne's advice.
When asked about Wood's participation on the show, creator Alan Ball told TVGuideMagazine.com "she's incredibly talented and expressed an interest in being on the show." Ball is tight-lipped about her character's significance, though, saying that she will be "more important to some than others."
Are you excited to finally meet Sophie-Anne?
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/news/first-look-evan-rachel-wood-on-true-blood-1975.html |
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The British are loving Season 1 of True Blood - From TheHerald:
A hit that’s undead good
 True Blood FX, 10pm The channel that introduced The Wire to the UK unveiled another US hit last month in the form of HBO's True Blood, the latest show from Six Feet Under creator Alan Ball. Set in a stylised Louisiana town called Bon Temps, it blends Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Twin Peaks and is based on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries novels. The title sequence alone is utterly inspired, mixing archive footage of Ku Klux Klan meetings with twitchy Baptist freakouts and time-lapse images of decomposing animals. The performances, particularly Anna Paquin's Golden Globe-winning turn as innocent waitress Sookie Stackhouse, are equally strong. Here's the plot: the development of TruBlood, a synthetic blood compound, has allowed vampires to come "out of the coffin" and mingle with humans. Controversially, they have been accorded civil rights and a growing number of thrill-seeking humans are having sex with them. There is also a thriving underground market in V - vampire blood - which is to Viagra what Bollinger is to Buckfast. In tonight's episode, Sookie's dumb-but-cute brother Jason finds himself in the frame for yet another killing in Bon Temps. Sookie's grandmother sets her the task of uncovering the real killer - did I mention Sookie can read people's thoughts? - so our intrepid waitress heads for vampire bar Fangtasia in the company of her friend Bill Compton, once a Confederate soldier but now a vampire himself. There's the usual mixture of sex, violence and swearing but the best moment comes when Jason overdoses on V, becomes a little - what's the word? - priapic, and finds himself clasping a chilled sirloin steak to his manhood in an effort to calm things down. Doesn't work, of course.
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.2524235.0.A_hit_thats_undead_good.php |
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Thanks to True Blood Wiki member fotc for the tip!
True Blood 2x08 TimeBomb Eric - Sookie Sneak Peek
True Blood 2x08 TimeBomb Sam Sneak Peek
08/06/2009 |
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| *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* |
From Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files by Michael Ausiello:
“Nobody’s ever entirely happy to see her” character, Louisiana’s blood-sucker boss lady, Queen Sophie-Ann, says series creator Alan Ball. “She’s very powerful, capricious and most likely insane.”
We love her already. So it’s a good thing she “has more than one secret agenda,” he teases, “which we will slowly become aware of over season 3.”
08/06/2009 ~ http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/08/06/true-blood-first-look-evan-rachel-wood/ |
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From HollywoodReporter.com:
Actors collar 'Terriers' roles 'True Blood' alum among cast of FX pilot  By Nellie Andreeva Michael Raymond James is set to star opposite Donal Logue in "Terriers," FX's hourlong comedy pilot from "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan and "Ocean's Eleven" writer Ted Griffin. Kimberly Quinn, Laura Allen and Rockmond Dunbar round out the cast of the pilot, developed by Griffin and Ryan and created and written by Griffin. "Hustle & Flow" helmer Craig Brewer has signed to direct. The Fox21-produced "Terriers" centers on Hank (Logue), an ex-cop who partners with his best friend Britt (James) to launch an unlicensed P.I. business in which the duo, both with maturity issues, solve crimes while trying to avoid danger and responsibility. The show will combine stand-alone episodes with overarching mystery. [Continue reading...]
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3idb676dc68387c3adcec1011963219152 |
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| *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* |
Great scoop from The Vault:
Lindsey Haun joins True Blood cast
Posted by Shadaliza On August - 6 - 2009
Lindsey Haun will play Sookie’s cousin Hadley.
Lindsey Haun was born in Los Angeles, in 1984. She started acting when she was 3 in a Little Caesars commercial. She was in Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story (1993) (TV)  and from then on, started to doing many other movies. She did a Disney Channel original movie, The Color of Friendship (2000) (TV) in which her talent was really noticed and she became a Movie Surfer which, to this day, she still is.
On her Myspace page she reports: Some very exciting things are happening for The Haun Solo Project so i thought i’d drop you a quick note to let you know!
First of all, True Blood! Sooooo… our guitar player, Sarah Carter, was on episode 2 of this season, season 2, with her other band Rocket!! The episode is called “Get This Party Started” and Rocket is the back up band for the Christian rock singer chick. it’s pretty funny… and kinda wrong actually… in a good way. But wait there’s more!!! I, Lindsey Haun, will be on the last 2 episodes of the season! well actually, technically, 3. We shot about 3 weeks ago and it was amazing! I LOVE Alan Ball and the directors i got to work with, Michael Cuesta and Daniel Minahan! The crew was so incredibly nice and professional and hard working. What a treat to be on that set! I can’t tell you much because i don’t want to give the story away but i can tell you that i play Hadley Hale, Sookie Stackhouse’s (Anna Paquin) cousin. I got to work with Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, and drum roll please… Evan Rachel Wood. i can’t tell you who she plays but i can tell you that she’s awesome! They’re all awesome! Anyway, i really want to work with all of them again so please watch the show and tell them that you want me on it more! lol!
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.trueblood-online.com/second-season/lindsey-haun-joins-true-blood-cast |
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From EMediaWire.com:
The Countdown To Vampire-Con 2009 Begins
Vampires & Their Devotees Have A Bounty Of Events To Sink Their Fangs Into At The First Vampire-Con August 14th -16th In Hollywood, CA. Highlights Include: Panel Discussion With Bram Stoker Descendant, Film Premiere From "The Blair Witch" Creator. The Crowning Of A New Vampirella, A Danse Macabre Ball Featuring "True Blood" Music Supervisor And KCRW DJ Gary Calamar
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) August 6, 2009 -- The world's first convention, devoted to everything vampire, will descend on Hollywood, CA Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16th. The vam-pop culture weekend will kick off with a two night Vampire Film Festival at the New Beverly Cinema, located at 7165 West Beverly Blvd. Friday, August 14th (themed Bad Boys) presents the world premiere of "Midnight Son," produced by Eduardo Sanchez, the revolutionary filmmaker behind "The Blair Witch Project." Members of the cast and filmmakers will be in attendance. On Saturday, August 15th (themed Lesbian Vampirotica) will open at 7:30 PM with the Roger Corman classic "The Velvet Vampire." Star of the film Celeste Yarnall will make a special appearance! For a complete schedule of films, visit http://www.vampire-con.com/brood/?q=schedule.
[Continue reading...]
08/06/2009 ~ http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2009/8/prweb2721044.htm |
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From HollywoodReporter.com:
“True Blood” Star Getting Bloodier for ‘Mother’s Day’
Some of you may not know the name Deborah Ann Woll, but that’s because you aren’t paying close attention to the cast list of your latest “True Blood” episode. If you don’t watch “True Blood,” first off, shame on you. Secondly, you’ll have a better chance at knowing who Deborah Ann is next year, because the actress has signed on star in the remake of Troma’s ‘Mother’s Day.’
The remake of the film, to be directed by ‘Saw II-IV’ and ‘Repo!’ director Darren Lynn Bousman, will tell a slightly different story than the original. This time, instead of three girlfriends stumbling on the house of the maniacs, the maniacs are coming to civilization. They return to the house where they grew up and begin terrorizing the family who lives there now.
Woll will be playing the part of a fourth family member, a daughter, in the expanded family. Looks like Mother’s been a little busy since the original. Woll is best known for playing Jessica Hamby, the young girl who the lead vampire, Bill, was forced to turn near the end of season one.
The plan is to release ‘Mother’s Day’ just in time for Mother’s Day 2010, and filming is scheduled to begin this coming Fall.
08/06/2009 ~ http://wearemoviegeeks.com/2009/08/true-blood-star-getting-bloodier-for-mothers-day/ |
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From EOnline.com:
Supersexy Vampire Couple to Tie the Knot
Today 2:05 PM PDT by Breanne L. Heldman
This is fangtastic news! The hottest human and vampire openly together are now going to make it even more official.
Cool your jets, Robsten lovers and haters. We're talking about True Blood's true twosome, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer. The 26-year-old Oscar and Golden Globe winner and 39-year-old British father of two are engaged, Paquin's rep confirms to E! News. The onscreen and offscreen pair have been a couple publicly since February.
"There's no one I'd rather work with," Moyer told E! News in June. "I love working with her and that's how it all started, by falling in love on camera."
Given the heat in their scenes together, the speedy succession of their relationship should come as no surprise.
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b137871_supersexy_vampire_couple_tie_knot.html |
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From HoustonPress.com:
The Music of HBO's True Blood: Episodes 6 and 7
Alan Ball was known for his masterful use of music in Six Feet Under. He's lost none of his touch when it comes to his current HBO series, True Blood - which happens to be set in the Louisiana swamps, not terribly far from Houston. Though we're picking up midway through Season 2, from here on out as each new episode airs, Rocks Off will bring you a short report on the featured music.
Episode 2.7, "Release Me"
 Bad Livers is a band of Texas originals formed in the early '90s by Danny Barnes and Mark Rubin. Though the band experienced little recognition from the music industry, they were adopted and enthusiastically backed by Austin punk bands despite their odd instrumentation, including tuba and accordion and bluegrass style.
The Livers' first release was a sedate gospel cassette called Dust on the Bible. Though the band failed to pick up a record deal after making a splash at SXSW 1991, they toured supporting fellow Austinites Butthole Surfers. After several releases on Sugar Hill, they finished their run with the label with the releases of 2000's Blood and Mood containing the song featured in Sunday's (and Tuesday's) episode, "Death Trip." The band split after the album, which in Rubin's own words 'did the worst of all our albums," with Barnes moving to Seattle and Rubin remaining in Austin.
How Ball and company came across "Death Trip" is not yet clear. What is pretty clear, though, is just how awesome the track is. Ominously hillbilly, the song details the story of a man on the receiving end of a woman's loss of affection who proceeds down a steady road of poverty towards eventual ruin. Now, Rocks Off knows that sounds sad and gloomy, but trust us, a bouncy banjo puts a lot of spring in its step. Though the album tanked, the song is still easily available from iTunes.
The potential danger of human/monster relationships is a steady theme within the last several Season 2 episodes. Rocks Off has a very safe and respectable relationship with our Lunchables - as long as we remember the safety word - but somehow people's dalliances with shape-shifters, vampires, religious fanatics and the odd pissed-off Maenad are suddenly leaving everyone almost dead. At least, almost so far.
The interplay of personal relationships is a little too complicated for this amount of column, but suffice to say that there is not a single character on the show currently in a physical relationship who is not inches away from packing their bags for their own death trip.
The genre of paranormal romance has blossomed to the point of filling an entire bookshelf at the Half Price Books on Westheimer and Waugh, and for one reason only: Everyone likes a little danger mixed in with their nookie from time to time, and True Blood uses that bit of fetish as the poison in its drink.
Oh, and the safety word is "The Count of Montrose."
Episode 6, "Hard Hearted Hannah"
"Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp from Savannah)" was a classic of the 1920s Tin Pan Alley era of songwriting, and lent its name to the July 26 episode. Milton Ager was the one responsible for the humorous tale of a femme fatale who was t he meanest girl in town. Ager was also responisble for "Happy Days Are Here Again," a song that was used in the campaign of Franklin Roosevelt and has since served as the unnofficial theme song of the Democratic Party. "Hannah" is a popular standard, and has been covered by Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Jim Croce and Nancy Sinatra, just to name a few.
It's doubtful that Ager foresaw how his song would be used in True Blood, though. In a flashback to 1926, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) plays the tune to a lively house party while his lover and maker Lorena (Mariana Klaveno) attempts to convince the house's owners to have an afterparty/orgy with them. Moyer actually performs the song in the episode, having sung in musical performances like Pete Townshend's "Iron Man" earlier in his career.
As the song ends, the scene shifts to Bill and Lorena drinking blood from their female victim while her husband is forced to watch. After silencing his screams with the classic horror/action movie neck-snap, they proceed to roll his wife out of the way and make sweet love in her puddles. Lorena almost cries as Bill removes the dying woman's necklace and gives it to her as a present.
Like the song says, "To tease 'em, and thrill 'em, to torture and kill 'em is her delight." A perfect bit of gruesome vintage music from a show that's already becoming a classic.
08/05/2009 ~ http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/08/the_music_of_hbos_true_blood_e.php |
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From DigitalSpy.com:
Skarsgård defends 'True Blood' character
By Dan French, TV Reporter
Alexander Skarsgård has defended his True Blood character, saying that he is "misunderstood".
Speaking to TV Guide, Skarsgård - Eric Northman in the HBO vampire series - also revealed that he believes Eric has a sensitive side.
"Eric was kind of misunderstood," he said. "A lot of people would come up to me and say, 'Oh, you're the evil, the bad guy'. I always had to defend him because there's more to him than that.
"I actually got a chance to show that [this season]. I mean, he is a badass, of course, but I'm just happy because as an actor, you shouldn't play the same note for two years."
He continued: "You have to show different layers and go deeper and show that there's more to the character than that. And I've had fun this season because I have been able to show that he does have a sensitive side, a loyal side.
"He doesn't care for a lot of people, and not for a lot of vampires either, but the ones he cares about he's very, very, very loyal and devoted to."
True Blood was recently handed a third season by HBO.
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/a169220/skarsgard-defends-true-blood-character.html |
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From CampBlood.org:
Blood Work! "True Blood" video blog 2.7:
Taste the rainbow!
 In this week's Very Special Blood Work, Andy and I taste-test the new TruBlood carbonated beverage. Will we prefer it cold, hot, or with vodka? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.
Plus, we of course discuss the wacky seventh episode of True Blood Season Two, "Release Me". What of Eggs and Little Miss Baconpants?
What of zombie whores and skank hos? And can the show ever again reach the brilliance of Sarah Newlin's "Golfcart of the Valkyries" moment?
All this and a heck of a hangover await, below. Hurry ... it's going faster than fritters on a fat farm!
08/05/2009 ~ http://campblood.org/2009/08/blood-work-true-blood-video-blog-27.html |
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From LARagMag.com:
HISS! Vampire Bill’s In The Light SOOKEH
August 4th, 2009  God, they look so … adorably pedestrian. See children, in the daylight and without all those special Hollywood effects the only thing scary about Vampire Bill are his Birkenstocks! Anna Paquin, knows how to smile with her eyes, while Stephen Moyer gives us his Blue Steel model face! The fangtastic couple were caught for one last photo, after the press tour from hell Comic Com, and you can tell they’re holding it together for us when they really want to slap the camera out of the paps face.
The only thing that’s dead here are their traveling clothes! After we’re done working today we get to sit down and enjoy a nice cold episode of True Blood.
08/05/2009 ~ http://laragmag.com/hiss-vampire-bills-in-the-light-sookeh-2.html |
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From CaliforniaChronicle.com:
Pop 20: Vampire Love Exposed
The hunger has been inside me for some time now. As many others have pounced on the numerous opportunities to write about the undead bloodsuckers dominating popular culture, I have lurked in the shadows, reluctant to bite into more than rodent-sized tidbits of commentary. But after media overexposure on the trend, I cannot contain the urge to reveal myself any longer.
I am a male vampire lover.
There is more of my kind around than you might think, but we've been pushed to the fringes these last few years since the vampire trend re-exploded and became co-opted by tween girls and trashy romance novels. But I was a vamp-lover when they were evil monsters unstoppable aside from a well-placed stake or poor SPF protection. I ate up vampire stories before they were cool again and when it was still OK to be a guy into the undead.
....
So what's a bloodsucking-loving boy to do in this female-focused world of vamps?
Guillermo Del Toro's vampire novel "The Strain" sucks in a good way, and 2008's Swedish vampire movie, "Let The Right One In," was a horror-drama that didn't skew towards a female audience.
However, the best hope may be HBO's "True Blood." The show, based on Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels, is violent, sexy, funny, absurd and a helluva lot of fun. The romance between Southern gentleman vampire Bill and local yokel waitress-telepath Sookie is engaging, but the supporting characters that include a demon, changeling, vampire-blood dealing transvestite and a hierarchy of vampire leaders is what makes the show great.
Admittedly, the frequent nudity helps draw men in, but "True Blood" is a successful show equally geared for men and women, and is remarkably adult in themes and plotlines.
[Read entire article here.]
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/133753888 |
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From Reuters.com:
By James Hibberd
 LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - HBO's "True Blood" has managed to hit yet another series high. Sunday night's episode was seen by 4.3 million viewers, the latest record for the vampire drama, which began its second season in June.
HBO's freshman comedy "Hung" (3.4 million) as well as the veteran hipster series "Entourage" (3.3 million) had their second-highest numbers of the season. HBO recently renewed all three shows for another campaign.
Also Sunday, the season finale of "Kendra" on E! averaged 2.1 million viewers, the network's highest-rated first-season finale since "The Anna Nicole Show."
[Continue reading...]
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSTRE5737EL20090804 |
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From Canada - MetroNews:
It’s ‘Buffy meets Socrates’
RAFAEL BRUSILOW FOR METRO CANADA August 05, 2009 2:00 a.m.  Love, death and vampires — let’s just say this isn’t your mother’s English course. Vampirology: Literature with Bite, a course offered by the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies, lets students examine the supernatural spooks in all their blood-sucking, page-turning splendour while also raising powerful questions about death, sex and power. With vampire tales like Twilight and True Blood heating up the big and small screens respectively, the time is ripe for a study of the original literature that serves as a basis for the mythical, iconic figures. Dr. Hilary E. Davis, instructor of the eight-week course that starts Sept. 23, dubs the class “Buffy (the Vampire Slayer) meets Socrates” and says she hopes to demonstrate to people that vampire stories can be as rich with meanings and metaphors as other forms of literature. Books by famed authors like Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, Octavia E. Butler and Stephenie Meyer round out the reading list and Davis hopes students will discover a few delectable new reads among the roster.
[Continue reading...]
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/learn/article/273560--it-s-buffy-meets-socrates |
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From BloodCopy.com:
WHEN PIGS LIE?
 Some of you may have read my earlier entry decrying Detective Andy Bellefleur for his shoddy police work and making mention of what appeared to be a minor drinking problem. Denizens of Bon Temps most likely know things have gotten worse since then: numerous instances of public drunkenness, nonsensical rants, and, of course, a curious obsession with finding a large brown pig, all of which has combined to get him suspended from active duty. However, I come to praise Detective Bellefleur, not to bury him. Okay, praise may be too strong a word, but sufficient to say nobody will accuse me of kicking a man while he’s down.
(I’ll admit up front that I don’t know Detective Bellefleur personally. Most accounts I’m referencing are second hand, though substantiated by more than one person.)
Detective Bellefleur seems to be trying quite hard to restore his credibility, suggest that his recent accounts are not liquor fueled rambling, but the coherent acts of a competent officer. Instead, he’s only succeeded in making himself a laughing stock, reducing his words to a punch line. Yet for this very reason I can’t help but wonder if we shouldn’t be taking him more seriously.
Or, put another way, just because most of what he says sounds incoherent, possibly unbalanced, it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Drunk or not, Detective Bellefleur is still a detective with years of experience. He’s spent his career searching for the truth. More than that, he’s searched for truths he can prove beyond any doubt. Lately, his claims have gone so far in the other direction that one has to wonder what possible motive he’d have to voice them. Many would argue that’s the point, that his alcoholism is ruining his reason. Maybe, but something about this is just too… random.
Seeing a large pig in a dollhouse? Claiming your neighbors are in a cult of zombie satan worshippers? I find it hard to attribute these statements purely to “too much of the drink.”
In addition to being completely bizarre, frankly they’re just too creative for a mind dedicated to such concrete pursuits as detective work. Which leaves the alternative: maybe Detective Bellefleur isn’t making it up.
I can offer no proof in the other direction. Substantiate any of Detective Bellefleur’s claims. But I still think they may deserve a second listen. After all, if a few years ago someone claimed vampires were real, and residing in Bon Temps, do you think you’d have reacted much differently?
08/05/2009 ~ http://bloodcopy.com/?p=1055 |
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From TheHollywoodGossip.com:
Alexander Skarsgard: What About Me?!?
August 4th, 2009 4:19 PM by Hilton Hater
Last week, we asked readers to name the sexiest pretend vampire of all-time.
In less-than-shocking results, Robert Pattinson took home over three-quarters of the votes cast.
But was the poll even legitimate?
Sure, Pattinson was involved. And, yes, other handsome blood suckers - such as Tom Cruise from Interview with the Vampire and Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries - were pictured.
But we've received angry emails from True Blood fans that say no vampire comparison is complete without the inclusion of Alexander Skarsgard. As always, you've asked... we've answered!
Compare the Swedish actor, whose best known American credit is portraying Eric on this HBO hit, with Pattinson below. Then, cast your vote...
[Link to vote...]
08/05/2009 ~ http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2009/08/alexander-skarsgard-what-about-me/ |
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Great review from io9.com:
The Vampire Flashbacks Of Our Undead Lives.
Plus The Best Thing You've Ever Seen
By Meredith Woerner, 6:00 PM on Mon Aug 3 2009
This week was A LOT of talking on True Blood. Gabby vampires, talky humans... there was hardly any sex at all. But never fear: we've have a BIG surprise for you guys in this review, check it out. Spoilers below...
So how do you compete with last weeks amazing vampire lounge lizard moment? Easy, Melrose Place it up. This week was all feelings, elaborate costumes and tears, bloody tears. I enjoyed it, but I feel like we're moments away from the good stuff, and I can't wait to see Godric and his frat buddies unleashed on these Christian vampire haters (seriously Godric looked like the morning remnants from a Jersey Shore party, tribal arm tatt included, and after I said he looked neat a few weeks ago... Tsk, tsk.)
But I'm getting ahead of myself... onward, to the Pros and Cons of True Blood.
Con: Not even threatening the death of my beloved puppy boy can make me interested in the done-to-death sex parties. Maryann, you need a new shtick, and fast. But on the other hand, it did give us this...
 Pro: The screaming. Oh, the screaming. Eggs — well there really isn't much else to say at this point is there? It was fun being on that vampire show, wasn't it? Time to pack your things and just go, OK? Thanks, you can keep the tight t-shirts and guitar.
Con: Also, I think it's important to note that certain people keeping their tops on during the sexy party are ruining the reality of the sexy party. Just sayin'.
 Pro: I'll take two vampire-hating kits and board games, please.
 Pro: Bill's outfit and reading of the foreshadowing book are uber subtle, no? What's next an "I'm troubled" tank top?
 Pro: Finally learning where Bill's horrible accent comes from, his sexy maker. "You are Vampire, they are food." She must have coined the whole "I Am Vampire" phrase and passed it on to him. Also I agree with the whole "Bill is a wet blanket" idea — it's so true.
Con: While I enjoyed learning more about Bill's roots, this whole back and forth is like watching a soap opera that never gets interesting. Why did we need the little flapper girl? She was cute, but not "Let's have sex on top of her while she gurgles out her last breath" interesting. They just sent her away. Couldn't Lorena have done something exciting with her? Like ripped off her scalp, and tried to go dusty blond? Now that would have been incredible, and believable in the TB verse. But instead Bill is all, "I can't" and Lorena is, "you must" and I'm all, "I'm out of chocolate milk....*shrug* Yeah, I can miss this scene."
 Pro: Jason nailed the "Ooooh crap, what did I just get myself into?" post-coital face. Wonderful, bravo. This whole moment watching Sarah realize she's in love with Jason, and him freak the hell out, was hilarious. Ryan Kwanten deserves the Golden Globe this year.
 Pro: Hoyt And Jessica. I wasn't surprised that either of them was a virgin, but Jessica, you stun and amaze me with your delivery of the term "Dickhead." I felt like I was on that bed, too, talking about how much our parents suck, and boyz, and whatnot. She is real, they are real, this whole relationship is too real to be about vampires. I love you both, thank you.
 Pro: Meanwhile over at the "vampires who pretend to care about humans" posse. It's a sexy-off! Vampire Cowboys versus Vampire Bikers. It's hard for me to pick a favorite, but I'm always going to lean a little towards Ed Quinn, because... well, look at him. Still, we're getting bits and pieces of Eric this season that are, in turn, making him more interesting, and therefore not just a walking hair cut.
Con: We almost made it through a whole episode without getting served another helping of bad Eggs. Sigh for another gross cuddle moment. Also another con for trying to bring back the Reese's Pieces line — not funny last episode, and still not funny now.
Pro: When Steve finds out who Jason really is, the look on his face, that's real love and betrayal. He took that "Jason loves vampires" news like it was his own boyfriend — this should be good.
Pro: "The bleeds have begun," I like that this is what happens to vampires when they don't rest — nice foreshadowing from Jessica earlier, as well. And speaking of Jess, where the hell is she in all of this? I know that their rooms are combined and soundproof, but really? She doesn't try to leave at all.
 Con: For a second there, I really thought Maryann had killed Daphne in rabbit form, and then they were going to eat her. That would have been funny. But it was just a rabbit... Right?
Pro: "The road crew?"
Pro: Sam is next to tears, because he slept with someone who didn't treat him like the precious princess he really is. Oh, and she tried to kill him — but I think it's more about the sex. Shoot her, shoot her!
Pro: Finding out what Maryann is from Daphne, even though we all kind of knew already. Still, I'm hoping this means we can move forward with the sexy-party storyline.
 Pro: Hugo has a point: I can see how having a relationship would ruin just about everything in your life. I would sympathize more if he stopped complaining.
Pro: We're staring to see the old Lafayette return — big pro.
 Pro: Date raping Terry — you know, just a little bit. Kind of hilarious that this is what she assumed happened, bless her.
 Pro: He bought candles and roses... of course Hoyt did. My heart, it weeps for more understanding menfolk. But quick question: When he left to go get his flowers and candles what did Bill and his Maker think? Wouldn't he have to walk past them both?
Con: Sarah shooting Jason. You could tell it was a dart, I'm not fooled.
 Pro: Daphne's death, bye-bye to those sad wittle puppy eyes. For a second, a split second, I actually felt sorry for her. But in reality this character served her purpose, and it's time for her to go. Also why exactly did Eggs need to be here for this again?
Con: Why is it Sookie is always the one who's getting sexually assaulted? It's always her — no one else really. Seems like we're forcing the damsel-in-distress issue a bit. She's already locked up, we need more?
 Con: Vampire Suicide! I found myself yelling Do it, do it, do it, do it. That whole set up is just silly and dramatic — perfect for another Vampire Days of Our Lives flashback. While I like the emotion it's just a lot of screaming about stuff we already assumed, in pretty dresses.
 Pro: This whole adorable moment. Don't worry detective you're not going crazy, yet. And fuck those zombies.
Pro: More Barrie. But who grabbed him?
 Con: Godric looking 1,000 times less cool than before. I feel dirty for getting excited about him if they were just going to wrap him up like a Freshman co-ed.
Finally here's the surprise....
Last week's episode was... well, it moved me. The flashback featuring Bill as Data the white-faced-robot-vampire took me to places I didn't even know I could reach. Words fail me, and my true gratitude for the piano playing vampire can only be expressed with this brilliant video, so enjoy:
[See videos]
08/04/2009 ~ http://io9.com/5329242/the-vampire-flashbacks-of-our-undead-lives-plus-the-best-thing-youve-ever-seen |
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Alex O'Loughlin auditioned for True Blood:
Alex O’Loughlin Reveals He’s Wearing Tight Scrubs
For His New Show
 [Read entire article.]
On being a big fan of vampires and not following Twilight but following True Blood:
"I haven’t been following Twilight. I watch True Blood when I can, but I’ve been very busy. So I’d like to get a box set and watch it that way. I actually went to network for that show."
On auditioning for True Blood:
"Yeah, at the same time I got Moonlight. I tried out to play Bill, the main vampire, and also Sam the dog."
08/04/2009 ~ http://www.theinsider.com/news/2650857_Alex_O_Loughlin_Reveals_He_s_Wearing_Tight_Scrubs_For_His_New_Show |
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From YouTube member Zevchan:
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos Parts 4 - 6
14 parts total - "Inside the Actor's Studio" - style interview with Charlaine Harris, Author of the Southern Vampire Series / Sookie Stackhouse books (True Blood), the Harper Connely books, the Aurora Teagarden books an the Lily Bard (shakespeare) books at the Anhinga Writer's Conference in Gainesville, FL July 30 2009. Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 4:
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 5:
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 6:
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Zevchan&view=playlists |
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From Variety.com:
Main title designs set mood for show Emmy nominees tell a story with every picture
By ANDREW STEWART
 From sex and booze to a children's pop-up book, this year's Emmy-nominated main title designs are as varied as the shows they represent. Yet, according to the nominees, each team set out to accomplish the same goal: to promote a story while telling their own.
For the nominated team of "True Blood," including creative director Matthew Mulder and main title producer Morgan Henry, the challenge came with creating an authentic look of the South while remaining true to HBO's pulpy vampire skein.
"We wanted to saturate you with color and not be overly moody with it," Mulder says. "The show itself is a kind of gumbo of flavors."
The team from Digital Kitchen -- an outsourced design firm -- went so far as to shoot its own footage across four states in the South.
[Continue reading...]
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006849.html?categoryId=3640&cs=1 |
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Will there be a True Blood Xbox game in the future?
Vampires in space? The IGN mailbag tackles the big issues.
IGN Mailbag: August 3rd, 2009
Here at IGN, we get lots of email from readers, and we work hard to delete it all. But due to the recent installation of advanced mail deletion countermeasures by our corporate overlords, some of your correspondence has actually managed to creep into our inboxes. Huzzah!
[Read entire article.]
Mine is a simple question probably resting in the minds of many other SCi-Fi loving gamers everywhere. When will we see a vampire action RPG worth waiting for? As in, when will we be able to take form as history's most coveted evil being? Not some crap like vampire rain, but something we can really sink our teeth into if you will. Some games have come close to capturing a small essecence of what I'm talking about, such as Morrowind from Bethesda, but no one has truly harnessed the power our dark friends have at their disposal. For example being able to turn to mist when being tracked, the superhuman strength, speed, vision and sense of smell. Come on who is willing to take us there????!!! Anyone? - Craig Brien
Well, if you're really craving a Vampire role-playing game, then check out Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. It's not an Xbox 360 game, unfortunately, but it should be able to run on most PCs sitting around. Or as another option, check out Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
As for the Xbox 360, don't play Vampire Rain. It's terrible. Oblivion has vampirism in it, though you probably know that already if you're referencing Morrowind. At this point I think we're all waiting on a True Blood game.
Also, are vampires really considered science-fiction? I'm not sure there are really many sci-fi elements there. I'd reference that as the fantasy genre more than anything else. Unless, that is, vampires built the ship in Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama.
- Charles Onyett, Editor, IGN Xbox
08/03/2009 ~ http://games.ign.com/articles/101/1010126p1.html |
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| *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* |
True Blood fans from New Dehlia, India, speak out:
True Blood season 2 episode 8 preview
 New Delhi, Aug 3, 2009: People are anxiously waiting for the True Blood season 2 episode 8. Its preview is also being searched frantically to know as to what is in store for this wildly popular drama.
True Blood is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris.
The show is broadcast on the premium cable network HBO. It is produced by HBO in association with Ball's production company, Your Face Goes Here Entertainment.
The show's second 12-episode season premiered on June 14, 2009. On July 30, 2009, HBO confirmed that a third season of True Blood will be released in the summer of 2010.Alan Ball has said that he plans to start shooting the third season before Christmas 2009.
True Blood details the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps (meaning "good times" in French), a fictional small northern Louisiana town. The series centers on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress at a bar, who falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer).
In the eights episode of True Blood season 2 Sookie’s captivity takes an unexpected turn when Eric arrives at the behest of his master’s orders. In Bon Temps, Sam finds himself in deep trouble after making a gruesome discovery at Merlotte’s.
Sent home by Bill, Jessica and Hoyt learn that when it comes to sex, every time is the first time. Tara and Eggs get physical after partaking in a “Hunter soufflé” prepared by Maryann.
After Jason pays off his debt to the vampires, Godric looks to enlighten his more single-minded followers.
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24467&Itemid=70 |
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San Diego's Newsarama.com declares "True Blood Fans Were EVERYWHERE.":
 SDCC Aftermath - TV Was MUST-SEE @ Comic-Con
By Michael Avila posted: 03 August 2009 01:31 pm ET
[Read entire article.]
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.newsarama.com/tv/090803-sdcc09-aftermath-tv.html |
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From Forbes.com:
Hollywood's Most Powerful Vampires
Lauren Streib, 08.03.09, 05:30 PM EDT
1. Bill Compton Played by Stephen Moyer in HBO's True Blood, Compton is a modern, 173-year-old vampire who has returned home to the deep south after losing his last living relative. The series, which also stars Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, has been a much-needed critical and commercial success for the Time Warner subsidiary. Nearly 4 million viewers tuned in to the season two premiere in June, a crowd that HBO hasn't drawn since the finale of The Sopranos. |  2. Angel Created by the master of paranormal dramatic television ,Joss Whedon, Angel was a character introduced to viewers in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Played by David Boreanaz, Angel was a 200-year-old vampire with a cursed soul. Spinoff series Angel first aired in the fall of 1999 when Buffy debuted its fourth season. The show averaged more than 4 million viewers during its five-season reign. | 3. Spike The relatively young vampire with a past as a poet, Spike was introduced to the screen in the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Played by James Marsters, the character became a regular in season four and falls in love with the vampire-killing title character. The series was one of the WB's top-performing shows for four seasons, drawing around 5 million viewers and helping to establish the network. | 4. Blade The lucrative New Line Cinema film trilogy about this half-vampire vampire killer--played by Wesley Snipes--started as a Marvel Comics character. The first film, released in 1998, grossed $93 million domestically (adjusted for inflation). The last film, Blade Trinity, was the least successful at theaters, grossing $60 million in 2004 (adjusted for inflation). | 5. Edward Cullen As the love interest of Bella Swan in the commercially successful Twilight film, Edward Cullen plays a permanently 17-year-old vampire. The Summit Entertainment movie, which is the first of three planned, became a sensation. It reaped $191 million at the domestic box office, marking the first big success of independent film studio Summit Entertainment. | 6. Van Helsing's Count Dracula Richard Roxburgh embodied the infamous character Count Dracula in 2004's Van Helsing starring Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman. The Universal film opened at No. 1 and grossed $137 million (inflation-adjusted) at the domestic box office. | 7. Selene As the werewolf-assassinating vampire in Underworld, Selene led one of the most lucrative vampire franchises in film. The 2003 flick earned $61 million (inflation-adjusted) at the domestic box office and established Kate Beckinsale as an action star. | 8. Count von Count A longtime star of Sesame Street, Count von Count (also known as The Count) is a vampire modeled on the classic image of Dracula. The bat-counting muppet first appeared in 1972 and was voiced by Jerry Nelson. At last tally, the children's show drew 8 million viewers every day. | 9. Lestat de Lioncourt In 1994, Tom Cruise was in the heat of massive critical and commercial success after The Firm and A Few Good Men, but hadn't yet become the franchise star of Mission Impossible. Based on an Anne Rice novel of the same title, Interview with the Vampire grossed $153 million (inflation-adjusted) domestically. Cruise played de Lioncourt, a philosophical, French vampire living in New Orleans. | 10. Dracula of Bram Stoker's Dracula Gary Oldman was the Dracula of Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula. The film, also featuring Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder, earned $128 million (inflation-adjusted) at the domestic box office, becoming the most successful adaptation of the classic novel to date. |
| Last week, the co-chief of HBO stood in front of a throng of television critics raving about the premium network's latest success. Though previous landmark series were built on gangsters and urban fashionistas, the latest ratings coup for the hitmaker is built around … vampires.
It's not surprising that True Blood has been a boon to Time Warner's ( TWX - news - people ) HBO. Since Bela Lugosi hit the screen as Dracula in 1931 these bloodsuckers have proven to be near-sure-fire moneymakers for Hollywood, tapped and retapped by producers looking to lure bodies into seats.
In Pictures: Hollywood's 10 Most Powerful Vampires
"Vampires have become a substitute for fairy tales that adults couldn't tell themselves anymore," says William Patrick Day, professor of cinema and English at Oberlin College and author of Vampire Legends in Contemporary American Culture: What Becomes a Legend Most. "Vampires are dangerous and sexy and powerful and they have what humans want--immortality."
And they create what companies want: cash. According to Box Office Mojo, vampire films have grossed $1.3 billion since 1978, with an average opening gross of $15 million. That's a bigger first-weekend average than romantic comedies ($10 million), romantic dramas ($10 million) and slapstick comedies ($11 million) and on par with action flicks like the Rush Hour franchise, a product of Time Warner's New Line Cinema.
Since 2000, some 3,000 books have been published about vampires--580 of them in 2008 alone, according to R.R. Bowker's Books In Print database. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, published by Hachette Book Group's Little, Brown imprint, sold 27.5 million copies (outstripping Harry Potter's record of 19 million books sold in 2007). Summit Entertainment's silver screen version earned $380 million at the box office.
On the small screen, HBO pulled in nearly 7 million viewers per week (includes repeat and on-demand viewings) with True Blood, ratings that the premium channel had not charted since the heyday of The Sopranos and Sex and the City. Buffy the Vampire Slayer first aired The WB in 1997. At the time, the network was only two years old and had yet to snag a hit show. Its premiere as a mid-season replacement drew nearly 4 million viewers, not much for a broadcast network but a coup for the small network. The show also helped to define the WB's target audience of teens and evened prompted a spin-off series, Angel, years later.
Just for fun, we decided to see which versions of the vampire are the most popular (and potentially most lucrative) in entertainment. We considered all major vampire characters in wide-release films and television series in the last 30 years. (Characters in vampire-centric series who are not vampires throughout the majority of the storyline, notably vampire hunters and vampire paramours, were not considered. Sorry, Buffy.) Rankings were based on television ratings, inflation-adjusted box office performance, as well as presence in popular culture through blog and press mentions since 1979.
Dracula's been around longest, but Bill Compton, the southern, sweet bloodsucker from HBO's True Blood is the character resonating with audiences these days. Nearly 4 million viewers tuned in to the season two premiere in June, a crowd that HBO hasn't drawn since the finale of The Sopranos.
The longevity of two other characters in the public imagination is more surprising. Angel and Spike from the long-defunct but still loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer remain near the top of the list. Played by actor David Borneanaz, Angel was a 200-year-old vampire with a cursed soul and a spinoff series that first aired in the fall of 1999 when Buffy debuted its fourth season. Angel averaged more than 4 million viewers during its five-season reign. Spike became a regular in season four, eventually falling in love with the vampire-killing title character.
As for Dracula, yeah, he makes the list--a couple times. Richard Roxburgh embodied the infamous character in 2004's Van Helsing starring Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman. The Universal film opened at No. 1 and grossed $137 million (inflation-adjusted) at the domestic box office. Gary Oldman's take in the1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is also on the list. The film, which also featured Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder, earned $128 million (inflation-adjusted) at the domestic box office.
"The vampire is an image, but it's also a kit," says Day. "A way of talking about and thinking about relationships. There's always going to be a problem with living with a vampire." And, presumably, a hit. |
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/03/true-blood-vampires-business-entertainment-vampires.html |
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| *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* | *Minor Spoilers* |
From Watch With Kristin - EOnline.com:
Spoiler Chat: Is Eric Getting His Fangs Into Sookie Stackhouse on True Blood?
Today 2:30 PM PDT by Team WWK
Was that Eric racing to Sookie's rescue last night on True Blood? And what might Ms. Stackhouse's current damsel-in-distress situation mean for her romance with Bill and her connection to Eric?
We've got True Blood dish in the spoiler section, along with some great goodies on fan faves like One Tree Hill, Dexter and Mad Men. Read on for this week's juicy TV scoop:
Lexi in Las Vegas: Got any True Blood goodies about my beloved Alexander Skarsgård?
If Alexander Skarsgård waxing poetic on his character Eric is a goodie, then, yes, my friend, we have more True Blood goodies: "Eric was kind of misunderstood. A lot of people would come up to me and say, 'Oh, you're the evil...the bad guy.' I always had to defend him because there's more to him than that," says Alexander. "I actually got a chance to show that [this season]. I mean, he is a badass, of course, but I'm just happy because as an actor, you shouldn't play the same note for two years. You have to show different layers and go deeper and show that there's more to the character than that. And I've had fun this season because I have been able to show that he does have a sensitive side, a loyal side. He doesn't care for a lot of people, and not for a lot of vampires either, but the ones he cares about he's very, very, very loyal and devoted to."
Sara in Chicago:
I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse novels. How close is the Sookie in the books to the Sookie on True Blood?
Anna Paquin, who plays Sookie on True Blood, says they are one in the same. "I read the books rabidly," she says. "I felt that the Sookie that was on the page and the script was very much like the Sookie in the books."
[Continue reading]
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b137355_spoiler_chat_eric_getting_his_fangs.html?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories |
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From JustJared:
Alexander Skarsgard: Tails For Whales!
Mon, 03 August 2009
True Blood hunk Alexander Skarsgard sinks his teeth into the Tails for Whales campaign, posing in support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) global initiative calling for stronger whale protection.
The 32-year-old Swedish stud and costar Kristin Bauer posed for the visual petition by making whale tails with their hands. IFAW’s campaign raises awareness about the threats facing whales and their habitats including commercial whaling and climate change.
For more info, visit TalesForWhales.org.
WHAT DID YOU THINK of last night’s True Blood? Godric is one hot Maker!
[Click for larger image.]
08/03/2009 ~ http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/08/03/alexander-skarsgard-whale-of-a-tailaalexander-skarsgard-tails-for-whales/ |
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From JustJared:
Alexander Skarsgard is a Good Kisser
Mon, 03 August 2009 at 4:48 pm
Swedish stud Alexander Skarsgard is spotted hugging a mystery male (pictured below) and going through a security checkpoint at LAX airport in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon (August 3).
The 32-year-old True Blood actor is apparently a very good kisser, says Lady Gaga, who featured him in her “Paparazzi” music video.
“He was very good,” Gaga told Aftonbladet. “Alexander is very good at kissing. On-screen kisses are real kisses. I don’t know how other people do it but we were kissing for real.” UPDATE: Alexander is on his way to shoot the upcoming thriller Straw Dogs
08/03/2009 ~ http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/08/03/alexander-skarsgard-good-kisser/ |
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Hmmm ... Is Shakira preparing for a role in Season 3?
08/03/2009 |
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From Mark Blankenship's TheCriticalCondition.com:
Welcome to Sucker Punch, the only blog post that ranks the gaudiest moments on this week’s episode of True Blood.
—
(We begin with an argument already in progress)
Are you serious True Blood? Are you really going to spring Godric on me in the last moment of Episode 7 (”Release Me”) and then cut to the credits? Don’t you realize that I have to wait an entire week to see what happens next? God! Why are you… it’s just… selfish!
Oh… hey everyone. Sorry. True Blood and I are having a lovers’ quarrel. I mean, we’ve been dating for a while, and even though he’s not the perfect boyfriend—Don’t you roll your eyes at me! You’re not!—um, anyway, even though he’s not the perfect boyfriend, we usually get along great. But then he pulls this crap, where he teases me with things I love—chocolate covered peanuts, flavored seltzer, the long-awaited emergence of a vampire sheriff—and then hides them for days. It’s mean, and I hate it. That’s why I acted like I forgot his birthday last year.
You heard me! I was pretending I forgot! How did you like it? Wait… what? You’re walking away? Where are you… ? I can’t leave! I’m talking to these…
Okay. I’ll deal with him in a second. Sorry.
[Continue reading...]
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/08/03/tb-7/ |
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From BuddyTV.com:
'True Blood' Recap: Major Deaths and the 28-Year-Old Virgin
Sunday, August 02, 2009
 On tonight's episode of True Blood, a lot was lost. In some cases, it was life. In others, trust. And for one lucky 28-year-old sweet Bon Temps man, it was his virginity.
At the Fellowship of the Sun, Sookie realized it was Hugo, Isabel's companion, who was the traitor, which led Steve Newlin to interrogate Jason. A classic misunderstanding ensued because Jason thought he was under suspicion for banging the reverend's wife.
This ended badly for two characters. Gabe, the Felllowship enforcer, attacked Sookie after Jason humiliated him with a beatdown. But that was stopped when none other than everyone's favorite Maker Godric showed up to take out Gabe.
In less certain death news, Jason fled the compound, but was tracked down by Sarah. He thought their love was real, but once Steve told his wife about his suspicions that Jason was a vampire lover, Sarah took her own revenge and shot Jason. Sadly, there was no scene of Jason in the preview for the next episode, but I have faith that he's not dead, because that would be a tragedy for True Blood.
[Continue reading...]
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.buddytv.com/articles/true-blood/true-blood-recap-major-deaths-30463.aspx |
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From HBO:
True Blood: Episode 2x08 Timebomb Promo
True Blood: Episode 19 Recap
08/03/2009 ~ http://www.hbo.com/trueblood/video.html |
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Special thanks to SkarsgardFans:
“He is very good at kissing” – Lady GaGa talking about working with Alexander Skarsgård.
Alexander Skarsgard
&
Lady Gaga
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[Read entire translated article here...]
08/02/2009 ~ http://skarsgardfans.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/han-ar-mycket-bra-pa-att-kyssas/ |
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From TVSquad.com:
HBO: Sex! Hollywood! Vampires!
Posted Aug 2nd 2009 11:02AM by Jane Boursaw
 I must confess that I really don't pay that much attention to TV ratings. I realize that I'm just one girl, and whether I love a show or not doesn't make a wit of difference as to whether other people will love it -- and love it enough to keep it on the air. As a TV writer, I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that TV shows come and go, and sometimes nobody watches the good ones, which results in them leaving the air far too soon.
But I've found myself gravitating towards HBO shows, because they seem to be consistently good, no matter the ratings. Sometimes I'm crazy about the shows right off the bat. Such was the case with True Blood, which I review here on TV Squad.
Sometimes I come to a series late, and then get drawn into watching one episode after the other, propping my eyes open into the wee hours. That's how it was with Entourage. And sometimes a show doesn't really hit on all cylinders for me right away, but there's enough there to keep me watching with the hope that it will continue to get better and better. That's how I feel about Hung.
So I'm thrilled that all three of these shows have been renewed, as Joel reported from the Television Critics Association. Hung will get a second season, True Blood a third and Entourage a seventh. The new seasons will debut sometime next year, with Blood on the schedule for next summer.
Just for the record, True Blood has averaged 3.8 million viewers (11.2 when you add repeats, DVR and On Demand viewing), Hung has averaged 3.1 million (10.2 million cume), and Entourage about 3.0 million (7.4 million cume).
Some of the other HBO shows I'm looking forward to include the WWII miniseries The Pacific, coming next March; Treme, a New Orleans drama from The Wire creator David Simon; and Martin Scorsese's Boardwalk Empire. All of these sound like the kind of quality programming I've come to expect from HBO.
08/02/2009 ~ http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/02/hbo-sex-hollywood-vampires/ |
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From PhilStar.com:
Eerie and spectacular soundtracks
SOUNDS FAMILIAR By Baby A. Gil Updated August 03, 2009 12:00 AM
Vampires are all the rage nowadays. Now just in case, you haven’t heard, Bella Swan of Twilight, is not the only female of our times, who became famous for falling in love with a vampire. There is also Sookie Stackhouse, a clairvoyant waitress from the swamps of Louisiana, and the object of her affections, or I should say obsession is Bill, a vampire who has lived for ages and who drinks the synthetic blood called True Blood.
I do not know why Charlaine Harris, the writer of the Sookie Stackhouse books on which the series is based, named her lead characters Sookie and Bill. Those are not very gothic or intriguing monickers.But HBO, as producer, more than makes up for that.Now on its third season, True Blood is an addicting fantasy with macabre humor, pathos, suspense and engrossing love scenes.
And there is quite a lot of the latter, much, much more than the adolescent fans of Twilight can ever dream of. Remember this is HBO, which is known for pushing the envelope with series like Rome and Six Feet Under. Then True Blood is shown on cable, where do’s and don’ts about what to show or say, are more relaxed. So not only do the lead stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer heat up the screen, the things going on around them like drug addiction, racial conflict, family problems, etc. are also more adult.
Like the series, the music from True Blood, is eerie, edgy and fascinating. That is the score, which, however, is not available. Perhaps the producers will decide to release that in another CD later. What is now available is a soundtrack album with songs used in Season One. It is a mixed bag with soul, Lake Charles by Lucinda Williams country, rock, Bones by Little Big Town and even the novelty tunes from The Flying Burrito Brothers, Christine’s Tune (Aka DeVil in Disguise).
An atmospheric cut or two from the score would have beefed up the package. But this should suffice for now. Besides, I can say that the lead cut, the theme Bad Things by Jace Everett, pretty much sets the mood for fans to replay the engrossing episodes. Now if you really want to hear all the songs, get the boxed sets of the three seasons. Then prepare to spend the next few days vegging out before your TV set.
Also included in the True Blood soundtrack CD are Bleed 2 Feed by C.C. Adcock, Lafayette Marquis; Give It Up by Lee Dorsey; Swampblood by The Legendary Shack Shakers; Play With Fire by Cobra Verde; Just Like Heaven by The Watson Twins; Two by Ryan Adams; Strange Love by Slim Harpo; From A Whisper To A Scream by Allen Toussaint; I Don’t Wanna Know by Dr. John; and Golden State by John Doe and Kathlee Edwards.
[Continue reading...]
08/02/2009 ~ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=492551&publicationSubCategoryId=70 |
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Thanks so much to TrueBloodNet.com!
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos Parts 1 - 3
[Read entire article here...]
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 1:
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 2:
Charlaine Harris At The Anhinga Writer’s Conference Videos - Part 3:
08/02/2009 ~ http://truebloodnet.com/charlaine-harris-anhinga-writers-conference-videos-parts-1-3/ |
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From JustJared:
Alexander Skarsgard is Summer Sexy
Sun, 02 August 2009 at 12:44 pm
True Blood hunk Alexander Skarsgard heats up the 2009 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa on Saturday (August 1) in Pasadena, Calif.
The Swedish actor, who turns 33 later this month, doesn’t have a girlfriend yet. “I’m single now,” Alexander has said. “It will come when it will. Right now I barely have time to eat. I am so focused on this. But if it happens, it would be just wonderful.”
FYI: The real-life True Blood drink will be released on September 10th. It’s a blood orange beverage with all flavor, no bite. To pre-order TruBlood, visit TruBeverage.com.
[Click on each picture for an enlarged image.]
08/02/2009 ~ http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/08/02/alexander-skarsgard-summer-television-critics/ |
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From The Vault and Shadaliza - you guys are the best!
Kristin Bauer marries in South Africa
Posted by Shadaliza On August - 2 - 2009
True Blood actress Kristin Bauer married her love Abri van Straten in his home country South Africa yesterday August 1. Congratulations Kristin and Abri!
[Continue reading...]
08/02/2009 ~ http://www.trueblood-online.com/cast-crew/kristen-bauer-pam/kristen-bauer-marries-in-south-africa |
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From Watching-TV.EW.com:
'Battlestar,' 'True Blood,' and 'Big Bang' win Television Critics Association awards! News flash: Critics have goodtaste!  The 200-plus members of the Television Critics Assocation celebrated its 25th anniversary of award-giving last week by handing them to shows including Battlestar Galactica (Program of the Year), True Blood (Outstanding New Program), and The Big Bang Theory (Outstanding Achievement in Comedy).
[Continue reading...]
08/02/2009 ~ http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/08/02/battlestar-true-blood-and-big-bang-win-television-critics-association-awards-news-flash-critics-have-good-taste/ |
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From LATimesBlogs:
'Battlestar Galactica' and 'True Blood' finally get trophy love
06:47 AM PT, Aug 2 2009
Tom O'Neil, the entertainment awards maven at The Envelope, has this heartening report from the TCA Awards, where two favorites of the Hero Complex finally get some trophy recognition... 
Wow! Members of the Television Critics Association actually put their awards where their big mouths are! Finally, the TCA Awards recognized "Battlestar Galactica" after voters beat the beans out of the Emmys for failing to give the show any major awards in the past. Can this mean a break from the TCA Awards' hypocrisy? In years past, voters whined, fumed and harrumphed about the Emmys failing to recognize "The Wire" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," then they snubbed them too. TCA members never gave those shows real prizes — just handed them that bogus "Heritage Award" after they went off the air and failed to win best drama series or program of the year.
"Battlestar Galactica" didn't win a significant TCA Award in the past and now finally reaped one after sailing off the airwaves, but at least it's fared better than other great TV series cruelly snubbed by TCA and the television academy. And while TCA voters skunked vampires back in Buffy's heyday, they did just hail HBO's walking dead by giving "True Blood" their prize as best new program...
THERE'S MORE, READ THE REST
08/02/2009 ~ http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/08/battlestar-galactica-and-true-blood-finally-get-trophy-love.html |
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From EagleTribune.com:
Women sink their teeth into urban fantasy novels By Solvej Schou
Associated Press Writer
 LOS ANGELES — Headstrong Bella is in love with a vampire. Zoey has a crescent moon seared onto her forehead, the mark of a fledgling bloodsucker. Sixteen-year-old Ever can hear people's thoughts. Calliope is, reluctantly, Death's daughter. All are modern female heroes written by women, read by women and not only obsessed over by teenagers but also their older sisters and mothers. The economy may be deeply troubled, but urban fantasy novels about vampires, werewolves, zombies, supernatural creatures, blood and romance are booming, and women are sinking their teeth into them in ravenous numbers. "We're living in a frightening time. I don't know if it's an escapism as in there's scary stuff out there so let me control it through the medium of reading," says Amy Clarke, a lecturer at the University of California, Davis who teaches science fiction literature. "There's dreaming of being with a vampire or werewolf, but there's always the danger of crossing over. I think it's a post-feminist way of taking on power." The trend gathered steam with Bella Swan and her conflicted romance with gorgeous vampire Edward in Stephenie Meyer's four-book "Twilight" series, which has sold more than 53 million copies worldwide since the first book's release in 2005, according to publisher Little, Brown and Company. Meyer's newest, the more adult-themed "The Host," has 2 million copies in print domestically. Call it dark escapism with a racy flair. The "Twilight" explosion, including its hit movie version, has deepened the needs of women urban fantasy novel readers. Other authors are jumping in: P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin's popular "House of Night" vampire series; Alyson Noel's "Immortals" books: the "Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mysteries" novels by Charlaine Harris, which inspired the TV series "True Blood" on HBO; Richelle Mead's "Vampire Academy" trilogy; and books by more than half a dozen other female writers. [Continue reading...]
08/02/2009 ~ http://www.eagletribune.com/pulife/local_story_213192207.html?keyword=secondarystory |
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| From CLEVELAND ENTERTAINMENT Entertainment Headlines for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio
When did vampires turn from monsters to sex symbols?
When did the undead turn sexy? Sunday, August 02, 2009
Mark Dawidziak
Plain Dealer Television Critic
 For such a corpse-cold customer, the vampire seems to be sizzling hot these days. Not just hot, but drop-dead sexy (or is that undead sexy?).
Executive producer Alan Ball's stylish vampire series, "True Blood," stumbled a bit right out of the graveyard gates. But the HBO show gradually found its bat wings during its fledgling season and now is gliding through a bloody terrific second year.
Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series continues to be a titanic teen sensation, with "Eclipse," the third movie based on her books, about to start filming. Johnny Depp has signed with Warner Bros. to play vampire Barnabas Collins in a big-screen version of the 1966-71 supernatural soap opera, "Dark Shadows."
[Continue reading...]
Vampire TV series through the years
Sunday, August 02, 2009 "Dark Shadows" (ABC daytime version, 1966-71): Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins.
"The Curse of Dracula" (NBC, 1979): Michael Nouri as Count Dracula in a segment presented under the "Cliff Hangers" umbrella title.
"Dark Shadows" (NBC prime-time revival, 1991): Ben Cross as Barnabas Collins.
![]() "Forever Knight" (CBS late night and syndicated, 1992-94): Geraint Wyn Davies as vampire police detective Nick Knight.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (the WB and UPN, 1997-2003): James Marsters as Spike.
"Angel" (the WB, 1999-2004: David Boreanaz in the title role.
"Blood Ties" (Lifetime, 2007): Kyle Schmid as Henry Fitzroy. 
"Moonlight" (CBS, 2008-09): Alex O'Laughlin as vampire private detective Mick St. John.
"True Blood" (HBO, 2008-present): Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton.
"The Vampire Diaries" (the CW, premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10): Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore.
-- Mark Dawidziak
08/0282009 ~ http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-2/1249115668305490.xml&coll=2 |
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‘True Blood’ first look: Evan Rachel Wood as Queen Sophie-Ann!
