New series coming to HBO this fall based on series of books by Charlaine Harris. Apparently there is a viral campaign going on about it. Brief mention in LA Times TV press tour article today (bottom of 1st web page, continues on 2nd).
Anybody have any real info on this? Any fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series?
Full Version: True Blood
I read the first book. It was OK, but didn't send me running right out to find book 2. Generally, I'm skeptical regarding vampire-centric productions (books, movies, tv shows)--they have to convince me that it's not just more pre-conversion-Anne-Rice-Lestat-wannabe stuff.
So far, the good here seems to be: Alan Ball (except that I'm not among the fans of Six Feet Under OR American Beauty, so I can't care much) and Anna Paquin (how's her southern accent? I have no idea). From the book I pictured Sookie as more white-trashy, along the lines of Jaime Pressly (as "Joy" in My Name Is Earl). But who knows?
I don't subscribe to HBO, so guess I'll wait for more reviews and DVDs on this one.
Oh, speaking of "viral campaign," HBO's official website links to this blog, with related videos (no actual previews), including a senator campaigning for equal rights for those Buffy once satirically termed "undead-Americans."
So far, the good here seems to be: Alan Ball (except that I'm not among the fans of Six Feet Under OR American Beauty, so I can't care much) and Anna Paquin (how's her southern accent? I have no idea). From the book I pictured Sookie as more white-trashy, along the lines of Jaime Pressly (as "Joy" in My Name Is Earl). But who knows?
I don't subscribe to HBO, so guess I'll wait for more reviews and DVDs on this one.
Oh, speaking of "viral campaign," HBO's official website links to this blog, with related videos (no actual previews), including a senator campaigning for equal rights for those Buffy once satirically termed "undead-Americans."
Beth, I was hoping you'd weigh on on this. My immediate fear on hearing of the series was that it would be Buffy the Vampire Dater, but that doesn't sound much like Ball. (Since I am a fan of SFU and American Beauty, it's got my attention.) Reading Wikipedia articles also gives the impression that Sookie might well be considered white trash. I figure the vampires here will be somewhere between Whedon and Rice.
In the Times article I linked above: Asked if vampires carried an underlying message about gay rights, executive producer Alan Ball told reporters Thursday there's no hidden message. "I really don't look at the vampire as a metaphor for gays," he said. Sure couldn't tell that from the videos at the blog.
In the Times article I linked above: Asked if vampires carried an underlying message about gay rights, executive producer Alan Ball told reporters Thursday there's no hidden message. "I really don't look at the vampire as a metaphor for gays," he said. Sure couldn't tell that from the videos at the blog.
LA Time review seems to think True Blood will fulfill my expectations, unfortunately.
It also apparently will treat us to the usual HBO-syndrome--"ooh, we're on pay cable! Watch us do uncensored stuff regular network TV can't do! Again, and again, and again, whether it's really important to the plot and/or characters or not, just because we CAN."
The books are better.
It also apparently will treat us to the usual HBO-syndrome--"ooh, we're on pay cable! Watch us do uncensored stuff regular network TV can't do! Again, and again, and again, whether it's really important to the plot and/or characters or not, just because we CAN."
QUOTE
Vampire fantasy, murder mystery, star-crossed love story, political satire, "True Blood" is all and none of the above. Not quite funny, not quite scary, not quite thought-provoking, the show's attempt to question the roots of prejudice is continually undermined by its own stereotyping.
...
Stoker was a Victorian, of course, and apparently so is Ball. With all the ills of the world at his fingertips, he still reaches for sex as shorthand for depravity, treating viewers to a variety of nonmissionary sexual positions that often involve bondage. How. Shocking. True to the time-honored code of young-women-who-enjoy-sex-must-die, the gals who engage in same are the first to go.
...
Such references, meant to be provocative echoes of racism, wind up more like cartoonish air horns designed to remind us that this is not just a steamy Southern mystery that happens to involve some kinky sex and vampires. No, no, it's an Important Social Statement about intolerance and the perils of entering the mainstream.
...
Stoker was a Victorian, of course, and apparently so is Ball. With all the ills of the world at his fingertips, he still reaches for sex as shorthand for depravity, treating viewers to a variety of nonmissionary sexual positions that often involve bondage. How. Shocking. True to the time-honored code of young-women-who-enjoy-sex-must-die, the gals who engage in same are the first to go.
...
Such references, meant to be provocative echoes of racism, wind up more like cartoonish air horns designed to remind us that this is not just a steamy Southern mystery that happens to involve some kinky sex and vampires. No, no, it's an Important Social Statement about intolerance and the perils of entering the mainstream.
The books are better.
QUOTE (BethR @ Sep 5 2008, 08:38 AM) 
LA Time review seems to think True Blood will fulfill my expectations, unfortunately.
Entertainment Weekly was not very enthused about it either.
I watched the first 2 episodes today. Not as bad as I feared from the reviews, but not as good as I'd hoped from Ball. I may give it another couple of weeks, but I really doubt I'm going to be having a long term relationship.
If I want to see a monster, I'll watch Dexter.
If I want to see a monster, I'll watch Dexter.
agreed, except I might hold out for more.
QUOTE (Darrel Manson @ Sep 16 2008, 09:58 PM)
I watched the first 2 episodes today. Not as bad as I feared from the reviews, but not as good as I'd hoped from Ball. I may give it another couple of weeks, but I really doubt I'm going to be having a long term relationship.
I'd generally agree. I mean, I think the second episode was a bit of an improvement over the first...but I had hoped for a bit more, I guess.
The political aspect is very reminiscent of X-Men, just subbing vamps for mutants. Anna Paquin must feel right at home.
HBO has picked it up for a second season
I will say that the criticism that it flaunts its cable channel freedom in sex scenes is well founded. They are so numerous and wild that it's getting boring.
I still have a hard time believing that people are willing to get naked for something that goes direct to TV. Like, if anybody wants to see MY ass, I'd make 'em buy a ticket first. A cable-subscription package just wouldn't do.
How much would you charge?
TMI, guys. Thanks.
I watched the first episode because it was sitting on the counter at Blockbuster by a sign saying free rental. Great marketing strategy. Disappointing television show. Won't be watching it again.
Tonight's show was better, although it's obvious IMHO who the murderer is: the bar owner, Sam, is a werewolf or a similar "creature of the night"--not a vampire, or at least that's my guess.
QUOTE (Alan Thomas @ Oct 6 2008, 12:29 AM)
Tonight's show was better, although it's obvious IMHO who the murderer is: the bar owner, Sam, is a werewolf or a similar "creature of the night"--not a vampire, or at least that's my guess.
That's pretty much my running theory about that character as well. I do believe he killed Sookie's grandmother out of a psychopathic notion of protection. He wants her to think Bill did it..
Yes -- and apparently we're right. This is in the book(s) the series is based on. You kow that dog keeps watching Sookie? That's Sam.
1/2 way through season 1, still not sold on it, but not ready to pass on it.
The sex scenes have gotten a bit fewer and a bit less graphic, it seems to me, over the last couple of weeks.
Anyone wish to comment on the opening credits montage?
The sex scenes have gotten a bit fewer and a bit less graphic, it seems to me, over the last couple of weeks.
Anyone wish to comment on the opening credits montage?
QUOTE (Darrel Manson @ Oct 16 2008, 06:29 PM)
1/2 way through season 1, still not sold on it, but not ready to pass on it.
The sex scenes have gotten a bit fewer and a bit less graphic, it seems to me, over the last couple of weeks.
Anyone wish to comment on the opening credits montage?
The sex scenes have gotten a bit fewer and a bit less graphic, it seems to me, over the last couple of weeks.
Anyone wish to comment on the opening credits montage?
I like it, especially the "God Hates Fangs" roadside sign. Cracks me up everytime (in spite of it being so on the nose with the vampire/gay metaphor). It's pretty southern gothic meets white trash.
So, season 1 came to an end last night. I will admit I got into the series by the end. It is unfortunate that it took so long to really find some footing. But apparently I am not alone, as I understand the show saw a ratings climb over the twelve weeks. Things I really liked?
Bill's "daytime perspective" seeing the heatwaves really sold the risk he was taking.
Sookie making her final stand against the killer, it was nice to see her as more than a victim needing to be saved.
The reveal of Rene (which occurred last week) was well executed. You can kind of see it if you look back at the series it makes sense, but I did not see it coming.
Two things that do not make sense to me?
Andy Bellefeur's* anger at setting Jason free.
Jason joining the anti-Vampire church. Honestly, after the neat character moments between he and Eddie (Steven Root) I had hoped his awakening would be a new perspective on vampires, instead he goes backwards?
Things that have me intrigued for next season?
What happened to Lafayette?
What is going to happen with Pam being forced back into Bill's care?
What's Maryann's deal?
What is Sam's connection to Maryann?
There is a body in Detective Bellefleur's car?!
By the way...Bill told Sookie he was all healed because he fed. On what?
*Andy and Terry have the same last name. Has the series established if they are cousins or brothers or something?
(weird aside, Arlene, who was engaged to Rene is played by the wife of Michael Emerson-Ben Linus- from Lost. She played his mother in Ben's initial origin episode...I knew Emerson's wife played Ben's mom, they joke about it on the season 3 DVD set...but I did not realize this was the same actress)
Bill's "daytime perspective" seeing the heatwaves really sold the risk he was taking.
Sookie making her final stand against the killer, it was nice to see her as more than a victim needing to be saved.
The reveal of Rene (which occurred last week) was well executed. You can kind of see it if you look back at the series it makes sense, but I did not see it coming.
Two things that do not make sense to me?
Andy Bellefeur's* anger at setting Jason free.
Jason joining the anti-Vampire church. Honestly, after the neat character moments between he and Eddie (Steven Root) I had hoped his awakening would be a new perspective on vampires, instead he goes backwards?
Things that have me intrigued for next season?
What happened to Lafayette?
What is going to happen with Pam being forced back into Bill's care?
What's Maryann's deal?
What is Sam's connection to Maryann?
There is a body in Detective Bellefleur's car?!
By the way...Bill told Sookie he was all healed because he fed. On what?
*Andy and Terry have the same last name. Has the series established if they are cousins or brothers or something?
(weird aside, Arlene, who was engaged to Rene is played by the wife of Michael Emerson-Ben Linus- from Lost. She played his mother in Ben's initial origin episode...I knew Emerson's wife played Ben's mom, they joke about it on the season 3 DVD set...but I did not realize this was the same actress)
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