True Blood’s Universal Appeal
March 14, 2010
As Season 3 of True Blood approaches, the show’s success seems boundless, and its appeal limitless. Once little known (although well-seasoned) actors and producers – such as Sam Trammell, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgaard, and Alan Ball – are now household names. The series single-handedly revived Anna Paquin’s career for a whole new generation of viewers that might not remember her Oscar-winning performance in The Piano. For author Charlaine Harris, the series has peaked interest and sales in her best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels on which the show is based. The series has also spawned popular merchandise, including t-shirts, jewelry, posters, and even a drink, Tru Blood (Really, what other TV show has its own drink?). While fans contemplate what Sookie and friends will encounter in Season 3, DarkWaveDoom.com considers the secret to the show’s appeal.
The site (rightfully) claims that the show’s greatest draw is its reach across genres – from drama to thriller and mystery as well as romance and a bit of comedy. Fans of 19th century Goth and fantasy will enjoy the vampire and supernatural themes and the gloomy and mysterious settings (including Gothic homes). Fans who are after quick wit and the tawdry will revel in Lafayette’s snappy comebacks and the interplay between levels of authority (the town Sheriff and detective and the higher, mid-level, and newly-turned vampires). Fans of romance will find plenty of relationships to be entertained by – especially Vampire Bill’s sweet and chivalrous, though dated, “courting” of heroine, Sookie. For those who are attracted to gore and horror, the show provides plenty of bites and fights to please.
DarkWaveDoom.com also recounts the underlying themes of the show which give it uniqueness but also the depth necessary for a “huge…TV hit”. The series is set in small town, Bon Temps, Louisiana where heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, makes her living waiting tables at Merlotte’s Bar and Grille. Vampires have recently acknowledged their existence and, simultaneously, minimized their threat since the Japanese invented synthetic blood, and they no longer have to prey on humans to “live”. While trying to find their way in the world and also acquire civil rights, the vampires that once remained secretive are now exposed. Vampire Queens and Kings rule vampire states, and Sheriffs ascertain authority over their own areas within them. The vampire organization retains its own system of laws and punishment, and, like any society, is divided among those wanting to assimilate in the modern world and those wishing to retain their more radical and antiquated ways (such as drinking human blood).
Bill Compton, Sookie’s suitor and next door neighbor, wishes to fit in but finds himself continually at odds with the Area Sheriff and other vampires. While vampires struggle to find their identities, humans grapple with understanding the “undead” and the knowledge that other supernatural beings may exist. Although set in a fictitious world of otherworldly beings, the situations and problems the characters encounter are very real – the drug underworld with vampires and humans dealing “V”, or vampire blood; the challenges inherent in an inter-supernatural relationship; murder; blackmail; and death.
DarkWaveDoom.com also credits the writers and actors that bring the stories to life and allow the fans to buy into this unreality.
Season 3 of True Blood will begin airing in June 2010. In a sea of mundane writing and rehashed ideas, True Blood stands out as the show to watch for inventive storylines, astute dialogue, and emerging talent. Gaining momentum from Season 1, Season 2 brought back viewers to HBO, garnering as many as the finale of the hit series, The Sopranos. With a Season 4 confirmed, fans can look forward to a riveting continuation of life among the supernatural.
SOURCE: DarkWaveDoom.com
(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)
Charlaine Harris Loving True Blood
March 14, 2010
Recently, DigitalSpy.com had the chance to interview Charlaine Harris about True Blood and her opinions of it. Be warned, some spoilers are present, so if you don’t want to know anything, don’t read this!
The interview opens with Charlaine discussing how she reacted to offers to make her Southern Vampire Mystery books into a TV series. She said that she had three interested parties, but of course Alan Ball’s offer was the most interesting, so she chose him to create the show we all know and love.
In fact, just like the rest of us, Charlaine follows the show and loves it. She says,
“I’m amazed! I love Alan’s creativity, I love the cast – I’ve just been very impressed with the way he’s stayed true to the spirit of the books. I’ve been with the characters for so long, but I admire the way they’re taking the parts and making them their own.”
Charlaine openly admits that she has no involvement with True Blood except for having created the source material, so it makes sense that the different visions she and Alan have of the characters create different outcomes. Those differences allow for fans of both True Blood and the Southern Vampire Mysteries to be surprised as new materials continue to be released by both series.
Charlaine also talked about how different her books and True Blood are. After all, she’s writing directly from Sookie’s point of view, and Alan cannot do that, as TV is an entirely different medium that typically requires an omniscient point of view, which means that the entire world of True Blood is a bit more fleshed out, especially when it comes to secondary characters. Charlaine is also very grateful to Alan that he has kept his promise to her by staying true to the spirit of the books and Sookie’s many adventures (something Charlaine repeats several times throughout the interview).
Ask if there have been any changes that she hasn’t like Charlaine stated:
“There have been some sub-stories that I wasn’t as nuts about as others, but there hasn’t been anything I’ve really hated. I wasn’t too keen on the voodoo story, but I see now why they introduced it in the second season. Once I saw it, it all made sense.”
Speaking of Sookie, Charlaine is a huge fan of Anna Paquin’s portrayal of the spunky lead character on True Blood. In Charlaine’s words,
“Anna Paquin does a fantastic Sookie! I was so excited when she wanted the role and I think she’s doing a wonderful job.”
It’s wonderful to hear that Charlaine enjoys Anna’s amazing performance as much as the rest of us fans do! After all, who else could play Sookie now that we’ve seen Anna take on the challenge so well? The same sentiment goes for the rest of the actors we know and love, like Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Ryan Kwanten, Alexander Skarsgard, etc. As Charlaine says,
“It’s bizarre seeing famous faces acting out my characters – it’s very strange and I’m still trying to get used to it! But of course, seeing my name up there every week is quite a thrill!”
Charlaine was also quizzed about whether or not she would ever pen an episode of True Blood. She said no, because she’s too busy writing the books and can’t imagine trying to make space in her calendar to do such a thing. After all, Charlaine’s contract has 13 in total Southern Vampire Mysteries in it, and we’re still awaiting the next installment to the series as it is. Charlaine said that while writing the next book, she will consider whether or not to finish the series at the 13th book. Her decision will not affect True Blood, as she and Alan Ball are writing slightly different stories, and so far True Blood is only contracted up to Season 4.
The close of the interview was where the big spoilers could be found. Charlaine said that she has no plans to turn Sookie into a vampire, and also that the series will not end with Sookie dying.
It’s interesting to hear what may or may not happen to Sookie in the future, even though Charlaine wasn’t asked and gave away no real clues as to who Sookie will end up with. It will be very interesting to see how Charlaine will wrap up the series when it does finally come to an end.
SOURCE: DigitalSpy.com
(Photo credit: authorauthorshreveport.com)
VIDEOS: Charlaine Harris Talks In-Depth About Dead in the Family
March 13, 2010
Charlaine Harris is a real life steel magnolia. She is always so polite and charming, with just a hint of “don’t mess with me” underneath (anonymous Amazon book reviewers be warned!).
This interview was recorded in Poland where Charlaine was promoting the upcoming release of the 10th Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead in the Family (DITF).
In the interview Charlaine discusses her work, in particular DITF and the True Blood series on HBO. The interview contains some book spoilers – so don’t watch the videos if you don’t want to know. I won’t reveal them here. Charlaine also answers questions from her fans, including some tips for aspiring writers.
Just like all True Blood fans, Charlaine is eagerly looking forward to Season 3 of True Blood and is thrilled at the casting of Joe Manganiello as Alcide Herveaux, describing Joe as much more handsome than the Alcide she imagined in her head.
Charlaine is currently writing the 11th Sookie novel, some short stories and the Sookie Companion which is due out next February.
And as for Bill and Sookie getting back together? Charlaine tells us we’ll just have to wait and see…
Enjoy the videos!
(Photo credit: charlaineharris.com)
Evan Rachel Wood has Left the Spider-Man Musical
March 13, 2010
The big-budget musical, “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” has had a tentatively rocky beginning with difficulties securing funding and taking on a new producer last fall. The musical was originally planned to open this spring, but has been pushed back to “an official opening sometime around Halloween”. Due to the show’s changing schedule, Evan Rachel Wood, who plays True Blood’s Louisiana Vampire Queen Sophie-Ann LeClerq, has had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict.
Evan Rachel Wood was originally going to play Mary Jane (Peter Parker’s love interest) alongside Reeve Carney as Peter Parker and Alan Cumming as the Green Goblin. Casting is currently underway to replace Evan. The “technologically ambitious” show will include scores from U2’s Bono and the Edge and currently has a production cost of $50 million.
With such a beautiful voice, as we’ve seen in Across the Universe, it’s unfortunate that Evan will no longer be able to continue in what is sure to be an interesting musical.
SOURCE: Variety
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
VIDEOS: True Blood’s Michelle Forbes Talks Season 2 With SkyTV
March 11, 2010
In Season 1 of True Blood we first met Maryann Forrester, naked and accompanied by a pig. Just how do you top that?
SkyTV caught up with Maryann’s alter ego, Michelle Forbes as she was doing the publicity rounds for the recent UK premiere of True Blood Season 2 on FXUK.
In the three video clips below Michelle gives fans an insight into her crazy-wonderful character Maryann and provides us with a few sweet teasers for Season 2.
Michelle describes how True Blood “blows open like a volcano” and gets bigger and better and more insane as Season 2 progresses. Something tells me we might be in for more pig.
Even us Truebies get an honorable mention. We love you too, Michelle!
Enjoy these wonderful video interviews with Michelle!
Michelle Forbes – Part 1
Michelle Forbes – Part 2
Michelle Forbes – Part 3
SOURCE: SkyTV
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
True Blood Season 3: Jessica Gets More Exposure
March 10, 2010
The True Blood rumor mill is spreading new information again. According to Watch with Kristin from E! Online, Jessica and Hoyt fans will be getting a larger dose of the young lovers. She says,
“Great news for you Jessica-Hoyt fans! HBO hasn’t responded to request for comment, but I’ve heard that plans are under way to create a series of Jessica-centric (Deborah Ann Woll) webisodes in support of the upcoming season three. The webisodes will tell the story of what happens when Bill’s little baby vamp goes out into the big wide world on her own. Will she eat everybody? Will she be eaten? Tune in to find out!
Very interesting news, and it could be great to see this, but I want to reiterate that HBO has not yet verified this.
How do you feel about Jessica possibly getting webisodes? Would “minisodes” help you deal with the lack of True Blood until Season 3 starts in June?
SOURCE: E! Online
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
VIDEO: Stephen Moyer Mentions Caroline Compton
March 9, 2010
Here is another video clip with Stephen Moyer with MTV.com at Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Fun Fearless Males Event in New York City. This time Stephen discusses the storyline that is to occur in season 3 of True Blood involving his character, Bill Compton and his pre-Civil war human wife, Caroline Compton. He didn’t want it give too much away but what he did have to say just builds on the anticipation for season 3’s return in June!
“She is lovely, and we do see her in a flashback to Bill’s days,” Stephen told MTV News. “I don’t want to give too much, but she is back in Louisiana at a time when he is in the Civil War. So there is that scene. There’s all sorts of things and I’m not going to tell you about — any of them!”
Enjoy the video!
SOURCE: MTV.com
VIDEO: Sam Trammell Talks About Season 3 At The Spirit Awards
March 9, 2010
Everyone’s favorite True Blood shapeshifter, Sam Merlotte, was recently spotted at the 25th Annual Film Independent’s Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards are held each year to celebrate the work of independent film makers.
Prior to the event, About.com’s Rebecca Murray managed to catch up with True Blood star, Sam Trammell, and ask him some questions about the HBO hit drama’s upcoming third season. Sam promises that the third season is going to be the best season yet.
When asked about a raunchy scene that Sam Merlotte will share will Bill Compton, Trammell replies,
“The cat is out of the bag, I mean I can’t say anything more than that…people want to be surprised…but there is something people will be talking about, for sure.”
Also please visit Rebecca’s blog to read her latest reports from the entertainment world.
SOURCE: Rebecca Murray, About.com
(Photo credit: HBO Inc., screencap by James)
Alexander Skarsgard Conquered Childhood Fear of Fame
March 9, 2010
It is hard to imagine Alexander Skarsgard being afraid of anything, but the actor who plays True Blood’s Viking vampire Eric Northman said he was frightened by fame as a child.
In an interview posted on UK Web site What’s On TV, Alexander said the public recognition he earned from early TV roles was too much for his young self.
“My parents never dragged me to auditions, things just happened. I had lots of TV roles when I was a kid, but the fame was scary and I hated people staring at me on the street. When I was 13 I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore.”
The son of Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard (“Pirates of the Caribbean“) moved to Leeds for six months when he was 20. After spending time “watching football, hanging out, getting drunk and into trouble,” he decided to give acting another chance.
These days, he’s more at ease with fame and the attention that goes with it.
“Actually, I am flattered by the attention. People come up and want autographs and take pictures, but I have no crazy stalkers after me.”
Alexander said he enjoys playing Eric, a complicated character with more depth than a typical leading man. Eric may be the bad guy, but there’s more to him than meets the eye, Alexander said.
“As an actor, the last thing I want to play is a typical handsome leading man. It’s always great when you play a complicated character like Eric. In the first series, people thought he was just a bad guy, but there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. We’re now seeing his loyal, caring and sensitive side. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still the same old Eric – there’s just more to him than being an evil vampire.”
Alexander describes True Blood as an “over-the-top, wild, sexy and funny” show that also allows viewers to “draw parallels with our society in terms of alienation and prejudice.” He said he doesn’t have a problem portraying the show’s sex and violence, even when it requires him to show some skin.
“It’s pretty full-on and very graphic and gory, but sex and violence are always something that attracts an audience. I don’t have any problems with getting naked.”
He also commented on his stint as a pop music video star, opposite Lady Gaga in the video for “Paparazzi,” and his secret desire to be a rock star.
“I didn’t know Lady Gaga at all before. She was really cool and interesting. She’s very driven and we had a blast. I’d much rather be a rock star than an actor. My favorites are Van Morrison and The Clash. Because I’m Swedish, people think I must like ABBA, but they were always much bigger in the rest of the world than they ever were in Sweden.”
That’s just as well — picturing Eric Northman grooving to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” might prove a bit much for his fans.
SOURCE: What’s On TV
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
Stephen Moyer’s Sunlight Issues
March 9, 2010
Stephen Moyer loves his job portraying Bill Compton on True Blood. However, he never expected it to rule parts of his regular life.
After Stephen was hired to the HBO hit show, he moved to Southern California, completely excited about his new job and living in a part of California known for being perpetually sunny. He was especially looking forward to getting to go to the beach (lucky him) and sunbathing. Not so fast, Stephen! True Blood producers changed Stephen’s plans very quickly. As Stephen said,
“I couldn’t wait to live by the beach and enjoy the weather, then they dye my hair and make me stay out of the sun. I was banned from sunbathing!”
Since Stephen is playing a vampire (and vampires by their very natures are not the type to tan), this makes a lot of sense, and Stephen has played up his paleness a bit too. Thanks to the lack of sunbathing, Stephen has claimed he’s the palest man in Hollywood, second only to Twilight star Robert Pattinson.
That doesn’t stop the enormous fanbase Stephen who adore him regardless if he is tanned or not.
“I don’t think my fans are more aggressive than Robert Pattinson’s. You don’t get much more aggressive than a virginal 14-year-old. But they grab you and think it’s OK to touch you – girls, ladies and men. They want to be bitten and want you to break their skin. I have been sent underwear. A German woman sent me pictures of her naked on a white horse!”
Even without the tan, True Blood fans adore Stephen and what he brings to True Blood and seem to express in many interesting ways.
SOURCES:
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
