The Annual TrueBloodNet.com Truebie Awards (TATTAs)

True Blood scored a fist-full of nominations this awards season, but largely lost out (to Mad Men, curse them) apart from a People’s Choice Award for Best Television Obsession and a Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing: Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television.

Given the dearth of awards we thought we’d come up with a few of our own for our favorite True Blood characters. We have called them The Annual TrueBloodNet.com Truebie Awards or TATTAs. We tried very hard to come up with an acronym that spelled VAMP but had to admit defeat. Perhaps one of you guys can have a go…

So here they are in no particular order…

The Award for Best Crying, Screaming and Frothy Gurgling (often simultaneously) Moment:
Sookie Stackhouse

The Award for Best Sexy Snarl:
Bill Compton

The Award for Best Arrogant Sneer (shared):
Eric Northman and Sophie-Anne LecLerq

The Award for Highest Number of WTF Moments:
Sam Merlotte

The Award for the Cutest Ever Black-Eyed Demon Couple:
Arlene Fowler and Terry Bellefleur

The Award for Best Let’s Cross That Chicken Before it Burns Moment (shared):
Andy Bellefleur and Jason Stackhouse

The Award for Best Gratuitous Washboard Ab Exposure (shared):
Jason Stackhouse and Eggs Benedict

The Award for “Being Kept in this Dungeon is Bad for My Skin” Moment:
Lafayette Reynolds

The Award for Best Maniacal Laugh While Tied to a Chair:
Tara Thornton

The Award for Best “Vampers Gave Me a Really Bad Hair Day” (shared):
Steve and Sarah Newlin

The Award for Best Clueless Sexual Innuendo Relating to Puddings:
Steve Newlin

The Award for Best 80s Killer Disco Diva Styling:
Pam Ravenscroft

The Award for Best Insane B***h Moments (shared – couldn’t separate these ones):
Lorena, Maryann Forrester, and Sophie-Ann Leclerq.
With an honorable mention to Maxine Fortenberry

The Award for How to Channel Pennywise the Clown and Still Look Hot:
Eric Northman

The Award for I Totally Like Missed That Jesus Dude Moment:
Godric

The Award for the Best “I’m 28 and Still a Virgin” Confession Moment:
Hoyt Fortenbery

The Award for Best Cackle Above and Beyond the Call of Duty:
Maxine Fortenberry

The Award for Best “My Hymen Came Back and I’m Really, REALLY, Pissed About It” Moment:
Jessica Hamby

Congrats to all the winners! Next year we hope to have voting, a trophy and everything! Hope you enjoyed the round-up!

(Photo credits:  HBO Inc.)

Nelsan Ellis Added To Dragon*Con 2010 Guest List

Nelsan Ellis from Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood will also be attending Dragon*Con along with Sam Trammell this year in Atlanta, Georgia.  Nelsan’s portrayal as Lafayette Reynolds, Bon Temps, Louisiana’s flamboyant, sassy and sexy “entrepreneur”, has earned himself a large group of devoted fans (myself included).  True Blood fans should take note that Dragon*Con, is one of, if not the largest convention for multi-media and pop culture that takes place during the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, GA each year.  The dates for Dragon*Con 2010 are September 3 through September 6.

At this point, we don’t know if Nelsan will be sporting Lafayette’s short-order cook apron, his hard hat or his gold lame pants.  He’ll probably just be himself to the delight of his fans.  You can receive the latest information regarding the event by checking the Dragon*con website here.

Membership (tickets) to attend Dragon*Con are available for purchase from their online store.  The cost covers:

“…all four days, all panels, events, demonstrations, concerts, performances, contests, snacks and munchies in our Consuite (as available) and a host of other activities.”

Children under age 7 can attend free.  Pricing for tickets increase as the date draws nearer, so until 5/14/2010 the cost is $80.  Thereafter, the cost will increase to $90 until 7/15/2010 and then up to $100.

By the way, when you’re at the convention and have the opportunity to  say hello to Nelsan, don’t ask him about “V“.  There might be a vampire close enough to hear you!

SOURCE:  Dragon*Con website
(Photo credit:  HBO Inc.)

True Blood Season 3 Spoiler News: Bill and Sam’s Erotic Connection

True Blood fans may be in for some big surprises according to Alan Ball, the creative genius behind the hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood.  According to Michael Ausiello from EW.com it seems Alan will be addressing the issue about Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) drinking Bill Compton’s (Stephen Moyer) blood.  If you recall at the end of season 2, Bill saved Sam’s life by giving him his vampire blood to heal him, and in the end tricking Maryann (Michelle Forbes) and destroying her.  However, this left some True Blood fans wondering if Sam will experience the same effect that Sookie (Anna Paquin) is now having as a result of being tricked into drinking Eric’s (Alexander Skarsgard) blood.  Well it seems Alan is giving us some hints right now as to what we may see happening in season 3 between Bill and Sam.  Alan states that Bill and Sam will have

“not just any connection, an erotic connection.”

Now the big question is, how big and what type of erotic connection they will have?  Will Sam have a sexual longing for the handsome vampire Bill or will it involve erotic dreams that he will have of Bill which may leave him confused as it has with Sookie?  Another big question is how will these scenes be played out?  Alan wouldn’t comment, but as a result it is definitely going to generate a huge amount of speculation and anticipation among True Blood fans to see how this plotline will be covered.

However, Alan was willing to speak more freely about another upcoming same-sex couple that will be featured in season 3: Lafayette and his new love interest Jesus (played by Southland’s Kevin Alejandro). Alan states that Lafayette

“is very guarded, and Jesus is a guy who is willing to knock down some of those guards,” he says. “[Though] it’s not an easy relationship, they have a lot in common. They’re both shamans of sorts, healers, so there’s a reason they get brought together. “But,” he emphasizes again, “it’s not going to be easy.”

So True Blood fans what do you think about this latest revelation from Alan Ball?  Are you intrigued by how Alan will deal with the blood connection?  Will it be permanent or can it be broken?  And if so, how, and will it be a foreshadowing of something that Sookie may encounter later on.  Whatever the outcome, season 3 is gearing up to be quite exciting!

SOURCE:  EW.com

(Photo credit:  HBO Inc.)

True Blood Season 3 Spoiler News: Lafayette and Jesus

Michael Ausiello from EW.com is giving True Blood fans a little bit more information regarding Lafayette’s (Nelsan Ellis) love interest.  Since we have already heard that Kevin Alejandro will playing the role of Jesus Velasquez, described as a good-natured Latino orderly who’s caring for Lafayette’s mother (Alfre Woodard), Michael provides us with some more details on Lafayette’s future love.

“I know what Alan Ball just told me. “Lafayette, for all his fierceness, has built a big wall around his heart and is not particularly inclined to be emotionally vulnerable. Jesus is going to try his best to knock that wall down. But there is a bigger and more dangerous reason Jesus is drawn to Bon Temps, one that will be revealed over time.”

Now Michael has peaked the fans’ interest even more with this information.  What other ulterior motive would Jesus have for being in Bon Temps?  Who is he working for then?  Is he human or something else? Just more fuel to the fire to make fans feel more anxious for the return of season 3 of our favorite vampire series True Blood in June.

SOURCE:  EW.com

(Photo credit:  CBS.com)

Nelsan Ellis Offers Season 3 Theories

Not that he’s willing to break the True Blood code of silence and risk getting fired by Alan Ball, but Nelsan Ellis does have some ideas about where the show might go and what he’d like to see for Lafayette. He shared his insights with Digital Spy while he was at the MCM Expo in London.

Nelsan heard Alan Ball say that he’s planning for Lafayette to have a boyfriend, but he doesn’t think that his character is ready to be in a relationship:

“I don’t want a love interest, though, because I think Lafayette doesn’t have time! He has his businesses to deal with. Plus, it would take a special creature to pin him down.”

A special creature, indeed! Not only is Lafayette still traumatized from his time in the Fangtasia dungeon, but he doesn’t seem to put finding love at the top of his priority list. Whatever Alan decides to do will probably be a surprise to Lafayette, as well as Nelsan!

Nelsan does admit that he would feel uncomfortable filming sex scenes, but jokes that he would love to see some of those dreams Lafayette has about Eric! Since drinking the Viking vampire’s blood, Lafayette is forever linked to him, which will probably continue to play out with the V-distribution storyline from the end of Season two. Nelsan thinks that Eric is using Lafayette because he is so resourceful:

“He wants to take advantage of Lafayette’s skills, because Lafayette can maneuver in the environment and take care of himself pretty well. I think Eric knows that and so he will use him, because that skill is pretty rare in Bon Temps.”

Nelsan thinks that another interesting plot twist would be to turn Lafayette into a supe, but he thinks he’s already crazy enough as a human:

“It’s not appealing to me to be a vampire. I haven’t put too much thought on being a werewolf either. Because Lafayette is so eccentric as he is, how far can he go really? Also having all that hair on his face would mess up his makeup.”

Anything could happen! Especially since Lafayette is a character now completely disconnected from the story in Charlaine Harris’ books where he was killed.

Alan Ball can, and has, taken the show to new extremes. Nelsan says that he has gotten a script before and been completely amazed by the insanity:

“The pig and the witch. I was like ‘okay, really?’ I still don’t understand the whole pig situation. It wasn’t quite made clear why the pig is just chilling with her.”

On the subject of Bill’s kidnapping, Nelsan has read the books and knows that Russell, the Vampire King of Mississippi, is responsible, but he suspects Alan will mix it up to keep fans guessing. He shares his theory about it being Queen Sophie-Anne:

“Because if you remember, Bill’s found out that Eric’s been selling vampire blood. But Eric’s been selling vampire blood because he’s been ordered by the Queen to do it, and she didn’t like the fact that Bill knows. This is all just speculation on my part though!”

It’s fun to see the actors trying to figure things out just as much as we are. Of course, soon they will be back at work and know secrets that they still won’t tell us, but we can enjoy all the theories in the meantime until Season three!

SOURCE: digitalspy.com

(Photo credit: tvguide.com)

Nelsan Ellis Talks True Blood At The London MCM Expo

In True Blood, the character of Lafayette has taken on new life beyond his book existence, and Nelsan Ellis couldn’t be more pleased. The Julliard-trained actor is very different from the sassy, cross-dressing Merlotte’s fry cook, but that just makes the job all the more fun. At the MCM Expo in London, Nelsan answered audience questions and received lots of cheers from fans excited about the possibility of some Lafayette-Eric dream scenes.

In the beginning, Nelsan thought Lafayette would meet the same fate as his character had in Book 1 of Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series. He read the books before auditioning, and when he got the part, he signed a one-year contract with the understanding that he would die after 12 episodes. Nelsan says he was “cool with that,” but he was thrilled when he found out that he was surviving:

“[I was] elated! Because I still had a job! Alan Ball told me after we had the table read of the twelfth episode. So, up until that point, I thought I was dead. He went, ‘You know you’re not dying, right?’, and I said, ‘I didn’t, but thanks for telling me!’ “

That turn of events is just a testament to what a fantastic actor Nelsan is and the way that he channels Lafayette. Alan didn’t want to lose him from the show and viewers were overjoyed when they discovered that he was alive in the season two premiere. Nelsan is very flattered when people appreciate his work. I think we can all agree that he deserved to keep his job because he’s so good at it! He really enjoys getting to be bold and crazy as Lafayette:

“Every chance I get to where I could be something that’s not me, I jump at it. Because I’m guarded and I have these rules on how I should behave, but whenever I get to jump out of those rules and go f-ing crazy, I do! Lafayette is a dream role for me.”

His favorite scene to play was the AIDS-burger scene, which he thought was really well written and allowed him to show off his toughness. To create the character, he gathered inspiration from a variety of places:

“It was a collaboration. We all threw in some ideas. The scarf thing is ’cause my momma used to wear a lot of scarves. I think there’s some Prince influence in there. We did research, went to a whole lot of gay clubs, we’d go down on the strip, so we just came up with it. We also threw in some ideas into this stew of his wardrobe.”

The most difficult stuff to portray has been the post-traumatic stress disorder of the second season. That was tough for Nelsan because he was used to Lafayette being fun and then had to shift to being broken down by the disorder. Working on True Blood has allowed Nelsan to bond with his cast and crew and to learn a lot, as well. He has a close relationship with Rutina Wesley who plays Tara, especially because they went to school together, and he has also become good friends with Alexander Skarsgard. Nelsan is making use of all the opportunities he can to learn from Alan Ball:

“He’s a god among men. He really is a genius at what he does. I get to rub elbows with him on a daily basis. He writes some of the episodes, and he directs some of the episodes, so I end up being a sponge, soaking up all his genius. When he directs you – and I’m like, this dude has won Oscars – he knows what he’s doing.”

Nelsan adds so much flavor to True Blood with his portrayal of Lafayette! It will be amazing to see what else happens to him season three and beyond, especially since it will be a surprise even to fans who have read the books.

SOURCE: denofgeek.com

(Photo credit: backstage.com)

Nelsan Ellis Will Be Appearing At The London MCM Expo

Calling all UK True Blood fans!!! Nelsan Ellis who plays our hysterical and beloved Lafayette on Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood has confirmed that he will be attending the London MCM Expo to sit on the True Blood panel. The Expo will take place on October 24th and 25th at the Excel in London. You may purchase tickets for the event from The London MCM Expo website. If you are planning on attending the Expo why not get a picture with Nelsan! That’s right, the Expo will be offering a chance for you to get your photo taken with the star of your choosing. What an amazing keepsake that would be! For more information on these photos you can visit the Expo’s webpage here.  The prices for the photos will be listed on the Expo’s website as the event date gets closer. Who would pass this opportunity up?? So get your tickets now!!

A very special thank you has to go out to the people at UK Truebies on facebook who posted the information first.

SOURCE:  London MCM Expo

Photo Credits: HBO Inc.

Nelsan Ellis Attends RCN Party In Chicago

RCN Corporation is a leading provider of all-digital and high definition video, high speed internet and premium voice services.  RCN hosted a Fangtasia event on Sept. 11 and Nelsan Ellis made a guest appearance.  Two hundred fans showed up for the event and the line stretched down the block.  To turn Hamilton’s into Fangtasia, the building was filled with coffins and tombstones.  Their version of True Blood was also being served along with food and other refreshments.

Twenty fans were able to meet Nelsan and get autographed photos.  Nelsan is a Chicago native and is best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood.  Tom McKay, general manager of RCN Chicago, says:

“The turnout for ‘Fangtasia‘ surpassed our expectations. Thanks to our partnership with HBO and Nelsan Ellis, who was very interactive with the crowd, the event was an excellent way for us to reach out to our customers including college students in the surrounding area.”

RCN will also be sponsoring blood drives at the University of Illinois Medical Center on Sept. 17 and 24 to continue with the True Blood theme.  Donors will be receiving giveaways.  Visit www.rcn.com/fangs for more information.

Source:  marketwire.com

Photo Credit:  (Vi Photography)

Nelsan Ellis On What’s Coming For Lafayette

Lafayette: cousin of Tara, gay, cook at Merlotte’s, day-time construction worker, drug and vampire blood dealer. Aside from these character back stories, I am truly fascinated with the other side of his character. He has an unwavering wittiness, sassiness and outrageous behavior, which never fails to entertain me. Indeed, Lafayette Reynold has catapulted Nelsan Ellis into vampire and Hollywood history.

I for one believe that his acting skills are perfect already. But despite his success in portraying Lafayette, Nelsan is still critical about his performance, which is why he watches each episode 20 times in order to critique his own acting. However, he acknowledged fans attention as “very flattering” – a doubtlessly humble remark.

Moreover, Nelsan spoke about his character who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after being held hostage by Eric and then later was set free in season two. He said:

“I didn’t understand why they took me in such a drastic direction in season 2, but then again, somebody who is used to being on top because of his charms — once he’s completely powerless to defend himself, that can be completely traumatizing.”

He also revealed that he wouldn’t mind if his character was turned into a vampire or if Lafayette and Eric had more scenes together in the future. Nelsan said:

“I love working with Alexander Skarsgard. He brings such gravity to a scene,”

As season three production begins on December, I hope that we can still see more of Lafayette. I’m sure everybody does. We would all want to know the story behind his past and the reason why he’s got a fierce attitude. Well, we just have to wait because Nelsan will mention his idea to Alan Ball about some flashback scenes with Lafayette and his mother. This is like a breakthrough in the sense that he doesn’t usually talk to the show’s writers, regarding what’s coming for his character.

“There are so many lines about how his mother treated Lafayette. It would be nice if we found out in the flashbacks that she was a vampire.”

And for those people who would still want the show to stick with the storyline of the books, Nelsan noted that season three may not follow the books. He said,

“I think Alan has been great in keeping even fanatical readers of the Harris’ books on their toes. He’s changed things”.

Though Nelsan Ellis has already received accolades for his True Blood participation, his parents may not count. He said that his mother is deeply religious and his father doesn’t approve him of portraying a character like Lafayette.

Don’t worry Nelsan. True Blood fans are here to support you and you’ve done such a terrific job already.

Source: featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com

(Photo Credit: buzzine.com)

Remembering Favorite True Blood Moments

The countdown to the season two finale has definitely begun! As the excitement grows until we finally get to see the resolution to Maryann and her sacrifice, IGN TV recounted their favorite moments of True Blood up to this point.

“Couple of the Year,” referring to Bill and Eric – “The southern gentleman and the euro-hipster in a tracksuit”– at the clothing store. The saleswoman might have gotten the wrong impression when she saw these two together but it’s not a bad idea! Especially when you look back at the scene from season one where Eric is waiting in Bill’s bath (“I texted you three times. Why didn’t you reply?”) Forget Sookie — man love is clearly on the horizon and the formation of a new team: Team Bill-n-Eric.

“Eddie’s End,” the inevitable demise of the pathetic vampire who was just looking for companionship and ended up getting used for his V juice. He brought out a new side in Jason:

Not only were Jason’s scenes with Eddie touching but they showed us how quiet and successfully emotional this show could be when it tried to.

If only Amy hadn’t staked him and reduced him to a messy pool of blood and guts…

“Bill’s Beginning,” the flashbacks to human Bill from “Sparks Fly Out.” The weary soldier’s goodness and loyalty to his wife and children showed Lorena that he was worthy to stay alive but she turned him into a vampire so that he could be hers.

Seeing Bill watch his family from a distance and ultimately say goodbye with a bloody tear, was heartbreaking.

“AIDS Burger,” Lafayette’s memorable outburst against bigotry. The fry cook may wear have some effeminate qualities but he can stick up for himself. Alan Ball says in an episode commentary that he didn’t think Lafayette would have survived as a gay black kid growing up in rural Louisiana if he weren’t tough. And the beatdown of Royce, followed by the comment, “Tip your waitress,” was enough to show us that True Blood wouldn’t be the same without Lafayette.

“Sex and Candy,” Jessica’s entrance into Merlotte’s when she finally found herself free of her mainstreaming maker, Bill. She may be an annoying, impulsive young vampire but she proved that there was still some sweetness in her:

She entered Merlotte’s with the worst of intentions and met up with a young man with the best of intentions. Hoyt.

“The Other White Meat,” dream scene or not, seeing Eric and Sookie naked in bed together drove the fans wild. Stephen Moyer’s Bill has been much more prominent than the book character but that doesn’t mean that Eric is not going to be part of Sookie’s romantic future. Who knows when the relationships will actually shift but until then, there’s this scene, where you get to see the big Viking “smile and act cuddly.”

“Three Dog Night,” when Sookie went to sleep with a dog and woke up with naked Sam. After learning her friend’s secret and getting over the initial shock, it brought them closer together because they could relate in their shared weirdness.

“Kablammo!,” the bomb going off in the lair of the Dallas vampires.

It was a powerful and unexpectedly grim turn for the Fellowship of the Sun, who up until this point, thanks to its leadership, seemed like a bunch of soft, although impishly wicked, evangelical twits.

Luke walked away from the almost-battle in the church when Godric broke things up but he showed how strongly he felt about his cause. Plus, Eric had the opportunity to shield Sookie and trick her into drinking his blood.

“Digging the Grave,” when Sookie decapitated Rene with “a freakin’ shovel!” She’s gotten kicked around quite a lot over the two seasons but Sookie is not a helpless victim. She will fight for her loved ones and her town. Her hand giving off that energy against Maryann was just another sign of how strong Sookie is becoming.

“Make Up Sex,” Bill and Sookie show their passion for each other after fighting in the season two premiere, “Nothing But the Blood.” Sure, there are lots of sex scenes in True Blood but IGN TV picked this one as the best because of how it re-invested viewers in the show.

It’s what we all want to see when we watch an adult show about vampires.

For myself, I would have put Bill and Sookie’s first time on here instead because of the moment when his fangs come out — he thinks she won’t want him anymore but she kisses him anyway, truly accepting him for the vampire that he is. But I agree that the make-up sex is hotter.

“Sunspots,” Godric’s farewell on the hotel roof. Eric’s tears and pleading with his maker showed a depth of emotion that we can only imagine, after their 1,000 years of connection. Godric’s gentleness made us feel the loss of him, even though we had only seen him in a couple of episodes.

A couple moments that I would add to this list: When Jason and Andy save Sam from the possessed mob by pretending to be “the god who comes.” Also when Eric punishes Royce for the silver and asks Lafayette if there’s blood in his hair.

What are some of your favorites that aren’t on here? And I don’t know about all of you but the only way I’m going to get through the long months of True Blood withdrawal will be to watch these scenes repeatedly.

SOURCE: tv.ign.com

(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)

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