Bill And Sam Rivals With A Common Goal?

Both Bill Compton and Sam Merlotte may have more in common than you think.  Both of these guys are searching for acceptance, compassion, tolerance and ultimately, love. They have both struggled with who and what they are.  At the onset, these men seem to be rivals, opponents, if you will.  Bill asks Sam to watch over Sookie while he must stand before a judge of a vampire court and be disciplined.  What I find interesting is that when Bill returns to find Sookie and Sam in a most impassioned embrace, he fights Sam aggressively as if he wanted to kill him, however, Sam fights back fiercely and bravely.

I was taken aback by this since Bill has the immortal strength of a vampire; anyone one else would have been killed or seriously injured. Sam fought valiantly I thought, for someone his size, and showed his hostility and apparent rivalry towards a vampire. The fight causes Sookie to rescind Bill’s invitation, ejecting him from her home. For a moment, It looked like Sam had won out, as he had tried to turn her against Bill, mostly out of jealousy.  It seemed from the onset that these two guys were rivals and opponents  and yet at the end of the first season, Sam helped Sookie to save Bill. Similarly, at the end of the second season, Bill helps Sookie to save Sam.

I believe that they were motivated out of  love and concern for Sookie’s welfare to come together for her sake and briefly join forces. However, to me, Sam and Bill are not so dissimilar because they both want the same things:  recognition, acceptance, compassion, tolerance and certainly not least to be valued and loved for who they are.   Certainly, Sam along with Bill and Sookie were able to collaborate and put forth a joint effort to vanquish Maryann. Although Bill is my favorite character, I tend to favor Sam a bit more because I can empathize with his struggle. He tries so hard to fit in, to make a difference and he does.  Both Bill and Sam truly put forth a heroic effort in saving the townspeople from the diabolical plots of Maryann.

I feel badly for Sam because it seems he always gets the shaft. At least Bill has Sookie, but Sam is left alone.  A prolonged affair with Tara Thornton has fizzled and a seemingly promising romance with Daphne Landry, who was a shapeshifter like himself, ended in betrayal and heartbreak.  Sam’s feelings for Sookie were nearly totally non-reciprocated, not to mention being hounded and hunted by Maryann. It seems that Sam can never catch a break.  He’s always a target for trouble or hardship or heartbreak

Obviously there are differences. Bill is a vampire. Sam is a shapeshifter or shifter for short. Another thing, Sam is human, at least more so than Bill, who is a vampire and can be quite a predator; who can and does kill for blood or in defense, mostly of Sookie. Both Bill and Sam are looking for some meaning in their lives or un-life as is the case for Bill. Rivals at first, now I think it has progressed to an uneasy friendship if that.  Bill gave Sam his blood to save his life after he sacrificed himself to take down Maryann. Surely, after that they now have some kind of a bond, if an uneasy one. [Editor's Note: Will there be dreams of Bill in Sam's future?]

Perhaps now they can bury the hatchet and become friendly?  The common goal here is then to evolve and become the best beings that they can, not just for Sookie, but for themselves. If these men are not already fast friends they should be closer this season at least.  They are different to be sure, but they are also very much alike.

I would like to dedicate this article to Stephen Moyer and Sam Trammell: two incredibly gifted actors.

(Photo credits:  HBO Inc.)

“True Blood” Team Madness

HOLLYWOOD —“True Blood” fans and stars converged on Orlando, Fla. last weekend to meet and greet at Eyecon. Two of the most popular actors on the show are a brother/sister team in Jason and Sookie Stackhouse. Both are immature and unsophisticated residents of Bon Temps who lost their parents early in their childhood and were raised by Gran, their grandmother. She was killed in the first season, but her presence is still felt greatly by her two grandchildren who are very popular in the series.

Anna Paquin, Sookie Courtesy: HBO TV Pro

Their cousin, Hadley, was seen at the end of season two at the palace of the Queen Vampire Sophie’s. Ryan Kwanten is the young hunk who plays Jason Stackhouse. The Aussie born actor has taken America by storm and his performance is one of the most underrated in the industry. Playing a country hick from the south of the U.S. may be something an American actor would easily be able to embrace, but the Aussie has made the popular role of Jason his own.

Sookie is played by Oscar winning actress Anna Paquin, who has made the attractive yet naïve mind reader the most popular heroine on the small screen. Paquin seems to have an ability to connect with the viewers and Sookie is now the most beloved woman on television. Sometimes the character is so naïve yet the actress who plays her knows all the nuances which create even more mystery around the character. That proves Paquin is far more sophisticated and is also a brilliant actress. Many actors have told me over the years that it’s a much tougher role to play a person who is not that smart than there is for a person to play a genius.

Ryan Kwanten, Jason Courtesy Link 81 Collection

Alan Ball has the ability to know which characters in this series need to connect with viewers and how best to accomplish that. Though the actress who portrayed Maryann, Michelle Forbes, was never intended to bond with the viewers, I suspect many who celebrated the character’s demise still feel the actress did an amazing job on the series. That’s how I feel about Ashley Jones, who played shape shifter Daphne. Ashley along with Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Allan Hyde and Todd Lowe spent the weekend at Eyecon meeting legions of “True Blood” addicts who simply can’t get enough of the hit HBO series.

Jones’s character Daphne betrayed Sam Merlotte in the second season, but now that Maryann has been killed and has paid for her deeds, fans like Bobby Head in Alabama say, “Wouldn’t it be great to see Daphne back in Bon Temps? Sure Maryann killed her and ate her heart, but this is ‘True Blood’ we are talking about, and Alan Ball is a creative genius.”

Ashley Jones, Daphne, Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

Other fans who equally love the series include Tony in New Jersey, who sees his favorite character Bill as someone we can all look up to. “I think he embodies all of us, Tommy. He’s a vampire who chose not to be an animal or a monster. He simply wants acceptance by others and wants respect. Isn’t that what most of us want in life?” Tony tells Canyon News. Where Bobby Head is a big fan of my pal Ashley Jones, Tony is truly a member of team Bill and in actor Stephen Moyer’s corner.

Other fans include Cheryl Kay Durst, who can always be found on the “True Blood” official Facebook page offering excitement and support for the show. While Nicky Johnson Owle continues to remind me she’s solidly behind Team Eric and handsome star Alexander Skarsgard, who has been named Sweden’s Sexiest Man Alive five times. Nicky says, “Tommy, Eric and Alex are like KFC, finger-licking good!” Peter and Debbie Blomert always seem to offer positive support and rhetoric for Alan Ball and are anxiously awaiting the DVD set – of season-two and who are always interested in casting news for season three. Megan Smith McDevit reminds me, “You should come on and chat more often, Tommy. But beware, it’s highly addictive.” Addictive it is. Not just the series but spending time with fans of the show including those who are heading to Orlando this weekend.

With everyone choosing their favorite team player, I cannot lie. I still say, I’m on Team Daphne and I do hope the shape shifter makes a resurrection next season. Fans of the beautiful actress can see her as Bridget Forrester Marone on CBS’s mega daytime hit, “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Jones is perhaps one of the best actors on television.  With fans from as far as Melbourne, Australia, Jeff Dean says, “I love her as Daphne. I just may have to take up watching her on ‘B&B.’” Nicky Johnson Owle; however, has very little time for anyone but Eric and Skarsgard. Whether it’s Sookie and Jason or Eric or Bill, “True Blood” fans can be assured of great storytelling, brilliant acting and wonderful surprises.

“True Blood” is an HBO series.

Source: Courtesy of Tommy Garrett at Canyon News

(Photo Credits: HBO, Link 81 Collection and Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.)

A Bat’s Eye View of Eyecon!

A couple of the fans who won tickets from TrueBloodNet.com agreed to write up their experience at the convention.  We’re so glad they had a good time and agreed to share their experiences with us!  Thank you Beatrice and Sharon!
Their Eyecon Story:

Our journey began when I came across the TrueBloodNet.com contest. I wanted to win so badly I could taste it. All I had to do was state the question I would ask the cast if I had the opportunity. My question was “What character on the show would you most want your character to do bad things with?” I checked my email several days later after accepting defeat, and lo “ I was a winner”! I jumped up, grabbed the phone at 12:30 am and called my friend Sharon, and told her we won. Oh, but that was just the tip of the ice burg. Reality set in. We had to figure out transportation and lodging on a budget that was so small it was almost invisible. I broke the news to my husband and he broke the news to me that he had Guards the same weekend. Crap now I had to find someone to help out with the kids too! Ok, I called the campground that I have a membership with and asked if they had any openings. After the representative was done laughing she sounded surprised that she actually had exactly the days we needed. Sharon and I pawned the kids off on different friends and family. Things were starting to fall into place.

Thursday night we got a late start and it was pouring down rain .The kids and husbands were fairly easy to pry off however the family dog had to be bribed with a biscuit to move away from the magical vacation door. We jumped in the car making sure our families didn’t go on recon missions to bring us back. We drove from New Jersey through seven states, torrential rain storms and a set of wiper blades going nonstop, with no sleep.

Eighteen hours later we were in Florida driving around in circles. After threatening the Evil GPS and all its components we found our way to the campground. We pitched the tent took a well-deserved shower and ventured out to the Conference center. We registered at the Eyecon convention and were recruited to donate blood. Because they rarely allow us out of the state of New Jersey and we are women on a True Blood mission we saw fit to have more fun giving blood than anyone has the right to. By the time we were done we each had a T-shirt, extra cookies and juice. Now were talking, breakfast and lunch! I can guarantee the vamps there [red cross] will never forget our names.

Our next stop was the vendor room. Our first table was for the Choroideremia Foundation, which Deborah Ann Woll supports. It raises money for research on this degenerative genetic eye disease that causes irreversible blindness. I bought raffle tickets, not thinking I would win but feeling good that I was donating to a good cause. To my surprise I did win one of the prizes, a T shirt!  There were only a few more tables to visit and we left the convention feeling a little disappointed that there weren’t more vendors.

After an evening of fighting a GPS for directions and a demon possessed flashlight that kept blowing bulbs and leaving us in the dark, we devoured our cookies and juice and called it a night.

On Saturday there were quite a few more people at the Eyecon convention but not enough that it was overcrowded. This was great! We talked with members of the band Nova Echo and got an autograph and pictures. Next we moved on to the Q & A’s. The first one was with Sam Trammell. Yes, I asked my winning question. Sam turned red and laughed but never really answered the question saying he would get in trouble. This question had the same effect on Todd Lowe, however he answered saying Arlene. The autograph sessions were great we were actually able to talk directly to the stars. Sam couldn’t believe my last name was truly Blood and I pulled out my license to prove it. After the autographs we once again fought the demon GPS back to our campsite, had Chinese food and relaxed. About 7:30pm we started getting ready to go to the Fangbangers Ball. We got to the Conference center about 45 minutes before the ball so we went to the Nova Echo concert and sat in the back realizing most of the people were not in costume yet. (Talk about awkward). The music was good and not that many people showed up. It was to our surprise that Todd Lowe sang two songs with the band and then we looked to our left and right next to us stood Allan Hyde, Ashley Jones and Sam Trammell. Can you say “We’re in Heaven!!” We did not bother them; we continued to watch the concert and smile. We went to purchase one of Todd’s CD and he autographed it and took a picture with us and then Sam, Allan and Ashley took one with us too. It was AWESOME!

Although we had fun at the Fangbanger’s Ball, it was not the same as the advertising of the event. The description in the advertising left one with the expectations of seeing Fangtasia or a representation there of. This ballroom fell a little short. On the upside it wasn’t overcrowded and one could stop and talk to the star of their choice. But I’m still wondering if the judging of the costumes happened or not [Editor's Note: It didn't, disappointing yours truly as well who went as an incompetent shifter].

Leaving the Ball at 1:00am, we popped in Todd’s CD, let’s just say: not for kids or the faint of heart. However, we found it twisted and entertaining.

Sunday, the last day for the Eyecon Convention and the final Q & A’s, with Ashley, Nelsan, and Allan. While Ashley was entertaining, Allan was genuinely sweet and innocent and opened up sharing many personal stories. But it was Nelsan who took the show. He was funny and almost fearless in his answers and stories about other cast members. He answered my question, but only after first trying to get clarity about “bad things”. Sharon and I both said “use your imagination”. Nelsan’s answer was he wanted to do bad [criminal] things with Eric and nasty things with Anna, also mentioning Stephen Moyer did good by her. On a more serious note he discussed his sister’s death and domestic abuse. All the stars were down to earth , humorous and pleasant to be around. After the Q & A’s we attended another autograph session where we met up with Kasandra from TrueBloodNet.com and thanked her. Overall, we had a wonderful once in a lifetime adventure. Now it was time to drive 18 hours and seven states home. Thanks again to the TrueBloodNet.com fairies [Editor's Note: We're shifters not fairies!] for sprinkling a little magic in our otherwise ordinary lives.

~ Beatrice Blood

~ Sharon DeHainaut

We at TrueBloodNet.com are thrilled that you got to go and had a good time.  You were very inventive and fun!  Wish we’d met up earlier!

Vampires: Truth vs Fiction

The blood suckers are everywhere. Everybody is talking about vampires these days; in books, movies, magazine covers, TV and the Internet – lately, it’s hard to avoid the feeling that these pale skinned creatures are stalking us.

Those who aren’t enamored with these fanged creatures of the night would no doubt wonder what it is about these creatures that inspire the current fascination. Similarly, those who are au fait with literary and cinematic vampire mythology are probably wondering at what point 2009 became the Year of the Vampire. Vampires, a seemingly highly adaptable species, can now be anything and everything. From the highly sexual charismatic vampires in the Southern Gothic universe of HBO’s True Blood, to the guilt ridden vampire John Mitchell in Being Human to the chaste sparkly creatures of Twilight, it seems that the modern vampire is quite comfortable being the trendy hero on our screens.

But was the vampire always thus? Undoubtedly, vampire like creatures have been around for some time, but much like fashion trends, undergo phases of popularity. Dating back to ancient folklore, most cultures have their own tales of some form of soul-sapping, life-drawing creature in either human or animal form. But it was Bram Stoker’s literary vampire, Dracula, which discreetly used sexual metaphors to sexualize the vampire into a male predator stalking a virginal maiden. Consequently, since Bram Stoker unleashed Dracula in 1897, this literary vampire has come to epitomize our impression of what a vampire is. The traits commonly associated with this alien nocturnal species include, for example, sleeping in coffins, sleeping by day and walking by night, and drinking the blood of humans.

Now that vampires have become very much part of our popular culture, it is tempting to ask if these creatures really do exist. As hard as it is to believe, some people do claim that real vampires actually do exist. Apparently, there are some medical conditions that mimic traits commonly associated with vampirism, for example, porphyria and catalepsy.

Those who suffer from porphyria, a condition often associated with vampires, are highly sensitive to light. Consequently, as a result of an imbalance of heme, porphyria sufferers also exhibit other signs associated with vampires, such as having bleeding gums and blood-stained teeth.

Catalepsy, a condition which affects the central nervous system, causes the patient’s heart rate and breathing to slow down to the point whereby the body become so immobile that they appear to have died. Before the advances made in the medical sciences, the unfortunate sufferers of this condition were often mistakenly assumed to have died and were either buried or embalmed.

Both of these conditions, while extremely rare, do not account for either the sexual terror or sexual anarchy associated with the vampire. For example Henry Fuseli’s The Nightmare is the consummate image of sexual terror.  Ever since it was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1782, Fuseli’s The Nightmare has become an icon of sexual terror and the night horror. The painting depicts a young woman lying in a restless sleep while an imp sits on her stomach. The Nightmare made Fuseli’s name as an artist and established his name as a painter who delighted in shocking his audiences.

Fuseli’s The Nightmare has, for example, inspired writers, artists and film-makers from F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922) to Ken Russell’s Gothic (1986). The Nightmare has also provoked discussion about theories of sleep paralysis and nightmares. For example, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s International Classification of Sleep Disorders, isolated sleep paralysis, accompanied as they often are by terrifying hallucinations of demons and vampiric visitations, occur at least once in a lifetime of 40% to 50% of normal subjects.

The Nightmare has also provoked contemporary discussions about the veracity of those ancient folktales about our nocturnal vampiric visitors who prey on young maidens.

Although sleep paralysis might provide an explanation of a variety of supernatural occurrences, providing the grounds for a number of beliefs about the supernatural, this phenomenon, along with the medical affliction of porphyria and catalepsy, this still do not explain how the vampire has evolved to a creature associated with uncensored sexuality of pure impulse and appetite or the Gothic Romantic idea of the troubled isolated and mysterious stranger who beckons to us from the margins of society.

But if I were ever forced to choose between having a real visitation of sleep paralysis and a visit from the True Blood vampires, I would unhesitatingly choose a visit from a particular vampire of True Blood. Guess which one?

SOURCE: vampires.com

Picture credit: HBO Inc., Tate.org.uk

“True Blood’s” Unsung Heroes

HOLLYWOOD—Nelsan Ellis, who portrays the flamboyantly gay Lafayette Reynolds in Alan Ball’s and HBO’s hit vampire series True Blood, is a distinguished actor who attended the prestigious acting program at Julliard and in 2008 the actor won  the Satellite award for Best Supporting Actor for his work on True Blood. Ellis also won raves when he wrote a play called “Ugly,” an almost autobiographical piece about the devastating effects of domestic abuse, after his sister Alice was shot by her husband in 2002. Nelsan staged the play while a student at Julliard and received the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ Martin E. Segal Award for his efforts.

Sam Trammell, Sam Courtesy: Link 81 Collection

Today Ellis is involved with a film called “Secretariat,” which involves the life story of Penny Chenery, owner of the racehorse Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973. Nelsan is also producing and acting in the film, which is set to be released next fall.

From “The Soloist” to “The Express,” Nelsan Ellis is making his mark as an actor and performer in films and has made many television appearances on hit shows like “Veronica Mars,” “Without a Trace” and “Lost.” Fans, however, have come to love Ellis in the over-the-top fem role as the gay queen of Bon Temps. Ellis embraced the role and throughout his character’s troubled storylines, which have included selling V [vampire’s blood], which is used as an illegal drug in the True Blood series, being kidnapped by Eric and used as food for the vampires for weeks before being saved by his childhood friend Sookie, who is played by Oscar winner Anna Paquin, to dealing with the Maenad Maryann and her coven of evil doers.

Nelsan Ellis, Lafayette, Courtesy: HBO

Fans can always count on Ellis’ strong performance and comedic delivery of lines, which even helps to break the tension of the sometimes overly intense yet incredibly written drama. When cousin Tara, played by Rutina Wesley was being abused by her boyfriend Eggs, you could see the pain in Ellis’ eyes and know that because of the tragedy of his sister due to domestic violence, Lafayette would never tolerate his cousin being treated that way.

In a show with hunks like Ryan Kwanten, Alexander Skarsgard, and Stephen Moyer, unsung heroes like Ellis and Sam Trammell, who portrays shape shifter Sam Merlotte, are important as supporting actors on the cult classic series. Trammell’s career and training is also very prestigious. Trammell made waves and received raves early on in his career when he appeared on the New York stage while building a maverick career in mostly independent features. Sam also attended Brown University where he caught the acting bug in his senior year.

While doing “Ah, Wilderness!” on the Broadway stage in 1997, he received a Tony award nomination the following year for the revival of the great Eugene O’Neill play. His TV work includes,“Numb3rs,” “Judging Amy,” “Cold Case” and Medium,” to name just a few of the prolific actor’s appearances.

However, on the HBO series True Blood, Sam is a shapeshifter, able to turn into any creature once he sees it, then imprints on the species, which came in handy a lot last season when the evil Maryann was chasing him down the dark road ready to devour him, but he was able to see an owl, imprint on it and quickly change to one and fly away for his own safety. Still battling Maryann, he was able to turn into a fly while in a jail cell, before Maryann could get to him.

Outlandish plots is what Alan Ball’s True Blood is all about. Though these two actors, Sam Trammell and Nelsan Ellis, are such capable and brilliant thespians, they keep the show popular as the unsung heroes who not only save the day, but make fans laugh and cry every week while rooting for them to win over evil.

“True Blood” airs on HBO.

[Editor's Note: Interestingly both of these guys along with Tommy's friend Ashley Jones (Daphne), Allan Hyde (Godric) and Todd Lowe (Terry Bellefleur) will all be at Eyecon next weekend!  See you there!]

Source: Tommy Garrett at Canyon News

(Photo credit: HBO and Link 81 Collection)

Bill And Edward Vampire Gentlemen Or Bloodsucking Monsters?

What is it about vampires these days that captivates us, draws our attention, and keeps us enthralled as if under some irresistible enchantment.

Is it the “Lifestyle”?  Is it that they can act with full autonomy and freedom to love as they please or do as they wish without consequence?

Two of the most popular vampires these days are Vampire Bill Compton of True Blood and Edward Cullen of Twilight.

Both of these men try to be noble.  Both are deeply troubled. Both have learned to despise what they have become.  Both men are fiercely devoted to the ladies in their lives or un-lives.  Both of these story lines involve love triangles:  In Twilight, its Edward-Bella-Jacob, wherein True Blood its Bill-Sookie-Sam at first,  then its Bill-Sookie-Eric… or so it would seem.

The common thread that seems to bond these two together seems to be their ardent desire to try to evolve beyond what they have become.

Bill seeks to “mainstream” with humans. He wants desperately to be accepted and move toward integration. He would like people to judge him on merit and how he treats people, rather than the fact the he is a vampire and, to some people, a social pariah.  Edward Cullen feels the same way.  He also wants to be accepted and integrated with the humans.  Both of these undead gentlemen appear to want the same thing: tolerance, compassion, and respect of who they truly wish to be, not what people would characterize them as.

Both Bill and Edward seem to have been written as tragic anti-heroes; maybe not so much for Bill in the books, but very much in the HBO television series.

Bill Compton may be more of a tragic anti-hero though.  Partly because Edward Cullen does win the affection of his beloved and is able to build something of a life together with her.  For Bill Compton and his beloved Sookie, the road to lasting love may not be as smooth; not that it was for Edward and Bella either.

Both of these vampire gents want their special ladies to look beyond their vampire “deformities” and see them for who they truly are. Both Bill and Edward are seeking  acceptance, compassion, and respect for who they truly wish to be and not because they happen to be “monsters”.  These “Undead” gents want nothing more to “fit in” and “find their place” in a society that has all but rejected them.  It seems that when these men were “turned” that both of their “makers” saw some good in them and wanted to bring them into their “world”.  Carlisle Cullen saw a “son” perhaps one that he could never have otherwise.  Lorena saw a “good man” with a “kind heart” and wanted him for herself.  It seems that both of these vampire gents have known love, longing, sadness and being deeply troubled.  Both Sookie Stackhouse and Bella Swan saw this “brooding lovable anti-hero” aspect in their respective men.

(Photo Credit: HBO)

Alexander Skarsgard, “True Blood” Famous

Don’t miss the happy birthday surprise that Tommy got at the bottom of this article!

HOLLYWOOD —Alexander Skarsgard is a Swedish-born actor who has taken Hollywood and HBO fans by storm. The handsome actor who portrays Eric Northman, the 1000-year-old Viking vampire on the HBO hit series, “True Blood” is dynamic in the role and like most heavies in a series or a movie, he’s one of the most popular of the series cast. Like most of the cast of “True Blood,” Skarsgard was stunned by the popularity of the series. “The real truth is, I was in Europe when season two started, and I had no idea how big the thing had gotten. I landed in L.A., went to Comic-Con and it was absolutely crazy,” Skarsgard said in a recent interview.

Alexander is the son of European star, Stellan Skarsgard. He’s stated in interviews that his parents were not pushy stage parents at all and did not force him to become an actor. “My parents never dragged me to auditions. They didn’t push me. Things just kind of happened, and I thought it was fun,” stated Skarsgard. Fans have taken to Skarsgard as well as his alter ego, the tough guy, Eric, in Bon Temps. He has legions of fans the world over, but is very surprised by the “True Blood” following, as everyone has been.

Dozens of sites online are dedicated Skarsgard and his character, Eric in the HBO series, “True Blood” and often fans offer their love, support and well wishes on the “True Blood” official Facebook site. Fan Nicky Johnson Owle says of Alexander, “He’s better than Kentucky Fried Children. He’s finger licking good.” Melissa Swanzy says, “My boyfriend is so understanding. I just had to share what he ordered for me! It’s a custom throw with a picture of Eric on it. Tee-Hee!” Donna Canning Jacobs even commented on missing the character of Eric so much that she said on Facebook, “Can’t they [True Blood Producers] make a Halloween special for us to watch?”

Alexander Skarsgard, Eric Courtesy: HBO Television

Skarsgard had better get used to being loved by millions of women. He recently told People magazine he finds attention from female fans “flattering.” Good thing too, because Kim in Alabama, a longtime Canyon News reader said of Skarsgard, “Tommy, he’s so fine! Yep, he’s truly fine! I’ve always thought he was incredibly handsome and I like his character on the show. He’s hunky and dangerous. I was kind of annoyed at the deception he used to get under Sookie’s skin, but I guess I understand him doing it. I have a feeling he’s used to getting what he wants. He’s surely a bad boy.”

Bad boys on television are a dime a dozen. Though watching Skarsgard capture so many female hearts and even giving male viewers of the show a kick as well. Tony in New Jersey tells Canyon News, “I think that Mr. Skarsgard is a very gifted actor. He really does bring so much to the character of Eric Northman. He is one of my favorite characters on the show. The others being, Bill, Sookie, Sam and Lafayette.”

Fans are always torn on which leading man they want with Sookie. Bill gets half the votes and the other half are evenly split from time to time between Sam and Eric. This season Eric came into his own and the mysterious nature of his character was like cat nip to a kitty for viewers. They don’t want to hate him, but they also don’t love him the way they do Sam, played by Sam Trammell and Sookie, played by Oscar winner Anna Paquin. Alan Ball has created an iconic character in Eric and fans are not sure where Ball’s going to take the character.

Where the actor who plays Eric goes is no surprise to Hollywood insiders. He’s going up. “True Blood” has made him a household name worldwide and he’s been named Sexiest Man in Sweden five times, but the actor is continually working on films and honing his craft as an artist, not resting on his laurels. He’s just completed four projects in addition to finishing up season two of “True Blood.” Skarsgard plays Terje in “Beyond the Pole,” Alex in “Trust Me,” Jack in “13” and Charlie in “Straw Dogs,” which is directed by Rod Lurie.

Alexander became critically acclaimed in the cable show “Generation Kill” where he starred in eight episodes. The actor is destined for great things and he’s surely lucky to have the following he does. “True Blood” resumes filming in December.

Special Note:

So last week was Tommy’s birthday and as a present, ‘The Young and the Restless” star Thom Bierdz (pictured at the bottom of the article) painted Tommy’s portrait!  Must be nice to have such great and talented friends Tommy!  Certainly no one deserves great friends more and we here at TrueBloodNet.com wishes a very happy birthday to you as well!  And what a handsome man our Tommy is too!

Thom Bierdz is not hard to look at either!

Source: Canyon News
(Photo credit: HBO; Thom Bierdz by Sophia Hantzes)

This Week In Hollywoodland – True Blood Version!

BEVERLY HILLS—This week in Hollywoodland was filled with surprises, new tell-all books, casting rumors, a prince threw a bash at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel and a Hollywood and Broadway legend was honored.

News came on a “True Blood” message board that the charismatic and talented Eric Braeden was being considered for a pivotal role as the supreme vampire on the hit HBO series. This role is for the vampire who is the leader of all vampires. The rumor was too good to be true. Or is it? Emmy-winner Braeden who has portrayed Victor Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for almost 30 years to date has recently renewed his contract with the soap. Last week Braeden’s representative told Canyon News, “Eric has agreed to return to ‘Y&R.’ This week when the rep was contacted for a statement about the rumors flying fast and furious online of Eric’s possible alliance with “True Blood.” The same statement was given.

EricBraeden-CBS1.jpg

I decided I had to delve deeper into this rumor, because Eric Braeden is the most powerful force in acting today on-screen and I can imagine seeing him as the head vampire and putting all the other bloodsuckers in their places like no other actor could convey on the small screen. It wouldn’t be a major surprise to see a performer doing double duty with “True Blood,” as Ashley Jones successfully played roles on “True Blood” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” last season smoothly. Also, during 1996 Braeden worked on the film “Titanic” starring Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett while continuing flawlessly playing Victor Newman on “Y&R.” When Canyon News contacted HBO directly, they chose not to make a statement. Then I contacted the media relations division of Sony and CBS and was told, “Y&R does not comment on rumors.” Finally when Canyon News contacted the “True Blood” production offices, their media representative stated, “All I can say is we are currently seeing people all week for various roles for season 3.” Not a confirmation, but no denial either.

For now we’ll file this story under a rumor. Though it was too big of a story to go without some investigating, as Eric Braeden’s appearance on the hit show would put the already successful series over the top to mega-hit status in the time it would take for Sookie to decide to marry Bill.

The rest of the story is presented for completeness but is not True Blood related:

My friend His Serene Highness Prince Albert, II of Monaco has been enjoying his time here in the Hills of Beverly and last week threw a Monte Carlo Television Festival cocktail party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Actress Dana Delany wowed the guests looking fit and beautiful and “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry was also in attendance. The fun table everyone remembered at the party was in the back of the room where Jeanne Cooper, Katherine on “Y&R” regaled partygoers with great stories and jokes. Doug Davidson and his extraordinarily beautiful wife Cindy Fisher were also at the table. Doug told Canyon News, “I came to the party and pretended it was for my birthday. We will have to talk to the staff about the missing birthday balloons. It’s a fun party.” Doug and Cindy had spent time earlier that evening with their beautiful daughter Calyssa at an art museum function. Doug later said of the evening, “It was nice that it was early, as we were home and in bed at a reasonable time.” Davidson had an early call at CBS the next morning. By the way, Happy Birthday Doug!

We’re not going to update you on “This is It” until we are sure it’s really all that we’re going to be hearing about Michael Jackson for a long time. We are going to tell you about the new book about Brangelina. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are Hollywood’s golden couple and we all knew it was only a matter of time before someone wrote a tell- all book about the entertainment super couple. “Brangelina Exposed” is going on sale December 1, and the author Ian Halperin who recently released the bestseller, “Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson” is promising another stunner. The book apparently will say in part that the wonderful relationship we all see between the couple is all for show and that they are not getting along and don’t like each other. It goes into how the power couple has manipulated the press and the public into believing they have a fairytale life together. I will chock this along with most of the Hollywood tell-alls and say, no thanks. Good luck.

Singer Taylor Swift is being yelled at by the media for posing at a party with a guy wearing a long t-shirt with a swastika on it. Celebrities are always in a position of being asked to take photographs with fans and I take Taylor at her word when she says, she had taken photos with at least 100 people that evening, and had not noticed what was on the man’s shirt. This is absolutely a non story that the press is pushing. This young lady is talented, beautiful and comes from a very good family. She should not have to apologize for what someone else is wearing. As for that individual, he should know better.

We are grateful to the LAPD for breaking the teenage burglary ring in town, which allegedly involved breaking into the homes of stars such as Orlando Bloom, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. On that note. My suggestion is everyone in Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills and Malibu need to get a trained Doberman or two and a new alarm system. Initial information seems to point the fact that the perpetrators were well-known to their victims.

Jessica Simpson said earlier this week that she’s looking for an intellectual man. Good for her. However, maybe next time she shouldn’t date anymore football players, actors or pop singers. I suggest Jessica join the L.A. Country Club and meet some handsome smart doctors from UCLA Medical Center or Cedar’s. Barring the drastic change in her dating habits and her past being a predictor for who she will be dating in the future, she’d better make some alterations in her plans and tastes.

Constance Towers, actress, singer who lives in Beverly Hills with her handsome husband Ambassador John Gavin reports to Canyon News on her performance, “There’s Nothing Like a Dame,” in honor of the late legendary music and Broadway giant Richard Rodgers of Rogers and Hart fame. Towers says, “The show went very well, we even received a standing ovation. The other ladies who sang were, Karen Morrow, Nancy Dussault, Marni Nixon [Nixon dubbed Deborah Kerr’s voice in “King and I.”] Charmian Carr [Liesel in movie version-“Sound of Music”], and 94-year-old Patricia Morrison. It was at the El Portal Theatre in the Valley. We all told stories about our relationship with Richard Rodgers and sang his songs. The stories centered around Yul Brynner too.” Towers had some interesting facts about Rodgers and Hart which she relayed to the captivated audience that were given to her by the late legends. Towers tells Canyon News, “One was Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Hart were in a cab in Paris in 1927 with two beautiful girls and a car careened out of a side street nearly crashing into them and one of the girls said, oh, my heart stood still, Larry Hart turned to Rodgers and said, good title for a song. And of course it was a huge hit in ‘A Connecticut Yankee.’ Then I sang ‘My Heart Stood Still.’ It was an evening of Rodgers and Hart-Rodgers and Hammerstein. It was a very nice evening. I wish you could have been there, Tommy.”

Towers concluded by telling me a personal story from her own life in relation to Rodgers and Hart. “I was doing ‘There’s Nothing Like a Dame’ with Nancy Dussault last week when I remembered doing ‘Carousel’ for Mr. Rodgers at the City Center in New York. I was Julie and she was Carrie. In the middle of a very dramatic, tearful scene she leaned over and whispered in my ear, Connie, get a load of the handsome guy in the front row. Through my tears I sneaked a look and there sat John Gavin. He soon became my husband,” said Towers. Maybe Jessica Simpson should go to a play to find Mr. Right. Ms. Towers found her prince charming there.

Enjoy your week, see you next week!

Source: Canyon News

(Photo credit: CBS)

UK Third Installment of True Blood Season 1 – Mine

One of the vamps offered the male human (Jerry) for Bill to feed on, to which Bill agrees. As he is about to bite the human, Sookie hears the human’s malicious thoughts; he has “Hep D”.Sookie shouted “STOP!! he has Hep D” Bill stopped and the human pounce on Sookie and try to strangle her, but Bill broke Jerry’s hand and pushed him away. The other vamps grabbed Jerry and head out but one of the vamps wanted to know how Sookie knew about Jerry, however, Bill communicated with Sookie, letting her know not to say anything and the other vamps swiftly disappear.

Once they have gone, Bill apologized to Sookie for her encounter with the other vampires. Sookie asked Bill what Hep D is and Bill explained it as the only human disease that can affect vampires.  Hep D is harmless to humans but weakens vampires for about a month, it makes them weak, and easier to stake.

Sookie then asked Bill what on earth he meant when he said to the others that she was his. Bill explained that he was communicating with the others to let them know that he was the only one who could feed on her. Sookie was appalled and said that he “most certainly cannot” feed on her. However, had he not said what he had said, Sookie would have been fair game.

Sookie was angry with everything that she had encountered that evening. She explained to Bill that she found some contractors that have agreed to see Bill after dark. When she told Bill that she had to go home, Bill asked Sookie if he may kiss her good night. She refused, explaining that she “couldn’t stand it after them”.

Meanwhile, Tara and Sam as they finished their shift at the bar, they started to have a heart to heart. Tara knew that Sam was in love with Sookie and didn’t hold back when she asked why Sam has not made a move yet. Sam shot back at Tara about her love for Jason. It was like a tennis match between them, with comments being thrown back and forth.

Let’s not forget Jason, who we last saw tied to Dawn’s bed while she went to her shift at Merlotte’s.  She returned home after her shift to find her bed empty. Dawn was then molested, and forced on to the bed by an oddly dressed man. Dawn, at first thinks its Jason, but the man explained in a Scream-esque telephone voice that Jason was his starter and he was coming back for main course with Dawn. While Dawn is in a state of terror about the situation, Jason revealed himself from the mask. When Dawn realized that it was Jason, she lashed out. Jason cheekily told Dawn it was foreplay and he ended up getting his way with her again!

All was not well, part way through their very erotic sex, Jason lost his erection. Jason, being Jason, was understandably very upset. Dawn told him it happens to everyone, but Jason assured her that it had never happened before. Dawn returned from putting some clothes on with a gun, telling Jason to get our of her house.

He thought that she was messing around until she fired a warning shot at the floor. Jason made a run for it, while the neighbors came out to witness the commotion. While fumbling to get into his truck, Jason yelled towards the street that Dawn is a “crazy bitch”.

Back to Tara and Sam, who continued their heart to heart. Tara suggest that they should sleep together. At first, Sam flatly refuses Tara, but after persuading himself, he agreed to have no strings sex with her.

Tara returned home after her raunchy night with Sam, only to be confronted by her drunk mother who hit her with an empty liquor bottle. Tara left with haste and head straight to Lafayette’s.

Although Lafayette was ‘busy’ with a state senate (who pretends to someone he isn’t), he lets Tara in and gave her some TLC and a little extra.

The episode then jumped back to Sookie working hard on her grandma’s garden. Sookie has kept herself busy, trying to figure out her dilemma of what to do over Bill. She was not sure whether to follow her heart or her head.

She headed over to Bill’s and sat outside; it was midday, while Bill was fast asleep (or whatever it is he does when its daylight!)

Sookie thoughts take over her,  and she had a few ‘private moments’ before she was rudely interrupted by Sam calling her on the phone. Sookie was on her day off and she promptly told Sam that she was not coming in. However, all Sam wanted Sookie to do was to go and check on Dawn as she had not turned up for her shift. Sookie unenthusiastically agreed to go to Dawn’s.

Sookie arrived at Dawn’s, knocked more than once before inviting herself in. She walked in to find Dawn’s alarm clock  still ringing. Sookie made her way to Dawn’s bedroom only to find Dawn sprawled across the bed….Dead.

So yet again True Blood leaves you hungry for more.

This episode had a lot going on. I didn’t think it was as fast paced as the previous episodes and I kind of missed seeing Bill! However, we did get to learn a little more about Sam, Jason, Tara, and Lafayette.

More Bill in the next episode please!!!!

True Blood is on Every Wednesday at 22.00GMT on Channel 4.

Television’s Three Best Shows

HOLLYWOOD —With so many shows on TV, fans are always wondering what should we watch. Choosing the top three shows was a tough one, but I tried to be as fair and unbiased as possible. The three top shows are “True Blood,” the HBO vampire series that breaks all the rules more than any other television show on air today; CBS‘s “The Bold and the Beautiful,” for award winning acting and writing, which showcases some of television’s best actors like Susan Flannery, Jack Wagner, Ashley Jones and Kyle Lowder just to name a few; finally I am simply amazed by the acting and writing of Showtime’s “The Tudors,” which is the true story of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Two of which were doomed in reality and on the series to beheading for adultery and other alleged crimes by a King who was frankly uncontrollable even for the Catholic Church, which in the sixteenth century would have been considered the most powerful entity on the planet.

Sookie and Bill, True Blood, Courtesy: HBO

“True Blood” is one of those series that delves into the assimilation of vampires into mainstream society. The setting is Bon Temps, a sleepy town on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. with the regular stereotypes which did exist and in many ways still do. Vampires are essentially the minority population in the south on this series, they battle discrimination and bigotry. One thing however is different from the real story of this part of the country. Vampires are unstoppable forces when they need to be, while other minorities decades ago had no superpower strengths to get them the respect they fought and died for many times in our nation’s history.

Courtesy: Showtime

From vampires to shape shifters and mind readers, the show is a supernatural story of love between breakout actor Stephen Moyer as  vampire Bill Compton and his heroine, Academy Award winning actress Anna Paquin’s character Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie is the heart of the show, she is the protagonist which struggles to protect those she loves and even herself against often demonic forces like an ancient maenad, which was portrayed by Michelle Foster as Maryann. The one theme in the series is Sookie is our heroine. We want her to remain safe and happy, yet thanks to the genius of director and creator Alan Ball, we know that such a boring scenario is not possible.

Kyle Lowder Courtesy: Gillse Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod

“The Bold and the Beautiful” has something going for it that no soap created in the past 20 years can brag about. It is not only the most successful soap in television history but every soap brought on during this show’s two decade long history has failed and been canceled. From “Passions” to “Sunset Beach,” none of these soaps has captured the audience’s attention like Bradley Bell’s charge. Bell just two months ago accepted the coveted daytime Emmy award for Best Daytime Drama. No award has ever been so deserved.

The series focuses on the Forrester clan headed by John McCook’s Eric and Susan Flannery’s Stephanie. With Flannery on the series, there is no stopping the success of this show. Ms. Flannery is perhaps an act of nature as a performer She is surprising, powerful and beautiful, all of the attributes one thinks of when describing a natural act in nature. Bell’s writing is sharp, entertaining and at times over the top. In only the best ways, that is. An over the top soap is what fans desire today, which is why the show is the most watched TV show on the planet. Actors like Kyle Lowder, Jack Wagner, Katherine Kelly Lang and many others round out the perfect ensemble when Bell puts his pen to paper and uses his brilliant imagination to tease and entertain viewers.

Finally, “The Tudors” is one of television’s best and brightest. Being a student and lover of history, there has never been a monarch in European history with such a disastrous and yet epic life as King Henry Tudor the VIII of England. Whether it was falling in or out of love with his current wife, being delusional and paranoid about his friends and allies or battling the Pope from across the continent, King Henry was never boring. The actors who portray the major roles such as, King Henry, Jane Seymour, Anne Boelyn and Thomas Cromwell are perfectly cast in their roles.

“The Tudors” is groundbreaking in that instead of showcasing actors who would look identical to the their real life counterparts, they use what is considered the “Melrose Place” standard looking actors who are sexy, beautiful, exciting and leave fans wanting to see more of them. The actor Jonathan Rhys Meyer is King Henry, VIII and is perhaps the epitome of what a television leading man should be. Showtime’s superb drama is addictive. All three of these shows are equally as delicious.

“True Blood” airs on HBO, “The Bold and the Beautiful” on CBS and “The Tudors” on Showtime.

(Photo credits: HBO, Showtime and Kyle Lowder Courtesy: Gillse Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod)

Next Page »