Category Archives: Alan Ball

Alan Ball, Fan Shop, HBO Store, News, Season 5, Season 5 news, What's Cookin'

True Blood Cookbook is Packed with Fang-tastic Recipes

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Announcing the Official Cookbook for HBO’s Hit Vampire Drama:

Truebies and talented cooks rejoice! The official True Blood cookbook will be available to ship on August 29! While the specifics of the book remain as scarce as a vampire in daylight, it has been revealed that the 85 recipes included are centered around authentic Southern comfort food. Maybe there’ll be one called “Ya’ll Gon’ Wish You Ain’t Ate That Corn Bread.” Oh, and another called “Gran’s Pie.” The possibilities are almost as endless as a vampire’s life span. Stick around, folks, I got a million of ’em.

The book also contains 150 full page photos from the show to “give fans a big taste of Bon Temps.” The book is written by Gianna Sobol, an associate producer on the show, and the one and only Mr. Alan Ball. The recipes are by the self-proclaimed Queen of Cajun Cooking Marcelle Bienvenu.

You can pre-order a copy at the HBO Store website. It ships August 29th, just in time for the season 5 finale!

Ture Blood Cookbook

 

Sources: The New Age & HBO Online Store

Photo Credit: Wetpaint.com

 

Alan Ball, Behind the Scenes, News

Creator Alan Ball Prepares for Life After True Blood

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The End of an Era is Near…. at Least for Alan Ball:

It’s official, Alan Ball will be stepping down as a show runner for HBO‘s hit True Blood if the show returns for a sixth season.

HBO has made public its intentions with regard to Alan Ball’s continued role beyond Season Five:

“When we extended our multi-year overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Blood’s sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years.”

This parting of ways from True Blood is going to give Ball the much needed creative time to pursue further series with HBO, and Cinemax.

In a statement made by Ball he says:

“True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

Though I’m sure that Mr. Ball will be greatly missed around the set and at the helm of the day to day magic that is created for our viewing pleasure, his retirement may be a good thing for us die hard fans.  Would someone in his position really announce leaving the show, if it was fated to end after the fifth season?  I would like to believe that not only do we get to look forward to Season Five in a few months, but also Season Six in 2013.

Source: EW.com

Photo: HBO

Alan Ball, Behind the Scenes, News, Season 5 news

True Blood Casting Call: The Wolves Have Arrived

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Alan Ball Sizes Up Potential Wolves for Season 5:

Even wolves must go through a rigorous audition process to appear on True Blood.  Alan Ball took this picture himself while the trainers kept the wolves focused on a different prey… chicken treats.  Alan Ball and a few other key decision makers were looking on to decide which wolves will be cast as which characters. We look forward to the outcome of their decision in  Season 5!

Season 5 wolf casting call

Photo Credit: HBO

 

Alan Ball, Kristin Bauer van Straten, News, Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, Season 5, Season 5 news, Spoilers

Season 5 May Reveal How Pam Became A Vamp

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A Trip Back In Time For Pam?

Kristin Bauer van Straten as vampire PamMany True Blood fans love the show’s in depth flashbacks, and judging from recent casting calls Alan Ball may be gearing up to give fans a flashback we’ve all been anticipating for a long time during Season 5.

Ball is looking for two characters in particular. A non-threatening man in his 30s and a prostitute oddly named “Washcloth Helen.” Both of these characters will be introduced to fans during a flashback to a San Francisco brothel in 1905.

The significance in this may be in the date. According to author Charlaine Harris, this is the year that Pam became a vampire. In the novels her transformation takes place in London, not San Francisco, but this may just be one of the many changes Alan Ball has made to the series. I for one am glad to still have Lafayette around!

Of course there is always the possibility that this scene has nothing to do with Pam or how she was made into a vampire. Now that she’s all pretty again, I hope we get to see lots more of my favorite sassy vamp this upcoming season!

Source: Wetpaint.com – True Blood Season 5 Speculation: What Happens in the San Francisco 1905 Flashback?

(Photo Credit: HBO, Inc.)

Alan Ball, Bill Compton, Books, Eric Northman, Jessica Hamby, Lafayette Reynolds, News, Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, Sookie Stackhouse

Big News for True Blood Comic Series

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Publishers Have Announced a Monthly Release!

According to IDW Publishing the TRUE BLOOD comic book series has become one of their most popular titles.  Since its first issue was published by IDW in July 2010, each installment has given Truebies a deeper insight into their favorite characters.  Now, a new comic will be released every month.  Alan Ball, the show’s creator, says about the series:

“The comics are a great way to continue telling True Blood stories off screen. With this new ongoing series, Truebies will be able to find a new comic in stores every month. We’ll also have even more room to create in-depth drama and further explore the world of Bon Temps.”

After IDW and HBO reached the New York Times‘ Best-Selling First Comic Collection with their compilation of ALL TOGETHER NOW, they released the second compilation entitled TAINTED LOVE.  All Together Now is about a woodland monster who ravages Merlotte’s and Tainted Love revolves around Jessica ingesting some poisoned bottles of True Blood and Bill‘s search for its origin.  In stores now, the third mini-series (not yet compiled) is called THE FRENCH QUARTER and:

“finds Sookie and Eric in New Orleans tracking a killer, whom Eric and Godric thought they killed in Paris more than 200 years ago, while Bill is in town investigating a local Hep-D outbreak that may be connected to the killer’s latest victims. Meanwhile, back in Bon Temps, Truebies will wonder why Pam is hanging out at Merlotte’s and what it is she wants with Lafayette.”

The French Quarter issues will be compiled as a series and released in March 2012.

TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code DEC10 0370; ISBN 978-1-60010-868-6.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($24.99, 160 pages, hard cover, full color) is now available in stores. Diamond order code JUL11 0370; ISBN 978-1-61377-019-1.

TRUE BLOOD: TAINTED LOVE ($11.99) is available in Apple’s iBook Store here: http://bit.ly/smqTIA

The entire TRUE BLOOD COMICS COLLECTION is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple App Store [http://itunes.com/apps/idwpublishing/truebloodcomicscollection]

TRUE BLOOD comics are available for the Sony PSP through the Sony Digital Comics store here: http://bit.ly/fKNzWV

Whoever has these comics or loves comics and True Blood should let us know what you think in the comments section! If you have any Truebie friends, I know the books make a great holiday present! (I’m hoping to find Tainted Love in my stocking since I’ve already purchased and devoured All Together Now.)

Image and Article Source: IDW Publishing

Alan Ball, Cast, News

True Blood’s Alan Ball Signs Up for HBO’s Wichita

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Based on the Life of Dr. George Tiller:

Alan BallTrue Blood’s creator, Alan Ball, has several new shows in various stages of development. The first being an hour long drama set in the late term abortion clinic of real life Dr. George Tiller (who was shot and killed by anti-abortion activist, Scott Roeder in 2009) and goes by the name of Wichita.

Ball, along with Jimmy Miller, are signed on as executive producers. Devin Friedman, who wrote a GQ article on Dr. Tiller, will serve as the show’s writer as well as co-executive producer.

Besides Wichita, Alan Ball will be teaming up with HBO’s sister network, Cinemax to (once again) executive produce a new show called Banshee. This project is set in the Amish area of Pennsylvania. The show will center around an ex-con posing as a sheriff in an Amish town.

If that isn’t enough to fill Alan Ball’s plate, he will also be directing what is being described as a dark comedy pitch for Paramount.

Here’s hoping True Blood doesn’t suffer as a result.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter – ‘True Blood’ EP Alan Ball Developing HBO Medical Drama (Exclusive)

Yidio.com – ‘True Blood’ Showrunner Alan Ball Planning HBO Show on Abortion Doctor

(Photo Credit: HBO, Inc.)

Alan Ball, Alexander Skarsgard, Cast, Characters, Eric Northman, News, Season 5, Season 5 news, Spoilers

Spoiler – Casting Call for Season 5 of True Blood

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Alan Ball Needs Two Female Actors:

Alexander Skarsgård as EricSo you love True Blood? And you think you can act? Well, HBO and Alan Ball are on the hunt for two new strong female vampire roles. Nudity is a possibility – but would we expect anything less of True Blood?

The first role calls for a female between the ages of 25 and 35. The character’s name is Nora and she is a progeny of Godric’s, so there should be a few juicy scenes alongside the awesome Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård).

The second role is something to really sink your teeth into (pun intended). If you are a fan of the Bible, then her name will be familiar. She is the daughter of Herodias from the New Testament. Yes, her name is Salome! In Season 5, Salome will be a powerful and very ancient vampire – something that was kept out of the Bible, for obvious reasons. She is also just a little bit crazy.

So, if you think you’ve got what it takes, then now is the time to audition for your part on True Blood. (Unfortunately, we can’t help you with that!)

Source: EW.com – ‘True Blood’ casting call: A biblical new role…and a very old friend for Eric — EXCLUSIVE

(Photo Credit: HBO, Inc.)

Alan Ball, News

The Hollywood Reporter Lists Alan Ball in Their Top 50

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Ball Makes 4th Annual Power Showrunner List: 

Alan Ball creator of HBO's True BloodThe Hollywood Reporter has announced its 4th annual Top 50 Power Showrunner list, and it looks like Alan Ball (HBO’s True Blood), has made the cut!

And how does The Hollywood Reporter compile this list, I hear you ask? Well, they use data collected from Neilsen ratings as well as Emmy related attention. These people must also have a show that has been airing for at least one season, as well as show considerable professionalism in relation to their work.

Seems like Alan Ball is the talk of the town for all the RIGHT reasons!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter – Top 50 Power Showrunners 2011

(Photo Credit: HBO, Inc.)

Alan Ball, Crew, News

True Blood Creator Alan Ball’s New Series “Banshee”

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Alan Ball Set to Executive Produce a Cinemax Series:

True Blood creator Alan Ball (WB)Alan Ball, the mastermind behind our favorite show on television, HBO’s True Blood, will be working on a new Cinemax series titled “Banshee”. Ball will be the executive producer. Here’s a brief synopsis of the show:

“The series will be set in a small town in Pennsylvania Amish country (the titular Banshee) and will feature an enigmatic ex-con who’s also an expert in martial arts. Darkly comic in tone, the show will have the ex-con posing as a murdered sheriff, imposing his own brand of justice while also cooking up plans that serve his own interests.”

The series is still in the working stages. There is no premiere date, no casting has been done, but the hope is that shooting will begin spring of 2012. Truebies, what do you think of the synopsis? Does it spark your interest?

Source: latimes.com – Quick Takes: Alan Ball has Cinemax series

(Photo: Warner Bros.)