Tag Archives: HBO

True Blood Introduces Zydeco Music

curleysingsAlan Ball’s ability to present the illusion that vampires do exist is the result of painstaking details going into creating “True Blood”. From the set design, special effects and makeup to the selection and style of music performed on the show, the emphasis is on staying true to the Louisiana setting. In the area of music Alan Ball has focused on featuring local Louisiana bands from the region which is referred to as Zydeco.

Zydeco is a form of America folk music that evolved in southwest Louisianan in the early 20th century form forms of Louisiana Creole music. It is a fast tempo style of music with the button or piano accordion and washboard (or rub-board) being the signature instruments. Over time Zydeco evolved to include elements of waltzes, shuffles, two-step, blues and rock and roll. Today more genres of music are included into Zydeco such as R&B, soul, hip-hop, reggae to name a few. One of the Zydeco artists that was featured in “True Blood” is Curley Taylor who had the opportunity to speak about his recent performance on the show with Eric Dresden from cm-life.com

Curley Taylor is the lead vocalist and accordion player for his band called “Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble.” Mr. Taylor states in the interview that he has had music flowing through him from day one as a result of growing up surrounded by music and toured in his early years with his father’s band, “Jude Taylor and the Burning Flames”. Mr. Taylor refers to his father’s style of Zydeco as having more Blues qualities in it while his band still has a bluesy style to it but with more R&B mixed into it. Mr. Taylor states a lot of people are unfamiliar with this style of music and he is enjoying introducing it to them. He states:

“I love just traveling and exposing the music to people, watching people enjoy themselves. After it’s over I get to say to myself, ‘Whoa, I made those people have a good time,'” he said. “Then everybody goes, ‘What is this you’re playing? What is this kind of music? … To me I just want it to be a good introduction to the music and for them to look forward to seeing me again.”

With Mr. Taylor’s appearance on “True Blood” and the show’s focus an presenting authentic Louisiana music, Zydeco is starting to attract attention and popularity across North America and the world. Mr. Taylor mentioned that he went to a festival in Holland and found out that there are Zydeco bands in Japan, Turkey and in many places. If you don’t remember seeing Curley Taylor, he was playing the accordion and singing in the band with C.C. Adcock during the party.

If you want to learn more about Curley Taylor and his band go to his official website at:
http://www.curleytaylor.com/index.html
You can also visit Curley Taylor on myspace where you can listen to his music. My particular favourite is “I Got Sumthn 4 U”:
http://www.myspace.com/curleytaylorandzydecotrouble

SOURCE:
Eric Dresden – cm-life.com
Wikipedia

(Photo credit: http://www.curleytaylor.com)

True Blood to Invade Australia

Ryan KwantenAustralian newspapers are starting to inform their readers about the upcoming Australian premiere of Alan Ball’s very successful HBO TV series “True Blood” which will broadcast on the Showcase channel starting on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. This particular article comes from David Knox of SX and describes for the Australian audience the story line and premise of “True Blood”. Mr. Knox describes in detail the concept of vampires coming out into mainstream society as a result of Japanese scientists developing synthetic blood which can quell their thirst and need to hunt humans. He also discusses the main characters in the show and their particular problems and what makes them so interesting. Here is an excerpt of Mr. Knox’s commentary with an assessment of fellow Aussie Ryan Kwanten:

“Australian Ryan Kwanten (Home & Away, Summerland) plays Sookie’s brother Jason, a road worker and horny bad boy who finds himself as the number one suspect in a murder case. Someone is killing young women and they’re usually his recent conquests. With a ripped bod and rabid naked scenes, Kwanten is sex on a stick”

Mr. Knox’s assessment of “True Blood” is that the show is full of sexual energy with underlying tensions brewing below the surface with excellent performances by the cast. Australians should be prepared to become enthralled with this series as North American audiences have been.

To read Mr. Knox’s complete article please click the following link:

SOURCE: SX: Flesh and Blood

(Photo Credit Sue Schneider_Moonglow Photos 2008)

We would be interested in hearing from our Australian readers and providing us their comments and feedback on the show. Please present us your comments in the comment area found below. You don’t have to be Australian to comment. We look forward to hearing from all our readers from across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and everywhere in between to provide us with feedback regarding any of our articles.

True Blooda??s Tara Thornton: Breaking Free From the Past

cheap clomid online, purchase clomid. rutina-wesley-4One of the most foul-mouthed individuals on a??True Blooda?? is Tara T

hornton played by the wonderful actress Rutina Wesley (who is nominated with her co-star Adina Porter, Lettie Mae Thornton, for the Tressie Souders Award. You can see my post and a link to cast your vote at this link: “Two True Blood Actresses Nominated For The Tressie Souders Award” ). In a??True Blooda?? Tara plays Sookie Stackhousea??s (Anna Paquin) best friend, perhaps her only friend. Tara has a lot of emotional baggage that prevents her from developing close relationships with anyone. She hides the hurt, her fears and disappointment by the faA?ade that she creates.

Out of the anger words that come out of her mouth is a woman plagued by hurt and uses these defense mechanisms to protect herself. To understand this character better and know what makes her tick you have to put yourself in her shoes. The show examines the hurt emotions that most of us experience in our lives and how we cope. It allows people to explore within themselves and ponder whether they can learn something from their experiences or do they use them as a crutch to keep them from moving forward?

Tara is a product of an alcoholic, absent-minded mother who was and still is incapable of providing the nurturing that she needs. Tara seems to take the path of self-depreciation which in turn becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for her. In her mind she believes that if her own mother could not love her why would anyone else even herself. With all the darkness that surrounds her past and her own views of herself and the world around her you still see a glimmer of hope inside of her.

As she tries to open herself up to others and move forward by letting others in, fears grips her and takes over. The end result is she shut the doors to any possibility of happiness. When we look in our own lives we can see that we can relate to Tara on some level and understand her fears. If we have been hurt too many time we tend to take the stance of a??Ia??m never going to let anyone hurt me againa??. At first the idea seems to be perfect but in the long term the person becomes more bitter about life and of people to the point that they create their own prison that is difficult to escape from. Disillusioned by everyone and everything life is not lived, just merely a passing of time.

Without giving out any spoilers to the many readings who still have not seen Season 1 or will be tuning in once a??True Blooda?? premieres in their country, sometimes it takes life changing events to make you re-examine your life and what you want out of it. Tara seems to grasp at this concept and finally realizes that the current path that she is taking is leading to a downwards spiral, out of control and if she doe not take that control back she will never be able to. Once she is able to take some control back in her life and take responsibility for her life she starts to see that all this time it was within herself to make the changes. All she had to do is take the chance and let go of her fears. Taraa??s character demonstrates so well that nothing is impossible and no matter how bleak our lives may be at times it is within ourselves to take control and ask a??Am I going to let my emotions control me or am I going to control my emotions?a?? Which one is chosen will define whether you will look at life with an air of contentment and acceptance or live in a self-imposed prison of emotions heartaches. It seems that Tara has chosen to take control and to take a chance.

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One of the most foul-mouthed individuals on a??True Blooda?? is Tara Thornton played by the wonderful actress Rutina Wesley (who is nominated with her co-star Adina Porter, Lettie Mae Thornton, for the Tressie Souders Award. You can see my post and a link to cast your vote at this link: “Two True Blood Actresses Nominated For The Tressie Souders Award” ). In a??True Blooda?? Tara plays Sookie Stackhousea??s (Anna Paquin) best friend, perhaps her only friend. Tara has a lot of emotional baggage that prevents her from developing close relationships with anyone. She hides the hurt, her fears and disappointment by the faA?ade that she creates.
Out of the anger words that come out of her mouth is a woman plagued by hurt and uses these defense mechanisms to protect herself. To understand this character better and know what makes her tick you have to put yourself in her shoes. The show examines the hurt emotions that most of us experience in our lives and how we cope. It allows people to explore within themselves and ponder whether casino they can learn something from their experiences or do they use them as a crutch to keep them from moving forward?
Tara is a product of an alcoholic, absent-minded mother who was and still is incapable of providing the nurturing that she needs. Tara seems to take the path of self-depreciation which in turn becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for her. In her mind she believes that if her own mother could not love her why would anyone else even herself. With all the darkness that surrounds her past and her own views of herself and the world around her you still see a glimmer of hope inside of her.
As she tries to open herself up to others and move forward by letting others in, fears grips her and takes over. The end result is she shut the doors to any possibility of happiness. When we look in our own lives we can see that we can relate to Tara on some level and understand her fears. If we have been hurt too many time we tend to take the stance of a??Ia??m never going to let anyone hurt me againa??. At first the idea seems to be perfect but in the long term the person becomes more bitter about life and of people to the point that they create their own prison that is difficult to escape from. Disillusioned by everyone and everything life is not lived, just merely a passing of time.
Without giving out any spoilers to the many readings who still have not seen Season 1 or will be tuning in once a??True Blooda?? premieres in their country, sometimes it takes life changing events to make you re-examine your life and what you want out of it. Tara seems to grasp at this concept and finally realizes that the current path that she is taking is leading to a downwards spiral, out of control and if she doe not take that control back she will never be able to. Once she is able to take some control back in her life and take responsibility for her life she starts to see that all this time it was within herself to make the changes. All she had to do is take the chance and let go of her fears. Taraa??s character demonstrates so well that nothing is impossible and no matter how bleak our lives may be at times it is within ourselves to take control and ask a??Am I going to let my emotions control me or am I going to control my emotions?a?? Which one is chosen will define whether you will look at life with an air of contentment and acceptance or live in a self-imposed prison of emotions heartaches. It seems that Tara has chosen to take control and to take a chance.
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HBO True Blood T-Shirt Special for Newsletter Subscribers

HBO has new t-shirts available EXCLUSIVELY TO NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS but you have to hurry the offer expires February 1, 2009. A prefect gift for your vampire love for Valentine’s Day. So do not delay and sign up for the newsletter and then you will be able to order these t-shirts.  To sign up for the HBO True Blood newsletter please click on this link.

tb_vday_2009

True Blood’s Anna Paquin Interview at the HBO After Party

gg2009-stephenwithanna1After winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama, Anna Paquin still seemed in shock and in awe at winning the award. During the HBO After Party Mark Steines from ET had the opportunity to catch up with Anna Paquin and the rest of the cast of “True Blood” and talk to her about her win and ask her where she plans to hide her award. Anna stated that she does not plan to hide it and her co-star joked around stating that it was going to be in every scene. It was wonderful to hear Anna praise the show and the hard work that her fellow cast members contribute to the show.

(Photo credit: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)

True Blood Season Two Premiere Date & True Blood Season Finale Promo

Season Two Of True Blood Premiere Date: I just found out that the premiere of True Blood is in August of 2009 and they start filming Season Two of True Blood in January of 2009

I am not 100% sure if the date is accurrate or correct as I heard it was January 2009 that Season Two of True Blood premieres but I could of got my facts mixed up and it could of been they start filming Season Two of True Blood in Januray 2009 not the premiere. But it would make sense of it premiering in August 2009 for a Second Season as that is normally the time of the year when HBO does new show premieres (or so I heard from another true fan).

If this info is inaccurate and wrong – please let me know so that I can change it so that it is more accurate. Thank you in advance
True Blood Season Finale Promo:

True Blood Episode 1:04 Music

True Blood Episode 1:04 – “Escape From Dragon House” Cambodian Music Info

You guys remember the Cambodian music that Bill was listening to as he was driving both him and Sookie to Fangtasia for the very first time? That funky Cambodian music?

Well our newest News Staffer “Saffron” (aka Shannon) just informed me that the music comes from a Amer-Camb Indie Band from LA name Dengue-Fever and judging from Saffron – they are pretty damn good.

To listen to some of their music, please visit the below link to hear some of their music on Last FM Music:
http://www.last.fm/music/Dengue+Fever/Escape+from+Dragon+House

TV Guide Online “Favorite TV & Movie Vampires”

Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton with Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse
Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton with Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse

TV GUIDE ONLINE “Favorite TV & Movie Vampires”: Special thanks goes to Crystal Jiminez who sent me this info about TV GUIDE ONLINE “Favorite TV & Movie Vampires”Bill Compton of True Blood is listed as one of TV GUIDE ONLINE “Favorite TV & Movie Vampires”

Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), True Blood
When a Japanese scientist invents synthetic blood, vampires, including Bill, a Civil War soldier, come out of the coffin in present-day Louisiana, in an attempt to “mainstream” into society. Thus far, it’s working. Bill has won over the townsfolk, and even snagged a hot human girlfriend, Sookie (Anna Paquin).

True Blood Ratings & What They Mean to HBO

Bill in Fangtasia
Bill in Fangtasia

Nov. 9th, first airing:
TRUE BLOOD (50 minutes) Episode 10 1.4/2 HH 1.3/3 A18-49
Estimated viewership: 2.47 million
“I Don’t Wanna Know”

Caught in a compromising position, Sam shares a secret with an incredulous Sookie. Thinking she’s been purged of her demon, Tara celebrates with Lettie Mae – but goes off the deep end when she uncovers Miss Jeanette’s true intentions. Sookie has a disturbing revelation during Arlene and Rene’s engagement party at Merlotte’s; Jason and Amy debate what to do with Eddie; and Tara speeds into a bizarre roadside encounter that lands her in jail. At a vampire tribunal to decide his fate, Bill faces a harsh penalty for his offense, but the magister decides on a more creative sentence involving a young human named Jessica.

TRUE BLOOD (54 minutes) Episode 10 1.4/2 HH 1.2/3 A18-49
Estimated viewership: 2.28 million
* 02 Nov 08 “Plaisir D’Amour”

Bill breaks a vampire taboo in protecting Sookie – and must pay a steep price as a result. Jason and Amy break their own taboo by kidnapping a vampire named Eddie in order to harvest his blood. With Lettie Mae apparently cured, a skeptical Tara consults with Miss Jeanette about exorcising her own inner demon. Sookie returns home to yet another horrific tragedy, prompting Bill to enlist an unlikely bodyguard – Sam – to protect her while he’s away.

October 26th, first airing:
TRUE BLOOD (56 minutes) Ep 8:(A18-49:??; HH:??; V:2,075,000)

The October 26th first run showing of True Blood Ep 8 drew 2.07 million viewers! No breakdown is currently available.  This is only slightly down from last week’s record high of 2,098,000 first run viewers and 6 million viewers across the whole week.  Congrats Alan Ball, Stephen Moyers, Anna Paquin and the rest of the cast and crew!  ROCK ON!
Data:

October 19th, first airing:
TRUE BLOOD (53 minutes) Ep 7:(A18-49:1.1/3; HH:1.2/2; V:2,098,000)

As a comparison:

ENTOURAGE (27 minutes)               1.0/2   0.9/2   1,586,000
LITTLE BRITAIN USA (29 minutes)      0.3/1   0.3/1     447,000

This is up .2 in the targeted viewers and .2 in HH from last week (and up .1 in HH from the previous High).  Also, Neilsens are only first showing.  So extrapolating from previous numbers on second showing TB got about a million views on the second showing bringing the Sunday showings to over 3 million viewers!  The data on 6 million views shows that the previous extrapolations I did, estimating half the weekly views on Sunday and half from on demand and later views during the week are fairly reliable and I will continue to assume that from now on unless I see data to the contrary.  Since our goal number as detailed below is 3.5 milliion views..
Ratings week of October 12th first airing:
– “True Blood” (HBO) Ep 6:  (A18-49: 0.9/2; HH: 1.0/2)

Below is the ‘high’ point when the series was renewed:

Week of September 21st:

– “True Blood” (HBO) Ep 3: 1.82 million viewers (A18-49: 0.9/2; HH: 1.1/2)

We haven’t gotten the number of viewers total lately but the A18-49 demographic hasn’t changed at 0.9 although households has dropped by a tenth of a percent from the high. (that might be just because of all the politics and sports and might be a very small fluctuation that rounds down).

The way HBO looks at a show is total views in a week including on demand and DVR.  Currently, True Blood’s second run on Sunday is bringing in half as many as the first run.  I can’t even guess at the rest of the week they are showing it a couple times a day in addition to on Demand.  But just taking the first two viewings brings us to 2.4 million views.  To keep True Blood on the air they would need to have one of two things, viewership greater than 3.5 million total (my guestimate that might need to be slightly higher depending on the cost of production)  If fifty percent of the views are on the first showing then we’re at 3.6 million viewers already.  Some shows have had historically as little as one third of it’s views on it’s debut night and considering that it’s up against sunday night football it’s likely that it’s first play views are no more than fifty percent of it’s total viewership so we’re already safe on this level just based on total views.

The second thing is that a show can pull in a particular demographic that HBO has trouble with and that makes them giddy. And who is that demographic?  Women.  Well.. look around ladies.. we’re a in like Flynn!

To complicate the question (in our favor) is the problem with the economy.  Many folks are cutting back on ‘extra’s’ like HBO and I don’t know how the subscriber pool has dropped.  They may be willing to accept a lower viewership if things are getting slim.  Of course, anything we can do to grow the viewership is a good thing.

And finally, HBO keeps shows on the air if the only reason you are subscribing is that show.  So if anyone asks, tell them what is likely the truth, you subscribe for True Blood.

True Blood Renewed for Second Season

Going from 1.4 million in its first airing to 1.8 million in the second episode, “True Blood” will be renewed for a second season. The new HBO TV series about vampires living with human being, will get its second season production in 2009 in Los Angeles and its air date in summer that year.

President of Programming Group and West Coast Operations, Michael Lombardo said, “We are absolutely thrilled that the critics and our viewers have embraced TRUE BLOOD.” He added a complimentary to the series’ creator, saying “Alan Ball has done it again made an addictive series that is unlike any other.”

“True Blood”, starring Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, is based on the book by author Charlaine Harris called “Southern Vampire Mysteries”. Lombardo continued, “I am thrilled to be able to continue to work with such a talented group of writers, cast and crew to explore the characters and world created by Charlaine Harris in her novels. It really is a joy to go to work every day and I couldn’t be happier to be back home at HBO.”

The production house announced that production will take place in Los Angeles next year with premiere target in summer.

Red Carpet for HBO Series True Blood Premiere

Presenting their latest novel adaptation for television series, HBO rolled down a blood red carpet in front of The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood to celebrate the L.A. premiere of “True Blood”. The special first screening event was held on Wednesday, September 4, three days before the series will be aired for the first time on September 7.

The evening celebration saw mostly the stars of the series that include Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten, Jim Parrack, Sam Trammell and Rutina Wesley. Aside from the stars, series creator Alan Ball and Southern Vampire Mysteries books author Charlaine Harris were also in attendance.

Produced by HBO in association with Your Face Goes Here Entertainment, “True Blood” tells the story where humans and vampires live a co-existing life in a small Louisiana town after Japanese-made synthetic blood, “TruBlood”, are available for purchase. The series centers its plot on a telepathic waitress named Sookie Stackhouse who falls in love with one of the vampires.