I am a huge fan of many of HBOs original series. “Big Love”, “Carnivale”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and more have set high standards for original programming on the network. HBO is attempting to bring vampires back from the dead with its new series “True Blood” starring Anna Paquin. Fairfield Weekly has the story:
The show is True Blood and its creator is Alan Ball, who guided five dysfunctional years of Six Feet Under. It is an adaptation of cult writer Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire novels and stars Anna Paquin as tough-as-nails barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. Excited yet? What if I told you Sookie was telepathic and that the show takes place in a world where vampires have come “out of the coffin.”
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I won’t spill too many beans except to say that it’s the closest thing we have to a scary, funny successor to Buffy’s insurmountable genius. True Blood is self-referential without being obnoxious, the characters are genuine and it adds much to the mythology (in an opening scene we have an Ann Coulter?like vampire advocate spitting insults at Anderson Cooper), both in relation to the vampires and how humans deal with them.
I now have a new show on my most anticipated list (along with Dollhouse). Having a Buffy-like show on HBO could be great, as long as they are not trying to be Buffy.
Are you as excited as I am?
Comments
I’ve read some of those books, and I wasn’t overly thrilled with them, but I didn’t dislike them either. It’ll be interesting to see them translated to the small screen.
I wouldn’t compare them to Buffy though. I actually just read a book that is constantly getting compared to Buffy and I don’t see a resemblance at all. I think people tend to assume that “strong female” and anything supernatural equals Buffy. It’s very much not the case. Buffy had a specific feel.
When will the series start? I have read all of the books and enjoy them. I don’t have HBO now but will get it to be able to watch this series.
I love the Sookie Stackhouse series and cannot wait until True Blood airs! And no, I wouldn’t compare it to Buffy at all. I just hope Hollywood does completely screw it up.
Does anyone know when this will actually happen? I know it’s suppose to be sometime in the Fall, but I didn’t know anything more specific than that.
I’ve been trying to track down more information but they’ve been pretty silent.
I can see how they draw the Buffy comparison…female lead in a show with vampires…but I’m glad that those familiar with the story say it is not.
Elizabeth, Gina and/or Mippy, would you recommend I read the books prior to the series airing? If so, which one should I start with?
Where is True Blood? We love Charlaine Harris’s novels and would love to see Sookie on TV!!
J.
The books are great, and definately worth reading. I agree that they are nothing like Buffy, other than that they have vampires in them. I’m looking forward to watching the series. I’m with Mippy in my hopes that they don’t screw it up…. like they did the Harry Dresden books.
I hope it’s not too good, because it’ll just be canceled. R.I.P. Carnivale, goto hell HBO!
I don’t know…Anna Paquin as Sookie? The character Sookie is very “bosomy” and very pretty. No offense, but that IS an important part of her interaction with other characters.
I’m just sayin’…
Totally agree with the Anna Paquin comment…I am not sure that Anna Paquin is the best casting choice…but then again maybe nobody else wanted the part (big time Hollywood actors/actresses like Jessica Simpson usually want like 50 ga-zillion bucks to shoot ads for foot creme!)…anyway, I hope that the series is good and doesn’t totally ruin my image of the characters…by the by, did anyone see who they casted for the Twilight movie coming out…totally not what I expected…
Anna Paquin is an amazing actress and will do well with this TV series.
I understand it starts on September 8th, I cannot wait!
My cousin is an extra in it, and they’re filming now. It should air in the Fall, he says. I’m super excited ^_^.
Note: Not for kids.
I am so excited for this series to come out. Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite authors and the Sookie series is absolutley great! Can’t wait to see it!
I absolutely cannot wait till it airs. I have read all the Sookie books and love them! I don’t have HBO as of now, however I will get it as soon as they give a set airing date for True Blood =)! My 16yr old daughter,and both of my sisters are completely hooked on the books now that I made them try the 1st one…I can’t wait to tell them when the series is going to start…we’ll be having girls nite and kicking the hubbies out!
I just finished the first book and it was MUCH better than I expected. Good writing, interesting plot, and an excellent addition to vampire mythology. Anna Paquin is a wonderful actress and certainly pretty enough to play Sookie. Sookie is a strong dimensional character central to the story so a really skilled actress is essential. I’m thrilled that Ms. Paquin has taken the part.
I loved Buffy and this series is nothing like it, but if done well, could be an even better show. I can’t wait until it airs and will probably sign up for HBO to see it.
I hope that this series does well. I have read all of the Sookie books and short stories that Ms Harris has written. Am now reading the Harper Connelly series. I enjoy watching Anna in the X-Men Films and think she will be a great Sookie.
I see bits of it loved what I saw.
Anna wasn’t my first choice as Sookie but she definately fell into the role the more I saw of her on screen.
I love the guy who plays Bill, Stephen Moyer. At first he looked awful but got better. I think he will be a strong romantic lead. There was a lot of sex and nudity but I don’t get HBO (yet!) and so Im sure I’ll get used to that.
I just hope HBO give this show more of a chance than the “other” networks gave the other vampire shows I loved. Moonlight 8-(… and of course Blood Ties (check it out on I-Tunes, it will tie you over until True Blood comes on)
September 7th Sunday at 9.00pm I think is the starting time. Vampire solidarity rah rah.
I’ve seen the uncut pilot for True Blood and it is excellent. Not a show for children, however. It does capture the essence of the books and Paquin makes a terrific Sookie. This show should be a real winner.