The TV Chick

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending the HBO True Blood Ultimate Fan Experience in New York City. While I was hesitating if I should start my night at midnight, I am really glad I went. They started by showing lots of clips and tweets from people all around the country. The audience then was treated to the season 2 finale on the big theater screen. There were some minor technical difficulties, but overall it was great to see it. The audience was also treated to an extended preview of season three. After the screening, Alan Ball and the cast appeared via satellite from outside the set (Sookie’s house). The cast there was: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Rutina Wesley, Alex Skarsgard, Sam Trammel, Deborah Ann Woll and Ryan Kwanten. The panel was moderated by Michael Ausiello, who mostly asked fan submitted questions.

When asked about the theme of season three, Alan Ball replied that every character is struggling with their identity. Ball was also asked about why characters from book four are introduced in season three, he talked about how the books are all Sookie. Him and his writing staff always go to the books first and try to stay true to the world and spirit. He did share that we will find out what Sookie is in the 2nd half of season three. (Although those of us who have read the books already know).

Ausiello asked about the Sookie/Eric moment that has been teased in the trailers, Alex Skarsgaard said that Eric is over humans in general but there’s something different about Sookie. Stephen Moyer (Bill) was asked about the pronunciation of “Sookie” or “Sookeh” as he says it and he shared that he’s been asked in dog parks to call that out. When asked if he wants to see Bill lighten up, Moyer replied that Bill has an old fashioned, courtly manner that he’s tried to keep from his humanity.

Ball then talked about Jessica, who he doesn’t take full credit too and is quick to give praise to his five other writers. Ball thinks Deborah really blossomed in the role. Deborah Ann Woll expanded on her feelings about her character and she said that it’s great to see a young vampire talking about mythos and to show the audience a transformation. I really loved what Deborah had to say about Jessica. She is definitely one of my favorite characters and she is charming on and off screen.

An interesting tidbit for you: Alex auditioned for the part of Bill. He was filming Generation Kill in Africa and the writer’s strike actually allowed him to finish it and then cdo True Blood. The question then shifted over to Rutina Wesley who was asked how Tara has the will to live. She said she gets it from her childhood. She’s a survivor and a fighter. Alan Ball wittily commented that the show is like a Greek tragedy sometimes with a lot of humor and sex.

The cast who play vampires then talked about the fangs and how it forces them to lisp. Apparently there are soft and hard fangs (and I resisted my urge to yell out that’s what she said!) Since there are real wolves in season three, the cast was asked about that. Ball joked about not informing the cast of the wolves beforehand just so he could see their reactions. Apparently, they used hybrid wolves and couldn’t get very close to them at all.

The cast was then asked about favorite scene. Ryan Kwanten (Jason) replied that it’s the opening title sequence because he really feels it sets the tone for the show. Stephen Moyer always loves scenes in Merlottes and loves when Jessica went into Merlotte’s for the first time. Deborah loved the scene when Godric made Eric and when Lorena made Bill. Sam Trammel (Sam) loves the flashback to the 1920s scene. Alan Ball added that he think seach episode is like a little movie and they are incredibly ambitious.

The cast was asked about who is most unlike their character, and they generally agreed that Anna is most unlike Sookie. The practical joker on set is definitely Ryan who apparently got in a crazy practical joke war with a camera man that involved parking a smart car in an elevator and raw meat left in a car for a long period of time. One of the last questions was about the best part of being associated with True Blood. Rutina said the cameraderie. Alan Ball said he’s never had a job that was this much fun. The scoop Ball gives out is that one character will get new hair, and we may even see a darker side to Sookie.

Whatever season three brings (I know a little from the books), I am very excited. Look out for more True Blood coverage including interviews and reviews as the new season approaches.

Waiting sucks! But True Blood is coming back really soon! I, for one, cannot wait!

In order to fill the void, check out this video preview of season 3:

I watch a lot of TV. I love a lot of TV shows. But it is rare that I am compelled to call something must see. The last time I wrote about a must see was also quite fittingly about a made for TV movie that aired on HBO (the third time I use this phrase will be regarding the Glee premiere in a couple of days, but I digress). I want to share with you the magic that is Treme. It is a new series by the creator of The Wire, David Simon and co-creator Eric Overmeyer (Homicide: Life On The Street). But for those looking for a series about gritty gang violence, you should probably turn elsewhere. For those looking for unique, groundbreaking, and monumental television, look no further than Treme.

The show focuses on life in New Orleans, three months after Hurricane Katrina. In the historic and musically significant area of Treme, a triumphant and proud spirit abounds. While some would have vanished in the aftermath of the hurricane, the remaining few cling to the traditions that are a fundamental part of the culture of the city. We are introduced to one of these traditions at the start of the show: the first second line parade since Katrina. I personally had no idea what a second line parade was until I saw it on Treme. As it passes through the streets of the city, everyone young and old joins in, entranced by the music and the spirit of New Orleans. Music is a universal language and this second line parade gave the people of the Treme a reason to celebrate and forget the tragedy that hit their beloved city.

Read more…

I hadn’t heard much about How To Make It In America when I received the screener. However, I am a big fan of almost everything HBO, so I was excited to watch. HBO classifies this show as a comedy, from the producers of Entourage. I’m not sure I would group it in the comedy category — it is a half hour — but it was an interesting show nonetheless.

Here is what HBO has to say about the show:

“How to Make It in America follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene (Luis Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (Kid Cudi), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.”

Lake Bell also rounds out the cast, playing Rachel, Ben’s ex-girlfriend. The first episode centers around Cam’s cousin Rene getting out of jail. Cam borrowed money from him (although he lied to Ben about it), and has to pay him back. Cam decides to buy some bootleg leather jackets and sell them on the street to make back the money, and enlists Ben to help him. When they go to buy the jackets, Ben’s eye catches a spool of very expensive denim. (This fact comes into play in the 2nd episode, so it’s worth mentioning). Meanwhile, their friend Gingy (Shannyn Sossamon) is having a gallery opening. Ben and Cam show up, and Rachel is there, with a new boyfriend, which is quite awkward.

I think this show has a lot of potential. The actors are all great, and I thought Victor Rasuk stood out amongst the ensemble cast. He played naive, shady and excited all at the same time, and that’s a hard task. I enjoy Lake Bell and Bryan Greenberg as well. However, it certainly didn’t have a lot of hilarious or laugh out loud moments. In the second episode, there were a few funny/awkward moments, but nothing that would classify it as a comedy. Entourage (from the same producers) was also in the comedy category, but for me all the Ari/Lloyd moments really made that show fit into a comedy category. I hope that this show builds momentum, and finds its voice in a gamut of shows trying to find the balance between drama and comedy. But one thing I really, really loved was the soundtrack. Whoever is in charge of picking the music for this show is brilliant. They used music in an incredibly innovative way, and everything down to the soundtrack was fitting and fantastic. (How’s that for alliteration?) Honestly, if you are a music buff, that is one good reason to tune into this show. You can even download the mixtape on the show’s website. Another thing I liked about How To Make It, is that it uses the backdrop of New York City really well. It is definitely a unique show with a premise I haven’t really seen before. However, as we saw with The Beautiful Life, a show about the behind-the-scenes fashion world (even if it was from a different perspective) doesn’t always work.  While I can’t say it’s my new favorite show, it is certainly worth checking out. And I liked the second episode more than the first, so I think it will continue to improve.

How to Make It In America premieres Sunday night at 10 pm on HBO, but you can watch the premiere online for free at HBO’s site.

Check out a trailer for the show: