Another Minor True Blood Quibble, or: Eric Can Fly !?!

I think this boils down to True Blood watchers not getting things in the TV show that are thrown into the series for Sookie Stackhouse book fans ....

I'm going to go back and listen to the radio show from Sunday night because I think Sookie and I had a really good talk with Mark Blankenship about this issue. Mark said that as the Huffington Post Pop Culture critic and being assigned to cover True Blood, he made the decision to NOT read the books. This was not because he didn't want to but as a professional reviewer he wanted to only be responding to what HBO viewers see on True Blood from week to week.

My brilliant response ( ;-) )was that while I understood that and respected that but because he hasn't read the books he does not understand what I called Alan Ball and the writers " throwing bookies a bone" This is exactly what happened in this episode not only with the Eric flying but more importantly with the Sophie- Anne visit.

Now don't say, "Awww Dallas in LDID Eric knows lots about the maenad and we don't meet Sophie Anne for 3 more books and one short story"

I know, what I said to Mark was that none of Sophie- Anne's pretty outfits and confusing and poorly delivered information about the maenad was the point of the SA visit. The point was to introduce the did 'Bill betrayal' storyline which we won't know about in the books until that hospital emergency room in New Orleans many books from now. This is where we learn that secretly Bill was sent to Bon Temps to, as Bill says "She ordered me to return to my human home, to put myself in your way, to seduce you if I had to …she wanted your gift harnessed for her own use"
So, now in the True Blood version we have :

• The Queen knows Bill is in Bon Temps but is a little surprised when he tells her, he is feeding only from Sookie.
• Hadley knew Bill by name ( so they have met before)
• Hadley knows Bill is living in Bon Temps because she asks about Sookie and Gran

Now, we have to see what the connection Eric has to the Queen, it does not seem to be following the books.

Then we have the out of the blue the "Eric flying " scene, and what seems like weird, disconnected information to the True Blood watcher ( who has no book knowledge) are really the "bookie bones " or those things that are being thrown in for the bookies. ( like Mark and the New Yorker )

And of course, in the last episode we saw the Sookie ( possible fae power ) to Mary Anns face ..

What do you think ?

From New Yorker Magazine

A few weeks ago, a few of Vulture's biggest True Blood fans put together a list of our top five gripes about the show. Well, as we were watching last night's episode, we realized there was one more minor complaint that we neglected to air a few weeks ago. Namely, Alan Ball keeps changing the laws of vampire physics on the show! Okay, maybe "physics" isn't exactly the right terminology, but you get our meaning. Take last night, for example, when Eric just up and decided that he could fly (!!!) through the air with the greatest of ease! Of course, during the show's nearly two full seasons, we've seen many a vamp do one of those fast-forward speed walks off into the distance, but unless we're totally mistaken, we haven't seen one straight-up bound into the atmosphere like Superman or Peter Petrelli on Heroes. Since when did they get those powers, anyway? Do all vamps have that ability, or is it some sort of special ability Godric passed down to Eric? Since we've seen vampires fly without having to morph into bats in other movies (The Lost Boys comes to mind), it wasn't as big a deal as, say, the discovery of Jessica's unfortunate case of regenerative hymen syndrome, but STILL. All we're asking for is a little consistency, please!

Charlaine to appear at the Decatur Book Festival

Charlaine will also appear at the Decatur, GA Book Festival

• Vampires! (True-Blooded and Bloodborne), Presented by Dragon*Con, Saturday, 10:00

Charlaine Harris, a published novelist for over 25 years, is best known for her genre-defying series of “not a traditional mystery, nor yet pure science fiction or romance,” of Sookie Stackhouse novels that began with Dead Until Dark. Appealing to a wide audience of people who just enjoy a good adventure, each subsequent Stackhouse novel – featuring a telepathic Louisiana barmaid friend to vampires, werewolves, and various other odd creatures – has drawn more and more readers. Harris began her writing career with a series of traditional mysteries featuring a Georgia librarian, Aurora Teagarden. Her first Teagarden novel, Real Murders, garnered an Agatha nomination. Her Southern vampire books are published in Japan, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Thailand, Spain, France, and Russia.

http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/

True Blood Episode 11 Frenzy Playlist

Episode 2.11 – Frenzy

"You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It)” by Harry James-Bill visits Queen

“Save Me Tonight” Black Toast Music-playing on the radio in Jason’s truck

“Frenzy” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins -Sheriff’s office

“Pickle Up A Doodle” -sung by Sheriff Dearborn while square dancing with Andy

“Elective Surgical Strike” by DJ Accucrack -Sam brings Arlene’s kids to Fangtasia

“The Good Life” by Ann-Margret -Sophie Ann, Bill, and Hadley by the pool

“Softblow Glow” -Playing Yahtzee

“Set ‘Em Up Joe” - Playing Yahtzee

“Frenzy” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins -end credits

Free Charlaine Harris short story download

thanks to Rose !

Hey Dallas,

A freebie from the Ellery Queen Mystery web site: one of Charlaine's early short stories to download. The story, "Dead Giveaway' was published in December 2001.

PDF

**great spinach recipe on last page

STYLE EXCLUSIVE: Fashion Fit for True Blood's Vampire Queen

From Chris at RadarOnline

While most of you are looking forward to September 13 for the dramatic finale of True Blood, we're still stuck on Sunday's amazing reveal of Queen Sophie-Ann.

The delicious Evan Rachel Wood plays the scheming, lady-loving ruler of southern vamps--and does so in drop dead garb. RadarOnline.com got to the bottom of costume designer Audrey Fisher's vision for the undead royal.

We first meet Wood snacking on her female lover in a floor-length gold dust gown by Les Habitudes with cascading embroidery, heels by Bebe and rhinestone watch by Figaro Couture.

And talk about a high/low combo--the dramatic drop earrings that look as though the Queen raided them from an Elizabethan pop-up are only $65, from Carloee, available at Lord & Taylor.

For her second look, and our personal favorite, Sophie-Ann sports a tongue-wagging pool ensemble: throwback bathingsuit by Norma Kamali, robe by Jonquil, bust broach a vintage Pauline Trigere and DSquared heels.

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/09/style-exclusive-fashion-fit-true-bloods-vampire-queen

In Which True Blood Ruins My Vampire Yahtzee Fantasies

haha from Meredith at io9 ( she was a guest reviewer on the Sunday show with me and Sookie 2 weeks ago and was great)

This is what Meredith thinks Bill texted

"SUUUUKIE I WILL BE RETIRING AT THE PALACE, I WILL RETURN UPON NIGHTFALL. I WILL REQUIRE RELATIONS. ERIC IS EVIL. XO - VAMPIRE BILL"

Last night was the big campy Queen vampire reveal. Will she be pretty? Will she be rich? here's what vampire Evan Rachel Woods said to me... que sera sera.

This episode seemed to tread water a little bit, much like last week's, but at least we got in some quality Eric time. Seriously, he was all over the place with his Matrix-flying dress-wearing Swedish ass. And we approved of all of that. The rest? Well, kind of a crazy let down. But let me tell it to you, "Pro and Con" style.

Con: Evan Rachel Wood's Queen schtick. Was she a whole lotta glam packed in one tiny body? Yes. Well styled? Yes. Did she have a fabulous day room? Yes. Was she handed some of the best one-liners in True Blood History? Oh yes. The True Blood crew, writers, and stylists set this character up with the most non-fail safety net in the history of sexy vampires who say clever things. Which is why I'm shocked to the core at how she single handedly almost destroyed this character entirely. Her delivery came across as brittle, wooden and, well, dead.

read on

True Blood Music Video of the Day: True Blood Crack Vid

Thanks, bradeatspeeps

HBO printable guide for September

hbo_sept09_ce

Spike TV Reveals SCREAM 2009 Nominees: Alexander Skarsgard is best villian

Star Trek earned 17 nominations and tops the list of nominees for Spike TV's SCREAM 2009 Awards, an annual event honoring the best in the sci-fi, fantasy, horror and comic genres. Watchmen and X-Men Origins: Wolverine also found a lot of love from the special advisory board responsible for overseeing the selection of nominees, each earning 13 nominations. And HBO's sexy vampire series True Blood picked up 9 nominations including Best Villain (Alexander Skarsgard) and two nominations in the Best Actor category (Ryan Kwanten and Stephen Moyer).

Commenting on his nomination, Skarsgard said, "Everyone knows it's the villains who have the most fun. Thanks to the 'SCREAM' team and congrats to everyone at True Blood. This is very exciting for the whole show."


Check out the full list of nominees: Spike TV's SCREAM 2009 Awards Nominees: HERE

Fervent fans want `Blood'

The bomb that shattered the living room left carnage in its wake.

The floor is slick with blood, tattered bodies litter the room, and an unrecognisable goo stuck to the wall spurts mauve blood.

"I'm gonna ask everyone to clear the set who is not actually dying on it," yells Scottie Gissel, a first assistant director for the hit vampire series True Blood.

True Blood is based on the Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris.

Alan Ball, who created Six Feet Under and wrote American Beauty, brought True Blood to TV in 2008, where it emerged as the most popular show in the United States.

An average of 7.8 million US viewers were watching by the end of the first season.

With a fervent fan base, including nearly a half-dozen fan-run websites, True Blood is hoping to prove in its sophomore season that even in the Twilight age of vampire overkill, it can maintain its success.

True Blood takes place in a world where vampires have come out of the coffin, so to speak, aided by the invention of a synthetic blood substitute called "Tru Blood" that keeps their primal appetites at bay.

Still, prejudice against the undead abounds, with many of the show's human characters motivated by a hate and fear that is as destructive as even the most unrepentant bloodsucker.

Season one established the main action: True Blood is set in the fictional backwater town of Bon Temps, where a telepathic good girl named Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) works as a waitress in a raucous bar called Merlotte's.

When a mysterious vampire named Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) comes to town, Sookie falls in love with him.

A high body count and muddy graveside sex ensue.

Ball initially read Dead Until Dark, the first in Harris' Southern Vampire series, five years ago.

By the time Six Feet Under was filming its final season, he was interested in bringing the books to television.

Ball says the cultural clout of his broodingly dark funeral-parlour drama left critics and the public unsure what to think of the zany, Saturday-matinee movie serial that is True Blood.

read on

True Blood Episode 12 Finale

“Beyond Here Lies Nothin”

In the season two finale, the mayhem in Bon Temps reaches a fever pitch as Maryann prepares for her ultimate bestial sacrifice, conscripting Sookie to be Maid of Honor at the bloody nuptials. Meanwhile, Sophie-Anne warns Eric to keep the lid on Bill’s inquisitiveness; Jason leads Andy into the heroic abyss; and Hoyt has a hard time swallowing Maxine’s endless stream of insults. Deliberating on what may be his final move to save Sookie and the town, Sam is forced to put his trust, and his life, in a most unlikely ally.

ATV spoiler alert: 'True Blood' finale shocker!

by Michael Ausiello

What’s that? The True Blood spoilers I gave you yesterday didn’t adequately quench your thirst? You’re in luck. The latest episode of Ausiello TV contains a scoop about the Sept. 13 season finale straight from the show’s notoriously tight-lipped creator, Alan Ball. (He doesn’t deliver it on camera himself, but I assure you it came from him. Seriously!) And wait, there’s more! The fresh ATV ep also features some good news/bad news for fans of Chase and Cameron on House. The good: They’re finally getting a juicy storyline. The bad: It’s going to wreak havoc on their marriage. Oh, and speaking of wreaking havoc, she’s back. You know who I’m talking about. Yeah, her.

VIDEO HERE

True Blood : Andys' Paper Doll it's Jason !

Why only ONE True Blood doll this week?

I wonder if you're here because you followed the link from my True Blood paper doll site... wondering why on Earth I only have ONE doll this week? Are you one of these people? Well if you are... this post is for YOU!

Believe-it-or-not a lot of work goes into making these dolls. Well, it's kind of not "work" because I enjoy it sooo much, but I call it "work" because it's part of my list of weekly responsibilities. I also don't make any income from all the work I put into these babies... unless I receive a generous contribution from a fellow True Blood fan, or fan of my artwork. This is not a plug for you to make a donation, but this guy needs to concentrate on earning a living, too! ;)

So why Jason this week? Well, besides the fact that I've been enjoying Jason's character much more recently... I had his sketch ready for a while. This past week was also a bit of a "crunch" for me, and I haven't had as much time to devote to making True Blood babies... so the choice was practically made for me.

Now some of you may be miffed that you haven't seen an Eric paper doll yet. True, Eric is a devilish slice of heaven and a major character on the show. Also true that there is only ONE more episode of True Blood this season! *gasp* So.... you know what? You guessed it: Eric will be making his appearance here with the season finale. You know what they say: "Save the best for last". (Well, Bill is "my best" ...but I'm not going to get into that here.)

BTW- I will have some special paper doll goodness posted next week, even tho True Blood will be on break. So check back next week to see what I'm talking about.

Thanks again to all of you who follow my art, help to promote my work, and *most importantly* enjoy playing with these dolls! It's a labor of love for me, and I'm seriously tickled to death that they are such a hit with people.

THANK YOU!
http://andytoday.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-only-one-true-blood-doll-this-week.html

TB-Jason

Really, really great Alexander Skarsgard, Straw Dogs photos

photo gallery here

'True Blood' Stars Embrace Fans' Vampire Lust

HBO's True Blood is riding the modern day vampire wave, showing off fan favorites like a cross-dressing short-order cook and a smoldering blond vampire with tin foil in his hair. But the lack of capes hanging in the wardrobe closets hasn't stopped the show's avid devotees from sinking their teeth into the fanatical world of dressing up in costume and role-playing.

No one's more surprised than the show's stars.

"It's been a little bonkers!" Michelle Forbes, who plays a sexy "Maenad" creature named Maryann Forrester, told ABCNews.com. "I was a part of Battlestar Gallactica, so I'm used to that world. But I didn't expect it with True Blood. I thought it was a show about a sleepy little town in Louisiana."

That fictional "sleepy little town" is Bon Temps, home to a cluster of vampires who are fairly newly "out of the coffin."

The plot follows Anna Paquin's Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls in love with vampire Bill Compton, played by her real life fiance Stephen Moyer.

video and photos

Anna Paquin Covers Nylon Magazine " Vampires, duh !

Anna Paquin covers the September issue of Nylon magazine. She's wearing a vest by Diesel and a Dolce and Gabbana skirt in the photograph above.You can see more of the photos here on Nylon's website. Anna Paquin stars in HBO's steamy vampire series, True Blood, which has featured a number of nude scenes. Anna told Nylon that she doesn't think a nude body is "particularly shocking or interesting."

On her Nude Scenes: "I don't think a naked body is particularly shocking or interesting... It's not the culture I was raised in. I was not brought up in the United States. I don't share the [attitude] that you can have graphic violence, but - God forbid � you see someone's nipples."

On Going Blonde for Sookie: "I don't look like a Barbie doll, and probably never will. People are incredibly literal in how they view you. You have dark hair and pale skin? You must be brooding. The second you dye your hair blonde and get a spray tan, people treat you as if you're a bit stupider and happier. Suddenly, it's like you're hot and sexy."

On TV Acting: "It never occurred to me that one form of acting was better than another. I think if you approach your career like that you're limiting yourself to a very boring path. For me, it's about the material."

Here is a behind-the-scenes video from the photo shoot and interview. Take a look.

“True Blood” Season Two, Episode Eleven: TV Recap

from Wall Street Journal ( I still can believe the write about TB)

After all the hype, Evan Rachel Wood finally made her debut as Sophie Ann, the vampire queen of Louisiana, on last night’s (second-to-last!) episode of “True Blood.” Dressed as a glamourpuss with perfectly coifed hair and retro duds, she portrayed the young queen as a rather petulant and affected ruler, with a hint of Valley Girl thrown into the mix (”Helllllo? Evolution!”). The off-kilter performance may have been her (and creator Alan Ball’s) intent, but she certainly didn’t give off any vibes of “fear me, fear my power.”

Sophie Ann kicks off the rather slow-paced, expository episode with a scene of her feeding on a willing victim and asking Bill, on business from Bon Temps, if he wants to join in. (Marilyn Manson would be proud). Bill politely declines, but finds himself forced to act as Sophie Ann’s playdate for the day, “sunbathing” by the pool and playing Yahtzee, before she answers the question he’s come to ask her about: How can he kill Maryann, who’s technically an immortal maenad? Turns out, the deed isn’t impossible. All maenads live a nomadic life, waiting for a Godot-like Dionysus to show up. Since he never will, the key to vanquish-ment is attacking the maenad at her weakest moment: after she’s provided the requisite sacrifice (preferably supernatural) and is waiting for her god to come.

read on