Audio books just recorded for Deadlocked, the 12th novel in the bestselling Sookie series

God, I love Johanna Parker reading Sookie books - if you haven heard an audio book buy one today! Links to all them on the right -->

Live Oak Studio in Berkeley, California has just completed recording of the audiobook version of the hotly anticipated 12th novel in Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire Mysteries series, the inspiration for HBO’s hit series True Blood. The audiobook, narrated by Johanna Parker, will be released May 1.

Trubies rejoice: the next book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series (aka the Sookie Stackhouse series) is almost here. The audiobook of Deadlocked, the 12th novel in the bestselling series by Charlaine Harris, was recently recorded at Live Oak Studio in Berkeley, California. The book was narrated by actress Johanna Parker, who has also been the voice of all 11 previous Sookie Stackhouse audiobooks.
“It was such a thrill to hear Johanna narrate the new book,” says Priscilla Rice, owner of the suburban San Francisco recording studio. “I don’t want to give anything away, but this book is packed with the action and romance Charlaine Harris writes so well.”
This is the first of the Southern Vampire Mysteries to be recorded at Live Oak Studio. Parker was introduced to the San Francisco area recording studio when she directed Alice Walker reading the Color Purple there in 2009. She was impressed with the sound quality of the studio and the expertise of the staff, so she and her publisher, Recorded Books, chose Live Oak Studio to record Deadlocked.

READ ON

True Blood Episode #508, “Somebody That I Used to Know” to be directed by Stephen Moyer

I'm really excited about this ..

TRUE BLOOD, Episode #508, “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Director: Stephen Moyer

Writer: Mark Hudis

Location: L.A.

Start Date: approx. 4/2/12

This is the first time a True Blood star has directed an episode and since we know Stephen has longed to direct, we’re thrilled for him.

However, we’re also not too surprised about it since we remember that during PaleyFest last year Stephen was asked if he wanted to direct an episode of True Blood. His reply was that he had hoped to do so. He also revealed then that he had already shadowed one of the directors to learn the ropes during Season 3. We wish him the best in his True Blood directing debut and cannot wait to see his episode.

HBO True Blood creator Alan Ball leaving show after Season 5

The mere thought of a potential end to any part of the immortal vampires of True Blood is unthinkable to fans of the popular HBO series. But changes are coming up as sure as vampires rise after dark.

Creator Alan Ball has officially announced that he will be leaving his full time production role after Season 5.

Ball said, “‘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.”

Alan Ball will be staying on for an anticipated Season 6 of True Blood, but only as an advisor, and he will keep his title as Executive Producer for True Blood.

It could be said that True Blood creator Alan Ball is the life blood of the popular HBO vampire series.

So does Ball's announcement mean that the end of the True Blood series is near?

The answer to that question is as uncertain as whether or not Sookie, played by Anna Paquin, will inevitably end up with true love Vampire Bill Compton, (Stephen Moyer), or the wild-child Vampire Sheriff of Area 5, Eric Northman, brought to life by actor Alexander Skarsgard.http://img.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/90946544-hbo-true.jpg

Charlaine donates Sookie Manuscripts to Ole Miss : Author Who Inspired ‘True Blood’ Donates Manuscripts

OXFORD, Miss. – Charlaine Harris, author of the books that inspired the HBO series “True Blood,” has donated several edited manuscripts to Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi’s J.D. Williams Library.

“Though I’ve lived in many wonderful places in the South, it only seemed right that my work found a home in Mississippi, my state of origin,” Harris said. “No matter how many places I live, I was born and bred in the flat fields of the Mississippi Delta, and it’s a part of me.”

Harris, a New York Times bestselling author, has released more than 30 novels in the urban fantasy genre. She began writing plays while attending Rhodes College in Memphis, and was first published in 1981 with the novel “Sweet and Deadly.”

In 2001 she released “Dead Until Dark,” the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series. The series, whose main character is a telepathic waitress in northern Louisiana, was the inspiration for hit HBO vampire series “True Blood.”

Jennifer Ford, director of Special Collections, finds one of Harris’s manuscripts to be very intriguing.

“One of the most interesting aspects of the collection is a typed, annotated manuscript, which was the first manuscript Charlaine sent out,” Ford said. “It is entitled, ‘Dead Dog by the Side of the Road.’”

The donation is a great addition to the university’s collection, said Chris Offutt, assistant professor of English who has written two manuscripts for “True Blood.”

“It’s always great when a writer’s original manuscripts are part of a special collection,” Offutt said. “They are then available to writers and scholars for careful scrutiny. The University of Mississippi is fortunate to have them. A big thanks to Charlaine for her generous gift.”

Ford is grateful to Harris for her unique donation.

“This donation is so important to Special Collections because it adds so much to our literary collections,” Ford said. “Charlaine is a major talent whose work ethic is reflected in her collection.”

Buy your copy of Deadlocked today!

Summary of Deadlocked

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

News : Talk Blood Radio show and podcast!

Thanks to everyone who has already asked if the show will be coming back on this year and if they can help bring it back by sponsoring an episode.

I have not decided whether or not to do the show again this year. Closer to the June 10th start date I'll decide and we'll see if we can raise the amount of money needed to produce the show during the True Blood season.

Thanks so much to everyone !! Is it June yet ?

Love to all,  Dallas ....

The True Blood Cookbook- how much fun is this ?

Move over, unofficial True Blood cookbook, the official vampires are bringing all their HBO-approved sexy recipes to the official True Blood Cookbook, to be published by Chronicle in the Fall of 2012. Written by the show's creator Alan Ball and co-written with Karen Sommer Shallett and Marcelle Bienvenu, the book will feature a whole mess of officially official stuff from the show including "photos from the show's four seasons, side stories, and authentic southern recipes for the local fare of the insatiable world of Bon Temps." (Bon Temps is the vampire town, in case you are unfamiliar.) As with its unofficial predecessor, this promises to be a book full of recipes themed to a show in which half of the characters cannot eat food, just real/synthetic blood. Here is a sexy press release:

CHRONICLE BOOKS TO PUBLISH OFFICIAL COMPANION COOKBOOK TO SMASH-HIT HBO® SERIES TRUE BLOOD®
Take a Bite Out of the Bayou in Fall 2012

SAN FRANCISCO – March 13, 2012 – Chronicle Books and HBO are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of The True Blood Cookbook, by series creator Alan Ball (with Karen Sommer Shallett and Marcelle Bienvenu), expected in Fall 2012. The True Blood Cookbook will be filled with photos from the show’s four seasons, side stories, and authentic southern recipes for the local fare of the insatiable world of Bon Temps.

“Millions of fans agree there’s nothing more exciting on television than True Blood, and much of that fun comes from the witty and delicious symbolism food and drink brings to so many scenes,” said Christine Carswell, Chronicle Books’ Publisher. “The True Blood Cookbook will relish the flavors of the True Blood universe with plenty of authentic dish—both on the plate, and behind-the-scenes.”

“This book will be substantial, with recipes that capture the unique ambiance, dark humor, and complexity of characters that make up the magical and offbeat world of True Blood,” states Ball. “In other words, it will be a worthy of ‘Trubies’ everywhere.”

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, the True Blood takes place in Louisiana in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans as a nutritional source. The show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy®- winning HBO series Six Feet Under®) created and executive produces the show, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

Pt. 2 - Vampire Bill's Cooking Show: True Blood Orange Salad - watch more funny videos

First True Blood Season 5 Promo

Season 5 - Buried Tease

Vampires and the Super Bowl ?

Hilarious

Keck's Exclusives: True Blood Recasts Cousin Claude

Very interesting ...

True Blood's Sookie is getting a new fairy cousin in Season 5. Actor Giles Matthey, whose only credit is an appearance on The Good Wife last October, will assume the fairy wings previously worn by Neil Hopkins, who played the role in an episode last season.

Claude, in case you forget, is the twin brother of Sookie's elegant fairy cousin, Claudine, who we met toward the end of True Blood's third season. In the book series, Claude is an arrogant little queen whose only redeeming quality is his protective nature toward Claudine. Some fans criticized the choice of Neil for the role, considering him too old for the part.

While Claude will not be a series regular, I'm told the part will be considerably expanded into a multi-episode arc and could develop into something even larger. In the books, Claude and Sookie eventually grow to be close friends.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-True-Blood-1042134.aspx

True Blood Season 5 - Episode 5.04, ‘We’ll Meet Again’

Director: Romeo Tirone
Writer: Alexander Woo
Start Date: Approx. January 26, 2012
Location: L.A.

[TODD JEFFRIES] Seen in flashback to Iraq in 2003, this U.S. Marine joins his squad (which includes Patrick and Terry) on a trip to a small village, where their plans to party and wreak a little havoc go tragically awry. 5 lines, 1 scene (26).

[JEMARCUS KESSLER] Seen in flashback to Iraq in 2003, this Marine Lance Corporal is traveling into a town with his squad (which includes Patrick and Terry) and is preparing for a night of partying and mischief-which goes tragically awry. 7 lines, 1 scene (26).

[IRAQI BOY] YOUNG LOOKING ARAB 18 YEAR OLD. Seen in a flashback to 2003, this Iraqi boy whose village is being blown up by American soldiers speaks out in Arabic to the soldiers. 2 lines in Arabic, 1 scene (28) MUST SPEAK ARABIC OR BE FAMILIAR WITH IT.

[IRAQI MAN] Seen in a flashback to 2003, this Iraqi man whose village is being attacked by American Marines as a lark speaks out in grief and rage after they murder a 12 year old Iraqi boy. 1 line in Arabic, 1 scene (29) MUST SPEAK ARABIC OR BE FAMILIAR WITH IT.

[IRAQI WOMAN] Mother of the Iraqi boy seen in a flashback to 2003, wails with grief. Recurs in episode 505. [Non speaking in episode #504, recurs with lines in episode #505] (29) MUST SPEAK ARABIC.

[ANGELA, LILIANNE, DELILAH] These three impossibly gorgeous, flirtatious, charming women in cocktail dresses greet Judge Clements (an old customer) and Jason and Andy as they take them on a limo ride to a mysterious destination where they find a sensual party in an exclusive club. 4 lines, 2 scenes; 3 lines, 2 scenes; 3 lines, 2 scenes respectively (35).

[LEDA] This radiant, beautiful woman with just a hint of sadness in her face is in the exclusive club. She beckons to Jason and freaks him out a bit by seeming to know a bit too much about him. 6 lines 2 scenes (43).

[DANCER] FEMALE, SCANTILY CLAD. This beautiful dancer in a very exclusive, secret nightclub recognizes Judge Clements and goes off with him. 1 line, 1 scene (43).

[MELANIE] 20s, this female fangbanger goes with Pam to entice a young vampire to feed on her. 2 lines, 1 scene (49).

source: imdb.com

True Blood: 6 Tantalizing Scoops From Season 5

Vampires, shapeshifters and werewolves were among the guests raising a glass to the Golden Globes at HBO’s post-show soiree Sunday night at the Beverly Hilton. We’re talking, of course, about the True Blood cast, several of whom were in a fairly chatty (read: scoopy) mood. Herewith are six of the meatiest, juiciest teases we extracted from them.
1 | Janina Gavankar revealed that “a major thing happens to Luna early in the season, and it’s going to change her life forever.”
2 | The cast learned that Chris Meloni was Bon Temps-bound last month at a table read, news that elicited “gasps” throughout the room, recalled Gavankar. “We’re so excited to have him.”
3 | Alcide’s days of playing Mr. Nice Guy are over. “As you saw at the end of Season 4, he’s not taking anyone’s s— anymore,” said the man-beast’s portrayer, Joe Manganiello. “Now you’re going to see an Alcide who’s going to slam you up against the wall and do his thing. Who doesn’t like being slammed up against the wall, right?” Asked to clarify his use of the word “slam” — i.e. is it a euphemism for, ahem, another s-word — Manganiello cracked a devilish smile and replied, “It could be a fun slam. And it could be an angry slam. You never know?” He then reminded us that, “Alcide is single.”
4 | The latest True Blood script Manganiello read contains “some really fun [Alcide-Sookie] stuff,” he revealed. “Stuff that makes you really nervous… I’m watching my words really carefully.”
5 | Ryan Kwanten hinted that Jason may have bitten off more than he could chew with regard to his romance with Jessica. “As you know, anyone who gets involved with Jason better have her wits about her,” he said. “But I think in this case, it’s Jason who better watch out. The tables have finally turned.”
6 | Where do you go after spending half of Season 4 being raped by a werepanther? “Even that can be topped,” teased Kwanten. “Jason was very lucky to survive; he was down for the count. He has a desire to life. I admire that in a man.” (With reporting by Vlada Gelman)

source

Casting calls for S5 Ep 3 " Whatever I Am, You Made Me"

Episode 3 will be entitled, “Whatever I Am, You Made Me” and he are some casting calls.

[LINDSEY] In her 20s, attractive in a small town kind of way, she’s fixing a flat tire in a narrow country road when a vampire comes upon her. 1 speech & 3 lines, 1 scene. Co-star.
[MOLLY] In her 20s, bubbly, with a retro Bettie Page/Suicide Girl vibe, “cute as a button if buttons had fangs,” she works for the Vampire Authority and outfits two prisoners with complicated deadly devices. Visible tattoos a plus. One-day guest star. Possible recurring.
[MISS JILL STEELER] In her 40s, an ex-teacher, recently divorced and back in town, “she used to be beautiful, now she looks like an attractive, pleasantly plump housewife.” Guest star. This role contains topless nudity.
[BARBARA PELT] In her 50s, a kindly, well-dressed woman, she is Debbie’s (Brit Morgan) mother who is anxiously searching for her missing daughter. She and her husband, Gordon, confront Alcide. Guest star.
[GORDON PELT] In his 50s, a kindly, well-dressed man, he is Debbie’s (Brit Morgan) father who is anxiously searching for his missing daughter. He doesn’t appreciate Alcide speaking ill of Debbie. Guest star.
[DOROTHY] Seen in flashback to 1905, this pretty young prostitute has been glamored and is being drained by two vampires when another vampire saves her. 1 line, 1 scene. This role requires nudity.
[TRACY] In her 20s to 30s, heavily made-up, hair-sprayed and spray-tanned, she owns a small town clothing store and talks trash about Jason to Jessica. One-day guest star.
[CLAUDE] Early 20s. Very attractive, omni-sexual guy (with and without a shirt) A mysterious young man who speaks with a British accent and catches Jessica’s attention and curiosity. Recurring. Must have a British accent.

Kristin Bauer : Leaving Animals Out of the Cosmetics Picture

Really excellent article about Kristin's ( Pam ) animal activism...

THE actress Kristin Bauer, of “True Blood” fame, has an annual ritual when she visits her family home in Racine, Wis.: She takes a black marker and scribbles on the sides of specific products and cosmetics, “Tested on animals.”

The actress Kristin Bauer of “True Blood” promotes animal-free testing of cosmetics.

 

Kiss My Face says it does not test on animals.

“It’s so simple for me: we shouldn’t be torturing another living being for mascara when we don’t have to,” said Ms. Bauer, a vegetarian who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Abri van Straten, two dogs and two cats. “It seems so odd when you think of shaving cream and a bunny, or mascara and a guinea pig. We’re not saving a life.”

read on

Year End Wrap Up: Keven's Top 10 TV Shows of 2011

This could be my Top TV list this year if you's add Sherlock PBS, Downton Abbey PBS and Being Human UK !!

What did you like best ?
Last year was groundbreaking for me because I came to the conclusion that TV was starting to truly kick the theater's ass in almost every way possible. 2011 has been even better. With HBO pulling all the stops with a strong season of True Blood, a better season of Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones - was it enough to conquer the airwaves?

It was a powerful year for TV and I'd have to say it was also HBO's strongest year since The Sopranos came to a close. With Game of Thrones shocking audiences worldwide with it's blatant disregard for human life and Boardwalk Empire's amazing sophomore season – it still wasn’t enough to conquer my top 10. That honor belongs to AMC's Breaking Bad, which delivered not only it's best season yet, but one of the best seasons of TV ever made.

2. Game of Thrones

Adapted from George R.R. Martin's series of dark fantasy novels, this show came to slaughter expectations and in the process blew this guy's mind by essentially killing it's main character in one of the most brutal and heart-breaking scenes ever filmed. The ensemble cast is mesmerizing, even if none of them last too long in this beautifully grim world.
Peter Dinklage's performance is one of a kind but don't forget that this show also saw Jason Momoa turn out the kind of show that Conan should have reflected on the big screen. Game of Thrones is easily the best 'new' show of 2011 by leaps and bounds.

3. Boardwalk Empire

HBO must have had a meeting with it's showrunners this year and came up with a masterplan to kill it's main characters left and right. As the finale came to a close, viewers were once again treated to another shocking exit, this time involving Boardwalk Empire's most colorful and intriguing character. Steve Buscemi's Nucky was once told that he can't be "half a gangster anymore" – well, he must have taken notes.
After getting looked over at the Primetime Emmys, it will be a shock if this show is passed over in 2012. The second season was 10 times stronger and loaded with so many amazing scenes it's hard to pick a favorite. PS: Always pay your butcher – for the love of god, if you owe him money, pay that man…

4. American Horror Story

Take True Blood, make it scary and then amp up the crazy factor a hundred times and you have what is no doubt the best 'horror' series of the year. It's been compared to Twin Peaks, but FX's American Horror Story is something else entirely – bats*** nuts. The show is bizarre, disturbing, gross, frightening and most importantly – it's gripping as hell.
It's hard to comprehend how the show will continue forth after a first season that killed as many characters as it could, but rest assured that 2011's most insane show will be back to mess with our heads even more. Jessica Lange has never been better and deserves any award recognition that is

7. Being Human

This series is the biggest surprise of the year for me. What at first seems like a SyFy True Blood knockoff, is actually very, very far from just that. Think Friends with murder, gore and brilliant writing. Based on the UK show of the same name, we're taken inside the lives of three roommates, a vampire, werewolf and ghost. It sounds absolutely terrible, but it works. The acting is all on point, the writing, the plot, it flows beautifully. Sam Witwer and Sam Huntington's on-screen chemistry is believable and the two work so well off of each other.
The series utilizes music very effectively as well, turning out one of the year's best soundtracks for a television show. Give this one a shot and you will not be sorry, I promise you. It's a brave shot in the arm and welcome addition to US audiences who are tiring of True Blood's zaniness.

8. True Blood

Despite what I can only describe as one of the worst season openers ever in which fans were treated to a demon fairy laser fight, True Blood ended on a high note. The first half of the fourth season may have struggled at times, trying to 're-invent' itself with the whole 'time moved forward' plot, but after the show caught up with itself, it became damn good once again.
Alexander Skarsgard finally took over the reigns from Stephen Moyer and became the 'fan favorite', which was a long time coming in my opinion. The witches vs. vampires angle was tremendously heated and the rivalry was built up as much as it possibly could have been before getting settled in one of the most satisfying climactic episode arcs the show has had yet. Main characters finally died – which is nuts since nobody

see whole list here

Happy New Year - welcome 2012 !!

This year we will welcome Season 5 of TB and the penultimate Sookie book !

Being Human US returns January 16th !

Now on to Season 2 of the US version of Being Human !

Meredith writes ....

How does the second season of Syfy’s Being Human stack up to the first? Read our review!

Syfy's remake of the British show Being Human surprised us with its strong storytelling and its mostly solid cast. Now a second season is right around the corner — and can the show repeat its first-year achievements?
We've seen the first two episodes — here is our slightly spoilery run-down on the new season.
We watched the episodes "Turn This Mother Out" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" back-to-back, and here is our first impressions of the new season.

The Good

Beautiful Monsters: After we watched Bishop's head fly magnificently into the good night one thing was certain, Being Human was starting to look good, real good. Gone away is the odd shaky lens that haunted the first few episodes.
This show has finally found a look all its own, and removed itself from "new TV show shot in Canada for Syfy" category. While still very simple and budget conscious, we noticed little touches of light and color, and the sets felt authentically Bostonian (which is where the series takes place). We're thrilled that whatever changed halfway through the first season (most likely $$$) hasn't been lost in the second.

read on