Sorry I’m late. I was thinking that tomorrow was my blog day but oh well, here we go.
Addictions. I think I have them. I think maybe TV is becoming one of them. Has anyone noticed that there are just a lot of really good shows on these days? (In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, The Closer … the list goes on) I’ve always been one for drama and really good comedy but of late, I have a new addiction: TRUE BLOOD.
I’m not a vampire person yet the popularity of vampire and shape shifter and werewolves books these days is undeniable but I’ve just never thought it was my cuppa. Oh how things change. Thanks to a special offer, we got HBO free for 3 months. So, out of curiosity and because of the popularity of the Sookie Stackhouse novels (written by Charlaine Harris) I decided to watch TRUE BLOOD and find out what all the fuss was about.
That’s where the addiction came in. HBO recently reran all 12 episodes of TRUE BLOOD’s first season in preparation for season 2 that will start this coming Sunday. I DVR’d the episodes and recently watched them. Holy cow. I’m so hooked!! Now I soooo love vampires :o) And I finally get it. The fatal attraction, the forbidden pleasure, the brush with immortality, the angst, the yummy undead guys. Seriously, this is an amazing series. The characters are all so complex and compelling. Even Jason Stackhouse – Sookie’s philandering, pleasure seeking, box of rocks stupid – and did I mention HOT – brother. And pictured here, Sam the shape shifter, is just too tortured to resist.
There are layers upon layers to all the main characters and let’s face it, whether we’re talking vamps or just plain good writing, that’s what it’s all about. Creating characters that allow readers, and in this case, viewers to suspend disbelief and become so engrossed in the drama of their lives that we as readers or viewers can easily forget what cannot possibly be true and simply start rooting for the good guys – be they stupid or undead.
What about you? Have you watched TRUE BLOOD or read any of the Sookie Stackhouse books? If so, are YOU addicted? If not, what are you addictions? Music? Food? Chocolate? A certain type of book?? Do tell …
27 comments:
CindyCindyCindy--I'm so glad you've embraced the dark side, or at least like to watch it now. I've yet to see the series (I know, my friend Julia is constantly hounding me, but we don't have HBO) but I have read every Sookie book--they are fabulous (so are her other series)
I almost don't want to see True Blood--for two reasons. Either I'll get so addicted I'll have to steal the neighbor's cable or I'll be dissapointed that they're not the books.
Although, I read the Dexter books and see the series too and I'm happy with both...
Hey Amy. Yes, I have absolutely come over to the dark side. Hi Michele :o)
You might try to see if the series is available on DVD
I just sat down and watched True Blood a couple of weeks and I'm HOOKED. My Kindle arrives in a few weeks and so the first True Blood book is gonna be the first I read on it.
Also, check out Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, the first in the Chicagoland Vampire Series. I refer to it as Twilight- the Grad School years... but the stories are in it, and Merit is more kickass than Twilight's Bella. This of course isn't to say that it's as good as Twilight, but I would say it's better written.
I feel so uncool. I do get HBO, and I've tried watching "True Blood" several times. I always end up switching channels. I love mysticism. I'm fascinated by legend and shape-shifters, loved tortured heroes, but I want more subtlety. More mystery. I want more real world, less other world. But you've convinced me to tune in again, Cindy. The spirit is willing to be entertained, but, hmm...so far...Maybe it's just that I didn't start at the beginning?
Melissa--I like that "The Grad School Years"--I think I have the first one...somewhere. I'll have to find it and read it.
Cindy--I'm on the reserve list for the first season (I will watch it)
I watch True Blood. I have the first book but have not read it yet. Man, Ryan Kwanten is HOT (he's the brother). I don't LOVE the show, but it always ends on a cliffhanger so I have to keep tuning in.
I will say I do watch Dexter and liked the show more than the book. I kind of slipped away last season a little, but I'll probably go back.
Oh, and I want to check out Nurse Jackie tonight with Edie Falco which is Showtime, I think.
I don't watch a ton of summer shows, but they're always great, light tv. Sometimes, regular season tv just weighs me down.
I love True Blood and there are several of us at work that read paranormals and watch anything that has to do with vamps, shifters, etc.
I have all the books in the Sookie series but haven't read any of them. from what I have seen the next season strays away from the books even more.
I love In Plain Sight and Burn Notice. I saw that another of my favorite summer shows last summer is coming back - The Cleaner with Benjamin Bratt (I have him). another favorite secret pleasure is Secret Life of the American Teen. My daughter and I love that show.
I have to say i watch a lot of TV but my books are really my obsession. I have so many but just keep buying them.
Heather
Sigh. This reminds me of the "Dark Shadows" days--a soap popular when I was in high school. I tried, but I couldn't get into it. I did follow one soap back then--can't remember the title now.
Series I really did get into on HBO: Carnivale (why did they cut that one off?), Rome, Sopranos, Deadwood..I know there are others. AMC (think that's it) is doing some good stuff lately, and that's not a premium channel Can't wait for the new season of Mad Men!
I've read and enjoyed them all, the Sookie Stackhouse books, the Harper Connelly books, and once I'd found those, I looked back to see what else she'd written and found the Aurora Teagarden books and the Shakespeare books.
But I don't watch much tv, and only got cable a couple of months ago when they started about the switch to digital. Before then, my old rabbit ears and free tv did me just fine. ;)
I'm usually disappointed in the movies/series on tv after I've read the book, though. Don't the True Blood shows vary quite a bit from the books?
Melissa - those books sound like fun. Wish I had more reading time!
Kathy - i wonder too if it was that you didn't get in on the beginning of the series. There's not too much subtly in True Blood, I'll give you that but the more I watch it the more I appreciate the many facets of all the characters. Oddly enough, Sookie is probably my least favorite (even though i like her a lot) and seems more one dimensional. Tara is amazing.
April - love my DVR so I can record those shows i don't have time to watch in the summer and get them out later. It's a good way to keep on top of things.
Heather - I'm not the only rider who loves Burn Notice :o) It's a great show. Also adore Rescue Me. I think I'm addicted to Franco :o) And we love it that books are your addiction :o)
Kathy - did you watch The Ladies #1 Detective Agency on HBO? If not, watch for the reruns. It's beautifully done.
Forrest Jane - I can't tell you if the books and the series for True Blood differ as I haven't read the books. I'm going to though :o)
Cindy-- Television is KILLER these days. Love it. We're currently working through the TRUE BLOOD dvd's. I don't regularly get HBO so we're always behind the curve. (ROME, ROBIN HOOD, THE TUDORS, DEADWOOD just to name a few that shouldn't be missed).
Jane-- HBO definitely took the concept and sexed it up. But it's worth watching if for nothing else than dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks Jason Stackhouse. I've truely never see a finer naked male body. I'm not sure the actor is human. LOL!
Nope, I haven't read them and probably won't...not my thing. But love NCIS and In Plain Sight. NCIS probably approaches addiction status for me, LOL!
For me the reading addiction is thrillers. Can't get enough of them. And am enjoying a week at the beach right now reading through a stack of them I brought.
Deb, I soooo hear you on Jason. My Lord that boy is buff!! Stupid, but buff :o)
Oh and I agree on the Rome series. I've seen it on DVD and it's major awesome.
Kylie - get off the computer and enjoy your vacation!! you earned it.
And if you saw Jason Stackhouse nekked, you'd soon change your mind :O)
I haven't read any of the Sookie Stackhouse books or seen "True Blood." I was addicted to other HBO shows like "Rome" and "Oz." I'm now addicted to "Mad Men" on AMC.
Okay, I can see my netflix queue is taken care of for the summer! Thanks, Deb!
Jane - I've yet to watch Mad Men but I hear so many good things about it. I'll have to give it a try.
Helen - Ohhhh - you're going to have so much fun with Deb's recs :o0
I have read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books but the newest one. Have not watched True Blood.
Helen-- DEADWOOD is amazing. Ah-may-zing. The language is constantly vulgar so it's not something for the kiddies. But sooo worth watching. The writing is incredible. The acting is incredible. The attention to detail is incredible. The characters are incredible.
LOOVED it.
Estella - so, since you've read all the books, I'm assuming you like them. What do you think? Will you ever watch TRUE BLOOD?
And Deb - I tried to watch DEADWOOD. You're right about the language. it was almost distracting it was so vulgar - and trust me, I am not a prude. but it got in the way of my enjoying the series because all I could think about was, "Geez, did everyone really talk that way?" And I mean everyone :o)
Cindy, you're preachin' to the choir, here, girl. I've already confessed my love for both Charlaine's books and the HBO series. They're very different, but each quite good in their own way. YOu know what sealed it for me was the casting for Vampire Bill. He is fabulous. . . tortured and longing for his humanity. And did I mention sexy?
And Sookie's brother Jason, who was barely mentioned in the books, is quite a character in the TV series. Proof that "dumb blond" doesn't just refer to females! Dumb as a box 'o rocks. . . excellent way to put it!
I've seen them all, but I still caught several episodes last night and can't wait for the start of season two. . . and ERIC. . . have I mentioned that I am so rooting for Eric to be Sookie's life-long love? And they did a great job ov casting him in the series, too! Hubba, hubba!
Amen, sister. Eric could suck my blood any day :o)
Well, not in the REAL world but you get my drift. He's a big guy. Have you noticed that?
and poor Jason - what's going to become of him. He's got religion at the moment but i figure the first willing woman to offer herself up to him is going to drag him away from the pulpit again :o)
I first discovered Charlaine Harris through the Aurora Teagarden series and, though I've never been that into vampires, several people then suggested I try her Sookie series. Not only did I become addicted when I finally caved, but addicted a friend who was also anti-vampire. Neither of us has HBO, so have never seen TRUE BLOOD, but we have thought about renting season one some weekend. Lord knows we've had enough rainy weekends lately to make curling up with a few vampires worthwhile!
And, just based on the books, I am definitely Team Eric.
I just started reading the series a few months ago. I'm officially hooked.
Q: Have you also read the books? (I haven't read the comments yet, so if you have, just ignore me.)
I don't get HBO, so I won't be watching TRUE BLOOD anytime soon, but I'm so pleased that the characters are being shown as complex and fascinating. A lot of times the screenplay adaptation misses that essential element.
Heather. Oh yeah, on team Eric. Yikes.
Venus - Nope. I haven't read any of the books yet but plan to fix that little lapse soon :o)
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