EDIE FALCO as Jackie in Nurse Jackie Episode 4.08, airing June 3, 2012 on SHOWTIME:
SYNOPSIS: Nurse Jackie Episode 8 - June 3, 2012:'Chaud & Froid' Season 4.8.
Jackie's coworkers are punished for covering up her addiction.
SYNOPSIS: Nurse Jackie Episode 8 - June 3, 2012:
Episode Detail: 'Chaud & Froid' - Nurse Jackie -
When Cruz learns about Jackie's rehab, he takes revenge on coworkers who have been covering up her drug problems. Meanwhile, Eddie is deposed by Kevin's lawyer; a dumped Lenny decides to take off for Europe; and Coop accompanies O'Hara to her ob-gyn appointment.
Showtime has released the full playlist of season 4 NURSE JACKIE webisodes, The Break Room on YouTube:
The next episodes of NURSE JACKIE will be airing after the Memorial Day holiday on June 3rd. Be there or be square.
After the jump: Have a look at this interview with the creators on last week's "Day of the Iguana": Bonus: added shots from episode 4.08, more.
Photo credit: Showtime
Photo credit: Showtime
AFTER THE JUMP: Recap Episode 4.07:
While we're on the subject of behind-the-scenes features, have a look at this interview with the creators on last week's "Day of the Iguana": http://youtu.be/YhxuGejnMTc
EDIE FALCO as Nurse Jackie and JAKE CANNAVALLE as 'Charlie Cruz' in Nurse Jackie, season 4.
Did you guess that Jake Cannavale (Jackie's rehab friend, 'Charlie) was Bobby Cannavale's (Jackie's boss, 'Cruz') real-life son? It was starting to to look very probably and in episode 4.07 it's now a known fact by Jackie, by Cruz and by Charlie.
"What happens now?' is the question. Jackie continues to struggle to stay sober. Her involvement with Charlie was at first positive for her--now what's to become of this huge can of worms that has been tipped out completely?
I'm curious too if Cannvale as Cruz is hired just for the season or has signed on beyond this, if there in fact is a NURSE JACKIE season 5 (hope so!)
A side benefit to Charlie and Cruz being who they are on the show is that we immediately understand what it must be like for Charlie to be Cruz's kid. Impossible. Maddening. And, visa-versa!
True Blood starring Alexander Skarsgård, Chris Meloni and Steven Moyer:
NEW True Blood Wallpaper and Posters (HBO.com):
True Blood Season 5 "Everything Is At Stake" Promo (HD):
TRUE BLOOD - Season 5 - TV Guide Magazine Scans: Tara as Pam's progeny
All signs are pointing that way. See the video uptop and here's another (read above TVGuide snippet).
SOURCE: TV Guide Magazine
Click through Picasa slideshow (below) for more/full sizes.
This is either proof of many people long ago calling this right or a complete foiler.
I don't wish to believe that vampire Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) has had the power to resurrect dead people and convert them to vampires because this is the first ever I've heard of this vamp power in the Sookie-verse.
If this is true, I commend them for trying to do something for the Tara (Rutina Wesley) character. Being made vampire she'll reallybe able to let loose with all her rage--snap a few necks--maybe of her fellow vampires! And any excuse for more Pam since it seems her maker Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) will be off bromancing Bill (Steven Moyer) in season 5 is fine by me.
Bringing back a guy that writes True Blood comics and used to be the Reverend Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) though it may have been easy to do, is hard to understand, 'cause I hate the guy. He's bloody annoying and over-the-top cheesy.
GAME OF THRONES - PETER DINKLAGE as 'Tyrion Lannister' in the Battle of Blackwater, episode 2.09 (#19), airing Sunday, May27 on HBO (Credit: HBO)
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #19 Preview VIDEO:
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode 19 - 'Battle Tease' VIDEO:
Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon in Episode 2.09 of Game Of Thrones, Sunday May 27, 2012 on HBO (Credit: HBO, inc.):
GAME OF THRONES (HBO) 'BLACKWATER' (THE BATTLE OF BLACKWATER BAY) SYNOPSIS:
Episode #19: “Blackwater” Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion and the Lannisters fight for their lives as Stannis’ fleet assaults King’s Landing. Written by George R.R. Martin; directed by Neil Marshall.
The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger; co-executive producers, George R.R. Martin, Vanessa Taylor, Alan Taylor, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis; produced by Bernadette Caulfield.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode 19 - 'War Of The Kings' Trailer VIDEO:
After the jump:
GAME OF THRONES Episode 18 RECAP ('A Man Without Honour') (VIDEO):, Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #18 (VIDEO)::
KIT HARRINGTON - Jon Snow in Game of Thrones on HBO interviews about episode 2.08, 'The Prince Of Winterfell':
BOOK SPOILER: I'm just finishing 'the 3rd installment of the "A Song of Ice & Fire' series. In 'A Clash Of Kings,' near the very end, Jon Snow is having vivid dreams and in one he returns to Winterfell to be lord and restore it to it's former glory. Within the dream Jon Snow realises that he is a bastard and cannot ever be 'Lord of Winterfell'. Very soon after in his waking life however, a tempting offer is extended that could make this a reality.
Here are the HBO Extras for Game Of Thrones Episode 2.08 - 'The Prince Of Winterfell':
GAME OF THRONES - 'Walking on Ice' VIDEO -
GAME OF THRONES - 'A Selfish Mistake' VIDEO -
GAME OF THRONES - 'Played For a Fool' VIDEO -
GAME OF THRONES - 'Practical Tailoring' VIDEO -
GAME OF THRONES - 'The Proper End' VIDEO -
GAME OF THRONES - 'More Pressing Problems' VIDEO -
VALENTINA CERVI as SALOME in TRUE BLOOD season 5 on HBO:
True Blood Season 5: Vampyr Tease:
True Blood returns with its 5th season on June 10th:
CHRIS MELONI as the leader of The Vampire Authority drops fang in TRUE BLOOD Season 5:
KRISTEN BAUER VAN STRATEN as 'Pam' in TRUE BLOOD Season 5 Official Character Promotional PHOTO (John P. Johnson/HBO): Click thumbnails (below) for full size.
True Blood - Season 5 - Various Promotional Episode Photos:
First look at the Authority! Chris Meloni looks like 'Stabler' in a more expensive suit. All the Authority looks/dresses like well-paid corporate people, save Jacob Hopkins as thes the youngest Vampire Authority chancellor who looks like he's dressing up as high-powered business guy (or maybe they all are all in fact, a vampire version of the one-per-cent).
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.01 - Turn! Turn! Turn! SYNOPSIS: Sookie and Lafayette clean up the Tara and Debbie Pelt mess; Bill and Eric are visited by the Vampire Authority; Sam and Alcide deal with an angry werewolf pack. (Written by Brian Buckner; directed by Daniel Minahan) (TV-MA) June 10 premiere
With the release of the TRUE BLOOD EPISODE 5.01 (#49) synopsis and the photo above we now know that Lafayette is the one we previously saw hooded, pictured with Sookie appearing to be filling in a grave in Sookie's yard. From there, it is really hard to tell. Did a vampire show up as well and attempt to turn Tara? Did Tara fully die making that impossible? Will Lafayette's new-found abilities as a medium--a communicator with the dead--'resurrect' Tara?
We know that the actress playing her, Rutina Wesley, is on-board with the show as a featured player but in what form? My guess is as a spectre or a ghost, if you prefer. She's not coming back as a (mindless) zombie. That would make no sense given that the stage is set with her cuz Lafayette being able to 'speak' with her still.
I suppose we could play around with the notion that oh, Pam say, turns her but I just don't get why Pam would be inclined to do so--even if she could.
(Fun observation: When the photo above is blown up, the blood pattern on Sookie's forehead looks just like the one she has in season 1 when she wakes up after nearly being killed by the 'Rattrays,' to Bill licking her forehead where blood was drying on her now-healed wound. Could it be a call-back to the time when Sookie was 'resurrected' by Bill?)
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.02 - Authority Always Wins - SYNOPSIS: Tara resurfaces in Bon Temps; Pam recalls her human life and first encounter with Eric; Bill and Eric meet Salome at the Vampire Authority headquarters. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann.) (TV-MA) : June 17 Premiere.
TRUE BLOOD - Episode 5.03 - Whatever I Am, You Made Me- SYNOPSIS: Bill and Eric barter for their lives with Roman, the head of the Authority; Jason reunites with his old high school teacher; Sookie searches for Tara. (Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by David Petrarca.) (TV-MA) June 24 Premiere
TRUE BLOOD Season 3 Episode 9 "Everything is Broken" ERIC NORTHMAN (Alexander Skarsgård) is interrogated by the The Vampire Authorty (VIDEO) (HBO):
Russell will eat us after he eats our children... True Blood - 3x09 - 'Everything Is Broken' - Official HBO Recap:
Russell makes headlines in the latest episode. Watch the Recap.
Since we know that TRUE BLOOD Season 5 will have an emphasis that goes heavy on the previously barely-knownVampire Authority(we mostly knew of them through the now-truly dead "Nan Flanagan") and that will include the return of Russell Edgington, I thought it would be fun to revisit the episode that featured them both most heavily: True Blood - 3x09 - 'Everything Is Broken'.
True Blood Moments: Eric's panic (S3E09): The V-Squad is about to bust in...
Eric, Pam and Ginger with the V-Patrol busting down their door:
TRUE BLOOD - EPISODE 3.09 - 'Everything Is Broken' was not the best eppy of True Blood ever. But there were still some truly solid scenes. I've got a lots of screencaps as well as some great VIDEO scenes from the episode. Enjoy!
This episode did feel sort of choppy. It lacked cohesion as well as the thrills and chills of the previous 2 eppys. Yet Nan Flanagan (Jessica Tuck) was a hoot. We got lots of Pam candy not to mention Pam crying. Crying! Over the prospect of her maker, Eric being punished by death when the Vampire Authority rendered it's opinion about his (mis)deeds. So sweet the way he held her head on his chest like the child (of his) she is. We also had Nan revealing her true colours, not mainstreaming.
JESSICA TUCK AS Vampire Authority rep., Nan Flanagan, storms Fangtasia and interrogates Eric & Co.. And she brought friends.
Good ole Jason proved that wooden bullets actually work! Almost made up for the Crystal storyline which has really been dragging. Vampire Bill going to the land of the Fae was pretty cool. Surprised the heck out of Claudine. She handled it well while he bungled it completely.The fact is, Bill will steal Sookie's light if she stays with him--any dead guy will.
Nan Flanagan goes to Fangtasia for answers about the Magister's whereabouts. Bill gets to the bottom of Sookie's real identity. Jason finds an unlikely ally in his feud with Felton and Calvin. Arlene has a pessimistic view of her husband. ' (AUGUST 15TH 2010)
Claudine not at all trusting or believing Bill's proclamation that he loves Sookie and 'would never harm her.'
True Blood Season 3 Episode 9 - Eric: 'Everything ends, even the immortals.' VIDEO (HD)
'If I can't go on, its your time to be a maker.' Eric to Pam:
JASON KILLS FRANKLIN/SAVES TARA HD (VIDEO):
TRUE BLOOD Season 3 Episode 9 : Jason Has A Wooden Bullet And A Great Aim!
In a scene that has since become a fan fave involving Jason and Tara and Franklin and the wooden bullet which Jason procured some months back during his Fellowship of the Sun detour.
Russell Has Spine (VIDEO):
Denis O'hare as deranged King Russell providing us with our weekly dose of crazy camptasticness in TRUE BLOOD - EPISODE 3.09 - 'Everything Is Broken':
Sookie and Bill: 'I'm a faery!?!' True Blood 3.09 Screencaps (HBO):
Some news I'd missed from TvGuide Magazine after the jump: A tie breaking opportunity for the two vamps will come soon, when Sookie learns a secret about herself. It’s the answer to “What are you?,” the question Bill asked Sookie the first day they met.
“It complicates issues,” says showrunner Alan Ball, adding that the discovery will have a major impact on all her romantic relationships. “It makes Sookie question a lot. She has moments where she’s like, ‘I’ve had it with vampires.’” Does that mean Alcide has a chance? Yep! “When you’re fighting for your life, and everything you’ve taken for granted is revealed as something else than what you thought, and there’s an insanely hot person next to you, there is definitely going to be energy,” says Ball, of the growing affection between the two. Adds Paquin, “They find comfort in each other. Plus, he’s big and he’s strong and he’s warm.” As season 3 winds down, expect more twists than a backcountry dirt road. The biggest may come from Sookie when she discovers just how dark passion can be. “Sookie started off the show as a virgin,” Ball says. “But we’ll see a whole new side of her. Had she seen that side back then, she, herself, would have been shocked.” And that’s not the only thing that will shake Sookie up. “Toward the end of the season, she’s not really concerned about “Who am I going to pick?’ She’s more concerned about evading forces that want her for reasons I can’t disclose,” says Ball.
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE TRUE BLOOD SEASON 5 POSTER ART:
ANNA PAQUIN and ALEXANDER SKARSGARD in TRUE BLOOD - 'Conjuring Up Season 4' Promo VIDEO airing MAY 27 on HBO:
Conjuring up True Blood Season 4 premiering May 27th on HBO.
True Blood Season 5 premiers this June 10th on HBO.
Looks like the TRUE BLOOD gang's all here except Rutina Wesley (Tara) who tooka bullet to the brain for Sookie (Anna Paquin) at the end of season 4. Very much reminds me of the season 1 cliff-hangar with the foot of a person unknown with toenails painted much like Lafayette's hangin' outta the back seat of Andy Bellefleur's (Chris Bauer) car. We'd last see "Lala" takin' out the trash behind Merlotte's and then being startled by something coming at him at vamp speed. He wasn't seen in any of the season 2 previews prior to the season premiere but then we found he was safe and sound locked up in Eric's dungeon as punishment for sellign "V' (vampire blood).
Here's some intel on what to expect from True Blood season 5 fresh off the press earlier today:
Question: Any True Blood scoop? Answer:
Sorry, Sookie (and fans of the love triangle), but this is the season of the bromance!
"There's a bit of a bromance between going on this year between Eric and Bill," Alexander Skargård tells us.
"It's fun because I love Stephen Moyer to death and after four years of butting heads, this is more like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We have a common enemy and we have to team up this year."
Stephen Moyer as Bill, Alexander Skarsgård as Eric and Lucy Griffiths as Nora, Eric's sister in TRUE BLOOD Season 5:
Lucy Griffiths is playing Eric Northman's, Godric-sired sister, Nora. Says Griffiths:
"She's an irreverent British lady who we think was turned during Elizabethan or Victorian times," Lucy reveals. "It's been years since she's seen Eric, and she is very excited. She looks up to him, but they've had a fiery love/hate relationship in the way that brothers and sisters do."
Nora is a member of the Vampire Authority ruling council, and is rumoured to be a double agent. Juicy!
Update May 3, 2012 - CASTING CALL:
True Blood - Episode 5.09 - Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Casting Call:
[FAERIE] Female Caucasian, early to late 20s. She is radiantly beautiful and British. POSSIBLE RECURRING Source: Rhoswen7
TRUE BLOOD, Episode #510, "Gone, Gone, Gone" (4.26.12) Director: Scott Winant Writer: Alexander Woo Location: L.A. Start Date: Approx. 5/3/2012
[COLE AND ROBBIE] Male, mid 20s to early 30s. These two redneck vampire-haters at Merlotte's plan to take out a vampire, but they're quickly neutralized, terrorized, and humiliated. Co-stars (17)
[PROFESSOR WILLIAM O'CONNELL] In his 40s, divorced, youthful and nerdy, this linguistics professor can't make heads or tails of an ancient text. He thinks it's probably a hoax, or a prank sent by a rival university. One day guest star (33)
[AUTHORITY GUARD CAPTAIN] Male, 30s. Businesslike, polite but firm, this vampire is sent to retrieve another vampire's progeny and escort her someplace else. Co-star (34)
ALEXANDER SKARSGARD as Eric Northman in TRUE BLOOD HBOGO Season 5 SNEAK PEEK:
True Blood Season 5: (EXTENDED) Waiting Sucks - Eric and Pam
TRUE BLOOD Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Eric/Pam VIDEO:
KRISTEN BAUER van STRATEN in TRUE BLOOD in HBOGO Season 5 SNEAK PEEK:
In which Pam does the unthinkable and demands that Eric, her maker, release her if he is unwilling to trust her. She seems especially aggrieved that Eric she says, takes the word of Bill Compton and 'a werewolf' (probably Alcide) over hers.
Eric had just accused her of lying about digging up Russell Edgington--which she vehemently denied--to which he responded he trusts no one and she should not, either.
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin in WEEDs on Showtime starting July 1:
In the last episode of WEEDS season 7, Nancy Botwin and her clan gathered at her sister's home for a back yard get-together. After months of tumult, finally it seemed that Nancy and family were all together, safe and sound and getting along! Everyone could finally exhale. Nancy, beaming and beautiful, stood and made a toast to the future and family--a perfect Kodak moment. And then. Cut to a sniper training his rifle on the various assembled kin and finally on...Nancy?! A shot rang out and in true MAJOR cliff-hangar style, the screen went to black. Is Nancy dead? (link to my prior WEEDS post --Spoiler!)
We are going to have to wait until the July 1 premiere of WEEDS to get some answers but in the meantime, SHOWTIME gives us this tease--and maybe some clues? Have a watch and find out!
I screencapped all the potential suspects names from the clip so have a look through and see if you can guess! Tell me who you think got shot and who dun it!
Someone had a grudge, someone had a beef, but who did it? Catch the season premiere of Weeds Sunday, July 1st at 10PM ET/PT
It seems that the casting for roles in DEXTER season 7 has begun in earnest. A number of casting calls went out earlier this week and now there's a name to go with a character with a 'major recurring role.'
From AUSIELLO:
In the first piece of casting for the show’s upcoming seventh season, Dexter has tapped Rome (HBO) actor Ray Stevenson to join the ensemble in a 'major recurring role' TVLine has learned exclusively.
Stevenson will play a high-ranking member of an Eastern European crime ring who arrives in Miami determined to learn who killed one of his associates.
Ray Stevenson
Stevenson has starred in TV's "Rome" and in movies like "Thor" and "Punisher: War Zone," will also star in the "Thor" sequel and this summer's 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation.'
"Dexter," which was renewed for a seventh and eighth season by SHOWTIME in November, will begin its seventh season on September 30.
No further details were available, including whether Stevenson will function as the new season’s 'Big Bad'.
Looking over the casting descriptions, it's possible that Stevenson will be playing this guy:
[VIKTOR KAREV] 30s, handsome, well dressed, stylish, slight Eastern European accent. He is a polished businessman who can get his hands dirty when he has to.
Also, I must take exception to Ausiello's assumption that there will be a single 'big bad' in season 7 DEXTER. If you recall (and how could you not?!) when last we saw them, Dex's (Michael C. Hall) sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), had just discovered Dexter in the act of committing a murder, decked out in his usual garb in his made-to-order 'kill room.' There is no way, no how that this is going to be a 'normal' season of Dexter (if there is such a thing) so I'm not ready to wager that anything this season will be business as usual.
Dexter‘s seventh season premieres Sunday, Sept. 30.
HOMELAND SCOOP!
Q: Is it too early to ask for Homeland scoop?
TVGuide: Never! Even though Carrie (Claire Danes) was booted from the CIA by David Estes at the end of Season 1, I hear she'll be travelling overseas on a special mission -- with Estes' approval -- when the new season, which reportedly takes place six months later, begins. And speaking of Estes: One of Brody's (Damien Lewis) first assignments from Abu Nazir requires him to break into a safe in his office!
Janina Gavankar as 'Luna' and Sam Trammell as 'Sam' film TRUE BLOOD episode 5.05:
True Blood Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Sam/Luna VIDEO:
Hardcore TRUE BLOOD fans know that there remains just 6½ weeks until the premiere of season 5 on HBO Sunday nights. In past years there's been an absolute blitz of media like giant murals, adverts on the side of buses and at bus stops, tons of sneak peeks, and many other "extras." This year seems, to me anyway, more muted.
Perhaps it is wise that HBO continues to hype to the extreme it's massively successful adaption of George R.R. Martin's book series "A Song Of Ice and Fire" which is almost halfway through it's 10-episode season 2 run (Yep. It's in True Blood's timeslot).
Thus far, there's been three NEW behind-the-scenes snippets from Season 5. Wisely, the promo people chose to insert Sookie (Anna Paquin) in one as well as Alcide (Joe Manganiello) and if you perused the HBOGo site you'd see Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) enter that scene, too. Pretty good, though completely spoiler-free spot.
I figured that to build anticipation that we'd next get a scene with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) or Bill (Stephen Moyer) as they are two of the featured stars of the show. If not them, then a scene with the hotly anticipated, newly cast Chris Meloni.
But no.
What we have is Sam & Luna & Terry & Patrick.
We also have a problem. Problems, actually.
Sam (Sam Trammell) and Luna (Janina Gavankar) have no chemistry what.so.ever. and they are playing a couple so that scene is a big zzzzz, save for it's extended version, also residing at HBOGo (sense a pattern?) in which Sam exits stage left leaves Luna's only to have her hear a gunshot ring out seconds afterward. Anyone worried that Sam is shot? No? Me neither. You know that in episode 5.05 True Blood is not killing off Sam. And they are ripping themselves off in that they had Sam in similar circumstances with the,"Did Sam shoot Tommy?" scene that was a season 3-ender. Mostly, we didn't care but just the same, it was a red-herring, Tommy got winged. At most, Sam will too.
True Blood Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Terry/Patrick VIDEO:
OK. Terry and Patrick. Terry (Todd Lowe) is well-liked by fans and a scene with him and maybe his cousin Andy (Chris Bauer) might have been good enough but they didn't do that. Instead, we are offered up 'Patrick', an old Iraq war buddy of Terry's that showed up at Merlotte's at the tail-end of last season. We don't know anything more about Patrick so why should we care when shown a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of him and Terry getting caught doing "whatever" by some guys we've never seen before? We don't. Which defeats the point, the very reason for a sneak peek/teaser: to entice us to watch.
Given that True Blood is coming off a disappointing season 4, you'd think that they would haul out their big guns (those would be the stars of the show) and tease the hell out of us.
Six more weeks guys, to entice, to build anticipation and excitement about the TRUE BLOOD season 5 premiere.
Time to haul out the big guns.
Season 5 of "True Blood" premieres Sunday, June 10th. For more on True Blood, go to http://itsh.bo/HAObVp or jump in on the Twitter conversations http://twitter.com/truebloodhbo
TRUE BLOOD Star ANNA PAQUIN, who last week announced her pregnancy, is ambushed by paparazzi as she tries to run errands near her home in Malibu.
Credit: Pacific Coast News /Apr 25, 2012 via PEOPLE
True Blood stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer confirmed this week that Anna is expecting their first child. This of course has set off a media frenzy to get a snap of Anna's belly. Though her tummy does not look particularly big her boobs are ginormous. My guess is she could have hid the evidence of a growing tummy a bit longer but no way could the formerly conservatively endowed Paquin hide her now-ample breasts.
I'm not now, nor have I ever been very interested in Paquin and Moyer's private lives. You won't find but a couple of photos like the one above over the 4-plus years I've written about the show, as I do feel her privacy is being compromised.
HOWEVER, I am really curious as to how this will affect her work on HBO's TRUE BLOOD.
Unconfirmed reports have the baby arriving this fall, 2012. Filming of TRUE BLOOD season 6, if there is to be one, would commence around the beginning of 2013 if the show sticks to it's previous schedule. It seems then that this baby was perfectly planned to give Paquin and Moyer a traditional maternity leave of about 3 months or so. She'll need to get back into 'perfect' shape in time for season 6 though one wonders if Anna's bare-it-all True Blood scenes are now behind her, not so much because she won't ever look great (I'm sure she will). More, she's attained power-player status and really doesn't have to 'serve the story' any longer.
I'm curious too, how her maternal status has affected the True Blood season 5 story. Obviously, Paquin's character Sookie Stackhouse, won't get pregnant and now it seems that unless she filmed her sexy-time scenes already she won't be baring too much at all in season 5 (body doubles are not ruled out, I suppose).
That jibes with what has been reported about True Blood season 5, that the Vampire Authority will be the central focus and that this year will deviate greatly from the original source material by writer Charlaine Harris.
I do applaud leaving the Sookie Stackhouse books behind as after the first couple they decline greatly in quality. (Just the same, I read the entire series in an effort to be well-informed about the show.)
With showrunner ALAN BALL exiting TRUE BLOOD after this season, and Paquin and Moyer starting a family, my feeling is that True Blood is winding down. I'm curious too about what kind of audience numbers True Blood will pull in for it's debut on June 10--and beyond. It's my prediction that this will be the first year that True Blood loses some of it's steam. I'm no psychic but perusing the bloated terrain of True Blood websites I have read hundreds of comments especially from fans of the Sookie Stackhouse book series, that they are done with the show. I've seen such 'threats' (promises?) before but after last season I totally understand where they are coming from. Even tho' I'm not a Charlaine Harris book fan-- I am a fan of good TV. And season 4 True Blood to put it kindly, was uneven in quality, as was to a lessor extent, seasons 2 and 3.
You can only squeeze so much juice out of what was a sexy, bloody, fantastical R-rated romp before the source runs dry. Better to exit while you still have a respectable fan base than dying a slow death. In other words, after season 5 TRUE BLOOD, let's stake it and move on.
Claire Danes and Damien Lewis in HOMELAND on SHOWTIME. Season 2 debuts on Sept 30, 2012:
Despite there being many questions remaining for HOMELAND, due to Claire Danes' sublime performance as 'Carrie Matheson', a bi-polar CIA agent who is right about a returned war hero in the wrong way and because of Mandy Patinkin's wonderful portrayal of her mentor , a man with many years CIA and as many psychic demons, I totally need to know if Carrie is alright. Danes did such a convincing job of Carrie's meltdown which culminated with her admitting herself for electroconvulsive therapy, that I'm anxious to get back to the show to see if she's gonna pull through enough to piece her life--which she was just barely keeping on track--back together.
Homeland : Season 2 - 'Burning Questions' VIDEO:
The truth was uncovered, but not everything was revealed. Homeland season 2 premieres September 30th, 2012.
Cool! We are beginning to get DEXTER intel. I'll never not love DEXTER. The actors are incredible and the show was so daring and crazy when it was a bit 'younger.' It's still one of the best shows--on any channel on television.
DEXTER, Episode #701, "Are You....?" Writer: Scott Buck Director: John Dahl Location: Los Angeles Shoot dates: o/a 5/23-6/4
[GEORGE NOVIKOV] 30s to 40s. Russian heritage but American born, so no accent. Tough, aggressive, possibly a little overweight but imagines he is "all that". Basically, he's just not a good guy. RECURRING GUEST STAR.
[VIKTOR KAREV] 30s, handsome, well dressed, stylish, slight Eastern European accent. He is a polished businessman who can get his hands dirty when he has to. GUEST LEAD.
[DET. ANGIE MILLER] 30s, African American. Attractive, straightforward, she is a divorced mother of two who has no time for nonsense, so she simply goes about her job at Miami Metro Homicide. MAJOR RECURRING CO-STAR ROLE.
[YOUNG DEXTER] Dexter (Michael C. Hall) at 9 years old. Reddish-brownish hair and brown eyes. 2 Speeches and 6 lines/3 scenes.
[YOUNG DEBRA] Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) at 5 years old. Long brown hair and hazel green eyes. 2 Speeches and 2 lines/3 scenes.
[TICKET AGENT] 30s, Caucasian, female. She is a ticket agent at an airport. 1 Speech and 2 lines/1 scene.
[BLACK-HAIRED STRIPPER] Mid 20s to early 30s and with a thick Russian accent. She is a stripper at a Miami strip club. 2 lines/1 scene.
[EVIDENCE CLERK] Female, Latina, 30s to 40s. She works in evidence at Miami Metro Homicide. 1 line/1 scene.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #15 Preview (HBO):
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) in GAME OF THRONES Episode 2.05 (#15) HBO:
GAME OF THRONES - Inside Episode 14:
Take a look inside Episode #14 of "Game Of Thrones."
Game of Thrones Episode #15: "The Ghost of Harrenhal" Season 2, Episode 5 Synopsis (TVGuide):
The Baratheon rivalry ends, drawing different reactions from Catelyn and Littlefinger; Tyrion finds Joffrey's defense plan at King's Landing lacking, but also learns of a mysterious secret weapon; Theon continues to prove himself to his father by sailing to the Stony Shore; Arya gets a promise from Jaqen H'ghar; the Night's Watch regroup at an ancient fortress called the Fist of the First Men.
Original Air Date: Apr 29, 2012
Guest Cast Stephen Dillane: Stannis Baratheon Tom Wlaschiha: Jaqen H'ghar Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon
RECAP GAME OF THRONES 'Garden Of Bones' Episode 2.04 (#14) HBO:
Arya is taken to Harrenhal, along with Gendry, Hot Pie and the other prisoners. At Harrenhal, the Mountain makes his first season 2 appearance while we meet The Tickler for the first time. Arya first begins reciting her “nightly prayer”--repeating the names of those she intends to kill: “Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the Hound.” Her experience in the camp has added a name to that list, though: Polliver, one of the Lannister guards who abused her fellow prisoners. Gendry is chosen to be the Tickler’s next victim but Lord Tywin Lannister arrives just in time. He scolds the Mountain and his men for not putting his captives to work. He orders them to find work for the prisoners and immediately recognizing Arya for the girl that she is, takes Arya as his cupbearer. Gendry is enlisted as a smith.
Meanwhile, the 'Young Wolf', King of the North Robb Stark, wins a great victory against the Lannister forces. However, he gets a reality check from 'Talisa,' a pseudonym apparently, for Jeyne Westerling (Oona Chaplin). Talisa saves a Lannister soldier’s life by amputating his leg, while Robb holds him down. Later she challenges Robb on his plan after he wins the war, to which Robb replies, he doesn’t know.
Richard Madden as King Robb Stark and Oona Chaplin as Talisa'
Back in King’s Landing, King Joffrey is punishing Sansa for her brother’s victory. Thankfully, Tyrion arrives and puts a stop to it.
Later, Joff's uncle Tyrion sends him prostitutes as a present after his sellsword Bronn, suggests that maybe Joff might benefit getting un'clogged' (ew). We quickly see that Joffrey isn't interested in getting off sexually, rather he orders Ros to beat the other prostitute at crossbow-point to send a message to his uncle. While we don’t see Tyrion receive Joff’s message, we do see him discover Lancel Lannister's secret (he's bedding Queen Regent Cersei) and use it turn him into an informer.
Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, 'Dragon Mother' Daenerys has arrived at the gates of Qarth, “the greatest city that ever was or will be.” Her stubbornness pays off as her threat—“turn us away and we will burn you first”—impresses, and after some deliberation outside of the city gates, Dany’s khalasar is finally allowed entrance to the city after Xaro Xhoan Daxos invokes ‘sumai’, agreeing to stand for her.
Littlefinger arrives at Renly’s camp with a message for Catelyn: Tyrion wishes to trade Jaime Lannister for Sansa and Arya. As a gesture of goodwill, Littlefinger delivers Ned’s bones to Catelyn.
The next day, Stannis arrives on the scene to treat with Renly, both men wanting to take the throne in King’s Landing. Stannis, the “charmless” elder, believes the crown is his by divine right. Younger brother Renly has many friends and has gathered a much larger force but he can’t know his brother’s secret weapon—the “child” his high priestess Melisandre will be bearing him later that night. Stannis delivers the ultimatum, Renly has until dawn to surrender and bend the knee. That night, Stannis sends Davos and Melisandre to the shore. There, in a cave beneath Renly’s camp, Melisandre disrobes, lies on the ground and gives birth to a shadow demon.
Melisandre gives birth to a shadow demon spawn (HBO):
For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1. Connect with Game of Thrones on Facebook & Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/gameofthrones http://www.twitter.com/gameofthrones - #gameofthrones
AFTER THE JUMP: GAME OF THRONES Episode 2.04 EXTRAS:
NURSE JACKIE - Season 4 EPISODE 3 - "The Wall" - Edie Falco (SHO)
NURSE JACKIE - Season 4 EPISODE 3 - "The Wall" - Lenny Jacobson, Peter Facinelli, Edie Falco, Stephen Wallem and Eve Best:
(David M. Russell/Showtime)
As I've said before, NURSE JACKIE's season 4 debut episodes are really good.
Jackie and many other main characters are facing circumstances that would have seem unimaginable or ludicrous at least, just a season ago. But here we are with "Jackie' in rehab, OHara pregnant (and happy about it!). Akalitus has been demoted to working the floor at the hospital. Kevin is living separately from Jackie who (hypocritically) threw him out upon hearing his admission/confession that he'd had a fling. Jackie herself was flinging around with hospital pharmacy dispenser,'Eddie,' who like almost everyone else at the hospital, did not know that Jackie was married with kids. To say that Eddie is distraught over the turn of events regarding Jackie (and his job) is a great understatement.
There's new cast addition Bobby Cannavale who plays a sincere-sounding, but not really fully-comprehending, 'Dr. Cruz.,' Cruz represents the hospital chain that bought up 'All Saint's'.
Cannavale's IRL son Jake, has been getting as much face time thus far this season as his dad as 'Charlie', Jackie's compadre in rehab. I think you'll really like their story arc.
Going back to my original thought that the Nurse Jackie characters are facing unpredicted or hugely disruptive situations in season 4: Jackie now has alienated those closest to her, including Ohara and Grace, Jackie's eldest, long-troubled daughter. With no one to bare her in-recovery, detoxing soul to, Jackie's clicking with fellow drug addict, 'Jake' may make the differences in recovery for either one or even both of them.
Jake Cannavale as "Charlie Cruz':
NURSE JACKIE Episode 4.03 Synopsis: 'The Wall' - Despite her counselor's warnings, Jackie leaves rehab and returns to a much-changed All Saints, where working sober for the first time leaves her feeling easily rattled. Meanwhile, Zoey second-guesses her relationship with Lenny; Eddie reveals to Jackie that Kevin knows about their affair; and Grace presents Jackie with a list of demands.
Laura Silverman as 'Laura' NURSE JACKIE Episode 4.03
NEXT WEEK (4.29.12): Episode Detail: 'Slow Growing Monsters' - Nurse Jackie Grace learns that her mother has been in rehab, forcing Jackie to race her daughter to Kevin's before she spills the beans. Later, Cruz docks Jackie's pay over some purloined items; and Jackie sets up an AA rendezvous with Charlie, who turns up in bad shape.
Nurse Jackie co-creators/showrunners Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius are leaving the Showtime comedy after four seasons, Deadline reports.
A new showrunner has not yet been named, but Showtime is already in discussions with a candidate to work alongside star/executive producer Edie Falco and executive producer Richie Jackson, according to the site... Nurse Jackie kicked off its fourth season earlier this month and enjoyed a ratings bump, averaging 653,000 viewers.
AFTER THE JUMP: MORE SCENES FROM NURSE JACKIE EPISODE 4.03:
Well, look right here! It's our Ms. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) and she's looking pretty good for a lady that just took a bullet!
'Happy 4/20 from Weeds! Don't miss the premiere of the new season on Sunday, July 1st at 10PM ET/PT on Showtime.'
Kevin Nealon (SHO) WEEDS:
Q: Is Nancy really dead on Weeds?
TVGuide:
Let's take a look at the evidence, shall we?
The producers are casting for three very telling roles:
1) a paramedic who tries to keep Nancy talking while she's being rushed to the hospital;
2) a head surgeon who speaks calmly to the Botwin family; and
3) a hospital chaplain who confers with Andy. Is it time for Nancy to be read her last rites? Probably not! Come on, people; she's the star of the show!
There are still a few months left to wait for Showtime’s 30-minute dramedy series WEEDS to return for its eighth season, but in my time zone its officially 4/20 and so it seems perfect timing that a new teaser for Season 8 WEEDS was just released.
Sadly, the new WEEDs teaser does not offer any footage from Season 8, but it does give us a look at the cast dancing and smiling (with Nancy the notable exception--she looks angry then sticks her tongue out--impressively far!).
Mary-Louise Parker looks like her gorgeous self, not appearing until the almost-end, following the “Happy 4/20” message.
This is actually not the first teaser released by SHOWTIME for for WEEDS Season 8. The last promo released celebrated Nancy's "Wicked World." You can check that one out here.
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont in Episode 14 of Game of Thrones (HBO Sundays):
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #14 Preview VIDEO:
Tune in to the new season of "Game Of Thrones" every Sunday night at 9PM. For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1.
Lena Headey as Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Episode 14 (or 15) of Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO)
Aimee Richardson as Princess Myrcella in Episode 14 (or 15) of Game of Thrones (Credit: HBO):
Game of Thrones Episode: "Garden of Bones" Season 2, Episode 4 -
Original Air Date: Apr 22, 2012
Episode #14 Synopsis:
Tyrion steps in when Joffrey holds Sansa accountable for Robb Stark's recent decisive victory on the battlefield, though the ill-tempered king finds another target for his cruelty. Meanwhile, Arya and Gendry are imprisoned at Harrenhal, where they witness unspeakable acts of torture; Daenerys and the khalasar seek salvation at the prosperous city of Qarth; and Stannis calls on Davos' past as a smuggler to carry out a secret mission.
Guest Cast: Stephen Dillane: Stannis Baratheon Michael McElhatton: Roose Bolton Charles Dance: Tywin Lannister Natalie Dormer: Margaery Tyrell Carice van Houten: Melisandre Anthony Morris: The Tickler Nicholas Blane: Spice King Ian Beattie: Meryn Trant Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon Fintan McKeown: Amory Lorch Joe Dempsie: Gendry Eugene Simon: Lancel Lannister Gwendoline Christie: Brienne Liam Cunningham: Davos Seaworth Tony Way: Dontos Hollard Ian Whyte: Gregor Clegane Ian Hanmore: Pyat Pree (TVGuide.com)
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #13 VIDEO
Game Of Thrones Season 2: RECAP #13 VIDEO
Episode thirteen, entitled “What Is Dead May Never Die" BEST SCENES RECAP:
Best scenes in episode #13:
Who is the snitch?:
'In the book, this scene works well with Tyrion’s internal monologue counting off each of his offers but that obviously needed to be adapted for the visual medium of television.
What writer Bryan Cogman and director Alik Sakharov did, having Tyrion’s three offers all come in one scene with seamless cuts, was perfect and a wonderful example of taking a memorable sequence from the books and adapting it to screen while using the strengths of the visual medium to make it different, but just as good.'
Brienne of Tarth:
Not a disappointment
Though I'm relatively new to the world of a Game of Thrones, it became clear quickly when speaking of characters introduced in the second installment of the "A Song of Ice and Fire' series that 'Brienne of Tarth' (not 'Lady' Brienne, TYVM) is a fan favourite. The actor portraying her is Gwendoline Christie and at a height dwarfing many, she seems to physically suit the role terrifically and her personality seems spot on, too.
Yoren, we hardly knew ye:
Francis Magee did a really nice turn as Yoren, the 'wandering crow' who at season one's end shielded Arya from actually seeing her father's beheading and has kept her safe thus far under the pretext of collecting orphan boys as The Wall recruits. Arya was 'Arry' a' boy', but her and Yorn's luck especially, ran out when King Joffery's posse, sent in search of King Robert's bastard Gendry, stormed the gates of Yoren's haven with it's ragged band of boys. Yoren went down vastly outnumbered and fighting hard.
Theon Greyjoy is a Very Bad Boy:
Theon (the Ironborn) Greyjoy – Alfie Allen is making a memorable impression in season 2 with a compelling arc that paints a picture of the son that Balon Greyjoy handed over as a guarantee that he would war no more. Robb Stark has sent Theon into the lion's den to the Iron Islands to broker an alliance with Theon's father, Lord Balon Greyjoy and Allen is doing a doing a bang-up job showing the internal conflict of Theon’s character. I actually felt sorry for him this episode. And that baptism scene was perfect. “What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.”
Recapping this episode:
We spent a good while in King’s Landing, where Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) made three different offers in the hopes of uncovering Cersei’s snitch. Pycelle was ferreted both as Cersei's informant and as a traitor to the preceding King's Hands and so Tyrion ordered him thrown into the Black Cells.
In his role as both King's Hand and rule-breaker, Tyrion had the power to broker a set-up where the very bored and restless Shae became Sansa’s handmaiden. He also set Littlefinger to long lost almost love Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) about releasing Jamie Lannister, and had a drink with Varys the Spider, giving Tyrion a lot of face time in this episode.
ALFIE ALLEN AS THEON GREYJOY in GAME OF THRONES Episode 13:
'Beyond the Wall, Craster kicked out the Night’s Watch and Mormont revealed to Jon Snow that he knows what Craster does with his sons. Before leaving, Sam gave Gilly a token and promised that he would return.
At Winterfell, Bran continues to have his wolf dreams. When he explains him to Luwin, the maester explains to him that magic no longer exists in the world. Big help he is.
On the Iron Islands, Balon revealed his plans to Theon; he plans to take the North by capturing and holding the Neck and eventually conquering or accepting the surrender of the remaining holdfasts and castles.
Theon contemplates warning Robb of this surprise attack, but decides to turn his back on his adopted family and align with his true family. This was a small, quiet but hugely emotional scene with vast likely consequences, of course.'
Renly and his camp of 100,000 strong are quite an impressive sight but are they all for show with little substance?
The conquering blue knight was revealed as Brienne of Tarth, a woman, and then appointed to Renly’s Kingsguard. Later that night, Renly tried to consummate his marriage with Margaery, but failed. Margaery has a highly prgmatic understanding of the importance of an heir and offers a threesome with her brother to help Renly get the job done. That was not in the book. So go HBO! Because you can. :)
Lastly, Arya has a heart-to-heart with Yoren before Amory Lorch and his band attacks. Arya saves Jaqen, while Yoren gets killed and the rest of the group gets captured. Lommy is killed and Arya, in a moment of exceptionally quick thinking, tells the Lannister soldiers that he was Gendry.
Q: What do you have on Ayra and Gendry or cutie Jon Snow on Game of Thrones?
A: How do we put this in a way that won't make you freak out for the next week? Hmm, we dont think there is one so we'll give it to you straight. Arya (Maisie Williams) and Gendry (Joe Dempsie) are in imminent danger. Gendry in particular will cross paths with someone who has a disgusting and horrifying way of getting answers. Let's just say this particular method of gaining information isn't in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin Spoiler Chat Daily: Is Anybody Safe on Vampire Diaries? Plus, Glee, Game of Thrones and More!
AFTER THE JUMP: Game Of Thrones Season 2: Burning Of The 7 Gods - Game Of Thrones Season 2: Religions Of Westeros - Game Of Thrones Season 2: Anatomy Of A Scene: Tyrion - Game Of Thrones Season 2: The Story So Far (Episodes 11-13)
I'd not ever heard of Carolyn Hennesy prior to her being cast in season 5 TRUE BLOOD but I did react to the photos that I found of her. She's not a 20-something-- yay! And this came on the heels of not-twenty-something Chris Meloni and Peter Mensah being cast as fellow vampire Authority members! Anyway, I've sorted through some recent Hennesy interviews in which she does spoil (depends on your personal spoiler threshold) aspects of both her character and that of some of her co-stars as well as some Vampire Authority plot points.
Carolyn Hennesy was recently interviewed by Lena Lamoray...* (Please someone, tell me how Lena Lamoray gets so many interviews? Never has she done a good one. Am I being non-PC when I ask if English is her second language? I'm serious, 'cause that would explain a lot and I would need to stop being snarky about it.) ...and Carolyn describes the background of her character, Rosalyn Harris, and her storyline in Season 5. In addition to TRUE BLOOD, Carolyn’s prior and current projects include; Cougar Town, General Hospital, and her Pandora book series for young adults. Book six of the Pandora series, Pandora Gets Greedy, comes out in June.
Carolyn Hennesy joins the cast of True Blood for season 5, playing Authority member Rosalyn Harris, an (ancient) vampire with a love of cigars and steaks. This Texan 'broad' enjoys the finer things in life ... and likely gets her way almost all of the time!
Q: Prior to your casting had you been a fan of True Blood?
Carolyn Hennesy: I had actually not watched the show before. We didn’t get HBO, so the day after I was cast, we got HBO, and I spent the 10 days before Christmas [watching] — 48 episodes in 10 days(!)...It’s one of those things where you snatch yourself up by the head and say, "Where have I been for the last four years? What have I been doing?" It’s like candy...
Q: So what can you tell us about your character, 'Rosalyn'?
Carolyn Hennesy: She is from Texas, or I should say, has been for maybe the last 200 years. She’s very old as vampires go, so her history before that is all over the world. She has been a member of the Vampire Authority for a very long time... She’s a broad. She’s a dame. She likes a good joke and a good cigar and a good roll in the hay...And when she was alive, she enjoyed a good steak. E-A-K not A-K-E.
Q: It seems we're going to learn more about the Authority this season. What can you tell us about this mysterious group?
Carolyn Hennesy: There’s a tremendous battle brewing. There’s been hints about who’s coming back on the show and all of that. We have learned in the past that there are those who thoroughly believe in mainstreaming and there are those who don’t. There are two main factions really of the vampire society — the mainstreamers and the fanguenistas. And Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare) — we know he falls or where he fell: "we are vampires we will eat you."
The mainstreams, The Authority, sees the wisdom of assimilating with society. They outnumber us. They’ve made all these incredible strides in the last 2,000 years, not the least of which is creating drinkable blood, synthetic blood for vampires, well if they can do that, what else? What else can they do to help the vampire society?
Carolyn Hennesy: And in order to be a part of that we have to assimilate and mainstream and let them know that we’re not really a danger. And that’s where the Authority is coming from.
Q: Christopher Meloni has also been cast as someone in the Authority. Have you worked with him?
Carolyn Hennesy: I have worked with him for the last two months. It has been like a gift. like a master class. when Christopher Meloni speaks we go, "Oh that’s how it’s done." It’s just lovely working with him. He is very intense and rightfully so.
Q ;Can you tell me anything about his character??
Carolyn Hennesy: He is the guardian. His name is Roman. He’s one of the heads of the Authority. He’s the one we look up to, and swoon over, and follow.
Q: Are you higher up in the Vampire Authority?
Carolyn Hennesy: I am not. The Authority was started by one particular member. I am not the oldest member of the authority but I was there shortly after it started. Very shortly. There are, chronologically, older members of the Authority. But it's [all relative]. It's like if the Authority is 2,000 years old, Rosalyn has maybe been on for 1,950 years. In the grand scheme of things all the Authority members - it used to be eight with Nan Flanagan, but she's gone so it is seven - are the most powerful vampires on the planet.
Q: The description I have here says that Rosalyn has "hair high enough to interfere with air traffic."
Carolyn Hennesy; Well, where Rosalyn comes from is still something of a mystery. I've kind of solved it myself, with the character background I have created. Rosalyn is from Texas - for the last 500 years or so. Where she comes from before that is Prague, or someplace overseas. But she loves Texas. She is one of those women who helped tame the Wild West. She loves everything about Texas, that it's a man's world and she is a hell of a woman in it. In Texas, as they say with regard to everything, but especially to hair, "big is just the place to start." So Rosalyn embraces everything Lone Star. When you think of Rosalyn, you need to think of Anne Richards and Mae West and Joan Crawford in Johnny Guitar. She is a broad and a half. She's a great dame. Pearls go with everything, and your hair can never be too high. And she will kill you on the spot!
Q: How much of Rosalyn's background did you get to create for yourself?
Carolyn Hennesy: I got three things: that she is from Texas; that she has hair high enough to interfere with air traffic; and she has a "home-spun wisdom." So she'll come up with the quip that relates to gelding a horse, or say, "Well, when I was on the ranch...." But her instincts are almost always right. Once she makes up her mind, and she knows she is right - and it takes a lot to change Rosalyn's mind. But it can be done.
Q: Is Rosalyn for assimilation?
Carolyn Hennesy: Very much so. She understands the wisdom of it. In the time that Rosalyn has been alive, we have put a man on the moon; we have conquered oceans; we have this synthetic blood. What else can [humans] do that can be of benefit to vampire-kind? That is what really interests Rosalyn, and the only way vampires can reap the benefits of these discoveries is if they act in concert with human beings.
Q: Would you consider Rosalyn a "good guy" or a "bad guy?"
Carolyn Hennesy: A good guy. A very good guy. Of course, if you cross her, she will snap your neck. As far as I am concerned, Rosalyn loves humans. She loves them for what they may be able to do for vampires.
Q: I know you can't say much about the season as a whole, but is there a general direction this season is going in?
Carolyn Hennesy: Well, with only my scenes, it would be that there is a real push for mainstreaming. A real push. And then what ultimately results from that tremendous push. That's really all I can say.
Q: Are you done shooting for the season?
Carolyn Hennesy: No. We're only half-way. We started in late December / January.
Q: How many episodes are you in?
Carolyn Hennesy: So far I am in seven.
Q: Are you going to be in the whole season?
Carolyn Hennesy: I don't know. The mind of god - also known as Alan Ball - he knows all those answers. So we shall see.
Check out the Stark kids' rendition of the Game of Thrones Season 1 Show Open, one of the many features found on the Game of Thrones Season 1 DVD/Blu-ray.
GAME OF THRONES OPENING SEQUENCE & MUSIC VIDEO featuring Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and Maisie Williams (Arya/Arry Stark).
Game of Thrones Season 1: Stark Kids Sing Show Open
I wasn't going to watch it but on 2nd thought did--it's not the kids singing--it's the opening GoT montage music with them humming and do-do-do-do-ing through it, then a intro from each in their 'real' voices. Really quite fun.
Head to the HBO Shop to order Game of Thrones on DVD or Blu-ray. SHOP: http://itsh.bo/Hv0PFc Connect with Game of Thrones on Facebook & Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/gameofthrones http://www.twitter.com/gameofthrones - #gameofthrones
Maisie Williams in GAME OF THRONES season 2 (HBO) as Arya Stark/Arry /Nan:
GAMES OF THRONES Episode 13 Preview: 'What Is Dead May Never Die' Season 2, Episode Three Synopsis:
Tyrion finds Shae a job, and devises a clever ruse to ferret out a snitch at the Red Keep. Meanwhile, Jon Snow's compassion gets him and Mormont's crew in hot water at Craster's Keep, but Sam Tarly has a parting gift for Gilly; Catelyn pitches an alliance to Renly Baratheon in the Stormlands; Theon takes a bold stance to get back in his father's good graces; and Arya must think quickly when there's trouble on the road north. Original Air Date: Apr 15, 2012 Guest Cast Tom Wlaschiha: Jaqen H'ghar Conleth Hill: Varys James Cosmo: Jeor Mormont Gethin Anthony: Renly Baratheon Donald Sumpter: Maester Luwin John Bradley: Samwell Tarly Julian Glover: Grand Maester Pycelle Francis Magee: Yoren Robert Pugh: Craster Ron Donachie: Rodrick Cassel Sam Callis: Gold Cloak Hannah Murray: Gilly Patrick Malahide: Balon Greyjoy Sibel Kekilli: Shae Fintan McKeown: Amory Lorch Natalie Dormer: Margaery Tyrell Gwendoline Christie: Brienne Gemma Whelan: Yara Greyjoy Joe Dempsie: Gendry
Game of Thrones Season 2: Recap #12:
Episode 2.12 was very good but I must admit that Game Of Thrones the show is more enjoyable now that I'm reading the book(s). Often you just cannot convey a character's 'interior life' on the small screen and for me, having the book just makes the story better. So far, the 2nd book in the series, 'A Clash Of Kings' is a quick-moving, enjoyable read, too.
I bought the first book in the George R. R. Martin series, "A Song of Ice and Fire" series but realized having already watched A Game Of Thrones, season 1 on HBO that I was likely to make reading and viewing it more difficult for myself in regard to following the many threads of the storyline. Picking up the series, having watched the HBO GoT season 1 when it first aired, and now whilst watching season 2, reading is going really well thus far (only 150 pages in but moving a a good clip for me).
Peter Dinklage as 'Tyrion Lannister' in Game Of Thrones - Episode 12
Peter Dinklage as "Tyrion Lannister" and Jerome Flynn as 'Bronn" (Tyrion's sellsword):
Though I have not yet gone back and read of the particulars of the relationship of Tyrion and his sellsword, Bronn, I think a good job was done showing in season 1 that Bronn is a very good sellsword, Tyrion is accutely aware of this, as entrusting his life to Bronn would strongly imply. This season 2 scene established how the two seem to be seemlessly working in tandem, setting about clearing out the human detritus (in this case, the guy that chopped off Ned's head and was finacially rewarded with land and a seat on the smalll council for it) left in the wake of Ned Stark's murder (and the deaths of both the King Baratheon after the highly suspicious death of the King's Hand that preceeded Ned's. So I guess both Bronn and Tyrion ought to keep a very close watch on Tyrion's noggin.
Cersei (Lena Heady) makes clear to Tyrion that his very existence "is a joke," as her, Jaime's & Tyrion's mother died when she gave birth to Tyrion. Cersei clearly detests Tyrion and rumours of her conspiring to kill him off should be taken seriously. Obviously, King Joffery has paid close attention to mummy over the years.
I'm learning that _this_ smile from 'Tyrion' is covering up a vast amount of rage and, that whomever brought it on (Cersei, in this case) will be made to pay.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #12:
Take a look inside Episode #12 of "Game Of Thrones." For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/HpR8b1.
Here it is helpfully established for us that this Sookie and Alcide scene was was filmed last December. Why is Sookie always so snarky to him?! Is it because she only goes for the really bad boys?
True Blood Season 5: Waiting Sucks - Sookie/Alcide VIDEO:
If you have HBOGO, you can “have another bite” by checking out an extended version of that scene that includes Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis.) EDIT/ This HBOGO True Blood season 5 sneak peek extendeds toLafayette's part of the convo in which he makes clear to Alcide that he (and Sookie) are done with all things supernatural to which Alcide growls and insists that he is throwing Sookie 'a lifeline' and he asks her 'please' to take it. She responds with, ' I can't.' Duh-duh-duhn.
Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke in 'Games of Thrones' (HBO)
Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones:
Creating the Dothraki language for 'Game of Thrones':
Here are the accompanying photos and article to CNN's The Next List "Deconstructing Dothraki" about the creation of the Dothraki language for Game of Thrones as well as the creation of other languages created for other media projects.
'Vampire Bill' Compton (Stephen Moyer) Season five TRUE BLOOD PHOTO:
CREDIT: HBO
Unknown set: True Blood - Season 5 CREDIT: HBO - TRUE BLOOD By Gianna Sobol
FWIW.
'New Mystery Set'
What (or who) do you think brings us here this season?
Incidentally, this is the same location used in the pilot of 'Six Feet Under,' but according to Alan Ball, 'in our use of it, something very different lurks inside these body lockers.'
Now from HBO - TRUE BLOOD comes a spine-shiver-inducing new PHOTO from the season - 5 SET (currently filming for 6.10.12 Sunday night premiere).
Care to guess what is going/went on here (above)?
I love that the best episode (except for the last) of the eponymous Six Feet Under found a way to be incorporated into Alan Ball's last season with True Blood as it's showrunner.
It did not look that grungy in the 'Fisher' basement--never even close to it's current incarnation on the True Blood set. They were very clean. Especially the guy that turned into Dexter (Michael C. Hall).
SIX FEET UNDER -Pilot PHOTO (HBO)
Below: Detail - the Fisher's body lockers -
'Nate Fisher' (Peter Krause) in Six Feet Under 'Pilot' (HBO) with body coolers:
'Who got it? Who-dun-it? Get the answers when Weeds returns.'
This is a cool promo in that it's a slide show of some of Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) Best Moments, many of which include her lovely family. They are presumably what led led her to 'here', whereever that is ! A gunshot/fade-to black- Nancy & family scene ended last season! Yikes, right?
So...included in this sorta pop-artsy montage are the last shot(s) of season 7 with Nancy toasting hers and her sister's now-blended families. A (male) figure was seen in the woods with a rifle and the target was squarely on Nancy, a shot rings out and...cut.
So season 8 is opening with answers it seems, to 'Following the gunshot, what happened?' Let's hope we get some good answers!
(My guess is the shot was 'the shooter' biting it. I read a plausible explanation for 'who' the shooter is and it works for me.)
A 'Nancy Botwin' scene from the final episode of season 7:
Fans of TRUE BLOOD will (finally!) be able to plan their summer vacations now that HBO has revealed the start date in the U.S. for TRUE BLOOD's NEW Season 5 episodes. They commence on SUNDAY, June 10 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO:
"True Blood" returns for a Season 5 with familiar faces like Sookie (Anna Paquin), Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgård), and new faces including Christopher Meloni in a featured role 'an ancient, powerful, vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands' & Spartacus's (STARZ) recently killed off Doctore/Oenomaus, Peter Mensah, in a recurring role as Kibwe, a ruling member of the Vampire Authority!
CASTING CALL: TRUE BLOOD, Episode #509, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World":
True Blood - Episode 5.09 - 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'
(Approx. 4/18/2012)
[ELIJAH] Male, Caucasian. In his 20s to 40s, a very strong, cocky, Marilyn Manson-esque vampire. 2 episodes. Guest star.
[JACKSON] Male, Caucasian. 50s. Seen in flashback to the late 1980s, he's a giant of a man, powerful and inspiring and heroic. In the present, however, he's a sad, old man who's given up on life. Recurring. Guest star. (20)
[LOCAL REPORTER] This reporter grills Andy outside the Sheriff's Station. Co-star.
[SEXY VAMPIRE] Female, 20s. This sexy female vampire is a customer at Fangtasia. Co-star.
**[TEENAGE ALCIDE] Male, Caucasian, 14. Seen in flashback, he is Alcide (Joe Manganiello) as an innocent-faced 14-year-old. Co-star.
**[TEENAGE DEBBIE] Female, Caucasian, 14. Seen in flashback, she is Debbie (Brit Morgan) as an innocent-faced 14-year-old. Co-star.
I wonder if teenage Alcide is sort of the 98-lb. weakling stereotype? It's always been hard for me to wrap my head around 'why' Alcide was involved with 'Debbie', a crazy, skanky-looking were chick with a bad attitude and a "V' addiction, when he could have had his (excuse the pun) pick of the litter? Perhaps going waaaay back to their beginnings will proffer a clue?
Starting on April 5th at 9PM, catch back to back episodes of Season 4 of "True Blood". Tune in to a new episode every Thursday night at 10PM. For more information on True Blood, go tohttp://itsh.bo/ibzU7X or jump in on the Twitter conversations http://twitter.com/truebloodhbo#trueblood. Watch True Blood online at HBO GO® http://itsh.bo/hWfz80.
True Blood Season 5: Echoes Of The Past - "Merlotte's ..." (HBO) VIDEO:
The True Blood publicity machine must be overwhelmed by the Game of Thrones people cranking out sneak peek/teaser videos 'cos Merlotte's is not a 'house,' rather is is the Bon Temps local watering hole a/k/a Sam Merlotte's bar. Anyhoo, last night the Merlotte's "voices' video was released and it, like the previous three (below) has snippets of converstaons/exclamations that took place in this case, at Merlotte's in season's 1 - 4. Enjoy.
Colour me a tiny bit surprised by this trio of just-released True Blood Season 5 trailers. Each video focuses on a particular setting--Sookie's home, Eric & Pam's 'home', Fangtasia, and Bill's house. Over the four season of True Blood a lot has happened in these settings. The only one 'left out' is Merlotte's (Sam's bar) which has seen an equivalent amount of 'happenings, IMO. Small quibble, though. These teasers recap the entire series via 'tours' of each location with voice-overs from many of the cast. What they say illustrates seemingly innocuous comments like Sookie's first utterances about meeting Bill to Nan Flanagan's last utterance before she met her 'true death' (and a lot in-between so be sure to watch them!)
True Blood Season 5: Echoes Of The Past - "Fangtasia" VIDEO:
True Blood Season 5: Echoes Of The Past - "Bill's House" VIDEO:
Update: There is a fourth GAME OF THRONES HBO video release, The Episode #11 recap with commentary embedded below.
HBO aired three more GAME OF THRONES promos On Sunday and Sunday evening, both before and after the season two premiere of Game of Thrones. One was a new trailer which incorporated some quotes from the plethora of warm n' fuzzy reviews of GoT season two, the other was a teaser -trailer of what is to come in this season, and the third a really cool one, 'So Many Vows' (featuring Jaimie Lannister and Catelyn Stark).
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Critics Spot:
Peter Dinklage as 'Tyrion Lannister' in Game of Thrones season 2 (HBO)
Screencaps from each of the embedded VIDEOS on this page:
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Weeks Ahead Trailer :
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Inside The Episode #11:
Game of Thrones - Inside Episode 2.01 - 'The North Remembers':
Go inside the season 2 premiere of "Game Of Thrones.
Game Of Thrones Season 2: Recap #11:
Catch up on what you missed!
After the jump:
Game of Thrones - Season 2 - "So Many Vows" Trailer:
Spoilery Episode Descriptions: episodes 1 (#11) through 3 #13 (2.03):
Above: from True Blood Season 5: Clip Tease (HBO):
Deborah Ann Woll as vampire Jessica Hamby
True Blood Season 5: Clip Tease (HBO):
What did we learn? Um. Not a lot.
(Above) View screencaps from this season 5 True Blood clip for more detail:
NEW SEASON 5 CHARACTERS:
The woman who is kissing Eric in the clip tease appears to be Salome, daughter of Herodias. Valentina Cervi has been cast to portray her. Salome is a powerful, extremely intelligent ancient vampire and a world-class seductress who is also quite mad. Sounds like a fun vampire!
The woman with Bill and Eric at the 25-second mark is Nora, who will be played by Lucy Griffiths. She and Eric share the same maker, "Godric,' which makes her Eric's sister. Nora is a double agent within the Vampire Authority. She has joined True Blood as a series regular.
Christopher Heyerdahl is doing the voiceover in this clip. Heyerdahl will play Dieter Braun, an Authority interrogator.
Here's the text of the narration.
"We were created in the image of God, not humans, and their flesh will feed yours. May their blood flow inside you, like the beetle feeds on a lark, so humans will feed the vampires "<
Not much to go on here, though with the show more than 2 months off still I suppose we should be grateful to see many of the characters. Notably missing is 'Tara' played by Rutina Wesley, who at season 4's end had her brains blown all over Sookie's kitchen floor when Alcide's angry ex, Debbie Pelt, came gunning for Sookie and Tara intercepted the bullet.
For my part, I hate Rev. Steve Newlin and I don't care for the actor that portrays him. Tara is another part of True Blood that I wish could have been relegated to 'FoS' (friend of Sookie) in a marginal role (as in the book series). Actress Rutina Wesley stated after her character's 'death' at the end of season 4 that Tara would be back in season 5 as per Alan Ball. I've maintained that if so, she'll need to be a ghost, not a vampire (and ffs not a zombie!).
Even if you have read or are reading the A Song Of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, which the HBO series Game Of Thrones (season 2 begins Sunday April 1) is based upon, you may find yourself a little lost at times remembering exactly where a given character is at a given time or even who said character is!
If you are like me, you are just starting the first book in the series and, with the premiere this Sunday, you are feeling more than a little confused as to who is who and who goes where. Now comes an answer: The Game Of Thrones Interactive Map.!
Check it out (by clicking the link above). Is it not amazingly helpful? No need to thank me. Bookmark it, tweet your find to your friends or, keep visiting here and click over from the link in my sidebar. Fun times, people, just got more fun.
HBO has just announced via Twitter that just prior to Game of Thrones this Sunday, April 1 at 10 p.m. E/P we will have a first taste of (actual) scenes from Season 5 of True Blood.
See the tweet below:
So True Blood fans, what are you most curious to find out about in the the season 5 vampire drama?
I have to admit, I am curious to know how 'Tara' will continue to exist in the Bon Temps realm.
One would hate to see any old tropes trotted out to explain how someone who just got her brains blown out could still 'be.'
Despite protestations to the contrary, neither Bill nor Eric--the most likely candidates to 'hear' Sookie's distress call can do anything with the fully dead Tara. The most Rutina Wesley fans could hope for is that she returns as a ghost. It would be super-convenient given that as revealed in season 4, her cousin and confidante Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is a medium (he communicates with ghosts) so they could work as a sort of 'living-dead' team.
True Blood: Debbie kills Tara and Sookie kills Debbie VIDEO
'When the promos start you know that the biggest part of the wait is over.'***
HBO producer Jenn Grauer was present at a cast interview for behind the scenes promos with Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgård and posted the following pic on Twitter.
Edie Falco as "Nurse Jackie" and Anna Deavere Smith as "Gloria Akalaitis." New Season Premieres Sunday, April 8 at 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime.
Oh, excitement! The first episode of season 4 Nurse Jackie is online for free to enjoy--already!
I've really been looking forward to this season--I think lots of 'Jackie' fans have because this will be the first time since the series premiered (can you believe we are on season 4?!) that Jackie is going to seriously take on an attempt at sobriety. Despite her often prickly demeanor, Jackie is a character that we truly care about. We want to see her sober as we've watched (helplessly) as her life spiralled out of control and finally she hit rock bottom. It's time to see this great character that the equally great Edie Falco has made her own, begin to get a grip on her life--just trying means a lot. Check out the newest Nurse Jackie, episode 4.01 'Kettle Kettle Black Black', and drop me a comment telling me what you thought!
NURSE JACKIE: Episode 4.01 Detailed Synopsis:
'Kettle Kettle Black Black' - Nurse Jackie As the fourth season opens, All Saints has been taken over by a multinational corporation and placed in the care of an innovative no-nonsense doctor who is revved up about making changes to the hospital and staff. Meanwhile, Kevin has moved to a new apartment, but is seeking to reconcile with Jackie. As for Jackie, she runs into problems when a guy she picked up has a heart attack in her home. Later, back at the hospital, Mrs. Akalitus is given an ultimatum by the new management. (TVGuide)
In the Season 4 premiere, big changes are afoot when Jackie, separated from Kevin, hits rock bottom and realizes she needs professional help, while All Saints is taken over by a corporation whose new director Mike Cruz (Bobby Cannavale) makes a shocking personnel change. Also, Kevin does not react well when he learns the truth about Jackie and Eddie, and O'Hara reveals a stunning secret. (Showtime)
Nurse Jackie: 'Into The Future'
Mike Cruz introduces himself to the staff at All Saints.
Nurse Jackie: 'Vacation Days'
Jackie asks to cash in her vacation days.
Previously on Nurse Jackie: 'Super-nurse Jackie Peyton reached the end of her rope at the end of season 3 of the Showtime Original Series, NURSE JACKIE. Her marriage was in shambles, her addiction was raging, and her friends and coworkers were more than suspicious of her antics and half-baked lies. It turns out karma's a bitch. Now out of tricks, out of excuse and out of control, Jackie finally has to seek help. But coming clean won't be easy. As Jackie's about to learn, the truth is a hell of a drug. Jackie returns for another hilarious season on Sunday, April 8 at 9 PM ET/PT.'
Emilia Clarke as 'Daenerys Targaryen' in GAME OF THRONES Season 2 (HBO)
When Game of Thrones premiered on HBO last season I sat down in front of the teevee for exactly three reasons--and none of them had anything to do with Games of Thrones.
Since I'd seen advertisements for the show whilst watching other HBO programming, I was aware that 2 actors I like were in GoT: Sean Bean (Ned Stark) and Lena Heady (Queen Cersei Lannister). But as much as I enjoy the two, they were not a compelling enough reason to watch the new series.
No, it was the fact that my 18-year-old son had read the entire book series up to that point and asked me if I'd planned to watch it as he was--that was the tipping point where I said, "What the heck" and cajoled his dad to join us as well. Despite this being a cable television show, I went on the assumption that the voracious reader that resides with us had never steered me wrong in his choice of book recommendations and wouldn't do so now with this book series adaption for TV (though he provided plenty of disclaimers that he had no idea if the show would be any good). Granted, I read but a fraction of what he does, but what I have read that he recommends is always well worth reading. Also, in the case of HBO's Game of Thrones--season 1, his having read the book series greatly enhanced the viewing experience for me as I could 'cheat' by asking him to clarify aspects of the show's characters, because as I stated then, I was 'never going to read the books'--I simply did not have the time.
I now know of some very specific events--as millions of "A Song of Ice and Fire" aficionados do, but I'm very short on details. Now, going forward into the fabulously successful series' season 2 I've decided to write about it and since I have a rule that if it's been written and then adapted for the screen (small or big) I have to read the source material, my copy of the first volume in the series is on it's way as I type this.
I'll be back with plenty more but for now I hope you'll have a look at the videos I've embedded wherein you'll enjoy 'a vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.'
Also, I made almost 200 nice quality screencaps of the actors interviewed both in and out of costume. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) is particualarly captivating and there's plenty of eye candy as well as insights offered up via Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays 'Jaime Lannister' as well as the swoon-inducing Kit Harington (Jon Snow).
Enjoy!
Game of Thrones: 'You Win or You Die' VIDEO:
Enter the world of the hit HBO series 'Game of Thrones' in this vivid and illuminating special that revisits the stunning events of Season 1, introduces the major players, and presents a tantalizing peek at Season 2.
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons:
Making Of Game Of Thrones: Season 2 - Weapons Take an inside look at the weapons created for Game of Thrones Season 2. For more on Game of Thrones, go to http://itsh.bo/gHfJPE.
From E! Online:
'A non-spoilery sophomore-season primer from creators and executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
"This season is largely about how [Ned Stark's] death leads to a series of events that ultimately culminate in a war, pulling all the different factions in this world into open-armed conflict with each other," says Weiss. "Almost every character is directly affected by the war in some way or another. Even Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), who are on far different corners of the world, feel the effects" after some characters lose their heads. (You could say the whole kingdom goes mad!) "I think fans of the show can expect to be surprised by some of what happens," says Weiss, adding that "we're taking approaches that might surprise [fans of the books] as well. A lot of the characters that George created are so rich and so wonderful that you often find yourself wondering what would happen if this one met that one…So there will definitely be some nice surprises [and] excitement for both longtime readers and newcomers to the material." Benioff points out,
"We're not looking at our series as a book-by-book adaptation so much as an adaptation of George's entire saga. In other words, in our minds season two is not A Clash of Kings [the series' second book]."
"It is the second season of our adaptation of [the entire saga], A Song of Ice and Fire."
With psychopathic kings, black magic, dragons and direwolves afoot, it's no wonder that Princess Arya learns much too young the meaning of the Valyrian phrase Valar morghulis: All men must die.
Though I was not at all sure last year that I'd like HBO's epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones which is based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy-book series, A Song Of Ice and Fire, I gave it a try because my teenage son had read the entire series up to that point and the HBO television adaption qualified as a show the family could watch together (he was age 18 at the time--with R-rated content, GoT is not a kid's show). Though it felt a bit sluggish at times in building momentum, by series' end I was fully engaged. Now, just 10 days prior to it's season 2 premiere on April 1 @ 9 p.m., I've made a choice to embrace the television series and may even attempt a dive into the books themselves. Helping me with this choice is Entertainment Weekly, that due to it's close kinship with HBO (they are both a division of Time Warner) has been granted some really nifty behind-the-scenes and spoilery access to the grand-in-scope endeavor. Proving that point are the scans I'm sharing here from the March 23 issue which I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope you will too. If the point to the photo-drenched article was to entice and excite I can vouch that it did the trick for me. Have a read and enjoy! (Be sure to click until the full article enlarges in the photo album below. You may have to zoom a bit on your end to see them full-sized.)
Nurse Jackie: Rehab (Nurse Jackie Spot) This April 8, it's time for rejoicing, reinventing, rebuilding, and rehab. Nurse Jackie returns for a new season April 8th at 9PM ET/PT
I take it that the portrayal of Jackie Peyton's 28-day 'Disneyland vacation'/stint in rehab will be rendered as honestly as the confines of a 30-minute cable comedy will allow. We've had many, many hours of Nurse Jackie leading up to this 'chose a path' moment in her life. However, if Nurse Jackie were an hour dramedy on the networks we'd just be winding down season 1. That's where I think it's important to be very careful of the timing on 'little shows' like this one.
Nurse Jackie has a powerhouse cast, wonderful directors (Steve Buscemi directed almost all of one season), and sharp writing but the audience is waiting years for some forward movement on Jackie's part and, after watching the Nurse Jackie Season 4 'Rehab' preview in particular, the payoff appears to begin very soon! That's the paradox though, if Jackie gets better, will she still be funny? One would hope yes, and that would be enough to enjoy a few more seasons. My guess is season 4 will be very telling about where Nurse Jackie the show, is headed as well as 'Nurse Jackie' (played by Edie Falco) herself.
Emmy winner Edie Falco returns for season 4 of Nurse Jackie.
Edie Falco and Anna Deavere Smith in Nurse Jackie Season 4
Edie Falco is back in her Emmy®-winning role with a bitingly funny new season of the Showtime Original Series, NURSE JACKIE. Out of excuses, out of tricks and out of control. The healing begins for Nurse Jackie April8th at 9PM ET/PT!
I haven't missed 'Nurse Jackie' as much as I've missed Edie Falco, Eve Best, Anna Deavere Smith and the rest of the stellar cast of the show. Also, I don't think it is unfair, as I noted in my last Nurse Jackie post, to say that season 3 ended in a slightly disappointing way.
But, by all accounts as you'll hear in the behind-the-scenes interviews with the core cast members, season 4 will differ quite markedly from the previous seasons. It's my guess that instead of a show about a drug-addicted nurse, Nurse Jackie will be more about a nurse struggling to conquer her addiction and achieve sobriety.
It is a testament to Edie Falco's deft acting skills that despite Jackie's acting in rather despicable ways to support her habit, we the audience still want to see her survive and thrive--to clean up her act.
I'm really looking forward to the season 4 premiere of Nurse Jackie on Showtime in just under 2 months--April 8th at 9PM ET/PT! Please check back here as I'll have more Nurse Jackie news (and probably some spoilers) as it becomes available and of course, I'll be covering Nurse Jackie week-to-week when the season gets underway.
This season the shift hits the fan. Get a sneak peek look at season 4 of Nurse Jackie. #KARMASABITCH
TRUE BLOOD, Episode #505, "Boot N' Rally Ally" Director: Michael Lehmann Writer: Angela Robinson Start Date: 2/10/12 Location: L.A.
[SCRAWNY MAN (JIMMY)] In his 30s, very skinny, babbling in terror, he's found in a padded cell. RECURRING
[KATE] Late 20s-early 30s. Skinny, unconscious, Kate is one of the prisoners with the Scrawny Man in the padded cell. No lines in this episode, RECURRING
[KATHY] 20s. This pretty brunette fangbanger is more friendly than slutty. 4 lines, 2 scenes (10)
[BEVERLY] This plump, good-natured family friend of Luna's has been babysitting for Emma while Emma is out with Sam. CO-STAR
[BURLY VAMPIRE] This burly vampire at the bar asks for a Tru-Blood. CO-STAR
----------------------------------
TRUE BLOOD, Episode #506 Director: Dan Attias Writer: Alan Ball Start Date Approx. 2/29 Location: L.A.
[VIVIAN] Female, Caucasian, early 20s to late 20s. She is radiantly beautiful and British. RECURRING
Yes, its true --True Blood is heralding the return this summer of the (former) king (of Mississippi, Russell Edgington) played by Denis O'Hare.
The first teaser for the HBO drama’s upcoming fifth season warns, “In Bon Temps, Nothing Stays Buried Forever,” a reference to the exhumation of Russell Edgington in the Season 4 finale--and possibly a reference to the 'closing' of the land of the Fae a/k/a Faeryland. Despite Sookie's faery godmother's untimely demise in season 4 at the fangs of mindwipe!Eric as reported earlier, Claudine's twin 'Claude' shall make an appearance in Bon Temps, too!
THR has this to say about the True Blood season 5 tease:
But as themes go in True Blood, they seem to apply to everyone. So, what things can yet still be uncovered next season?
Other than Russell’s return, here are four more suggestions as to what won't stay buried on Season 5:
2. Sookie’s (Anna Paquin) fairy friends and family. We know there’s always more to learn about the waitress’s past. The news that fairy Claude returns for next season (recast with actor Giles Matthey), and he must have a reason for coming back.
3. What’s Terry’s war buddy up to? Patrick (Scott Foley) first appeared in the Season 4 finale and we know he recurs next season. What does he know and why did he pop back up in to Terry’s (Todd Lowe) life now?
4. As mentioned, The Vampire Authority is staffing up. Last season, we saw the vampire politics go haywire in Bon Temps and its surrounding towns, but we know the show is casting ancient vampires aplenty. And they’ll probably want to regain the control their underlings have lost.
5. Werewolves out for blood. Marcus’ (Dan Buran) violent demise last season may carry some consequences. We hear the series has cast as his bereaved--or vengeance-seeking (or both) mom with My Name Is Earl’s Dale Dickey. What could she want?
Giles Matthey will play "Claude' inseason 5v True BLOOD
Kristen Bauer van Straten as vampire 'Pam de Beaufort' in True Blood (HBO)
For the next few months, if you stay current on the casting calls and newly-cast members you'll have a good chance at getting a rough sketch of what some of TRUE BLOOD Season 5 will look like. So far, the biggest casting coup has been that of one Mr. Chris Meloni.
Casting however, is ongoing along with the rest of the season 5 True Blood production so between now and True Blood's June 2012 season 5 debut, I'll gather up the latest scoopage (and spoilers!) and periodically share with you. I'm not wild about blaring trumpets announcing casting calls for expendable extras (for example) so I'll hold on to that stuff to include with posts like this one with news worthy of you sinking your fangs into.
Kristen TRUE BLOOD SCOOP - January 23, 2012:
Anything more on True Blood? Fact: We love us a good flashback, but we love 'em even more when they answer questions that we've been pondering for years. In episode four we're finally going to learn what happened to Terry (Todd Lowe) back in '03 when he was serving in Iraq—and believe us when we say it's going to be intense.
Newcomer Giles Matthey has landed the multi-episode role of a hot and mysterious British faery. One report has him catching Jessica’s attention, but that’s not confirmed. 'Claude' was previously played (briefly) by Neil Hopkins (LOST) on the show.
In the books, Claude is described as “the nephew of Sookie’s half-human/half-faery grandfather, 'Fintan', and cousin to Sookie’s father … He makes an impact on all women and is described as being absolutely breathtaking … He started out as a stripper at Hooligans, a club in Monroe, which he later becomes owner of, and has branched out to print and runway modeling … Women usually say “wow” when they see him, but his interest is men.”
There has been speculation that this season Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten), Eric Northman’s (Alexander Skarsgård) 'child' and confidante, will have her origin story explored.
Alan Ball, creator and lead writer on the True Blood team is looking for a diverse roster of new cast members. A 'non-threatening man in his 30s' and a prostitute named 'Washcloth Helen' are among the casting calls. Both of these characters will be introduced during a flashback to a San Francisco brothel in 1905. The date is significant because 1905 is supposedly the year when Eric maid Pam vampire if you are following the books. The True Blood scribes have previously changed the story so the 'book fact' that Pam actually turns in London doesn't at all mean that TV Pam will do the same.
It's no secret that the legions of Pam fans have been clamouring for her backstory (we've witnessed both Bill and Eric's being turned) and it's also no secret that a) vampires don't age and b) human actors do. So doing the math, yes, season 5 would be a very good time to enjoy the story of how Pam voluntarily(!) became a vampire.
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.”
Christopher Heyerdahl, who plays an ancient vampire in the Twilight Saga movies, will now play one in another screen adaptation of a popular book series, this time on TV. Heyerdahl is joining HBO’s hit vampire drama True Blood in a recurring role. He will portray 'Dieter Braun', an ancient, powerful vampire who plays a large part in the intelligence of the Authority and especially enjoys enhanced interrogation. That is familiar territory for Sanctuary alum Heyerdahl who played the ancient Volturi vampire Marcus in 3 of the Twilight movies: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and the upcoming Part 2. Additionally, he played a demon in an arc on the CW’s Supernatural. Heyerdahl... currently co-stars on the AMC drama series Hell On Wheels, playing Norwegian badass The Swede. The period Western was recently renewed for a second season.
[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).
I'm totally jazzed that Shameless is back on, aren't you? What's that you say, you have not started watching season 2 of Shameless?! Well, if you are reading this in January 2012, you only need scroll down to the bottom of this blog and you'll be able to view Shameless season 2, episode 1 (for a limited time, edited for naughty language and bits).
We subscribe to Showtime in our household as they have great shows throughout the year. Shameless has quickly become my favorite comedy on any television station. I think both the sneak peeks below for episode 2 of Shameless which airs on Sunday, January 15 are excellent examples of why the show is so awesome. In the Shameless: 'Quality Father Daughter Time' video (below), Emmy Rossum as 'Fiona' and William C. Macy as deadbeat drunk dad 'Frank Gallagher' spar over yet another of Frank's brain-dead schemes to make cash any way but legitimately.
SCREENCAPS for SHAMELESS episode 2 and beyond:
SHAMELESS Synopsis Episode 2: Summer Loving:
As Sheila conquers her agoraphobia, a worried Frank finds a new financial plan in fellow bar patron Dottie, whose declining health and city pension make her an ideal match; Fiona juggles her job, the kids and her burgeoning love life, and Jasmine tries to help by setting up Fiona with a sugar daddy; Veronica takes some old folks from the home on an excursion; Lip worries about Karen's growing relationship with Jody; Ian tries to land a recently released Mickey a job at the Kash and Grab; Debbie wants her own room; Carl moves into the van.
Shameless: 'Quality Father Daughter Time' (VIDEO) Published on Jan 9, 2012 by SHOWTIME Fiona scolds Frank about the Gallagher's new roommate.
My take on the new casting is that (tiptoes out on limb) "Claude" with the British accent is 'Claudette' the faery's twin brother. He may have ditched Faeryland when Sookie and Earl did or there may still be a passageway from the human to the world of the Fae. I don't think True Blood is done with the faerys as the show's lead is one and there's a lot of story potential there whether or not they follow the books.
My second observation is that bringing Debbie Pelt's parents into the mix could mean big trouble for Sookie. Again, it won't have to be by the book--but why not? That particular thread of the story worked out really well.
TRUE BLOOD Se.ason 5 Casting News - Episode 5.03 - 'Whatever I Am, You Made Me' - Casting Call:
[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.
Director: David Petrarca Writer: Raelle Tucker Start Date: Approx. January 12 Location: L.A.
True Blood | Remember Alcide’s crazy ex, Debbie Pelt? Well she’s about to be crazy with family. The HBO drama is in the process of casting the not-so-dearly departed’s mom and dad, Barbara and Gordon, who will hit Bon Temps loaded with questions bout their “missing” little girl. Though both ‘rents are described as “kindly,” Gordon will be riled up and grow defensive soon enough when Alcide speaks ill of the dead. Er, of the “missing.
SOURCE: Matt's TVLine - ”Matt's Inside Line on Castle Bombshells, Secret Circle, True Blood, OLTL Finale, Revenge & More
Scroll down for full SHOWTIME FREE Preview Weekend Schedule!:
SHAMELESS: Episode 2.01 Synopsis - "Summertime':
- In the Season 2 premiere, despite her breakup with Steve, Fiona tends bar at a local hotspot with Veronica, hangs out with a successful young business executive, and enjoys her youth; Debbie runs a daycare with Carl; Ian takes over at the Kash and Grab when Kash leaves town; Lip runs a Little League book and helps Kev out with their annual ice cream/pot truck; despite Eddie's disappearance, Sheila takes small steps to finally leave the house; Frank loses a bet and surrenders Liam as collateral.
I've included all the new 2012 SHAMELESS character mashups VIDEOS:
Watch 'em here on the blog or you can click thru to the Shameless channel on YouTube or see my Shameless Season 2 player (below):
One thing we can be pretty certain about when trying to discern if the newest sneak peek shots are from Shameless season 1 or season 2 is by what the characters are wearing, specifically winter vs. summer-in-Chicago attire. Season 2 = summer clothes is how it goes. In Fiona's case tho', since she wears next to nothing for clubbing and at other times to better showcase Emmy Rossum's hotness, it is not a sure-fire way to judge. With 'Debbie' and 'Carl's' cases they are noticeably older and those scenes seem new anyway as they are defo summertime in Chicago, not winter.
Shameless: Fiona Gallagher Mashup
Get a glimpse of some of Fiona's most shameless moments.
Shameless: Lip Gallagher Mashup
Get a glimpse of some of Lip's most shameless moments.
Shameless: Frank Gallagher Mashup
Frank Gallagher is father, teacher and captain of the Gallagher ship. Get a glimpse of some of his most shameless moments.
Comic book fans be warned. If you're planning on avoiding Avengers spoilers ahead of the film's May 2012 release, this could be a big one.
Toymaker NECA sent a release detailing HeroClix product descriptions to retailers this week, and among the new collectables are Marvel's figurines for The Avengers. And while the heroes -- Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) -- and big bad Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are included, so is a previously unconfirmed character.
Red Skull, played by Hugo Weaving in last summer's Captain America: The First Avenger, is also name-checked, as MovieWeb points out.
The telling release reads as follows: "Charging straight out of theaters and onto your tabletop, Marvel's the Avengers Movie HeroClix set features heroes like Captain America and Thor as they battle the villainy of the Red Skull and Loki! Each Counter-Top display includes standard one-figure boosters as well as new three-figure 'Team Packs!' Team Packs are designed with strong thematic undertones - play a Hydra force or defend freedom with a S.H.I.E.L.D. team pack."
Could Red Skull be playing second fiddle to Loki? The Joss Whedon-directed feature has been rumored to have another villain since production started, but it's thus far been kept a secret.
Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye in The AVENGERS (May 2012)
The Avengers arrives in theaters May 4, 2012.
Nick Fury
Samuel L. Jackson plays Nick Fury, the director of the super-spy agency. S.H.I.E.L.D. Jackson rounded up the Avengers, with cameo appearances in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger.
Despite Hank Moody's proclivity for sexual encounters with young ladies his daughter's age and his inability to indulge in a relationship any more complicated than a hook-up, he is indeed back for more.
Though he may have gone away to the big house for 3 years to serve his sentence for child molestation, Hank appears on the brink of either a precipice for his final hurdle over or...could it be--a comeback?
Remember to check out the SHOWTIME Free Preview of CALIFORNICATION - Watch for free during the SHOWTIME Free Preview Weekend from Jan 6th-8th -- right here!
(Nov 22, 2011)
Californication – SEASON 5 Synopsis: Premiere: Sunday, January 8th at 10:30 PM ET/PT
Californication stars David Duchovny in his Golden Globe®-winning role as hedonistic novelist Hank Moody who struggles to raise his teenage daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin), while still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone).
The new season will answer questions from last season’s cliff-hanging season finale, including whether Hank, Karen and Becca will finally be able to live together as a family, if Charlie (Evan Handler) and Marcy’s (Pamela Adlon) new baby will help reunite the now-divorced couple and, especially, to where, exactly, Hank was driving off into the sunset. Music icon, producer, actor and director RZA (American Gangster, Derailed) will guest star in multiple episodes as Samurai Apocalypse, an extreme-living, mega-rich hip-hop mogul who hires Hank to write a screenplay for his hot new film property. Sultry film and television siren Meagan Good (“The Game,” Jumping the Broom) guest stars as Kali, a smoking hot singer who is Samurai Apocalypse’s protégé, but who also sparks a flame in Hank. Californication is created by Tom Kapinos with Kapinos and Duchovny serving as executive producers.
And CALIFORNICATION's latest behind-the-scenes video provides an in-depth look at the upcoming season as well as input from the cast: http://youtu.be/Bb4xaL6LsbA
Happy Holidays from the Gallagher family. Mark your callendars! The new season of SHAMELESS begins January 8th at 9PM ET/PT!
Despite the new season of SHAMELESS taking place during one of our lovely Chicago summers, the Gallaghers have put on their best monogrammed Santa hats and enlisted everyone's help in wishing us a Merry Christmas!
My favourite line?: "Des-ig-nate! Give your keys to someone boring!"
Q: What's in store for the Shameless Showtime premiere?
A: This scoop will be as shameless as the series itself. James Wolk and Emmy Rossum. Naked. In public. Not enough? OK, how about this? William H.Macy. Half-naked. In the restroom of a gay bar.
Q: Do you have any spoilers about Shameless — particularly about Steve/Fiona?
Ausiello: Sorry, Fiona/Steve lovers, but Justin Chatwin is mostly M.I.A. when Season 2 resumes on Jan. 8. Fiona’s rebound dance card, meanwhile, remains full, first with Lone Star‘s James Wolk, and next with Vampire Diaries‘ Taylor Kinney. The latter plays an old and now-married crush of Fiona’s from high school with whom she reconnects with. Look out for a ROTFLOL-worthy scene set inside a car that will have you looking at Kinney in a whole new light.
Season 2 of SHAMELESS finds our favorite dysfunctional family braving the summertime Chicago heat trying to keep cool…and Frank (William H. Macy) out of trouble. Bearing the de facto parent badge, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) spends her nights working at a happening nightclub and her days keeping an eye on Debbie (Emma Kenny) and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) as they run a makeshift daycare center at the house. Meanwhile, brothers Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and Ian (Cameron Monaghan) are toying with the idea of college, while Sheila (Joan Cusack, in her Emmy® Award-nominated role) is still housing Frank and making progress with her agoraphobia. As usual, the motley brood somehow manages to hold down the fort and make sure the bills are paid, the lights are on and there is food on the table. Developed for American Television by John Wells and Created by Paul Abbott, SHAMELESS is based on the long-running hit UK series. SHAMELESS is executive produced by acclaimed Emmy® Award-winning television and film producer John Wells, Paul Abbott and Andrew Stearn.
I really like the True Blood - season 5's new cast thus far, both the female (below) and the (alpha) male (above). Chris Meloni is pretty awesome playing awesome so he ought to be quite enjoyable to take in on screen with the rest of the True Blood crew. Another flavour of male. Yum.
I'm anxious too to see Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and a female not Sookie have some heated discussion--which no doubt his sister, 'Nora' plyaed by Lucy Griffiths (below) and he will do.
This would be a good season for True Blood to surprise people with it's regained momentum. Adding Meloni is a very positive step in that direction.
I am looking forward to bringing Denis O'Hare as Russell Edgington too, back into this mix as the True Blood Season 4-ender all-but-spelled out (previously hinted at, after the finale his return was verified in the press). Right now, he's doing a glorious job on American Horror Story on FX as a murderous, treacherous, brain-cancer-addled, love crazy, serious burn victim.
An HBO spokesperson confirmsthat Chris Meloni is joining True Blood as a series regular for Season 5!
Executive producer Alan Ball, True Blood's creator, first shared the news with TVLine. Ball describes Meloni’s role as 'an ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands.'
Ever since the news broke that Meloni was negotiating for a role, fans have suspected he may be part of 'The Vampire Authority', the council which rules over all vampires and gives its royalty their power.
Meloni recently left Law & Order: SVU after 12 seasons on the show. This casting represents a homecoming for the actor after starring in the HBO series, Oz, from 1998-2003. He has also starred on several other series, including NYPD Blue. He appears in the next Superman movie, Man of Steel, due out in 2013
Dec 2011 Update: True Blood season 5 Episode Title - Episode 5.02 - 'Authority Always Wins'
------
A fresh pile of crazy is making tracks for Bon Temps.
Italian actress Valentina Cervi is joining True Blood‘s upcoming fifth season as a series regular —
The 35-year-old beauty will play Salome, an ancient vampire who is a world class seductress and fiercely intelligent. She also has quite a lot of madness in her. She is the most powerful person in every way yet capable of hiding this power when it serves her purposes.
True Blood Small Season 5 Premiere Spoiler:
The season-five premiere of True Blood will have a flashback to Sookie's (Anna Paquin) childhood, and we get to see her use her powers in a deliciously evil way to embarrass a couple of playground bullies. What did they do to piss her off? They don't pick her for their kickball team!
Lucy Griffiths will play Eric Northman's sister who has a 'higher calling'--to The Authority in True Blood - Season 5. Griffiths has been cast as 'Nora,' at several centuries old, very much Eric's junior--yet Bill's senior.
British actress Lucy Griffiths is coming to America in a big way.
The 25-year-old stunner — best known for her role as the ill-fated 'Marian' in the BBC drama Robin Hood — is joining True Blood‘s Season 5 cast as a series regular.
Griffiths will play 'Nora', 'Eric'’s (Alexander Skarsgård) centuries-old vampire “sister” (they were both progenies of Godric) who is working as a double agent within The Vampire Authority.
Described as 'intelligent, intimidating, cool under pressure and a very good liar, Nora loves Eric deeply, but has dedicated her life to a higher purpose.' (SPOILER: Serving 'The Authority.')
True Blood‘s fifth season starts production later this year ahead of a Summer 2012 premiere.
Two of the best surprises about season 1 SHAMELESS on Showtime were Emmy Rossum as Fiona, in her early 20's the eldest sibling in the Gallagher family, and Lip (Jeremy White) at age 17-18, the next sib chronologically. Though Lip is indeed good at defending his family he is less shall we say, responsible than Fiona in that she usually is doing last-minute crisis-solving whilst 'Philip' can be found causing quite a few crises of his own.
Both actors--Rossum as 'Fiona' and White as "Lip' are extremely engaging, a hoot to watch. Previously, Rossum had shone brightly in much more girly show-biz situations, many of them musically-based (she describes her voice as that of a 'lyric soprano') and in which she is quite accomplished. She has however taken to this premium cable dramatic comedy like the proverbial fish to water, mirroring her place as Fiona as the anchor of her family by being the anchor of 'Shameless' itself.
Shameless: Fiona is Foxy (Shameless Spot)
She works hard and plays harder. Watch Emmy Rossum as Fiona in Shameless.
"Lip" as play by Jeremy White, is extremely bright in some ways like scamming money on the side, helping to support everyone. He's tough as nails, a scrappy survivor and like the rest of the Gallagher kids, extremely loyal to his family. However, in the ways of the heart he hasn't quite gotten it yet. The actor nails the part and as much asI'm excited to see Emmy Rossum again grace our screens I'm looking forward to what Jeremy White brings as well.
SHAMELESS returns Sunday January8, 2012 at 9PM ET/PT on Showtime, ensuring a hilarious start to the new year.
Get a taste of Lip's philosophy on parenting, standardized testing, entrepreneurship, relationships and family.
Are you ready for SHAMELESS' return yet? Well, to get you through your rabid excitement, we're featuring your favorite characters for a week on Sho.com. This week, it's Lip Week. Check him out: http://www.sho.com/site/shameless/home.sho
Speaking of Lip, we have a behind-the-scenes interview with the older Gallagher son: Lip Gallagher Is Shameless: http://youtu.be/dCUjjnWQt7E
And, of course, there's a new Truth or Dare. This week, fans want to know if he'd ever "do a big girl": http://youtu.be/CwwwKUDa4b8
William H. Macy as 'Frank Gallagher' on SHO. "Shameless' returns on Jan 8, 2012.
The smashed hit returns. It's summertime and the Gallaghers of Chicago are cooking up fresh ways to bring home the bacon. Their ventures may not be moral — or even legal — but they certainly are outrageous. Between beating the heat and keeping their cool, the Gallaghers are in for one crazy summer. William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum star in the hilarious and heartfelt Showtime Original Series, SHAMELESS.