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)::
(Detail - Photo credit: Mark Seliger/ Rolling Stone)
This is a really pretty picture:
It's really best appreciated in the paper version of the magazine, IMO--that's why I subscribe. I've framed some Rolling Stone magazine photos, quite a number over the years. The 'True Blood' cover (see right sidebar, below) was up on my 'private' bathroom wall for some time.
I don't recall seeing any of Peter Dinklage's work prior to Game Of Thrones on HBO where he's been a huge success, including earning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe award for his portrayal of "Tyrion Lannister" on the HBO series, based on the George R.R. Martin epic book series.
ROLLING STONE is still a magazine worth subscribing to/paying for. I've done so for about 35 years now. The Peter Dinklage article is a good example of Rolling Stone's ability--still--to take a pop culture phenom and offer a fresh take on the human side of him.
Good interview by Brian Hiatt and lovely photography by Mark Seliger with beefcake courtesy of Peter Dinklage.
BONUS: Co-star and onscreen sister, Lena Headey ('Cersei' on GoT), an off-screen friend since their work together in 2006, refers to Dinklage as 'the most successful flirt I've ever met.'
PETER DINKLAGE as TYRION LANNISTER in GAME OF THRONES on HBO.
Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) 'Jaime Lannister is irredeemable.'
GAME OF THRONES - Ill-Fit to Rule (VIDEO):
"Quaithe', a prophet from the same island as Melisandre(!)
GAME OF THRONES - Masked Prophet VIDEO:
Harrenhal's Hanging Cart
GAME OF THRONES - Ill-Fit to Rule VIDEO:
GAME OF THRONES - True Fidelity VIDEO:
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
Episode #17: “A Man Without Honor” (HBO) Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) Other HBO playdates: May 13 (11:00 p.m.), 15 (11:00 p.m.), 16 (10:00 p.m.) and 19 (1:30 a.m.) HBO2 playdates: May 14 (9:00 p.m.), 17 (8:00 p.m.), 18 (midnight) and 20 (1:00 p.m.) Jaime (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau) meets a distant relative; Dany receives an invitation to the House of the Undying; Theon leads a search party; Jon loses his way in the wilderness; Cersei (Lena Headey) counsels Sansa (Sophie Turner). Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by David Nutter.
AFTER THE JUMP -
'Murder of the 13' (diagram) Tywin's Chamber (rendering)
The 'Dark Shadows' Cast Dark Shadows cast members Chloe Grace Moretz, Eva Green, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bella Heathcote.
Cast and crew members turned up in Hollywood to celebrate the premiere of "Dark Shadows," Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's eighth collaboration as director and star.
Prior to sharing the stage with Alice Cooper at the Dark Shadows premiere.
Johnny Depp Chloe Moretz
Depp reunites for the eighth time with director Tim Burton to play Barnabas Collins, the undead paterfamilias of the Collins clan who is released from the grave 200 years after he was buried.
Chloe Grace Moretz (right) plays Carolyn Stoddard, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard's (Michelle Pfeiffer) rebellious teenage daughter.
Isaac Hempstead Wright as Prince of Winterfell, Bran Stark in GAME OF THRONES Episode 15 (HBO):
Game of Thrones Season 2: Recap #15 VIDEO:
Despite the massive going's on in GAME OF THRONES Episode 15 "The Ghost of Harrenhal," the single moment that resonated with me most was the subtle yet deadly serious conversation at Renly's deathbed between Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish (Aiden Gillen) and Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). In the wake of Renly's murder, Littlefinger has urged the Tyrells to beat a hasty retreat before Stannis is upon them. Margaery is in agreement with him and in the course of their conversation, Littlefinger asks Margaery if she wishes to become 'a queen.' 'No' she says as she gazes upon Renly in death, 'I want to be THE queen.'
All of a sudden this seemingly demure barely-a-woman has tipped her hand about her end game. No doubt Littlefinger had already suspected as much as the Tyrell's are a matriarchy (see Inside the Episode #15 video) with the men seemingly rather pliable and the women calling the shots behind the scenes. Instead of a poor, young widowed bride, Margarey presents herself here as a self-possessed and introspective woman who is in no way out ot the game.
Game Of Thrones - Episode 15 - Inside the Episode VIDEO:
BELOW: CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO SEE WHAT 5 OF THE STARK CHIDREN HAVE BEEN DOING:
After the jump: Game Of Thrones Season 2: Anatomy Of A Scene - Theon Being Baptized VIDEO:
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."
PROMETHEUS - 3 MINUTE INTERNATIONAL TRAILER (4.30.12):
Apparently, the 'invitation' (an oft-repeated preview comment by the Noomi Rapace character) is from...Ridley Scott!
WARNING: This preview contains rather large SPOILERS. Not kidding. That said, if you've seen "Alien" and understand that semantics aside, PROMETHEUS is a prequel, then nothing should trouble you about the trailer. Ridley Scott and Co. can argue right up until Prometheus premieres that the film is "not a prequel," but think about it. If he said yeah, it's just a prequel, would as many people be buzzing about it? Maybe. But why chance it? Surely the marketing guys wounldn't. Call it original (ish) and reap the rewards of a potentially massively successful scifi film. Its Ridley Scott. No matter what, there will be elements that will make it worthwhile. It could be magnificent. With Scott's 'Alien' and 'Blade Runner' my two favourite science fiction films thus far, I would like nothing more.
PROMETHEUS Behind The Scenes (April 26) Prometheus Behind The Scenes. A new clip of the upcoming and anticipated Alien movie.
A behind the scenes on Ridley Scott's incredible work. 20 years after Blade Runner, the visionary director returns to sci-fi movie with this 'Alien' prequel. The film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Logan Marshall-Green, Idris Elba and Guy Pearce opens June 8, 2012.
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.
ALFIE ALLEN (Theon Greyjoy), LENA HEADEY (Queen Cersei), KIT HARRINGTON (Jon Snow), EMILIA CLARKE (Daenerys) - ROLLING STONE magazine shoot - March 2012:
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.
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:
It was clear from this first photo released from The Lone Ranger set last month, that Johnny Depp was sticking by his word to make his Tonto a radical departure from the Jay Silverheels' Tonto of the the 1950s-era television show.
But ever since the photo still of Depp and Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger was made public, inquiring minds have been asking: What exactly is the origin of his black-and-white painted warrior?
“I’d actually seen a painting by an artist named Kirby Sattler, and looked at the face of this warrior and thought: That’s it,” Depp said in a recent interview. “The stripes down the face and across the eyes … it seemed to me like you could almost see the separate sections of the individual, if you know what I mean.”...
Depp explained that the lines of paint on the Native American’s face looked to him like a cross-section of the man’s emotional life.
“There’s this very wise quarter, a very tortured and hurt section, and angry and rageful section, and a very understanding and unique side. I saw these parts, almost like dissecting a brain, these slivers of the individual,” he said.”That makeup inspired me.”
The painting also provided inspiration for Tonto’s headdress. “It just so happened Sattler had painted a bird flying directly behind the warrior’s head. It looked to me like it was sitting on top,” Depp said, which led him to another eureka moment. “I thought: Tonto’s got a bird on his head. It’s his spirit guide in a way. It’s dead to others, but it’s not dead to him. It’s very much alive.”...
For his part, Depp has said his motivation to play the character came from disliking how Tonto was relegated to subservience in the old... TV series. While the look may not be historically authentic, Depp wants Tonto’s character to be honorable and self-reliant...
“The whole reason I wanted to play Tonto is to try to [mess] around with the stereotype of the American Indian that has been laid out through history, or the history of cinema at the very least — especially Tonto as the sidekick, The Lone Ranger’s assistant,” Depp told EW. “As you’ll see, it’s most definitely not that.”
There have been a lot of remembrances of Jonathan which have appeared on the Internet since yesterday. I’m proud and honored that mine has been quoted and linked to by many sites. But I want to share two posts I read this morning which are special and revealing.
The first is from Jonathan’s hometown newspaper The Spec and includes wonderful quotes from Jonathan’s nephews and friends about Jonathan’s everyday life in Ancaster.
The second is from The Plain Dealer. Mark Dawidziak writes with such insight. It really is the best appreciation of Jonathan that I’ve read so far.
Jonathan Frid, best known for playing vampire Barnabas Collins on ABC's Dark Shadows, has died. He was 87. The actor died on April 13 of natural causes at Juravinski Hospital in Ontario, Canada, according to Digital Spy.
Dark Shadows, a gothic soap opera, aired from 1966 to 1971 and drew nearly 20 million viewers at the height of its popularity. Frid joined the show in 1967 as Barnabas Collins, a vampire returning to his family's estate, and quickly became the star of the show.
Above: On the set of Dark Shadows - Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen
"May Jonathan Frid, 'our reluctant vampire,' live on in our hearts!" Frid's co-star, Kathryn Leigh Scott, wrote on her website. "How blessed I am to have known this dear man and to have such wonderful memories of him, both on screen and off. ... He was irascible, irreverent, funny, caring, lovable and thoroughly professional, and in the end became the whole reason why kids ran home from school to watch Dark Shadows."
Before his death, Frid, who also starred in the TV movie The Devil's Daughter and the horror film, Seizure, filmed a cameo appearance for Tim Burton's forthcoming big-screen remake of Dark Shadows, in which Johnny Depp will play Barnabas. The film is set to be released May 11.
Johnny Depp on Jonathan Frid's Death:
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Johnny Depp paid tribute to his "Dark Shadows" predecessor Jonathan Frid on Thursday, telling the Los Angeles Times that the first time he met Frid was "elegant and magical." Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins from 1967 to 1971 on the soap opera, died April 13 at the age of 87, though news of his death began to filter out on Thursday. "Jonathan Frid was the reason I used to run home from school to watch ‘Dark Shadows,'" Depp told the paper. "His elegance and grace was an inspiration then and will continue to remain one forever more. When I had the honor to finally meet him... generously passed the torch of Barnabas." Depp, who called Frid "a true original," plays Collins in the big-screen adaptation of "Dark Shadows," which hits theaters on May 11.
Frid has a bit part in the film, as a party guest. According to Depp, when he met Frid, the elder actor was " elegant and magical as I had always imagined."
'I won’t ever forget the moment when the two Barnabas Collinses met, one in his late 80s and the other in his mid-40s, each with their wolf’s head canes. Jonathan took his time scrutinizing his successor’s appearance. “I see you’ve done the hair,” Jonathan said to Johnny Depp, “but a few more spikes.” Depp, entirely in character, replied, “Yes, we’re doing things a bit differently.' -KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
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.
Edie Falco as 'Jackie' and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) as a drug buddy who dies while doing drugs with Jackie:
EDIT #2/So the opening episode was pretty great, right? Just the beginning! Here's a SPOILER about 2 characters for whom sharp eyes will draw a distinct connection!
'Nurse Jackie': Jackie wouldn't be Jackie if she put in her 28 days at rehab and it was smooth sailing from there. Of course she leaves early, and of course life conspires to make continued sobriety a difficult proposition. And, no, it's not a coincidence that her new boss and her new rehab buddy share the same last name -- on and off screen"
Synopsis: 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.
Bobby Cannavale as Mike Cruz and Edie Falco as Jackie in "Nurse Jackie," Sundays on Showtime beginning April 8.
Nurse Jackie: 'Karma's a Bitch' Nurse Jackie Episode 4.01
Detail: 'Kettle Kettle Black Black' - 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.(SOURCE: TVGuide.com)
'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:
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):
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.)
Emmy Rossum as 'Fiona Gallagher' and Justin Chatwin as 'Steve' discuss his wife and the fact that he's 'not there yet' as far as Fiona is concerned about his having a chance to become a couple once again on SHAMELESS on Showtime, Sunday night.
Shameless: 'Free and Clear'
Steve reveals to Fiona that his wife is in love with another man.
Shameless: 'Fire Bombed'
Ian cleans up the store after it's trashed.
TVGuide Synopsis: With Monica around and pitching in, Fiona is able to devote more time to pursuing her GED and seek a promotion at the club; Steve learns Estefania is still in love with her ex-boyfriend, so he and Lip conspire to sneak her beau back into the country. Meanwhile, Ian is busy dodging a vengeful Terry Milkovich; and Lip ponders the possibility that he might be poppa to Mandy's impending arrival.
Next on SHAMELESS - Episode 10 'A Great Cause' (Showtime):
Fiona starts to plan for her future now that Monica is back but her reprieve may be short-lived as Monica falls apart, spends the squirrel fund and gets arrested; Steve conspires to reunite Estefania with her true love so that he can be with Fiona; Lip and Ian learn the true identity of Mandy's baby; Sheila takes in a homeless crack addict.
The walkers were never and won't ever be the biggest threat. That comes from within--whether you are talking of within the group or within the individual.
800-pound motorcycle.
The Rick - Shane, Walking Dead (AMC Sundays) episode 2.10 FIGHT [PHOTOS] VIDEO:
Shoved on Rick by Shane. This happens next.
Rick is literally part of a walker pile-up. The really fun part was when the guy on top, very much not-yet-headshot, was working furiously to get to Rick, who was just a s furiously shooting the next closest-atop-him walker. Pinned under a pileup of walkers--so what to do about the topmost hungry guy? Blow through the guy just below him's head until a bullet goes into the head of the troublesome top-of-pile walker. Biting problem solved. Not unpinned yet, tho'.
The Walking Dead's 'Rick Grimes' (Andrew Lincoln) watches intently as his and 'Shane's' stunt-man doubles go through part of the now-pivotal fight scene.
This marks the first time Shane has tried to kill Rick. The first time, nosy old 'Dale' caught him in the almost-act--which deterred him and deferred this--which has been on the horizon for a while. It'll be awesome to watch it play out.
Inside Episode 210 The Walking Dead: 18 Miles Out VIDEO:
Shane has just unleashed the walkers in his murder attempton Rick. Be sure to listen to Andrew Lincoln's explanation (see VIDEO) of his character 'Rick Grime's, belief in 'humanity and Shane specifically, that motivate him to continue trying keep Shane close (above).
At this point, Rick and the captive Randall have taken off for the car--Shane's car--and hope is just about lost as Shane tires from the horde that is now about to burst in the school bus door and devour him.... Oh yes, that is Rick Grimes literally riding shotgun (!), saving Shane's hide. Can Shane be redeemed? I think we may find out soon.
Grammy Gallagher (Louise Fletcher) shows up on a medical furlough and tries to track down a former meth lab protege that owes her money; Sheila plans Karen's wedding reception; Fiona double dates with Steve and his Brazilian girlfriend, and discovers that Steve is married; Ethel reacts to Clyde's death; Frank discovers the identity of Eddie's insurance beneficiary. (Showtime)
(Tony's new girlfriend is ) 'Laotian, I think.' - Fiona to Steve (!)
Shameless: 'Double Date' SNEAK PEEK
Steve asks Fiona to go out on a double date.
Shameless: 'Interloper' SNEAK PEEK
Sheila gives a speech at Karen's wedding.
I had a hard time screencapping the sneak peek with Joan Cusak as "Sheila" giving a speech at daughter Karen's wedding only to be interrupted in the most profane way by Frank's mother, because I was laughing so hard. "Grammy' (Louise Fletcher) is an uninvited guest or 'interloper' as Sheila yells at her which leaves Grammy is utterly unfazed. She uses a few bleep-inducing, choice words and then whips out her gun and aims for Sheila. Sheila, perhaps to her credit, does not back down one bit but dares Grammy' to bring it. One of the funniest scenes ever in Shameless and that is truly high praise. I love these two veteran actresses duking it out. So well written!
'My parents suck, too.' Fiona to Frank.
Have you ever wondered how Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) became TV's most vile, deadbeat dad? Well, you know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Coming up on Showtime's 'Shameless,'" Grammy Gallagher (Louise Fletcher) is paying her son Frank a visit, straight out of jail, and she's bringing a whole lot of crazy with her.
"Grammy is going to end up mano a mano at Sheila's (Joan Cusack), on Sheila's couch, so that will be interesting," star Emmy Rossum told HuffPost TV. "When we meet Grammy, we finally understand why Frank is the way he is, especially Fiona. Grammy is Frank to the Nth degree. She's even worse. She's scheming, and when she comes back, the first thing she does when she gets out of jail, on medical furlough, is open up a meth lab in our basement, and she has Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) running it. Fiona is obviously not pleased about that." (cont. after video)
Shameless: 'Grammy's Back' Behind the scenes (Interviews) The cast of Shameless talks about the return of Frank's mother, Peggy Gallagher.
(cont.)
But could Grammy's meth lab lead to a violent encounter for the Gallaghers? "[Grammy] pulls a gun on Sheila," said Rossum. "It's pretty awesome. We love guns this year. Sadly, no guns for FiFi."
Lip (Jeremy Allen White) will also have his fair share of Grammy to deal with, especially when she insults his manhood.
"[Frank is] forced to bathe his mother, and Lip comes in to use the toilet," White told HuffPost TV in January, describing his favorite scene with Grammy. "It's strange because the family is so close in that way, but then Grammy makes fun of Lip. She's like, 'Wow, that's such a tiny pecker. Do you have sex with girls with that thing?' And then Lip comes back and says something funny. Then, Frank comes in and says, 'Yeah, it's so tiny!' It's just this weird, vicious cycle of family cruelty that doesn't stop."
However, Grammy isn't the only estranged Gallagher to return for Season 2. Monica Gallagher (Chloe Webb), Frank's ex-wife and the mother of the boisterous Gallagher brood, will also also return later in the season. It looks like she's cleaned up her act and she's hoping for forgiveness from Fiona.
"Monica, the mother, comes back, and she's seemingly really healthy all of the sudden," revealed Rossum. "She seems to be back on her meds, and Fiona is going to give her another shot, so we'll see how that goes."
Marvel - The Avengers Super Bowl XLVI Commercial VIDEO:
Marvel's 'The Avengers' Super Bowl Commercial shows never-before-seen clips from the film, starring Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Evans (Captain America) and Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk).
Joss Whedon: 'The Avengers' Will Be Told From The Eyes Of Captain America:
While the superhero-packed film "The Avengers" has every comic book lover's heart aflutter, a concern lingers on just how the coming blockbuster will rangle a story with so many characters and backstories.
"The Avengers" has the awesome and difficult task of combining Marvel's VIPs -- Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow -- into a single story line.
Tough, but movie vet (and clandestine Shakespearean daredevil) Joss Whedon has found a way around this too-many-cooks-spoil-the-pot thing. “I set out with a very simple problem," Whedon the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. "There is no reason for these people to be in the same movie. So that’s what my movie has to be about. So much of the movie takes place from Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) perspective, since he’s the guy who just woke up and sees this weird ass world. Everyone else has been living in it.” Clever, very clever!
The film also boasts some of Hollywood's biggest names: Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, and Samuel L. Jackson.
"The Avengers" opens in 3D on May 4th. [EW via Collider]
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
Is Emmy Rossum ever not completely adorable and fun? She seems so at ease in her own skin. My guess is that she is in really high demand for photoshoots like this one with Zooey Magazine where they pulled out all the stops in showing the many sides of Emmy. This video is a terrific behind-the-scenes record of some of what goes into being a cover girl. Bonus: Emmy's little dog 'Cinnamon' wanders in and out of the frame several times.
Emmy Rossum's Glamorous Zooey Magazine Outtakes:
Offering up a behind-the-scenes look, Emmy Rossum is featured in just-released outtakes from her cover gig with the January 2012 issue of Zooey. The 25-year-old actress strapped on a $2,000 Mandalay dress for the magazine's front page shot, which was taken by renowned photographer Derek Wood.
Emmy Rossum plays Fiona Gallagher on "Shameless," the oldest child in the rambunctious Gallagher clan. And although her character's only 21 years-old, because her dad Frank is alcoholic and her mother's gone, taking care of her 5 brothers and sisters (and father) is her responsibility.
There was only one problem with the role for Rossum: in real-life, she's an only child. She told "CBS This Morning" (weekdays, 7 a.m. EST on CBS) about the creative way "Shameless" producers got her some experience taking care of kids. "The producers kind of gave me $80, and were like, 'Here's a mini-van, take all of these kids to putt-putt. Feed them, change them, deal with them. And also deal with Bill Macy. So it was that kind of idea and I kind of got thrown into it pretty quickly," Rossum remembered.
That mini-golf outing wasn't the only quality time the cast spends together off-set. Rossum told Gayle King that they get together at Bill Macy's house for Sunday night dinners and "Shameless" watching. "We'll all watch together, and if the kids are there, we'll cover their eyes during the naked naughty bits. We're a cable show, so we have to do that," she joked. Clearly, the mini-golf paid off.
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).
Joan Cusak as "Sheila' in Shameless, Sunday nights at 8c/9e on Showtime.
Sheila (Joan Cusak) makes it farther and farther away from home. Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) reminds Frank (William H. Macy) that soon her mom will get to meet all of Frank's friends at the bar.
Why Emmy Rossum Wanted to Be on Shameless
What the Shameless Kids Have in Common:
Actor Jeremy Allen White, who plays Phillip "Lip" Gallagher on Showtime's hit series Shameless, reveals that he's the only Gallagher child with a sibling in real life—none of the other children have brothers and sisters! Emmy Rossum, who stars as Fiona, explains why she thinks that's one of the reasons the cast is so close.
Jeremy Allen White as 'Lip" in Shameless on Showtime
Does William H. Macy mentor his castmates? What's it like for Emmy Rossum to play a not-so-glamorous character? The stars of Showtime's hit series Shameless answer burning questions from some of their biggest fans. Plus, watch an impromptu musical performance from Laura Slade Wiggins.
Rosie's Favorite Shameless Character:
A die-hard fan of Shameless asks Rosie who her favorite character is on the Showtime hit series. It's a hard choice for Rosie, who says that "every character is perfect," but she shares which one she likes the most and why.
The cast of Showtime's Shameless on the Rosie Show:
Working it, Shameless style
Shameless: This Year's Crop
Kevin (Steve Howey) shows Lip (Jeremy White) his grow house which will be shut down unless he finds $9000 to pay the electric bill.
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
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.
12.02.11 UPDATE: DEXTER"S 8th Season to be it's Last:
Michael C. Hall in DEXTER Episode 6.10 - 'Ricochet Rabbit' (SHO):
Next on Dexter Season 6 Episode 10 - Ricochet Rabbit:
Dexter tries to figure out the Doomsday Killers' next victim before it's too late after learning the truth about Gellar; Debra has a panic attack reaction at a crime scene, which leads her to the realization that she leans too heavily on her brother.
DEXTER season 6 is getting some really sour feedback from critics and audiences alike.
The latest EW magazine opines that season 5 was 'weak' and Season 6 is 'weaker.'
The complaints are being fired mostly at the 'DDK' (Doomsday Killer--not really even a great acronym made from that) storyline. The consensus seems to be 'fire the writers,' which is unsurprising as the actors on Dexter continue to be of the caliber that they usually are but the season 6 storyline has not been able to engage viewers ala season 4's 'Trinity Killer' storyline (which I think besides DEXTER season 1, will be the standard to which all seasons will be held). Possibly, the return of Dexter's bio-brother (in Harry form) was the biggest let-down as anticipation for his return began at the end of season 1.
What could have further plumbed the depths of Dexter's psyche ended up more as a jokey, pseudo-Thelma and Louise one-off episode. Dexter never seemed in danger of slipping into an extended bout of Rudy-like behaviour and therein lay the problem. And then *poof* Rudy was gone. That was a wasted opportunity, if there ever was one.
I'm a from-day-one 'Dexter' fan as I followed Michael C. Hall from Six Feet Under to this and I believe he never disappoints. I would have ranked it as my favourite show until this season (though it is by no means 'bad' nor do I wish to stop watching it).
In addition to being the star of Dexter, Hall, as you see in the credits is an executive producer (EP) of the show. I think he needs to step in and step it up for seasons 7 -8. ( Showtime has announced two more seasons of Dexter have been approved.)
I did like the DDK twist of this past week. Now I want to see what they are going to do with it. I have high hopes as I'd like to see season 6 end without giving anyone (including me) more reason to carp about the show.
'Gellar's Paintings' - Deb, Batista and Mike discover DDK's hideout.
'You Killed Me' - Travis discovers the truth about Gellar
Update #2 (12.03.11) SPOILERS:
EW DEXTER SCOOP (12.02.11)
Though plans could still change, SHOWTIME entertainment president David Nevins tells EW the working assumption is indeed that 'Dexter' will conclude in the eighth season. Moreover, the creative endgame starts sooner than you think — the remaining episodes of the current sixth season will set into motion events that will resonate through the remainder of the series. “Coming back for two more years gives us clarity about how and when it will go out,” Nevins said at Showtime’s annual holiday party in Los Angeles on Thursday night. “There’s things that are going to happen [this season] that will set up a very clear endgame that will take two seasons to tell. You have got to be there for the last two episodes.”
Homeland | Speaking of top-notch cable dramas, the Dec. 18 freshman finale of Showtime’s spy thriller will play host to a showdown between its two leading ladies, Claire Danes and Morena Baccarin, who thus far have been traveling in rather separate circles. “We have a fantastic confrontation,” Morena Baccarin told me. “After Jessica puts it together who Carrie is, they have this sort of face-off.” Pressed for further details, all Baccarin would add is, “It takes place at my house, and it is intense.” My question: Does “who Carrie is” mean “CIA spook trying to finger my husband for treason,” “harlot who bedded him,” or a bit of both?
Claire Danes as CIA spook Carrie Mathison in Homeland on Showtime CREDIT: Showtime
HOMELAND Update! (12.02.11) SPOILER:
Q: What can you tell me about Brody’s plan?
A: This week’s episode, titled “Representative Brody,” doesn’t particularly give us too many more clues about any secret plot he might have going because everything about his future is seemingly out on the table — as you might have surmised from the title of the episode. The problem is Jessica has to be on board before Brody makes any leap, and let’s just say she’s less than thrilled about the idea.
Bonus dish: The end of the hour will find Carrie (Claire Danes) in a hospital bed after a horrible and incredibly terrifying incident.
The character is to be featured in True Blood Season 5
The fifth season of True Blood promises to be a hairy one — the show is hunting for actors to play werewolves galore, including one who sounds suspiciously like he could be Alcide’s father!
The lycanthrope in question, J.D., is said to be a hard-bodied fiftysomething who isn’t likely to share a water bowl with the new pack leader anytime soon. And since 1) that sounds a lot like Alcide to begin with, 2) his pop features prominently in Charlaine Harris’ fifth Sookie novel, and 3) our resident werehunk was last seen being growled at by an unidentified wolf… well, you can do the math!
EDIT/ Wait! Wasn't it Sam (Sam Trammell) not Alcide (played by Joe Manganiello) who came upon a none-too-friendly-looking wolf in True Blood's season 4 finale?/End EDIT
My picks to play the part? Maybe Andy Garcia? Mitch Pileggi, who just took another recurring role in the Dallas reboot… or what about Mr. Intensity himself, Vincent D’Onofrio?
EDIT/ I'd like to see Ron Perlman get the part.
We’ll also be meeting: former pack leader Marcus’ mother Annie as well as a hot young she-wolf named Rikki who’s determined to sniff out the deceased’s fate;
EDIT/"Marcus,' who was killed by Sam and Alcide was in his thirties. His mom will probably be in the age range of Alcide's dad (see above). It's possible that "Rikki' will be the late Marcus' sister.
...a couple of beta dogs charged with interrogating someone (my guess? Sam);
EDIT/ This is quite possible and is more in line with the snarling wolf that was facing off with Sam when last we saw him.
'Holly’s teenage sons, Rocky and Wade'
EDIT/ I actually have come to like Holly or more correctly, the actress Lauren Bowles who plays her. Bringing in her sons sounds to me like Holly will continue to get some decent face time-- which makes me happy.
"... a corrupt judge (aren’t they all?); a humorless vamp named Cat (to… balance out the canine/feline ratio?); and a couple of sexy spoilers for Jason and Jessica’s romance.
Add all that to what we already knew — that Salome*** (yes, the Salome) will feature prominently in the season, and so will Eric’s vamp sis, Nora — and it’s obvious that we’re in for another jam-packed season."
I am super-curious to see 'who' True Blood will cast in the role of Eric's maker's other sire, Nora. She's got to be someone who is going to get on Eric's last nerve.
Now that I've read the description of Salome, it should be a hoot to see who lands that role, too.
***Christian traditions depict her as an icon of dangerous female seductiveness, for instance depicting as erotic her dance mentioned in the New Testament (in some later transformations further iconised to the dance of the seven veils), or concentrate on her lighthearted and cold foolishness that, according to the gospels, led to John the Baptist's death.
A new ramification was added by Oscar Wilde, who in his play Salome portrayed her as something of a femme fatale. This last interpretation, made even more memorable by Richard Strauss's opera based on Wilde, is not consistent with Josephus's account; according to the Romanized Jewish historian, she lived long enough to marry twice and raise several children. Few literary accounts elaborate the biographical data given by Josephus.
The Season 5 Premiere of True Blood will be called "Turn! Turn! Turn!" Filming starts at the end of November, 2012.
Pretty amazing to think that True Blood season 5 news has begun begin trickling in (out?) the month following the Season 4 finale!
Kathryn Stanley as Salome (1926, photo by Edwin Hesser)
“Thou rejectedest me. Thou didst speak evil words against me. Thou didst bear thyself toward me as to a harlot, to me, Salome, daughter of Herodias, Princess of Judaea!
Well, I still live, but thou art dead, and thy head belongs to me.”
Somewhere between the beginning of season 4 of HBO's True Blood and now--True Blood lost me:
I still find many of it's characters compelling but a significant number over the last two seasons were not remotelyso. They include the deceased 'Tommy Mickens', shapeshifter and brother to the owner of the local 'Cheers'-type-establishment Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell). Let's not forgettheir trailer park-stereotype parents (mom was a shifter, dad just an abusive drunk) were mercifully were given little screen time i season 4 and better, were swiftly killed off.
Anytime they were onscreen I was drifting off:
Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwantan) and Crystal, the werepanther and the entire 'Hot Shot' storyline. It seems that the producers of True Blood figured out in Season 3 to not take this cringe-worthy story much further so they didn't. Unfortunately, they dropped the story like a hot potato at the very beginning of season 4 after a big season 3 build-up so it felt very abrupt. Literally, it felt dropped--though the ultimate goal was met quickly which served the story despite it's other flaws.
They did the same to the "Fae' storyline, pretty much. The audience was not really receptive to the faery godmother thing and the rest so--poof! Gone. (And, they killed off Claudine, those bastards! She was so cool in the books.)
The witches' invasion was OK. Certainly casting Fiona Shaw in the lead was a good choice but the outcome of the witches' Bon Temps takeover was so that Eric would lose his memory and embark with a clean slate, in an affair with Sookie Stackhouse. Beyond that, did anyone really fear Marnie/Antonia or care all that much except for Eric getting his memory back?
And that is probably NOT the worst of it about things not-great in season 4. After so much hype about Sookie and Eric the romance just went pfft. Though I thought it impossible, beyond flirtation Alexander Skarsgård and Anna Paquin don't have the chemistry that makes for a believably hot, intense romance. I don't know why--or maybe that is exactly why but their lovemaking scenes never came near the hotness of some of the 'Sookie and Bill in love'-action.
Finally, they still haven't figured out what to do with poor Tara (Rutina Wesley). The season-ender of True Blood had Tara getting her brains literally blown out.
Too bad this scene (above) never happened. It looks like it has potential.
EDIT/Oh yeah. This too. The reconciled werewolf couple Debbie Pelt and Alcide Herveaux. Except when Joe Manganiello as Alcide has his shirt off, this was another wasted effort that show a complete lack of...IDK, caring? on the writer's part. It made no sense whatsoever that Debbie attempt to murder Sookie as she and Alcide have not even made it beyond hugging. Just the same, true to form Debbie tried to kill Sookie in her own house only his time she got both herself and Tara shot. (Tara's brains spattered so far that if she comes back as anything but a ghost I may-- though I almost never threaten this--I may say to hell with the show.)
Tara's (Rutina Wesley) brains in True Blood - Season 4 Episode 12
Sookie (Anna Paquin) reacting to Tara's sacrifice, screams for help (guess who will respond first? The list is ever-growing).
So where will the series pick up next season? Right after this moment? Would you feel cheated if it didn't pick up on this moment if somehow Tara still 'exists?' I think I would.
Vampires have feelings, too:
Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) shown with 'Ginger' (Tara Buck) is as upset as we've seen her, again for the same reason--her maker, Eric. This time in disgust (and still bedding Sookie) he ordered her away after she disobeyed a direct order (and said screw the safety of the humans, essentially). But he and Sookie (and Bill) are kaput so I'm thinking it will be easier for Eric and Pam to resume their very smooth relationship as boss and the boss's 2nd in command. Let's hope so!
Despite my numerous quibbles I am curious about season 5 True Blood so read on about some of the first tidbits of True Blood Season 5 info. spilling forth as the TB writers 'break' season 5.
So far, we have had official confirmation--as well as duh! the big hole where Russell Edgington used to be in episode 12, that Denis O'Harewill return to season 5 True Blood as the former King of Mississippi. I'm sure his story of escape will be intriguing. I'm guessing one of Russell's other 'progeny' finally found him(?) due to the signal of 'maker in trouble' getting through--but truly, I have no idea.
True Blood Season 5 NEW Character Announcement and Descriptions:
As the producers promised, True Blood is introducing several new characters in season 5 — and EW got the early word on two of the roles.
Creator Alan Ball and his team of scribes have put out a casting call for someone to play Nora, a beautiful and intelligent 25-to-35 something who plays a double agent within the Vampire Authority. What’s even better than that? She’s got a big history with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) because she too is a progeny of Godric(!). Nora will be a series regular role that may (or may not) involve a little nudity...
Meanwhile, Co-Executive Producer Raelle Tucker told EW that they’ll include a “very significant, strong, mysterious woman at the center of one of our main stories next year … a very familiar and compelling character. It may be someone you’ve heard of before.” Especially if you’ve read the Bible: The True Blood team also put out the call for someone to play Salome, as in THE Salome, daughter of Herodias.
She’s a powerful ancient vampire (hmm, don’t remember that part from the New Testament) and a world-class seductress who’s also a little mad. So she’ll fit right into Bon Temps.
Showtime has just released an intriguing Dexter 'look ahead' video which I've screencapped so you can better enjoy all the gory details:
...and there are quite a few of them.
Though not all the scenes are 'looking ahead,' as hopefully you've now been able to enjoy episodes 1 & 2, the video contains scenes through at least episode 4 which makes them all the more worthy of perusal.
I admit, the religious-based storyline with the iconic Edward James Olmos in the lead and Colin Hanks as his partner-in-crime has already gotten under my skin partly because I suspect that their 'sacrificial' acts will only grow more grandiose. Also, I feel pretty awful about what they are doing to poor, innocent folks randomly selected for sacrifice. Scary stuff.
Meanwhile, Dexter is mulling over whether "Brother Sam,' played by the surprisingly great Mos (I'd not seen his acting work before), is 'worthy' of going on Dexter's table. Is Brother Samtruly repentant for his murderous ways or as Dexter has reasoned, has he only gotten better at not getting caught? Seems like the conclusion that Dexter draws will quite literally be a matter of life or death (Brother Sam's).
Sneak Peeks for DEXTER & HOMELAND Episode 3! (Below) :
I've also got some links to some great new interviews with the Homeland cast [VIDEO]:
You simply must view each of these videos as the actors fill in some very interesting back-story on their characters that may--or may not be revealed in the show (they have not yet done so through episode 3).
One revelation in particular is going to have me watching two characters on Homeland with a completely different mindset and it has nothing to do with whether or not the character of ex-POW 'Brody' (Damian Lewis) has been turned(!)
Claire Danes as 'Carrie Mathison' in Showtime's new series "Homeland':
Hey there!
I finally got a chance to view episode 101 of Homeland and holy cow, if you thought the pilot was intense, wait until you see episode 101!* And you won't have to wait very long--this Sunday, October 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT right after Dexter is the time to tune in.
Meanwhile, why not get comfy and re-watch the Homeland pilot (episode 100) here or heavens forbid, if you missed it catch it for the first time! I have the full episode of Dexter 6.01, 'Those Kind Of Things' embedded both in this post and at the bottom of this blog--but hurry, because they both are available only for a limited time!
So back to Homeland, episode 101 entitled 'Grace,' which airs on Showtime this Sunday.
Firstly, I came to the show already loving the work of Homeland co-star Claire Danes but this is one role unlike any other she has taken on and she is really running with it! I have a whole new level of appreciation for the onetime breakout teenage star of 'My So-Called Life.' She is is all grown up now (with among other accolades, a 2010 Emmy to show for it) and this role has really given Danes a deeply complex, multi-layered character who is impossible to take your eyes off.
Damian Lewis as "Nick Brody' in Showtime's new series "Homeland':
What is really surprising me though isn't how great Danes as CIA agent Carrie Mathison is but Damian Lewis as 'Nick Brody', the deeply scarred, both psychologically and physically, former POW of 8 years that Carrie is certain has himself been turned into a terrorist. What a revelation! I have no idea how I missed this fine actor's performances in the past but one thing I know for sure, from now on I'll be watching for his name in the credits of any of his future endeavors! He is so skilled at bringing this character to life. Two episodes in and my heart is breaking for him...but should it be? That's the rub. And SMALL SPOILER when the former Sgt. Brody does indeed 'draw solace from his pain in the most unexpected way' it is a complete mind-blower. Seriously.
There's much more to episode 101 but I'm saving the rest of my comments for after the audience at large gets a chance to enjoy it. I'll be watching, too. I've had to restrain myself from watching it a second time on my screener as I think it's best to watch it as it is being broadcast--then watch it as many times again as I please. Please you know, there's the little matter of my spouse who is watching the show as it is broadcast. This is the kind of show that we --and you will be be talking about afterwards.
*Previously, I made a slight 'oopsie" in the numbering sequence of Homeland: the first episode, the one embedded here, is entitled Episode 100 "Pilot.' The second episode is 101 'Grace.'
Check out the newest behind-the-scenes videos for both DEXTER and HOMELAND!:
I just love the behind-the-scenes interviews--they almost make me feel like I'm part of the process of the show's creation. I've gained many fascinating insights by listening to the creators be they writers, set, or makeup as well as the actors share their thoughts on their respective series. Love the extras, Showtime. Keeep 'em coming!
Homeland Ausiello Spoiler Ahead:
Q: Loved the premiere of Homeland on Showtime! Got any scoop for me?
A: There’s a death coming that, while not entirely surprising, still depressed the hell out of me. And if the chilling final shot of Episode 3 means what I think it means, the looming terror attack will involve *** *****l.
SOURCE: Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Bones, Gossip Girl, Vamp Diaries, Walking Dead, Glee, SVU and More!
Saw an interesting opinion the other day about "Who shot Nancy Botwin?' (on Showtime's "WEEDS") if indeed she was shot.
Also, just read a really facinating interview with Showtime president David Nevins about Weeds and some other signature Showtime shows too, as well as a couple getting ready to debut like Homeland. I excerpted a couple Q's below but be sure to click through because the article is worth a read. (Scroll down below the possible SPOILER coming up...)
"Nancy Botwin" with son 'Silas', ' Guillermo,' and in back, husband 'Esteban'
Q: So was that a season or series finale of Weeds? A: Though Showtime has yet to renew the series, we hear that this isn't the last we've seen of the Botwin clan. So what does that mean for Nancy? Did 'Guillermo' finally exact revenge after all these years of abuse? Possibly! We ran into Guillermo Diaz on the Scandal set, and he revealed that:
SPOILER.
'Guillermo actually appeared in the penultimate episode (of Weeds!):
He also mentioned that the cast, including him, are expecting to be back for another season. (Time to re-watch that episode again, stat!)'
It's not often that a network executive gets to take over in a period of prosperity. Usually, the previous guy was fired, and usually because things haven't been going well. But Showtime entertainment president David Nevins took over the pay cable channel last summer not because there was a crisis, but because predecessor Robert Greenblatt was looking for new challenges (in this case, trying to resurrect NBC) after seven successful years.
Under Greenblatt's watch, Showtime went from HBO afterthought to a channel with its own clear identity, with a roster of shows that became Emmy contenders from the moment they were announced, and in the case of "Dexter," a very clear hit...
Well, speaking of that, "Dexter" is your biggest hit. It's done very, very well for you. But that is a show where it seems, no matter who is behind the wheel, it has certain things it does each and every year. Last year, we were told, "This will not be like any other year. We're not going to have a big bad who winds up strapped to Dexter's table," and that's pretty much what happened with Jonny Lee Miller's character. You said in the executive session that that's a show you'd like to see go on for many more years to come.
As a programmer, I believe in change. I'm not scared of change. I know where they're going this season and have some sense of where they could go in subsequent seasons. Just as you have to keep seeding your network with the next new thing, in long-running shows you have to make changes, and I think sometimes people get very conservative about, "Don't mess with the formula. It works." In the same way I think it's good to mess with your programming formula, I think long-running shows mess with the formula. The difference between "ER" and "Ally McBeal" is that "ER" changed a lot over the years and ran for 14 years, versus "Ally McBeal," which burned bright, didn't change and went away. I think "Jackie" and "Dexter" both are into that moment where they need to mess with what they're doing. There's going to be some things that happen over this season of "Dexter" that can change some of the DNA in the show.
...I wrote a story that mentioned in passing that "Weeds" is the one Showtime comedy that significantly evolves as it goes along...
'(And) when I actually looked at the (Weed's viewership) numbers, they've been very strong over time.'
'The numbers really hold up. I think it's (Weeds is) ballsy....a...great advantage... every year: you wipe the slate clean, start with a new story, and you can pull things forward that you want to pull forward, you can change things) or not, if you get sick of someone you can kill them, etc...'
Claire Danes and Damian Lewis star in the suspenseful new SHOWTIME Original Series HOMELAND. New episodes Sundays at 10pm ET/PT beginning October 2nd, only on SHOWTIME.
Dexter Poster - Key Art Giveaway!:
Leave a comment saying you'd like a full size copy of the awesome season 6 key art poster featuring Michael C. Hall as Dexter. I'll announce the winner Thanksgiving week. More deets later!
Dexter - Season 6: Episode 1 - 2 Small Spoilers:
Q: Please give us scoop on the new season of Dexter!
A: The season premiere opens on a bleeding Dexter calling 911 to report that he has been stabbed.
Has someone finally discovered his secret and exacted a poetic revenge? Did he slip in a pool of someone else's blood and fall on his own knife? Will he analyze his own spatter pattern while he waits for the ambulance to arrive? Nope, nope and nope.
SOURCE:TVGUIDE (make sure you have you pop-up blocker actived!)
Dexter - Episode 6.01 - Those Kinds of Things - Short Synopsis:
Dexter Morgan attends his 20th high school reunion; Dexter considers his son's legacy; Debra becomes an unexpected hero.
On the subject of HOMELAND, Showtime is teaming up with GameSpot to give away 5000 beta keys to preview the newest version of the first-person shooter game Ghost Recon: http://www.gamespot.com/event/codes/ghostrecon/ Beta keys will be given out at random times over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out on Homeland's Facebook and Twitter pages to claim yours!
Also, all of the games at http://watchcareful.ly are live, and starting today, you can unlock the first episode of HOMELAND. Watchcareful.ly is the only place where HOMELAND will be shown unedited online.
Published on Sep 7, 2011 by SHOWTIME
The CIA debriefs Sergeant Brody.
After the jump - Homeland - 'Presumed Dead' Sneak Peek (VIDEO)
True Blood's Season 4 finale was very uneven--much like most of the season:
It's easier to rattle off the 'misses' than the hits so that's where I'll start.
Misses (in no particular order):
1. Alcide's (Joe Manganiello) 'Let's use our brains instead of hearts' chat with Sookie (Anna Paquin). What a way to approach asking a lady out! Having dumped his adulterous, V-addict wife, Debbie Pelt and disapproving of Sookie's choices in men (vampires) he suggests that Sookie start using her head and give him--a werewolf a shot.
This was probably among the longest bits of convo that Joe Manganiello as 'Alcide Herveaux' has had and though others have criticized the actor for being 'wooden,' I did not see it. Until now. Not only did Alcide seal the deal that he will NEVER 'have' Sookie but he pretty much guaranteed that the Alcide storyline is going to evaporate in season 5. Hopefully, Alcide's ending won't be as as brutally abrupt as Jason's stint with the dentally-impaired denizens of Hotshot because let's be honest, he is one fine male specimen. Sookie is going to be man-free for a time--and then--who knows, but at most, a short stint with the wolf-man is all there will be. Too bad.
2. OMG, Marnie (Fiona Shaw) no! Not again with the 'I've been a freak all my life and people are mean, POOR ME.' This has got to be at least the third full-blown pity poor me speech they've given Shaw as the mousy palm reader turned revenge-seeking uber-wiccan. Was her crappy life supposed to justify her behaviour? It would have been better to simply go with her being driven mad. Instead Marnie simply became a harpy. Waste of Shaw's abilities--at least as the season wound down.
3. WTF?! with the long, lingering suckling sounds then wider shot of both Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) feeding on Sookie's wrists?! All three are snug on the sofa with Sookie, as Jason would put it, using Sookie as their own private soda fountain. Just ugh and OMG how freakin' cheesy is the fact that both men were in matching robes? No wonder she dumped them! She knows that a big bromance is brewing between them! Did you see some of the eye-fucking going on between Eric and Bill in the last couple of episodes? I'd love a nice Eric & Bill adventure if only to stir up both sides cheering for Sookie to pick one. The scene though was just icky on all kinds of levels though I think it was meant to be slightly campy and amusing (before Sookie got all traditional and decided she just could. not. love. both of them at the same time).
4. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Hoyt's 3-minute "I'm doing Jesssica' scene: a total waste of three minutes intended simply to give Jim Parrack as Hoyt some season finale face time. I like the actor but this was totally superfluous.
The rest was typical Jason and the one line of any significance was repeated by Jason to Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) after their tryst--no need for Hoyt to have been in this episode--at all.
5. Speaking of a waste of time. Kevin Alejandro got plenty of face time. He did not need to engage in the interminable back and forth with the possessed-by-Marnie, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). It went on forever...could have trimmed that by at least a minute with less candle-lighting and chest slashing. RIP 'Jesus', BTW. Kevin Alejandro did a very credible job this season and became a character that the audience grew fond of. That's the point of course, when you know that you will off him before season's end.
6. Luna (Janina Gavankar) & Sam (Sam Trammell). How long did it take them to say a whole lot of nothing and then goodnight? And haven't they been all about nothing? Does anyone care about them? Anyone? I like Sam--who doesn't?--but there is zero chemistry with this pairing and speaking of zero chemistry let's take on the Jason and Jessica storyline that is brewing:
7. Jessica and Jason (above). We get it: they are both really into sex. What else do they have in common? Immature, selfish behavior, punctuated by occasional bravery and selflessness. I'm willing to give this pairing some time in season 5 but what I'm not willing to do is watch the mind-numbingly awful attempts at keeping the actor who play's Jessica, Deborah Ann Woll's, boobies under cover. And by 'boobies' I mean nipples. We get cleavage, we get side boob and maybe even underboob but in the two times we've seen Jason and Jessica make love when her breasts are in camera range she clutches them in an obvious attempt at modesty. Did no one tell her that there is simply no room for modesty on True Blood? The same goofy camera angles and weird use of sheets was employed by Rutina Wesley as well in the two seasons she had a boyfriend. It's very distracting on a show that otherwise is pretty liberal in it's nudity (it is after all, NOT television, but HBO).
There were some great moments in the True Blood season 4 finale but not enough--by a long shot--to make a great episode:
Maxine Fortenberry's (Dale Raoul) quips about Sam's shifty bro Tommy's deviousness and thievery which segued into comforting Sam were a nice touch.
Nan Flanagan's (Jessica Tuck) comeuppance at the hands of Eric and Bill was spot on-- though I will miss her.
Pam's (Kristen Bauer van Straten) tirade-to-tears about Sookie's 'fairy vagina' and stupid name only to have Ginger (Tara Buck) uh, gingerly slip an arm around her in comfort was really quite a sight (you just know Pam is going to glamour that memory out of Ginger given the first chance). Scroll down after the jump for the video of the scene.
The return of dead-since season-one Gran (Lois Smith)! It was totally awesome to see her in all her glorious badassery when she literally tore Marnie's spirit out of Lafayette. (The resultant tedious and trite convo between Marnie and Antonia (Paola Turbay) took some momentum out of the scene, however. )
Debbie Pelt's (Brit Morgan) reappearance was no surprise to the 'bookies. With a few change-ups this was how she died in the Sookie Stackhouse series. In the book series however, Sookie took her out alone. 'Book' Tara is a minor character and was in no way involved.
What True Blood Tara did was pretty cool though--but ultimately pretty stupid. She got half of the side of her skull blown away. I think this was done to telegraph to any doubting audience members that yes, at last, the never-written-well character of Tara Thorton is finally over.*
But will Rutina Wesley be back? She, as you can read below, is unsure but 'trusts' Alan Ball and she reminds us, this is True Blood (so anything can happen). Other than short otherworldly-type visits I'm thinking the majority of the audience want Tara gone. We've long since realized that the True Blood writers are incapable of giving the perfectly capable Wesley a storyline she can sink her teeth into. RIP then, Tara and Jesus. I'm assuming though, that the bad guys won't be resting in peace.
Season 4 Finale Grade: B-. Out of the four True Blood seasons so far, I rank Season 1 and Season 2 in that order and Seasons 3 and 4 about on par with one another. Both suffered from sloppy, self-indulgent writing and extremely bad editing. Please, in the name of good screenwriting Alan Ball, please ditch Raelle Tucker. If you have any doubt about this women's rationalle whist writing True Blood, listen to her explain Jessica's sexuality in the 'Inside The Episode' HBO clip (embedded in this post). Tucker explains that she wanted "Jessica' to flaunt her sexuality unashamedly (like a man could). We, the audience however, see Jessica in flagrante, seemingly ashamed of her own body (the breast-clutching). Huge disconnect there. Tip of iceberg in Tucker's writing skills-issues. Don't even get me started on her apparent non-acquaintance with healthy sexuality.
From the 9.12.11 exclusive interview with Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton):
Q: In your mind, is Tara dead?
A: Well I mean half my head is missing.
I’m just gonna keep saying that. You know, it’s True Blood. I feel like anything is possible. If anything, it is the golden hour though. If she is able to be saved, it’s like she’s got 20 seconds. It’s not a lot of time. I’m curious to see what they’re going to do with all of it. I hope I’m back. But again half my head is missing [laughs] ...
I don’t know what their plans are for next season. I know that Alan has said there are “big plans,” but I don’t know what that really means, and things can always change. I’m not for sure, but I trust him completely. At the end of the day, it’s hard to see how I’m coming back, seeing as half of my head was just blown off. I don’t know. They may figure something out. I mean it’s True Blood. There’s always flashbacks. There’s phantasms.
'As much as I like the idea of Dexter, the collateral damage he causes due to his code deviations are too high. I guess it could be attributed to human error, but is it worth the loss of innocent life?
Kills shown in chronological order.
The kill count of each of Dexter's victims is the minimum amount known, there's definitely a lot more deaths that he has avenged.'
"The explosively popular DEXTER® is back with a vengeance for a sixth season of startling suspense and unexpected twists. It's been a year since last season's shocking and heartbreaking conclusion, and mild mannered criminologist-cum-grisly serial killer Dexter Morgan has come to terms with who he is. But his existence is shattered when he crosses paths with an enemy unlike any he's faced before. A delusional religious zealot with unflinching convictions, this new adversary soon draws Dexter into a dangerous game that could well end in disaster."
During the Season 5 finale of “Dexter” (and, yes, there are spoilers ahead), Julia Stiles’ avenging (ahem) angel Lumen walked away from her partner in crime, leaving the show and our favorite serial killer’s heart in tatters.
No, Dexter didn’t take the breakup well. Neither did Stiles. We talked to the actress, a freshly minted Emmy nominee, who snagged a nod for her seasonlong guest spot on the Showtime series, while she waited for a flight at LAX.
AT: So … Lumen breaking up with Dexter caught you off guard?
J.S.: I was very surprised. I thought everything we had been building toward over the course of the season -- the trust and connection between Lumen and Dexter -- was just thrown away. I had a hard time understanding that. Their vigilante justice was so romantic in a perverse way.
'Lumen', played by Emmy-nomintaed Julia Stiles's ending on Dexter Season 5 felt sudden and weird.
It was said to be done ultimately if not especially deftly, to to serve the Dexter character in season 7. I felt though that time was wasted and talent squandered, especially if Stiles were willing to stay on in to Season 6... and it sounds as if she would have.
I liked Dexter & Lumen together, maybe not forever but a bit longer that they were. That aburpt Season 5 ending felt staged.
Gossip has it that another reason the Lumen character was seemingly given the bum's rush was personal--the breaking down of Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter's marriage over the filming of season 5. Julie Stiles ultimately issued a statement to the press expressing distress in having to even make the statement but feeling the need all the same to say NO, she was not dating Mr. Hall. NOW Stiles saying it makes even more sense since the rumours came to a boil at the end of Dexter Season 5 and Stiles would have known quite positively of her character's story arc at that point.
Guess the show-runners did not want Dexter to get into another Rita-like sitch despite the fact that Rita vs. Lumen =a huge disparity...and they'd have had different places to go...still could have had Dexter return to ultimately being a loner.
but season 5's Lumen succumbing to her demons and then turning tail and leaving was just too sudden to feel natural. It felt forced. One of the most ham-handed episodes of Dexter ever shown, perhaps.
Now to read what the most excellent Stiles had to say... (see LATIMES link ABOVE)
After the jump... Behind the Scenes: Dexter Season 6 [VIDEO]:
Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) has a "Russell Edgington' moment after he rips out the throat of a Wiccan (HBO credit).
HBO True Blood Season 4, Official Episode 4.09 Promo: 'Run':
UPDATE! Episode 4.08 VIDEO Recap with Screencaps:
Joe Manganiello as True Blood werewolf Alcide Herveaux, carries a limp, gutshot Sookie (Anna Paquin) to safety.
This is NOT a promo--it's only a tease. My bet is there will be more coming up this week--longer, better (maybe) but still I agree with other disappointed #trueblood fans, we absolutely got shorted on the promo for next week's True Blood episode "Run" (4.09).
Season 4, Episode 9: 'Run'
Original Air Date—21 August 2011 Convalescing after her latest near-death trauma, Sookie envisions a world where there's room for both Bill and Eric. Jesus tries to purge the restless spirit out of Lafayette; Marcus enlists Alcide to help him deal with the Sam situation; Bill and Nan Flanagan clash over their agendas; Hoyt asks Jason to make a delivery to Jessica; despite Tara and Holly's misgivings, Marnie plots her next move against the vampires, during a "Festival of Tolerance" event at Shreveport. Next US airings: Sun. Aug. 21 9:00 PM HBO Sun. Aug. 21 11:05 PM HBO
True Blood Season 4 -: Episode 8 "Inside The Episode" with Screencaps:
Inside the Episode #44: Writer Alan Ball and director David Minahan offer their insights:
After the Jump - Recap True Blood Episode #44 'Spellbound' [VIDEO]:
True Blood (HBO) Season 4 Eric & Sookie 'Best Of' Scenes Episode 4.07 "Cold Gray Light Of Dawn':
This compilation video is a really nice effort to bring all things Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) & Sookie (Anna Paquin) together from episode 4.07 in which Eric and Sookie make love for the first time (versus the previous 'blood fantasies' with strong sexual overtones which Sookie experienced from ingesting Eric's blood).
In addition, the possessed Wiccan palm reader Marnie, casts a spell on all vampires which compels them to 'walk in the daylight.' Vampire Bill (Stephen Moyer), now 'Vampire King Bill of Louisiana,' has ordered the extremely harsh measure of 'silvering' all vampires to prevent them from going up in flames to their 'true death.' Sookie stays with the bound and heavily silvered Eric while they wait for the call of the witches. (If video is unavailable please see this post which has overlapping content and should remain available.)
Eric reacts to the witches' call to walk in the sunlight:
True Blood Season 4 - Inside The Episode: Episode #43 (HBO):
Go inside the episode with Writer Alexander Woo and Director Michael Ruscio.
Next on Episode 6 Grammy Gallagher visits; Frank learns who Eddie's beneficiary is.
