True Blood Guide, Season One: “Burning House of Love” with Commentary from Alan Ball

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In episode 107, Burning House of Love, Sookie’s painful childhood revelation about her Uncle Bartlett spurs Bill into action. Despite her skepticism, Tara agrees to pay for an exorcism to purge Lettie Mae of a demon. In search of V juice, Jason travels to Fangtasia, where he bonds with an adventurous young woman named Amy (Lizzy Kaplan). A trio of rednecks decide to exact vigilante justice on a pack of vampires who crashed Merlotte’s in search of their wayward mate Bill.

Written by Chris Offutt; directed by Marcos Siega.

Alan Ball: The Uncle Barlett story came from the book. I loved Tara’s exorcism. I love Tara’s relationship with her mother, because it’s so deeply unhealthy. But it is love. And sometimes love is very unhealthy. Even this woman who has abandoned and betrayed her in so many ways, she still loves her. She will do this thing she doesn’t believe in, she’ll put her own money on the line, I just think it’s kind of wonderful and horrifying at the same time. And it has repercussions throughout the season, and into season two. And some of them are really unexpected. We’ll also get into a more organized version of the human vigilantes in season two. (SciFiTVZone.com)

Watch True Blood tonight at 10 p.m. on the UK’s Channel 4.

True Blood Guide, Season One: “Cold Ground” with Commentary from Alan Ball

Numbed by tragedy, Sookie looks for refuge from the cacophony of her friends’ and neighbors’ inner voices. After lashing out at his sister and decking Andy, Jason wrestles with withdrawal symptoms from his V juice habit. Tara resists the overtures of her mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter), who’s trying to rid herself of a demon and needs her daughter’s help. Sam and Tara make a connection in their mutual search for “something real.”

Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Nick Gomez. This episode airs  at 10 p.m.in the UK on Channel 4.

ALAN BALL: That was a really difficult episode. We had a director who was really not a good match with the material and the sensibility of the show, and we had a cinematographer who again was not a great match for this show. And the two of them despised each other. I refer to that show as the hate sandwich, but we did do some re-shoots, and I think we really salvaged something in editing. I think it’s a powerful and emotional show. I love the moment where Sookie eats the pie. I love the moment when she and Bill come together and he bites her, that’s what she’s been wanting the whole time. That’s what everyone’s been waiting for. And that’s really like a big romance novel at the end. I loved the music that Naybar composed for that. That was a tough episode to produce, but it’s really strong. And what Jason is going through… the withdrawal – is heartbreaking.

(It’s noted that Bill’s biting Sookie is something that one would have expected to happen later in the show’s run.)

Obviously in the world that Charlaine has created, feeding and the world of sensuality are deeply connected for vampires. Vampires are and have always been metaphors for sex. So what’s with the abstinence thing? What’s the point? She was willing. And that’s part of what being with a vampire is all about, that’s what all these fang-bangers crave. And there are tons of people out there who have these vampire sex fantasies. One of my AD’s is from Texas, and she had gone back and was having this reunion with her girlfriends from college. And one of their husbands came up to her and said, “I just want to thank you for that show.” And she said, “What do you mean?” And he said, “Well every Sunday night I have the best sex I’ve had in years.” Now I don’t spend a lot of time on the web sites, because I just don’t and I think that would be too confusing… I keep that stuff separate… but I have to admit I’ve gone a couple of times, and I can’t remember which web site it was, but each character has their own page, or their own board. Sookie’s is eight pages, and someone else is six, and Bill’s like 28 pages. And you go on and you read: “I fantasize about Bill when I’m having sex with my husband, and we’re having the best sex we’ve had in years.” And I told Steven, I hope you know, you’re helping to put a spark into some tired marriages in this country.” It seems to be a big fantasy for a lot of women. And look at Charlaine’s books. Why are they so successful in the first place? And it’s not just her books. There are a bunch of series of supernatural guy fiction – lady porn as we call it. (SciFiTVZone.com)

True Blood News Roundup: Alan Ball, Carrie Preston, Kristin Bauer, & More!

We have several bits of news coming out of the weekend, so let’s do one of our famous news roundups, shall we? (And by famous, we mean between Liz and myself. )

• Simon Chilvers of The Guardian (UK) has a very funny and insightful write-up of True Blood, currently airing season 1 on Channel 4.
• Alan Ball gave a new interview to The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) discussing True Blood, currently airing season 1 on Showcase, as well as some other projects he has in the works.
• Carrie Preston is ditching Arlene’s red wig for a night to co-star with husband Michael Emerson (Lost) in the play A Woman Killed With Kindness. The one-night performance is scheduled for December 28 at the Red Bull Theater in New York City. Visit their site for more information.
• TV Junkie has a new interview with the always delightful Kristin Bauer at LUSH where she was appearing in support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) Tails for Whales photo campaign.

Alan Ball to Participate in Virginia Film Festival

Alan Ball will be a featured guest of the Virginia Film Festival at the University of Virginia on Sunday, November 8. At 10:30AM he’ll present an episode of True Blood, discussing it in detail with the audience. This even is free of charge, but it is recommended that attendees arrive 15-30 minutes early to get seats.

Following True Blood, Alan will present his Oscar-winning film American Beauty at 12PM. Tickets are required for this event and are $15 for adults, $12.50 for students/faculty/seniors. Tickets are available at the film festival’s website.

True Blood Guide, Season One: “Sparks Fly Out” with Commentary from Alan Ball

Spurned by an exasperated Sookie (Anna Paquin), Bill (Stephen Moyer) ends up winning over Adele’s (Lois Smith) church audience with his vivid recollections from the Civil War, though Andy (Chris Bauer) and Bud (William Sanderson) remain suspicious. Sam (Sam Trammell) tries to make the most of his opportunity with Sookie, though she’s clearly not ready to commit. Ignoring Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) rebuff, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) convinces Jason (Ryan Kwanten) to give vampire blood, aka “V juice,” another shot. Alone at home, Bill remembers the painful wartime incident that changed his fate forever.

Written by Alexander Woo; directed by Daniel Minahan.

ALAN BALL: I love that episode. That’s one of my favorites of the first season. I think the Bill flashback is a really key insight into who he is. It also establishes the sexual tension that exists between Sam and Sookie, and then there’s Jason’s sort of otherworldly experience. And when Bill talked about the Civil War… I love Steven’s performance. He really is a man who has a different set of manners, and a different way of acting and behaving then the contemporary characters.

Her grandmother’s death and a lot that Sookie goes through – that’s all in the books. There’s a great moment in one of the books where it’s New Year’s and all the waitresses at Merlotts are saying what their resolutions are, and Sookie says, “This year I’m not going to get beat up!” And she says it totally seriously, and everyone looks at her like, “Oh my god!” And it’s so funny and at the same time, so horrifying! That’s in the third or fourth book, and by that time she’s been beat up so many times. On the show, she’s always getting knocked around quite a lot, but Anna loves it. She loves that stuff. She’s, like, “Do I get to have a blood capsule?” She loves it. (SciFiTVZone.com)

Sparks Fly Out airs tonight in the UK on Channel 4.

12 True Blood Season 3 Spoilers from SciFiWire

True Blood’s Alan Ball, Raelle Tucker and Alexander Woo sat down with SciFiWire.com and revealed 12 spoilers for True Blood season 3. Some of it we already know from the writers panel and the casting call, but there are a few new tidbits. Here’s an excerpt:

• Bill won’t be back for a while. Ball confirmed that the arc of Bill’s kidnapping will last “about six episodes.” That sounds like just enough time to put Sookie (Anna Paquin) through the wringer, but not enough to try viewers’ patience. Plus, we’ll probably still get to see Bill deal with his captors in episodes 1-5.
• Meet the Merlottes. Shape-shifter Sam (Sam Trammell) will find his family this year, and Tucker gets to write their characters a lot in episode two. “I’m getting to write Sam’s family, which is a lot of fun, and, really, I feel really satisfying as a character arc,” she said. “I really am glad that he’s taking this journey and he’s learning about himself. I find that interesting. They aren’t the brightest people, maybe. At least they appear that way. They’re fairly dysfunctional, but like anybody else, they have their good things about them and not-so-good things. They’re still getting to know each other. Sam’s still getting to know them, and so are we.”
• Werewolves sink their teeth into Louisiana. Werewolves are coming to True Blood, and Ball offered a preview of what his wolf-people will look like. “They’re just wolves,” Ball said. “It’s just people who can turn into wolves, but they’re slightly bigger and much stronger. Their eyes glow orange a little bit.”

The werewolves sound spooky and awesome! (Spookily awesome? Awesomely spooky?) For the rest of the spoilers, check out SciFiWire.com.

Eyewitness Report from Paley Center

by Rueben

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Paley Center for Media’s Inside the Writers’ Room for the popular HBO series True Blood. As the title states the panel highlighted the work of the talented writers for this show, including Executive Producer and Creator, Alan Ball; co-Executive Producers Brian Buckner and Nancy Oliver; Producers Raelle Tucker and Alexander Woo; Script Coordinator Kate Barnow and Writer’s Assistant Elizabeth Finch.

The night opened with a look back at Season 2 and all the memorable moments from the season. Moderator Alynda Wheat, writer for Entertainment Weekly, then took the stage and began the introductions of the panelist. Once everyone was settled in, Ms. Wheat asked Mr. Ball a very crucial question: “Will Snopp Dogg be playing a part in the series next season?” This question, of course, garnered laughs from the audience with Mr. Ball explaining that he planned to “protect the integrity of the series” and would not be casting the well-known rapper. He further explained that he is not a fan of stunt casting; and while no big names have expressed interest in appearing in the show next season, he would not be averse to it (although it would be to their benefit to actually be able to act).

After his series Six Feet Under finished its run, Mr. Ball wanted to do something fun – and that is precisely what True Blood has afforded him. He was quoted as stating, “it’s too much fun to do this and get paid for it,” which was well received by those in the panel room. He was asked at a later point what made him develop the show for TV and he explained he read one of Charlaine Harris’ books and couldn’t put it down, read several more then took it to HBO. He did state that once the fifth episode (the flashback to Bill’s Civil War days and his turning) was completed, he felt they had finally “hit their stride”.

Ms. Wheat acknowledged that the writing team seemed to be female-heavy and wondered if Mr. Ball had gone seeking that to which he stated it wasn’t intentional, as he is “very instinctive,” going with staff based on their own original work – not spec scripts – in order to get a sense of their voices; their gender did not play into any decisions.

Mr. Buckner and Mr. Woo then answered the query about the provocative nature of the storylines, joking “there’s almost nothing we can’t do or haven’t done” – and Mr. Woo couldn’t “envision (True Blood) anywhere (else) but on cable”. There was, however, at least one storyline that was scrapped due to its controversial nature. The flashback scene of Bill and his maker in the 1920’s was written much harsher than what was seen by the viewers. Mr. Ball believed the original depiction was more of rape then murder than was needed.

It was explained that Ms. Tucker is the only staff member who has genre experience whereas most of the staff has comedy in their background. This came into play for Mr. Buckner as his first draft script was too funny and had to be changed to fit the context of the show. After all the “cast plays everything so straight, it’s funnier than comedy”. They simply let the cast go with the lines and it turns out funny (even if not always intentional).

The subject matter then veered on to fan reactions and their experiences at this July’s Comic Con. Ms. Tucker joked she “grew up with hippies” so the event wasn’t scary for her. Mr. Ball interjected that he “wasn’t afraid,” but did state you “have to be careful what you say at Comic Con.”

When asked which characters the writers like writing for Mr. Ball was diplomatic saying, “he loves all of them, but really enjoys writing for Lafayette and Jason”; Ms. Tucker stated Jessica and Hoyt; Mr. Buckner said Eric and Ms. Oliver stated Godric.

Some things to look forward to when True Blood returns next summer include:

* Eric appearing without most of his clothes in the first episode
* Learning where Bill is and what (or who) took him
* A return visit by Queen Sophie (Evan Rachel Wood)
* There will not be a wedding although one character will want a wedding
* The possibility of the Newlins making a return visit
* A “boat-load” of characters to be featured, including more on Pam and Nan
* Learning more about what Sookie really is
* No marginalizing of Bill (unlike that reflected in the books
* The possibility of flashbacks between Eric and Godric
* There will not be a return visit by Mary Ann as she is DEAD

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary discoveries about life behind the scenes is that Mr. Ball allows the writer of each script to serve as on-set producer. This means they are involved in every aspect of the episode, including the prep, the casting, the post and everything in between. Mr. Woo further explained this is very rare as most show-runners (like what Mr. Ball is for True Blood) do not afford their staff this opportunity.

True Blood will return to HBO in June of 2010.

PHOTOS: True Blood Writers at the Paley Center

Last night’s Paley Center event, Inside the Writers Room: True Blood, draw a good-sized crowd and some interesting tidbits about what’s coming for season 3. Read our live blog of the event here (warning: spoilers!) and check out more photos of the writers on the red carpet and on stage in the Gallery.

Team Eric, Team Bill & Season 3 Tidbits from the Paley Center – LIVE (SPOILERS)

The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills is hosting a True Blood writers panel this evening, featuring Alan Ball, Alexander Woo, Nancy Oliver, Brian Buckner, Kate Barnow, and Elisabeth Finch. The panel is being moderated by PopWatch’s Alynda Wheat. As usual we have operatives in place to report back to us with juicy tidbits in advance of a full report coming later. The panel begins at 7PM PT; keep refreshing for the latest and beware of spoilers!

On the Red Carpet

• Raelle Tucker’s favorite character to write for – currently – is Jessica.
• Alexander Woo says that the scenes at the Fellowship of the Sun when the vampires and humans are fighting were among his favorites to shoot.
• Alan Ball observes that all of the characters are his “babies”, but he especially likes writing for Jason. Alan also reveals that his favorite parts of season 2 include “the growing sexual attraction between Eric and Sookie, the Dionysian revelry, and Jason watching Sarah.”
• Alan confirms that Alcide will appear beginning in episode 3.03. He has not yet been cast.
• Regarding Bubba, Alan says that he loves the character in the books, but “because he’s Elvis there’s no way we can do it” on the show.

The Panel

• Alan says he’s not a fan of stunt casting. Looks like Snoop Dogg won’t be getting his wish.
• Alan thinks episode 1.05, “Sparks Fly Out”, is where True Blood hit its stride.
• Alan: “I will admit to oftentimes saying, ‘Come on, can we just get his [Ryan Kwanten's] shirt off?’”
• Nancy Oliver feels lucky to be on pay cable because pretty much anything goes. “We can do a story about priapism.”
• Our girl Raelle Tucker on Sookie: “What makes Sookie an amazing character is that she feels as though she has a disability, she feels hopelessly flawed.”
• Alexander Woo says True Blood fans are the best looking fans in the world. (Yeah we are!)  Alan appreciates the fans’ enthusiasm and Raelle thinks True Blood fans have great costumes.
• Raelle reveals a soft spot for Lafayette: “I am a dirty little slut for Lafayette, even if I’m not his type.”
• Expanding on comments made on the red carpet, Alan says he enjoys writing for Jason and Lafayette, Raelle enjoys writing for Hoyt and Jessica, and Brian likes writing for Eric.
• Alan knows what the fans want: “Alexander Skarsgard appears without most of his clothes in the very first episode of S3.”
• We find out where Bill is in episode 3.01.
• Fans in the audience are expressing their unhappiness with Evan Rachel Wood as Sophie-Anne. Alan takes it in stride.
• Nothing new coming out of the fan part of the Q&A: lots of new characters in season 3, including possibility of the Newlins; Maryann is totally dead; the theme for season 3 is “identity”; Sookie will be driven to find out more about what/who she is/
• Ah, some reassurance for Team Bill: “Bill will not be marginalized. Bill and Sookie will have troubles, but Bill and Sookie have a connection that will not die.”
• And something else for Team Eric: Alan confirms that Eric will get amnesia in season 4.
• The fans gave Alan a standing ovation for the last scene of Six Feet Under.
• Alan says we’ll see more Pam and Nan Flanagan in season 3, groans at mention of pink spandex.
• Godric’s death scene was partially live, partially green screen and they got it in only two takes!
• Alan confirms that we’ll see Godric again in flashbacks in season 3.
• Alan also confirmed that season 3 will launch in June 2010.

That’s a wrap! Our reporters on the spot are sticking around to get more photos and (hopefully) some autographs. We’ll have photos and a full report tomorrow.

SPOILERS: Alan Ball Reveals A Little More About Season 3

You gotta hand it to Alan Ball, he’s parceling out the True Blood season 3 nuggets carefully so each interview has at least one new piece of information. His latest interview, with Advocate magazine, focuses on the gay and lesbian characters on True Blood. We’ve already seen a couple of homosexual/bi-sexual characters (Lafayette, Sophie-Anne), and Alan reveals that season 3 will bring more on the scene.

We already know that the King of Mississippi has a “trophy husband”, both of whom we’ll meet in season 3. Alan shares that Lafayette may get a love interest next season, and there’s a chance we’ll explore Pam’s sexuality: “…she’s certainly got a lesbian vibe — I don’t know that that’s all she is, but she certainly does seem to appreciate the women.”

It sounds like the heterosexuals will be getting some play, too. Or at least Jason will. “I can tell you that you’ll definitely get to see a lot of Jason in the first few episodes, and by a lot, I mean a lot physically.”

Read the Advocate’s full interview with Alan Ball here.

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