Press Tours Begin!

As the press tours begin this week, we will be keeping our eyes and ears open for interviews with the cast and crew of True Blood. Keep checking back here for updates! In the mean time, here is another positive review from someone who has seen the screeners:

Things I’m looking forward to at press tour today include the Elvis Costello panel for Sundance Channel and the “Generation Kill” session for HBO. But what I’m really stoked for now is the panel for HBO’s “True Blood.” I sat up till midnight last night watching the first two episodes on closed circuit. The new series from “Six Feet Under” creator Alan Ball is hilarious and horrifying and sexy all at once, which might not make sense till you see it.

Based on a series of novels by Charlaine Harris, “True Blood” takes place in an alternative present in which vampires have…there is no other way to say it…come out of the closet. The invention of mass-produced synthetic blood has freed vamps from the need to feed on humans, as long as they can pick up a six-pack of Tru Blood at the convenience store. Congress is debating the VRA – the Vampire Rights Amendment – and there is also a backlash, with graffiti on the streets such as GOD HATES FANGS. (I haven’t read any of the books, but those who have tell me this is more Ball than Harris.)

This, though, is simply the richly detailed background for the story of small-town Louisiana barmaid Sookie Stackhouse, played by Anna Paquin. Sookie is a cheery, smart girl whose life has been subtly twisted by the fact that she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. She doesn’t date because she knows exactly how the boys lust after her. So when she meets a handsome, tormented vamp who’s new in town and realizes that she can’t hear what he’s thinking, it’s kinda love at first sight. Even when the vamp, played by Stephen Moyer, turns out to have the exotic vampire name…Bill.

Anyone who’s seen “Buffy” knows that what will happens next involves ultraviolence, heavy breathing and the exchange of bodily fluids. But also: Backwoods redecks, vamp bashing, unrequited love of various kinds, racial and sexual politics, and some major, major kinkiness. Also lots of long walks in the mossy, cricket-chirping bayou night. ~ Source.