Alex, Anna, Stephen and Alan at the 2010 Scream Awards. Image Courtesy of True-Blood.net

Forbes.com reported earlier today that Alan Ball is tired of True Blood and wants to leave. This is what they said below…

Exclusive: There’s a rumor going around that Alan Ball, creator of the great and successful HBO series, “True Blood,” may leave the show. No disputes. He just says he’s exhausted. Well, he’s given a log of blood. Maybe he needs a transfusion. My guess is that HBO will persuade him to stick around and keep an eye on Sookie and the vampires. Ball, of course, created and wrote “Six Feet Under” and directed the Oscar winner “American Beauty.” Vitamins please! I don’t know how he does it anyway. “True Blood” really is a complex masterpiece. Anyway. this is just a Friday rumor and not confirmed.

They later, go on to say…

update: I am told that Ball isn’t leaving but will step down from running the writing staff. He will remain as Executive Producer.

I’m not sure what to think. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? The writing staff will still have to answer to Alan Ball and his “vision”. He will still be calling the shots. While he won’t be writing episodes anymore…overall, he will still have the final say as to what is shown on True Blood.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

Well, Eric got out of his dreams, AND got into his car.

Which leads in to this edition of Caption This. I think we all remember this scene before Pam called Eric with the news they were being raided by the VFEDs in season 3.

Well, we know what they said… but by the look in Laffy’s eyes, was it just business?

This is my review of Michelle Gamble Risley’s book, “California Girl Chronicles”. You might remember Michelle…she’s the publisher of 3L Publishing, who wrote some posts on her blog about Eric and Sookie, and we shared them on here…? She loves the way Eric uses his hands…but then again, don’t we all? Plus, she was courageous enough to have me (of all people) on her radio talk show. Go figure, especially since I sucked, IMO!

Now, before I get into this…I should warn you that this book has nothing to do with vampires or Eric and Sookie, and normally, I write books reviews of this kind on Goodreads or on my personal blog. So, if you’re wondering why I’m posting it on here…I’ll tell you.

The reasons…

1. I promised Michelle I would post it on here, and I like to think I keep my promises.
2. She is a HUGE Eric and Sookie lover, and we support fellow Eric and Sookie lovers in all of their dreams and ambitions.
3. This one is probably the most important…she wants to turn this book (which is the first book in a series) into a television show. She’s already had some serious meetings with important people in Hollywood, and there is already an increased amount of interest. One well-known writer (sorry, can’t mention him by name just yet) wants to write for this show, if it does indeed get picked up. But this is all in talks right now. Nothing is final yet, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed…
4. The person who inspired Kale (the main male character/lover), is none other than Alexander Skarsgard. In fact, after True Blood ends, she hopes he will play this role on her television show. That is, IF “California Girl” gets picked up as a television series. And IF Alex is willing to take the job. Those are pretty big “if’s”…so we’ll have to wait and see.
5. We figured the more people who read this review, the better. I don’t get the same amount of traffic on my personal blog as we do on here, so that’s partly why we’re posting it. Michelle is shopping around Hollywood for a producer, and needs all the exposure she can get.

And now the BIG BAD (my review):

The California Girl Chronicles – follows the life and career of Brea Harper. A typical California girl full of dreams and aspirations. She has it all…the looks…the brains…the fake tan (because she doesn’t want to get skin cancer, naturally). Brea is a writer, and dreams of writing a screenplay for a movie or television show. She gets laid off from her job in her home in Northern California, and moves to glitzy Hollywood – in pursuit of her wildly, ambitious dreams, and because she has nothing better to do with her time.

Along the way…she meets three good-looking men. Lance, a college colleague, who is her ‘friend with benefits’. He is the one who pushes her to move to Hollywood with him, and take a chance on life. Drew, an aspiring rock star, who steals her heart, but also treats her like crap. He follows Brea to Hollywood in pursuit of his own dreams, but also as a way to keep tabs on Brea. And lastly, Kale (as I mentioned above) he is the one who was inspired by Alexander Skarsgard. Kale has charm, good looks, and amazing charisma…not to mention he’s a big Hollywood movie producer. Kale bursts onto the scene, introducing Brea to the Hollywood lifestyle. He inspires her to actually sit down and write, which is something she has procrastinated about for a long time.

In order to pay her bills, Brea temporarily gets a job in a bikini shop. She has brains, but sometimes forgets to use them, especially when it comes to men. But don’t worry, she doesn’t hang out with guys all the time…she has a couple of close girlfriends too. Denise, her friend from back home who has also moved to Hollywood, and Maya (Kale’s maid), both give her the feminine support all women need.

This story takes you on Brea’s journey of self-discovery, maturity and understanding; spoken from Brea’s point of view. She is sweet, loving and caring. She knows what she wants professionally even while romantically she is confused by who she really wants. You’ll either love her or you’ll hate her, but Brea is what all of us are…only human. We all make mistakes. We all want our dreams to come true. We all want to find true love. Most of all, we all want to find happiness.

In many ways, Brea reminds me of Sookie Stackhouse. Yes, I said it! LOL She’s beautiful, strong, smart, hilariously witty, fights for who or what she believes in. She has a lot of men chasing after her because they find her highly desirable – even if it it’s not good for them or for Brea. Oh, and did I mention…they are both blondes?

I wouldn’t say this book is for everybody…but if you like HBO’s Sex In The City and Entourage, you’ll probably like this too. In fact, that’s what Brea calls her screenplay in the book, “Sex In The City Meets Entourage.” Kale is Brea’s Mr. Big, but he’s only in it for a short time. Michelle assures me that we haven’t finishing reading about Kale. (She better keep her word!)

After reading this, I would love to see Alexander Skarsgard play the role of Kale. While he isn’t in this book until halfway through…the way she leaves us hanging at the end, makes me think that this is ‘only the beginning’ of Brea and Kale’s relationship. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Note to Alex (if he happens to read this): Please Alex, take on this role after True Blood ends…pretty please? I think Kale is as multi-layered as Eric Northman and Charlie Venner are as characters. I think you would enjoy playing a big, Hollywood hot-shot.

Michelle’s writing style reminded me of author, Jackie Collins (Lucky, Lovers & Gamblers, Hollywood Wives, etc.) and author Linda Howard (Prey, Death Angel, To Die For; among others), both are authors I’ve read in the past. She’s smart, witty, and writes about strong characters. I really got the sense that Brea is someone she knows very well, herself perhaps?

If you like down and dirty sex…it has that. If you like strong women…it has that too. If you like a witty sense of humor and positive outlook on life…you will enjoy reading about Brea.

California Girls is a very fast read. Not too long…not too short, but it does end with a nasty cliffhanger! GAH! I hate cliffhangers! Not to worry though…the first chapter of the next book is included, so you won’t be thinking…waiting sucks! (And we know something about that, don’t we?) I read this book in something like 8 hours. (Yes, I timed it.) I couldn’t put the book down!

In closing…I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, only because she left us hanging and because there were times when I wanted to shake Brea for making stupid mistakes. I admit it, there were times when Brea wasn’t very likeable to me. But by the end of the book, all I wanted to see was Brea realizing her mistakes, trying her best to fix them and to move forward. What that means for the rest of the series is anyone’s guess, but I’m dying to find out!

If you would like to purchase the California Girl Chronicles, you can order it through Amazon.com or you can get 30% off at 3L Publishing.

Thanks for reading my review!

We thought you might be interested in reading what SVB had to say…because honestly, she says it much better than me! Hey, at least I’m aware of my short-comings! Haha.

These are a few of my favorite quotes from her post;

Do you think she might feel a little disenchanted with Ball’s vision? Perhaps a bit annoyed at how angry, dependent and flaky True Blood Sookie is being portrayed? Or maybe just a little pissed off that Sookie’s story – the story of a woman finding her own feet in a supernatural world – has been reduced to little more than a romantic rivalry between two vampires who were NEVER, EVER intended to be equals in any universe, either real or imagined?

It’s high time Charlaine stood up and reclaimed these characters, because they are hers. It’s high time she made statements that clearly delineate between her books as the original, and Ball’s work as an interpretation, because that’s what it says in the fucking credits. I’m glad to see her doing both of these things in this interview – she’s been selling herself short alongside Ball for too long. The fans of her books – the readers who love them for what they are irrespective of HBO’s shock and awe treatment – need to hear her openly and unapologetically defend what is creatively and rightfully hers.

But that shouldn’t mean she has to smile and pretend to like it when her protagonist is reduced to a walking, talking, all-screwing contradiction; and her character arcs are swapped around like keys at a swinger’s party – with about as much regard for the long term consequences.

If you would like to read the rest of what SVB wrote, please click here! Trust me…you won’t regret it, because she feels the same way we do!

Thanks SVB for writing this (as I knew you would )! YOU ROCK!

What are your thoughts? Share ‘em below!

At the time of this post, Alex was winning! We would like to see it end this way!

Click on the red star in the bottom left-hand corner… Cast your votes here!

Thanks Eric & Sookie Lovers!

Charlaine was interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, in a pre-interview before her appearance at SleuthFest. The annual conference, sponsored by the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America, shifts to Central Florida this year. The conference runs Thursday-March 4 at the Royal Plaza Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista.

Charlaine Harris speaks at the March 3 luncheon, which starts at noon. A book signing follows. If you want to attend only the lunch and book signing, register at sleuthfest.com. The group allows walk-up registrations but encourages advance registrations.

Also March 3, Harris will speak at a 3:40 p.m. panel and discuss the Sookie Stackhouse series at 5 p.m. poolside. A Saturday full-day registration is required to attend these events. Send any questions to email@mwaflorida.org.

In their telephone interview, Charlaine talks about the next book in the series, “Deadlocked”. You have been warned…this post may contain spoilers from “Deadlocked”!

If you don’t want to know – don’t read below!

Below, is an excerpt from the interview with Hal Boedeker from the Orlando Sentinel:

What has “True Blood” done for your career?

The Sookie Stackhouse novels were selling well before the TV show, but the TV show led to a lot more exposure and readers. And a lot went on to read my other work. It was a wonderful thing for my bank account.

What have you gotten to do because of the show?

So many things. I’ve been on the show and done personal appearances with the cast. It’s like a different world and one I never thought I’d ever have a part in. I go to an industry party and feel like the raggedy cousin.

Can you give a preview of the latest book, “Deadlocked,” the 12th book right? (It will be released May 1.)

It is the next-to-the-last book, which gives it a bit of heft. It’s about tying up some threads in this long-running series and answering questions that readers have had. There’s new action, but there are decisions made about older issues in the books.

You’ll end on No. 13?

In 2013. Ha-ha.

Did you plan it that way?

Oh, I don’t really plan a lot. My contract will be over. I’m sure my publisher would be glad [for more], but I feel I’ve said everything about Sookie and her world. I hate doing it just for the money. I’m not above wanting the money. I just hate the idea I’m dragging out something for that reason.

You’ve said that you know how the series will end. Have you always known?

Yeah, since probably the second book or so, I’ve had a good idea how the books will end. It is top- secret.

Do you have a favorite among the Sookie books?

Not really. There are certain things about each one I’m proud of, a passage I’ve done well, where I feel I’ve hit the nail on the head.

The TV series has benefited from the tensions between vampires Bill and Eric. How central is that to your story?

They [the actors] are wonderful, but the story is very different from my story. It was never a Bill vs. Eric situation in my mind.

How has Sookie changed over time? Is she more fun write these days?

I don’t write Anna Paquin, I write Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie is always a lot of fun to write. She’s growing, changing, She’s very strong. She’s a girl girl. She’d be OK on her own without a guy. She’d like to have a relationship. It’s not necessary to her happiness.

Are you happy with the decisions “True Blood” executive producer Alan Ball has made?

Certainly I’ve had thoughts about that. I’m very fond of Alan. I think he’s a genius. He’s made good decisions for television. He’s not consciously trying to imitate the books. That would be boring for him and boring for me. If I knew what was going to happen, why would I watch? Viewers and readers are getting two experiences.

He is described as the creator, but I think of you as the creator.

I am the creator. When I’m on the set they call me the Maker. But he’s the creator of that world visually, no doubt about it. It all came from his brain and his talent for hiring the right people for the right jobs.

If you would like to read the rest of the interview, please click here.

This is my …

My mind is blown away…do the decisions she mentioned in Deadlocked, have anything to do with Eric marrying the Queen of Oklahoma? What questions and loose threads could she possibly mean by this?

Sookie’s story is NOT about teams. Got that everyone? It’s about her growth and maturity as a character. Learning how to find her way in the world, and being happy as the result. The team thing is Alan Ball’s making, so you can thank him for that. THANK YOU, ALAN BALL…

This deserves to be quoted again…

I don’t write Anna Paquin, I write Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie is always a lot of fun to write. She’s growing, changing, She’s very strong. She’s a girl girl. She’d be OK on her own without a guy. She’d like to have a relationship. It’s not necessary to her happiness.

Oooh, me thinks someone isn’t very happy with True Blood’s version of Sookie. I don’t know who it could be…?

I have a feeling Charlaine is trying to put to rest any common misconceptions we may have had, like Sookie being on her own without a guy, isn’t the end of the world and Sookie may see it as a good HEA for herself. Of course, we would PREFER, she choose Eric. Just as long as there’s no other suitors thrown in at the last minute…UGH!

The fact that Anna Paquin is NOT Sookie, even though she plays her on TV, isn’t an insult to Anna. I think Charlaine is just pointing out that Anna’s private life or who she is married to, has nothing to do with the character of Sookie and her story. I get the feeling that Charlaine has met some fans who get the two of them confused. Hmmm…I wonder who she means by that…? *cough* BL’s *cough*

And lastly…I WISH I COULD BE THERE! I would LOVE to sit by the pool and talk about Sookie with the “Maker”!

What are your thoughts? Share ‘em below!

WARNING: If you don’t want to know – don’t read below!

In this latest casting news…Australian Melanie Camp has been cast to play the role of Dorothy in True Blood Season 5 Episode 3 – “Whatever I Am, You Made Me”!

As you may recall…we posted the casting call, and this is what Dorothy is described as;

[DOROTHY] Seen in flashback to 1905, this pretty young prostitute has been glamored and is being drained by two vampires when another vampire saves her. 1 line, 1 scene. This role requires nudity.

Melanie Camp was interviewed about her role on True Blood, and this is what she said about her role.

“A show like True Blood only casts the best of the best so I was really surprised to even get an audition, let alone land the role,” she said.

“Everyone on the show goes to great lengths to make you feel at ease.”

While Camp remained tight-lipped about her role in the HBO series, she revealed her character was part of a “pivotal story”.

You can read her entire interview here.

Here is a screencap of this news under Melanie’s IMDb.com profile.

Ever being a funny man…Michael McMillian tweeted this, as seen below…

LMAO!! He’s so funny…let the  “Wizard of Oz”  jokes BEGIN! LOL Who is going to be playing the wicked witch or the wizard?

Since we know (according to spoilers), this flashback involves Pam and a brothel. I’m willing to bet that it is Pam who is the vampire who saves her. Or, maybe it’s Eric?

What do you think? Share your thoughts and speculation below!

“Eric moved the broom experimentally and made an attempt to sweep the glass into the pan while it lay in the middle of the floor. Of course, the pan slid away. Eric scowled.
I’d finally found something Eric did poorly.”

Eric Northman, ridiculously gorgeous, slightly confused by a pan and broom!

So there you go, Eric would be completely rubbish at doing the housework for you. It’s a good bet that he’s not that great with a washing machine or tidying out the cupboard under the stairs either. (That actually reminds us of quite a few real men we know). We are sure Sookie doesn’t care, and neither would we, particularly with all his other talents!

Can anyone think of anything else that our viking vampire isn’t very good at, as quite honestly we are struggling with that one.

Filed under: Eric Northman, Quopic Of The Day, Sookie Stackhouse Books Tagged: Eric Northman, Quopic of the Day, Sookie Stackhouse Books ]]> http://ericandsookielovers.com/2012/02/23/223-quopic-of-the-day-2/feed/ 6 eviehellosweetheart q daad 4x02_1212 http://ericandsookielovers.com/2012/02/22/alexander-skarsgard-100-most-stylish-men-gq-russia/ http://ericandsookielovers.com/2012/02/22/alexander-skarsgard-100-most-stylish-men-gq-russia/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:59:08 +0000 iamerika http://ericandsookielovers.com/?p=7245 Continue reading →]]> Alexander Skarsgard has been ranked #2 in GQ Russia’s 100 Most Stylish Men!

Check out the scans below!

Thanks to @eli221981 on Twitter for the scans!

YIKES. YAHOO. YUM.

How’s that for your Hump Day Skarsporn?

ETA: Found out after I posted this, that Michael Fassbender came in at #1…you can check out his scan here!

Thoughts? Share ‘em below!

Image Credit: Myles Aronowitz / Fox Searchlight

Anna Paquin was named Best Actress for the role in her movie, Margaret in the 2012 International Cinephile Society Awards!

The honors are announced by “an online group made up of approximately 80 accredited journalists, film scholars, historians and other industry professionals who cover film festivals and events on five continents.”

Fellow winners of these awards were; Asghar Farhadi‘s A Separation, Weekend‘s Tom Cullen, and The Tree of Life‘s Terrence Malick and Brad Pitt!

To see the full list of winners; please click here!

Source

Congratulations Anna on a job well-done!

I still haven’t seen this movie yet…have you?

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!