Alan Ball
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The Definitive Original Screenplays: 50-41
What makes a brilliant script? Is it quotable lines? Is it nuanced dialogue? Or is it just the ability to move the story along and not get in the way? When looking back through the history of screenwriting, there are plenty of iconic films based on previous work; the Writer’s Guild of America voted Casablanca […] More
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It’s Not TV: HBO, The Company That Changed Television: Golden Age: Part 3
It said something about HBO’s elevating stature as a programmer that the company strategy was no longer catch-as-catch-can. HBO now found itself in the enviable position of being able to afford to turn shows down based on its view the project was – in the phrase I was coming to hear more and more often […] More
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True Blood, Ep. 6.01 and 6.02: “Who Are You, Really?” and “The Sun” – Sink your teeth into season six
Love it, hate it or stand somewhere in between, True Blood has ventured into almost royal territory. The only other two HBO dramas that have made it to a sixth season have been The Sopranos (widely considered the first or second best TV show of all time alongside HBO brethren The Wire) and Oz (the utterly spectacular predecessor to The Sopranos that made the latter show possible). While Game of Thrones has caught up with True Blood in terms of viewership and will likely keep surpassing it in the coming year, True Blood still has a huge fanbase for a show that airs on a pay-to-view channel. More
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The Televerse #52- Make-You-Watch-athon 1: 30 for 30 and Doctor Who
It’s the (almost) one-year anniversary of The Televerse, so this week, we skip the DVD Shelf in favor of our first annual Make-You-Watch-athon. Each host picks a show for the other to watch and this year, it’s ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series and Doctor Who. Before that, though, it’s a lengthy week in TV, […] More
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The Televerse #52- Make-You-Watch-athon 1: 30 for 30 and Doctor Who
It’s the (almost) one-year anniversary of The Televerse, so this week, we skip the DVD Shelf in favor of our first annual Make-You-Watch-athon. Each host picks a show for the other to watch and this year, it’s ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series and Doctor Who. Before that, though, it’s a lengthy week in TV, […] More
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True Blood, Ep. 4.12: “And When I Die”
True Blood Review, Season 4, Episode 12: “And When I Die” Written by Raelle Tucker Directed by Scott Winant Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on HBO This week, on True Blood: Marnie gets revenge, Holly summons the dead, Gran saves the day, Terry and Arlene have unexpected visitors, the Sookie love polygon continues, Eric and […] More
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True Blood, Ep. 4.10: “Burning Down the House”
True Blood Review, Season 4, Episode 10: “Burning Down the House” Written by Nancy Oliver Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on HBO This week, on True Blood: Sookie lays the smack down, Jason feels guilty, Marnie talks Antonia back onto the ledge, Eric’s back, Tommy and Sam reconcile, Jesus crawls […] More
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True Blood, Ep. 4.08: “Spellbound”
True Blood Review- Season 4, Episode 8: “Spellbound” Written by Alan Ball Directed by Daniel Minahan Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on HBO This week on True Blood: Sookie and Eric get stoned on each other’s blood, Marcus shows some good, and later bad, judgment, Tommy takes the money and runs, Mikey’s Ghost Nanny takes […] More
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10 Reasons I’m Not Ashamed to Love True Blood
True Blood is by no means a perfect show, and it does have a history of starting strong and fizzling out at the end of a given season, but it’s still one I enjoy and think doesn’t get enough respect. To that end, here are 10 reasons I’ve stuck with the show and think you […] More