Entertainment, TV, Television - Navy Times

‘Blood’ could pump life into HBO

Will “True Blood” be a buzz transfusion for HBO?

The pay-cable network is reuniting with the creator of one of its signature hits, Alan Ball of “Six Feet Under,” for its big fall launch: an adaptation of Charlaine Harris’ novels about vampires and humans in backwoods Bon Temps, La. It premieres Sunday (9 p.m. ET/PT).

In the world of “True Blood,” the invention of synthetic blood means vampires don’t have to prey on humans, giving them the opportunity, however uncomfortably, to try to merge into society.

That uneasy dance is evident in the relationship between Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a young waitress who can read minds, and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a 173-year-old vampire.

Harris’ books appealed to Ball because they’re hard to classify, mixing drama, romance, comedy, mystery and horror. The question of immortality, the vampire’s blessing and curse, also intrigues him.

“I’ve always been drawn to material that exists on a lot of different levels,” says Ball, series creator and executive producer. “To me, it feels much more like life than, ‘Oh, it’s a comedy, so it’s really not that deep,’ or ‘Oh, it’s a drama, so you can’t really laugh at things.’ ”

Harris, whose ninth Stackhouse novel will be out in May, says she chose Ball over others who wanted to adapt the books because he understood her literary blend. “He said (the books) are such an unusual mixture of comedy and horror,” she says. Add in elements of the everyday, and “I think that’s what life is.”

With such network-defining shows as “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City” and “Six Feet Under” fading further into the past, subscriber-based HBO is in search of the next big-buzz, big-audience hit. “They need that signature show, the one that’s going to get everyone talking,” says Shari Anne Brill of media buyer Carat USA.

Sue Naegle, new HBO series-programming chief, acknowledges “Blood” is an important launch but says there’s no hand-wringing taking place. “At any network, at any time, there’s pressure about what the next big show will be,” she says. “We have high hopes for (‘Blood’) and love Alan, (but) we don’t want to put too much pressure on.”

With “Blood,” HBO is trying to take its longtime strengths — talented writer/producers and casts, strong production values, ambitious marketing campaigns (including elaborate online components, in this instance) — and mix them with genre elements that haven’t had much exposure on the network. “This is obviously an unusual show, different from what we’ve done, with the sci-fi and fantasy element,” Naegle says. “But there’s something about this world and story and voice that’s uniquely HBO.”

Harris approves of Ball’s changes, such as making the main characters a little younger; expanding the roles of some supporting characters, including Sookie’s brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and friend Tara (Rutina Wesley); and adding humorous elements. The books “have a dash of sex, although Alan has increased that quite a bit. That’s OK,” she says.

The 12 episodes of “Blood” roughly track Harris’ first Stackhouse novel, “Dead Until Dark.” (HBO hasn’t approved a second season, but Ball, whose film “Towelhead” opens Sept. 12, says he received the go-ahead to start working with writers.)

As with the books, the vampires of “Blood,” who encounter social opposition, remain representative of minorities. “It’s very easy to see them as a metaphor for any disenfranchised, feared minority group struggling for acceptance,” Ball says. “On the other hand, they can be seen as a shadowy organization really interested in amassing power and wealth.”

However thought-provoking the themes may be, Ball ultimately wants viewers to sit back and enjoy. “It really feels like more of an amusement park ride than anything I’ve done before.”