HBO’s True Blood has garnered a reputation as one of television’s raciest shows, and rightfully so: It’s rife with copious amounts of sex graphically depicted on screen (that last line almost sounds more at home in a letter written by an angry mom to the network). Not just any old sex, either: There’s chicks screwing vampires, guys screwing vampires, vampires screwing each other (this scene of Vampire Bill banging another vampire is possibly the most unintentionally funny thing ever put to film), dudes banging dudes, dude vampires banging dude vampires…you get my point.
The one place the show has played things strangely conservatively, however, is with the various shape-shifters that inhabit the show. There are werewolves, werepanthers, weredogs (I’m still holding my breath for a werewhale), yet any time they’re shown getting it on, it is invariably in human form. As the French say, “Le WTF!” You’re telling me that, if you had the power to turn into a wolf at will, you wouldn’t morph into one mid-coitus as a joke to freak out a girlfriend you were about to dump? Any time I see the shape-shifting Sam Merlotte getting some, the thought of him delivering the line “How about some real doggiestyle?” with a straight face right before he morphs into a canine consumes me. So how about it, HBO? You ready to give me my 15-dollars-a-month’s worth? Ya stinkin’ puritans…
Last month, I coughed up for HBO in order to watch True Blood without the hassles of tracking down each episode online the day after it broadcast. (Incidentally, who are these guys that record and immediately upload shows to the net? You do the Lord’s work, but damn, get out of the house and touch a titty once in a while.) True Blood quickly proved itself to be lackluster this season, and I was about to shut off HBO until my brother came upon Eastbound and Down being offered as an on-demand selection. We were both immediately hooked.
Eastbound tells the tale of Kenny Powers, a washed-up MLB pitcher who returns home but still acts like, to quote Mr. Show, “King Shit of Fuck Mountain.” It’s dirty as hell, extremely funny and contains a surprising amount of pathos that have made it one of my favorite comedies. Sadly, the new season isn’t due out for another few months (Kenny flees south and starts playing ball for a Mexican team. Sounds great already), but Funny or Die has seen fit to release this short of Kenny Powers landing an endorsement deal to tide fans over in the meantime. Enjoy!
[Edit: Papa G is new around these here parts and will be creating original content for us as well as sharing posts from his site, In Papas Basement, so be nice to him, or treat him like the rest of the staff. Whatever.]
An incomplete preview of what’s going on tonight in the world of sports and entertainment. All times listed are EST.
Party Down: (Starz-10PM) Party Down is absolutely brilliant. If you don’t like it, well I guess this is friends off for us. If you have no idea what the show is about, check out YouTube as there’s hundreds of clips. In tonights episode, Roman is less than thrilled when he discovers the party is being thrown by his ‘sell-out’ writing partner who hired him to rub his face in the sale of his new spec script.
Friday Night Lights: (NBC-9PM) I’d be lying if I said I’d ever watched an episode, but I’ve heard good things. Tonight’s episode might be a good jump in point as Minka Kelly returns. According to the synopsis, The Lions face their strongest opponent yet, oh my, while Tim and Lydia re-visit their relationship. Again though, Minka Kelly.
The Whitest Kids You Know: (10PM-IFC) The comedy troupe returns with the premiere of their fourth season. Perhaps you might want to smoke something interesting before attempting this show. Perhaps not.
NBA Finals: (Sunday 8PM-ABC) So, game 5 goes on Sunday. In Boston. Three days after game 4. Are we sure Gary Bettman is the worst pro sports commisioner?
The Tony Awards: (Sunday 8PM-CBS) Apparently last years was quite watchable as NPH was the host. This year it’s Sean Hayes, the guy who played the flamboyantly gay one on Will and Grace. Woof.
True Blood: (Sunday 9PM-HBO) The third season premiere. Yay for boobs, violence, blood and horrible acting.
Breaking Bad: (Sunday 10PM-AMC) The third season finale. I’m super pumped for this one. Last weeks episode, and the season as a whole, was AMAZING!! If you’ve never watched an episode, go out and rent the episodes and catch up this weekend. You won’t regret it.
Treme: (Sunday 10PM-HBO) I’m sad to say I’ve yet to watch an episode of this David Simon created show. I mean to rectify that shortly as I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.
Rubicon: (Sunday 11PM-AMC) So far AMC is two for two with original content TV shows. They’ve created the stellar Breaking Bad and the very, very good Mad Men. I’m tempted to give this one a unwatched thumbs up given AMC’s track record. The simple premise of the show is based on a growing conspiracy, but AMC doesn’t just do simple. Color me intrigued.
Below is the trailer for Rubicon if you’re interested (more…)
