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Summer Lovin’: Vampires, Guilty Pleasures, and Mad Men

2010 June 20
tags: , , , , ,
by Lucia

So, now that all the Fall/Winter shows have ended, what is a TV addict to do?  Don’t worry, as there’s still plenty to watch, depending on your tastes.

Photo Credit: BSC Review.com/ HBO.

TRUE BLOOD

First of all, True Blood season 3 premiered last Sunday, with a new episode airing tonight.  While sometimes edging on the side of vampire porn (subtlety is not the show’s forte), True Blood is definitely entertaining, and summer fun for sure … though I would not recommend it for viewing around small children.  I’m a big fan of Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse books, which the show is based on, and would recommend those as well, if you’re looking for quick and breezy beach reads.  I prefer the characterization of Sookie in the books to Sookie on the show, but many of the smaller characters in the books are far more developed on the show.  Last week’s premiere showed promise for an improved season, mostly because Maryanne was nowhere to be seen.  Good riddance.  Also, I was very happy with Pam’s increased screen time.  She is my favorite character on the show, and in the books, and Kim Bauer just plays her perfectly.  For a good read, check out the New York Post interview with the True Blood bad girl here: Kristin Bauer: Behind every good vampire is a great vampire.  Also, in case you have not yet seen it, Snoop Dogg has made a music video dedicated to the heroine of True Blood, entitled “Oh Sookie.”  I kid you not.  It is hilarious, so I have posted it below (NSFW):

Photo Credit: ABC Family.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Another show that started up recently is Pretty Little Liars.  I posted a little intro about the show back in April.  It airs on ABC Family on Tuesday nights at 8/7c, though the network has been airing it lots of other times too.  Check your local listings, and you may be able to catch the reruns.  Pretty Little Liars premiered June 8th, garnering impressive ratings.  There have only been two episodes so far, so you could easily catch up if you have missed it.  Both ABC Family and Hulu have episodes available free for streaming.  I have definitely enjoyed the series so far, and deem it a worthy guilty pleasure.  It’s not a show for everyone, certainly, but if you are a sucker for teen drama and mystery, it’s for you.

Pretty Little Liars is based on a series of young adult novels of the same name, written by Sara Shepard.  I’m actually reading the first book now, and am enjoying it for what it is.  Again, I say, a guilty pleasure, but a fun one.  The books and show center around four teen girls–close friends in middle school (although it may have been high school in the show), but torn apart by the sudden disappearance of their friend (and pseudo-leader), Alison.  Aria (Lucy Hale), Hannah (Ashley Benson), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), and Emily (Shay Mitchell) are reunited a year later, and each is on the receiving end of mysterious texts, signed “A.”  A knows stuff about them that only Alison knew–their deepest darkest secrets–causing a great deal of fear and consternation.  What happened to Alison?  Who is sending the texts?  And what is The Jenna Thing?  I can’t wait to find out.

THE GATES

Tonight, Sunday, June 20th, a new show called The Gates premieres on ABC, at 10/9c.  ABC.com offers the following description: “The Monohan family moves into a new home in an exclusive community called The Gates; things become complicated when the father, the new chief of police, must investigate neighbors in a missing-persons case his first day on the job.”  Of course, the official description is lacking in one important element: vampires!  Yep, a vampire housewife is the latest incarnation of the blood-sucking craze.  Check out the first 17 minutes of the pilot below, for a look at what’s to come.  I’ll definitely be tuning in for the first few episodes, to check it out.

What in the WORLD is going on in this photo? Yeah, I am dying to find out too. Photo Credit: ABC Family

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT

Also airing on ABC Family this summer is season two of Make It or Break It.  I really enjoyed the show when it debuted around this time last year, but then when it came back from its four month hiatus (ABC Family does these weird two part seasons, divided into ten episodes each), I wasn’t able to keep up.  Monday nights were just too insane, so I had to drop the show.  Season two premieres Monday, June 28th at 10/9c, so I will have to catch up on what I missed quickly.

What I really appreciate about MIOBI are the strong female characters.  Yes, I know you are all like, “This again?”  But seriously, it’s nice to see teen girls on television who are serious athletes.  Bonus: They don’t have the typical super-skinny Hollywood body types, and look more like in-shape teenagers, capable of doing physical activity without passing out (at least Payson and Lauren).  These girls are physically strong, but they also have to deal with the pressures of gymnastics, while at the same time handling family relationships, friendships, and love.  They aren’t perfect or anything–far from it–but it’s nice to see some young girls who care about more than texting, gossip, and boys.  Plus the four main actresses all do a great job, especially Josie Loren (Kaylie) and Ayla Kell (Payson).

Oh, Joan, I've missed you. Photo Credit: Carin Baer/ AMC.

MAD MEN

Honestly, it is not possible for me to be MORE excited for the fourth season of Mad Men.  The end of season three was just a triumph, and I can’t wait to see where the next year takes our favorite characters.  If you want to read my thoughts on the past season, start here: Posts tagged Mad Men. Then mark your calendars for July 25th, at 10/9c on AMC.  Yep, Sunday nights will be my favorite night of television.  Hmmm … now that I think about it, Sunday nights at 10 is a pretty popular time slot.  Thank goodness for the internet and the dvr.  Mad Men comes first, of course, and will be watched live.  I will also be posting weekly recaps of the show, once it starts.  I love summer.

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3 Responses Post a comment
  1. avatar
    francesca permalink
    July 7, 2010

    OMG!!! is that sookie song for real?? how funny. i just finished definately dead. too bad i don’t get hbo, how do you watch it?

    Reply
    • avatar
      heroine_tv permalink*
      July 7, 2010

      Yes, the song is for real! I watched it like 5 times and was just in amazement and hysterics. Hehe. Good job with your reading — I can’t believe you already finished the 6th book! There’s quite a reveal in that one if I recall correctly — we will have to chat. Also, check your email.

      Reply

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