28 Aug 2009
More Blood

For a show that has yet to air on an Irish station and is just halfway through it's first season on FXUK, True Blood is certainly becoming something else. It's the most hyped about show on American television and the internet seems to worship it to the ground. That's not a complaint because I fucking love this show. The writing is smart, the characters actual act like adults and while Sookie and Bill's romance won't win points for originality, it's gripping in a way that Twilight's Edward and Bella could only hope for. The other residing factor is Lafayette. Hats off to Alan Ball and actor Nelsan Ellis because Lafayette is increasing becoming one of the best new characters on television. The last two episodes saw him deal with a group of homophobic in a way that was hard not to applaud as well as offering some sympathy to Sookie (and Valium too). By far, this has been one of ther best things on television. If you're not watching it, I really have to ask why. Channel 4 should be airing it soon for terrestrial viewers so really there's no excuse.

In terms of thought provoking, intelligent comedy, The Kevin Bishop Show is probably the last thing you would want to watch then. In fact most people seem to be watching the second season because they want to see Karen Gillan in anything before she takes on the role of Amy Pond in that show I've mentioned enough times on these blogs. Some of the jokes are juvenile and last Friday's installment did see a parody of two geeks trying to bone the high school footballer. So, why watch it? I don't know but at times I'm glad I do. It's nowhere near as bad as Horne And Corden but don't expect to be amazed. Don't take it seriously and you'll be fine.

The X Factor is back, which equals four more months of wall to wall tedium with various sob stories and more cynical judging techniques from our not so fearsome foursome. In the first episode, we got a bisexual contestant in Danyl, who Louis Walsh is probably envisioning as a Shayne Ward Mark 2. Not a bad looking chap but I think I'm better off not watching this show.

Fair City have done a lesbian after 20 odd years of them not existing? About bleeding time. Apparently part of the reason for it is to show a more sympathetic side to the character of Yvonne (one of the few likeable characters on that show). When you've got Carrigstown's answer to Ian Beale for a boyfriend in Louis and a shrieking harpy like Suzanne for a sister, it's almost unneccessary. I do like Connie, so hopefully this storyline won't peter out too soon.

- Gossip Girl hunk Ed Westwick will be sharing a kiss with a male character in the sixth episode of the third season. Well, the character of Chuck apparently swings both ways in the books.
- MTV will be making an American version of Skins, set in Baltimore. Bryan Elsley will be helping the channel out with their version of the series.
- Reiko Aysleworth will play the role of Sharon, girlfriend to Ming Na's character, Camille in the upcoming Stargate Universe. Sky1 will air the series in October.
- More 4 have secured the rights to air Southland, which does feature a regular gay character.
- Big Brother will end in 2010 after 11 seasons. I don't know about anyone else but I'm delighted. Please let no other station recommission it.