Christopher Meloni will be bringing some law & order to True Blood. Rumors about Meloni’s first post-SVU television gig have been floating around for months, but HBO has finally confirmed that Meloni will be joining the cast of True Blood for the fifth season.

And Meloni isn’t just going to be a one-off character. According to Entertainment Weekly, the former  Law & Order actor will have a major role in the fifth season of True Blood. EW reports that Meloni will play an ”ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands.”

CBS reports that this will be a homecoming of sorts for Meloni. Before his 12-year gig on Law & Order, Meloni played inmate Chris Keller on the network’s prison drama “Oz.”

When Meloni left SVU, he told E! News:

“I think 12 years is enough, a good number…The writers will have fertile ground to figure out how to arc [Elliot Stabler] out to another place—whether it’s this world or the next.”

Do you think Christopher Meloni will make a good vampire? Are you going to watch the fifth season of True Blood?”

Chistopher Meloni Lands Major Role on ‘True Blood’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Could you imagine the dude who played anti-sex-crimes crusader Det. Eliot Stabler on the campy HBO hit True Blood?

Chris Meloni- who has proven time and again that he can be super serious in a show that borders on the silly- is reportedly in talks to hook up with the premium cable vampire drama. Meloni has worked for HBO in the past, on the prison drama Oz, and a role on True Blood‘s fifth season would mark the actor’s return to the channel for the first time since his the jailhouse series ended.

Season five of True Blood is thought to center around the fifth installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series of books by Charlaine Harris, Dead as a Doornail. Book fans will tell you, however, that the TV series has verged significantly from the show’s plotlines, and it would seem that if any part of the book series is a good time to branch out, Book Five is a strong candidate. (The plot deals mainly with shifter tensions in Bon Temps.) It’s said that Meloni is in line for a “major” role as a vampire in one of the upcoming season’s plotlines, but little else is known about who the SVU star would be portraying or even if the character is one yet known to fans of both the show and the books.

TVLine broke the news, and here’s what they had to say about Meloni’s True Blood talks:

TVLine has learned exclusively that the former Law & Order: SVU front man is circling what my sources are calling a “major role” in the show’s upcoming fifth season.

But what role? An HBO rep declined to comment, but I hear Meloni — who’s currently shooting a top-secret role in TheMan of Steel — is in talks to play (duh) an incredibly powerful vampire.

Do you think Meloni would be a good addition to the True Blood cast, or will he always be Stabler to you? [ETA: Some unsubstantiated blogosphere rumors have Meloni in talks to play Quinn, a suitor of Sookie's through a several-book story arc.]

Chris Meloni in Talks For Role on ‘True Blood’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Have you been enjoying Season 4 of HBO’s vamp drama True Blood?

One area in which the premium cable likes to tease Truebies is in the previews- rarely do the sneak peeks ever disclose a discernable plot development, favoring quick flashes of tantalizing action. And while the preview for next week’s episode- titled Me and the Devil- doesn’t include any of the addictive Eric and Sookie plotline, it does feature Jessica and Hoyt after the incident at the side of the road where babyvamp Jess rescued Jason.

What do you think of this season of True Blood? Have you been enjoying it thusfar?

‘True Blood’ Sneak Peak: Episode 4, ‘Me and The Devil’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

[Spoiler alert!]

Fans of HBO’s hit vampire drama True Blood finally got a new episode of the show last night, which seems to have delighted and intrigued fans- even if it went “off the reservation” of Charlaine Harris’ popular series of books.

Book four of the series, which roughly corresponds with season four, is a massive fan favorite due to the events that ensue after Eric loses his memory. The first episode kicked off squarely in fanfic-land, with Sookie in faery briefly. (Or so she thinks.) Much of the plot was entirely from outside the book, with pretty much every character veering away from the book plots. For instance, King Bill?

Parsing the events of episode one are a bit difficult, because fans were offered a sneak peak at episode two, which was difficult to resist. At our viewing, we frantically attempted to hook the Wii up before throwing in the towel and crowding around a 13″ laptop to get another fix- where fans of the books got their major first season 4 Eric payoff. (Not the Dead to the World shower scene, alas!) It was worth the effort (and cuddling), though, because episode two really seemed to complement and balance the somewhat chaotic (although still greatly enjoyable) episode one effects.

Did you watch one and or both episodes of True Blood last night? What did you think?

True Blood Finally Returns- Did You Watch The Second Bonus Episode? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Unnnngh. Six more weeks, give or take, until season four of True Blood hits HBO.

Most fans of the books are super-excited for season four because it loosely follows fan-favorite book four, Dead To The World. I would never seek to spoil the absolute awesome that is the major plot point for this book, but pretty much everyone knows fans of Eric Northman will enjoy the hell out of this season if Alan Ball doesn’t go dicking around with the main themes of the original work. (“The main themes,” fangirls shout, “in the shower, TYVM.”)

Much of the teaser below seems to indicate the eps will diverge slightly from the book, but there are some indications that integral subplots will be largely intact. And it seems to my prejudiced eye that this Eric doesn’t look as addled as we know he’s supposed to be from the very start of book 4. (Seriously, if any of that plot is altered, not cool!)

Are you excited for the June premiere? What do you see in the teaser?

[Video] ‘True Blood’ Season 4 teaser hits (with major Sookie/Eric UST!) is a post from: The Inquisitr

So this exists.

Apparently, Sesame Street hasn’t ruffled enough feathers with their introduction to Katy Perry’s cleavage, so they’ve also decided to parody what is probably the porniest show on television right now, True Blood. Why the most preschool friendly show on TV decided to pay homage to the one that has the absolute most sex, violence, blood and horror of all cable shows was not readily apparent. (Although the bit does include some excellent examples of rhyming.)

It’s actually not the most amusing of parodies, but notable because it’s such a bizarre choice. And it has a really cool bit at the beginning with Bill’s superspeed. Also cute is the whispering speculation that the Bill muppet, who keeps ordering “True Mud,” might be a >gasp< “grouch.”

“That’s not True Mud… it’s a potato!”

[Video] Sesame Street inexplicably releases True Blood parody, ‘True Mud’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Are you the only person in your office who hasn’t been watching True Blood? This will catch you up.

There’s a vampire thing I really want to do, but vampire politics keep getting in my vampire way.

[Video] ‘True Blood’ in 60 seconds is a post from: The Inquisitr

Although Netflix has expressed interest in getting it on with super-popular HBO properties like True Blood and Entourage, the cable channel has said it has no interest in bumping content with the filthy-dirty video subscription service.

If you, like me, were hoping to cut the horrible cable TV tether this year, HBO isn’t going to let you off the exceptionally good programming teat any time soon. Expect to be paying the same $200 a month for access to your favorite sexy dramedies, because you still won’t be able to stream it to your laptop, TV or hotel room legally without a cable subscription. HBO is in a prime position to not dabble in other services, and co-president Eric Kessler cited “entertainment enthusiasts” who can’t let go of their premium content as a reason for staying cable-only:

“There is value in exclusivity,” Kessler said in an interview. Consumers “are willing to pay a premium for high quality, exclusive content,” he said.

Netflix isn’t even playing hard to get, but they’re kind of like, “well, we’re into it if you are, HBO.”

“We would love to do a deal as well with HBO,” said Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Netflix. “Compete with us or collaborate with us, but we would much rather work with them.”

HBO subscribers can still stream content through HBO Go, the company’s online portal for programming. It may offer some of the convenience of Netflix’s streaming service, but it still carries the high price tag of a premium cable provider. Have you been planning to ditch some of your cable services for a web-based service? Do you shell out year round for shows that only run 12 episodes every year or two?

[Business Week via Mashable]

Netflix not getting its filthy, convenient hands on HBO’s content is a post from: The Inquisitr

Christmas came early for thousands of squeeing True Blood fangirls this year- first in the form of a naked Rolling Stone cover featuring a blood-spattered Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgard.

Then a widely circulated snippet from the article began circulating, wherein the sexy Swede who plays Eric Northman admits he could give a frick about modesty on the set, unlike co-star Moyer, who hides his junk in a sock. While Paquin relies on “patches” to maintain a modicum of clothedness, Skarsgard says he doesn’t care who sees his johnson:

Alexander Skarsgard goes sockless. “I don’t want a sock around it, that feels ridiculous,” he told the magazine. “If we’re naked in the scene, then I’m naked. I’ve always been that way.”

Stephen Moyer is more modest and opts for a sock but just out of regard for others. “I’ve got nothing to hide,” he said. “I just think it might be embarrassing for the crew.”

God bless Europeans and their free-wheeling, penis-exposing ways.

[Image, slightly edited to remove Sookie]

Rolling Stone’s ‘True Blood’ cover, Alexander Skarsgard admits he prances around the set naked! is a post from: The Inquisitr

As a giggling fangirl, I was particularly tickled by the “True Bud” and “TruNutz” references.

Snoop Dogg releases “Oh, Sookie,” a ‘True Blood’ jam is a post from: The Inquisitr

If Anna Paquin’s sultry portrayal of virginal vamp lover in HBO’s hit series True Blood isn’t enough to make all the fanboys and girls adore her, the actress “came out” as bisexual in a recent gay rights PSA launched today.

Organizers say that Paquin’s announcement during the January 30th taping came as a surprise. In the clip (below), Paquin adorably states, “I’m Anna Paquin. I’m bisexual and I give a damn.” The PSA is part of the “Give a Damn” campaign, promoted by the True Colors Fund, which is an organization to promote awareness about gay, lesbian and transgender rights.

Paquin’s current gig also happens to be on a show that does a lot in and of itself to subtly promote gay rights. Creator Alan Ball is openly gay, and the show frequently veers into big honking allegory territory with its portrayal of vampire rights in America. (Some find it heavy handed, but fans tend to think it endearing.) A story arc during the last season saw two main characters discussing a trip to Vermont to marry, as human/vampire marriages were not permitted in the rest of the country. (And the opening sequence famously features a sign that reads “God Hates Fangs.”)

Paquin is currently engaged to True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer, who fans will know as Vampire Bill.

Video: Anna Paquin comes out as bisexual in new PSA is a post from: The Inquisitr

Have you been chomping at the bit for new episodes of HBO’s vampire hit True Blood?

There’s light at the end of the very long tunnel- HBO has finally released a premiere date for Season Three of the popular vampire drama. Season Two left things on a bit of a cliffhanger, with the ostensibly forcible disappearance of one of Sookie’s many supernatural suitors and a hanging marriage proposal. HBO announced the plans on True Blood‘s Facebook fan page (no teasers, though, much to everyone’s disappointment) and MTV had this to say about the widespread anticipation:

This is so exciting for oh-so-many reasons (you know, besides the fact that Alexander Skarsgard will finally return — naked — to our living rooms), but because we don’t have enough time or space to list them all, just know that this chapter of the show will flaunt a badass new werewolf (who comes complete with real wolves), a new boy toy for Lafayette, a new girl for boy toy Jason Stackhouse, an “erotic connection” between Sam and Bill and, last but not least, cameos by Godric!!

Although introduction of a date is definitely a positive development, we’ve still got almost three months to wait until the first episode of True Blood hit airwaves on June 13th, which is kind of a bummer.

True Blood Season 3 premiere date: June 13th! is a post from: The Inquisitr

HBO has dipped its toes very tentatively into the waters of online content in the form of HBO Go, a service available only to those who subscribe to traditional, TV based HBO.

As a subscriber of both Verizon Fios and HBO, I was able to log in and give the service a spin this morning. I’m not big on streaming content to my laptop- I generally get too distracted by the existence of the internet to appreciate watching movies on it. But with 600 hours of content versus HBO on Demand’s 150, it might come in handy even for those who subscribe to the HBO on Demand service. Yes, the offerings are still anemic compared to HBO’s vast quantity of awesome shows. True Blood is a notable absentee, as is the often pants-peeingly hilarious Curb Your Enthusiasm. (I’ve always wanted to check out Deadwood, too, and that’s missing.) While I’d like all the HBO stuff I’d ever want to watch available whenever I want to watch it, I’m not surprised or even disappointed that HBO has decided to protect some of its more valuable properties just out of the gate.

On my current setup, just an average Dell laptop that’s stingy with resources and prone to having hissyfits when I want to do two things at once (for instance, posting in WordPress and running iTunes) I was able to quickly buffer an episode of Big Love and the longer documentary By The People in just a few seconds. Even with about twenty tabs open in Google Chrome, and Pidgin and Google Talk running in the background, there were no noticeable blips or interruptions in the stream of video. The picture was clear and the audio fine, and a simple, clean interface doesn’t get in the way of content when using the service.

All in all, while it’s been pointed out that HBO Go could be better, open to non-subscribers, offer more content and so on, I don’t think this is terrible for a first foray into streaming content for HBO. Yes, it could be more fully featured, but it’s not even out of beta yet. If you already pay for HBO every month, this is a nice perk- it would be nicer if it meant I never had to miss an episode of True Blood when I’m not home on a Sunday night.

Well, that’s fancy: HBO launches Netflix-like HBO Go for subscribers is a post from: The Inquisitr

The red carpet is soggy. Tiny Fey says, “it’s not rain. It’s just God crying for NBC.”

Golden Globes kick off, Ricky Gervais is unbelievably smarmy and knocks Steve Carell, NBC, Jay Leno.

Wins so far:

Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy: Toni Collette, United States of Tara

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama: John Lithgow, Dexter

Paul McCartney, describing himself as that guy “from Rock Band,” says in discussing Up that “animation is not just for children. It is also for adults who take drugs.”

8:31- What the hell is Felicity Huffman talking about?

NPH takes the stage with Jane Krakowski and says they both have huge foreheads. Ha, ha. He said fiveheads. Michael C. Hall is up for the next award, and he looks sick.

8:34- Best Actor in a TV Series (Drama): Michael C. Hall, Dexter

It’s Bill and Sookeh! Go Anna Paquin.

Bummer. Best Actress in a TV Series (Drama): Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Does Harrison Ford’s earring creep anyone else out? It seems like a swinger’s secret signal or something.

Oh, my God, I think Cher died. Has anyone noticed there is no clear path to the stage? People have to like, jump over chairs and shit. Poor planning, planners!

Best Orignal Song, Motion Picture: Crazy Heart, “The Weary Kind”

Best Original Score, Motion Picture: Michael Gian-something-Italian, Up

Everyone is trying to fight their way to the stage for the next award, which is Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made For TV, Grey Gardens.

9:00-ish- Pro-tip: Playing the music- it means “shut the hell up.” Ha, ha. Colin Farrell said “balls.” Dublin, represent! Meryl Streep. Totally eye-banging Colin Farrell.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture: Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia

Kevin Bacon’s wearing molester glasses! Helen Mirren- 900 years old, and apparently into Haiku. Oh, she’s talking about Precious.

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made for TV Movie: Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance (He took off the perv glasses to accept the award. Gentlemanly!)

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Made for TV Movie: Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens

9:14- Hey, Drew Barrymore, there’s no award for overacting your acceptance speech. On her shoulder- bedazzled hedgehog. Not a choice that I would have made on the surface, but it’s working. Why isn’t she getting the STFU music?

9:23- Gerard Butler presents with Jennifer Aniston. Awkward!

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air (I don’t wanna talk, you talk. Oh, Quentin Tarantino, burn!) I really feel people who have ultra-rich, connected parents should be exempt from winning awards, even if they’re fake Oscar/Emmys.

Best Actor in TV Series Alec Baldwin:, 30 Rock

9:28- No Alec Baldwin, I want my hour and a half back, damnit. I could listen to that man narrate my tax return and get turned on.

Redeemed. Samuel L. Jackson is talking. Shush, everyone. What’s with all the stupid glasses? (Samuel L. Jackson, Sophia Loren, the Crazy Heart Guy, and Kevin Bacon.)

Best Foreign Language Film: (Seriously, did they not realize it would take people fifteen minutes to get the stage?) The White Ribbon

9:37- We tire of your foreign accent. GTFO music.

Best TV Series, Drama: Mad Men? That sucks! True Blood kicks that show’s ass around the block. Alan Ball was robbed. ROBBED!

Best Supporting Actress, TV: Chloe Sevigny, Big Love

Some dude just ripped her dress! I love how she thanked her “sister wives.” Big Love is totally underrated, and she is totally awesome as Nikki.

Best Supporting Actor, Motion Picture: Christophe Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

9:57- Now presenting, Leonardo DiCaprio and my dad Robert DeNiro. DeNiro: I shall honor you, Martin Scorcese, by implying you have gay home videos with gay homosexual sex. Oddly, Scorcese looked totally comfortable with the gay sex jokes, not so much with the adulation heaped on by Leo. Wow- this montage is longer than many actual movies.

Cecil B. DeMille Award: Martin Scorcese

10:06- You gonna get the music, Scorcese. Bring it on home.

10:14- Ricky Gervais is drinking a beer. Edgy! OMG! “I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson!”

Best Director, Motion Picture: James Cameron, Avatar

Ryan Murphy takes the stage- Best TV Series: Glee! Glee wins!!! Murphy dedicates the award to “anyone and everyone who got a wedgie in High School.

10:25- The Hangover guys are presenting. Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: The Hangover. (Come on, Mike Tyson. Do something crazy.)

10:29- Mike Tyson did nothing crazy. Disappointed. Mickey Rourke is presenting, and appears to be made out of some sort of jerky- perhaps beef or turkey.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes

10:41- Robert Downey, Jr is giving the most charismatic speech of the night so far. Adorable and snarky.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart. He totally just kissed Kate Winslet on the mouth. Some dude in with Bridges’ boys is wearing Ray-Bans. Indoors. At night. In the 2010s.

10:55- Julia Roberts says “let’s wrap this up.” IAWTC, Julia. And the award for Best Motion Picture, Drama: Avatar.

Big horny weiner Signorney Weaver- looks fantastic, but kind of like the jolly green giant. Oh, come on, James Cameron. Give it up for yourselves? Avatar has connected all human beings to each other! And itself! And cured cancer and saved the whales and stopped Lady Gaga from making music.

Ricky Gervais throws in one last plug for his new HBO show, and the Golden Globes 2010 have concluded.

UPDATED: 67th Annual Golden Globes 2010 results is a post from: The Inquisitr

While last night’s episode (episode 8, Time Bomb) was just as freaking OMG edge of your seat as it looked to be in the previews, season two’s episode 9 appears to be just as squee worthy.

Entitled I Will Rise Up, episode 9 will resolve this week’s cliffhangers… we hope, not that Alan Ball likes letting us off easy at the end of the show. Fan chatter indicates that ancient teenager Godric is a fangbanger favorite, and while Alan Ball insists Sookie and Bill’s relationship is “core” for the show, it looks like Eric’s interference might be taking a bit of a foothold.

(Now, before you go all shipper on me, remember, fangirls and boys, that Bill is not Prince Valiant the Vampire like he seemed for at least the first season. As the show let us see, he he had very few qualms about frolicking and flopping around a convulsing and hemorrhaging dying flapper for Lorena’s amusement.)

Below, the official season two, episode nine recap and preview. Go, Nan Flanagan!

A wounded Eric plays Sookie for a fool, to Bill’s dismay. Later, Sookie and Jason reminisce about their recent adventures, and end up bonding. Blaming Eggs for Tara’s bruises and bizarre behavior, Lafayette and Lettie Mae try to figure out a way to pry their kin from Maryann’s grasp. Hoyt defends his relationship with Jessica. In Dallas, Eric and the vampires defend their recent actions to Nan Flanagan, and are stunned when Godric decides to take responsibility for their PR disaster.

True Blood: Did you see the episode 9 preview? is a post from: The Inquisitr

The stars of True Blood, on-screen lovers Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are reported to be engaged.

The pair first started dating at the True Blood auditions, but decided to keep their relationship a secret until February this year. At the time Moyer said that they had kept the relationship a secret so as to not take away from the show.

People Magazine broke the news of the engagement, confirming the news with representatives of both stars. It’s second time round for Englishman Moyer, has two children, 9-year-old son Billy and 7-year-old daughter Lilacfrom a previous marriage.

There are no further details on when the pair will be married.

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer Engaged is a post from: The Inquisitr

Comic Con attendees and observant fans eagerly awaiting True Blood Season 2 Episode 7 (titled Release Me) peeped an extended teaser this weekend that appears to drop some interesting bombshells.

Fangirls and Sookie/Eric shippers (represent!) will be most intrigued by a split-second shot of a very contended Sookie in bed with what appears to be OMG our favorite viking vampire Sheriff of Area 5 (1:23). Also spotted in the teaser- vamp advocate and Bill Maher guest Nan Flanagan looking less than Today-show ready, Sookie laying her smack down on “vampire ho” Lorena, and Maryann pulling her bail yo’ ass out of jail schtick. Another disturbing snippet sees Eric writhing in pain whilst shackled to an altar in silver chains. Nooooo!

Amid the respective cries of “Beeeeel!” and “Suckeh!” it’s pretty difficult to work out any real spoilers, and we all know HBO is staffed with wizards when it comes to creating misleading and action filled trailers. It was honestly the most exciting 1:37 of my life.

Comic-Con also saw the unveiling of a new product tie-in for the show- a replica of Tru Blood that’s really a blood orange soda priced at $4 a bottle. And one last note for book fans- series creator Alan Ball put the kibosh on any hopes of seeing the undead man from Memphis on the small screen. Ball feels it would be impossible to suspend disbelief enough on TV to have beloved Bubba be a viable character on the show adaptation. Burn.

While topping episode 6 (Hard Hearted Hannah, as crooned by Guillame) will be pretty hard, episode 7 looks like it’s going to be pretty fierce, too.

True Blood fans bite into Comic Con is a post from: The Inquisitr

In keeping with the sexy vibe of the show, teaser footage has become increasingly tantalizing. In the latest installment, we see Jessica’s tumultuous reunion with her conservative homeschooling family, both Bill and Eric trying to lay claim to Sookie, and Eric having a bit of a tantrum with what looks like highlight-foils in his hair. Jason gets his Fellowship of the Sun on and Maryann is clearly doing something to lead the townsfolk astray. Bill broods. Like, at everyone.

Can’t wait a few more hours? Check out the newest trailer below. And if you missed any of the first season, there are some very, very funny (and thorough) recaps here to get you up to speed.

True Blood season two premieres tonight! is a post from: The Inquisitr

HBO’s hit series True Blood returns June 14, and in the lead up HBO has released some new ads with additional footage.

New details are revealed about Jessica, the new vampire who was converted by Bill in the last series. We see Maryann generating power, Jason in attack mode and Tara in shook.

The series is based on the Sookie Stackhouse book series (known as The Southern Vampire Mysteries) by Charlaine Harris. After a slow start on debut in 2008, strong word of mouth saw True Blood grow to be HBO’s most popular series since the Soprano’s and Sex and the City, and rightly so, because it’s a great show.

Here’s the new True Blood spots:

New True Blood TV spots is a post from: The Inquisitr