Is anyone else besides me still watching HBO’s True Blood? (Slezak? Anybody?) I am hanging in there for now, mostly on the Alan Ball benefit of the doubt factor, and also because I’m still somewhat intrigued by the series’ larger mythology — but most of these plotlines are losing my interest, fast. However! The most recent episode gave me another reason to keep tuning in: Mysterious vampire hunk Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) has awesome taste in indie rock.
See, I noticed that when Bill was driving Sookie (Anna Paquin) back from that vampire bar in Shreveport, he was playing a song by the very cool Cambodian-American band Dengue Fever on his car radio. Jittery Sookie was all, "Can we turn this down? What language are they speaking, anyhow?" (She should talk, with her odd would-be Louisiana accent; some NSFW phrasing in link.) Bill calmly informed her that the song was being sung in "Cambodian" — a language that’s more commonly known as Khmer — but the point is, it wasn’t some freaky vampire dialect, okay? Sookie reached over to turn off the tunes anyway and asked Bill to pull over. Then some cops showed up and everyone forgot all about that unusual-sounding music. (Watch the whole scene below.) But a press release from Dengue Fever’s camp has just reminded me that Bill was indeed enjoying the excellent title track from the band’s 2005 album Escape from Dragon House — which was also the name of Sunday night’s ep. Love it.
So there are really two important lessons here. First: Bill Compton may be, like, 175 years old, but apparently dude reads his MP3 blogs. (If True Blood’s music team chooses to show Bill jammin’ out to some Vampire Weekend in a later episode, BTW, I automatically revoke all cool points they get for this.) Second: Dengue Fever rock, and their fans are definitely not limited to either A) vampires or B) people who watch HBO programs of dubious quality. Wouldn’t you agree?
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Man, I can’t figure out why I’m still watching. I think it must be, like you, a curiosity about the bigger mythology. Something keeps me recording it. Loved the reference to Dengue Fever. Wow. Bill is full of surprises.
I am still watching and still loving every minute of this show.
I am still watching, for both reasons you guys are…love the show and the bigger myth of it all.
We just started watching this program this week. We watched 6 episodes in one day. Nothing else of interest was on tv. We will continue to watch. It looks like it may be close to Anne Rice’s characters, but I haven’t watched enough to know. I’ll keep watching. How long has this show been on?
It was quite cool to hear alexander Skarsgård (Erik) speak Swedish.
Yep still watching the show no clue why I think the opening tune is just to good and it’s not that bad and I just want to know what happens next
I’m still watching and can’t wait for the next episode. What about Bill’s BMW? Where did that come from? The Cambodian pop music cracked me up. I love this show.
I’m watching just for all the male nudity, and I like the story.
Well, I’ve only seen the first episode so far, but I thought that scene was pretty good, and I’m not talking about the music on the radio at the beginning.
“dubious quality”?
C’mon– this show is awesome, possibly cracktastic.
I think this show has the most potential of any of the new shows this season. It’s very addictive and creepy/cool.
Yo! I’m watching and getting more involved by the episode. I love the pace of the show in that they are letting us get to know the characters instead of dazzling us with special effects and gratuitous romance. So much better than most of the network offerings.
I have to agree — it’s not that great, and yet somehow I must watch and cannot give it up. I just have to know what happens.
The fiance and I absolutely LOVE the show!
Clearly, there are still lots of people who watch True Blood, including me. All the odd and interesting and evocative music is a part of the whole yummy enchilada. I do love the little nugget about Escape from Dragon House being the not only the episode title, but also the title track of a featured group’s album. Since the eps are supposedly following roughly the chapters of the book (which I haven’t read), I wonder if that came from the book or if it was one of Ball’s modifications? Anyone out there know?
I like it, too. It’s better than some of the crap HBO has given us recently (I’m looking at you, John from Cincinnati!)
Hey, I’m still watching it, and loving it.
I hope they continue to showcase Bill’s advanced tastes in music…
I love this show- I am absolutely still watching and I hope that Alan Ball will bring in more social commentary and steer the show in a different direction than the books took us.
I’m still watching and loving the show. Nice catch on the Cambodian pop music. I didn’t even think to ask. Although that could be because I was too bust staring at Bill…
I wish I had HBO…
Dengue Fever
See http://truebloodwiki.hbo.com/page/True+Blood+Music?t=anon
I’m enjoying the show, but I hope it improves. “Deadwood” took until about episode 5 to get really good, but when it did…wow.
I love this show. I just waiting for Sookie and Bill. There are some great scenes in the book that would translate well.
Love this show. Finally something different in tv land. I’ll stick with it.
Wait I’m confused is that some sort of joke? Are people really not watching anymore? Must not be doing your homework because it’s been picked up for a season after 3 eps. I’m a HUGE fan and I can’t wait for each week’s ep.
I love the way Bill looks at Sookie when they are together, almost like he wants her, but can’t decide if he wants to kiss her or eat her. Very sexy…
The chemistry between the leads is amazing, and rare, the acting excellent, the story constantly engaging. We all should keep watching so this goes on and on and on. It’s addictive!!
I am still watching the show – I have the latest episode still on the TiVo to watch. My friends have scheduled a mini-marathon of the first 4 shows on Saturday at my girlfriend’s place.
I loved that song as well – looking for a download.
LOVE Bill. But just kill of Tara and her muscule arms! Can’t stand her fake accent. Will keep watching as long as there is lots of Bill.
Love the show. What do you think is up with Sam?