TY KU, the Premier Sake & Asian Spirits company, has put together smart cocktail ideas with all natural premium ingredients, no added sugars and preservatives. TY KU can even be seen on the set of True Blood at Merlotte’s Bar & Grill. Check out the Bloody Geisha recipes, made with TY KU sake, below.

• 3 oz Tomato Juice
• 1.5 oz TY KU Sake
• Pinch of Wasabi
• Dash of Soy Sauce
• Squeeze of Lime

Post from: EveryJoe

I read all of the books by Charlaine Harris and, while I really enjoy the show, there are characters and storylines that I really wanted to see come to fruition on the small screen.  It looks like I’m getting my wish (along with the other purists!).

Werewolves are coming!!!  We are finally going to see Alcide Herveaux which thrills me to no end.  It’s about time we got some warm-blooded creatures for Sookie Stackhouse to play with.  It should be interesting to see how Bill Compton and Eric Northman work around this third potential love interest.

Speaking of Eric, word on the street is that we’re going to be seeing more of him – a lot more.  He apparently will be wearing less clothing and will continue to be featured prominently.

As for Bill’s proposal to Sookie, it’s unclear about where they are going to go with that.  I know that it doesn’t happen in the books (in fact, Sookie seems to bring it up bitterly in her mind all the time so this really threw me) so I can’t imagine there being a wedding but stranger things have happened.

We’re also going to learn more about Sookie’s “special” powers and why she doesn’t share her abilities with her brother, Jason.

It already sounds like it’s going to be great.  It just sucks that we’ve got to wait until next summer.

image: HBO

Post from: EveryJoe

If you’re thinking this is going to be some ghoulish collection of songs you would be wrong.  The album features instrumental music that is haunting, melodic and, yes, for the most part a little creepy but this isn’t the soundtrack from some crazed horror flick.

The music is, however, pretty perfect for Halloween as background music for a party or even just a quiet night at home.  Naturally, it’s pretty somber music (although some songs have a more playful, hopeful feel to them) so it’s probably best to steer clear of this album if you’re sad or upset about something.  Overall, though, I thought it was pretty good from the preview I heard.

image: Amazon

Post from: EveryJoe

Evan Rachel Wood made her first appearance as Queen Sophie-Anne and, while she wasn’t as horrendous as I thought she might be, I just wasn’t completely sold on her either.  I guess she’s got the right look and all but I felt like she was overacting at times.

Either way, she adds a whole new set of problems for Bill since he went to her for help (on how to kill Maenads) and now she’s shown an interest in Sookie.  Who knows where that’s going to go.

Sophie-Anne did explain that Maenads are powerful and indestructible because they believe they are so powerful and that the only way to kill one is to get them when they are vulnerable.  The only time they let their guards down, though, is when they believe their God Dionysus is coming for them so Bill realizes that he’s going to have to use Sam as bait if he’s going to kill Maryann.

Meanwhile, Tara was furious when Lafayette handcuffed her to a table to prevent her from going to try to save Eggs.  After Sookie and Lafayette went out on the porch, Tara manipulated her mother and promised to forgive her if she’d free her.

Unfortunately, she listened and staved off Sookie and Lafayette at gunpoint while Tara fled in Sookie’s car.  Lafayette was pretty much debilitated by having that gun pointed at him after being shot but Sookie devised a plan and soon they regained possession of the rifle and took off to try to save Tara.  Lafayette revealed that, like Sookie, he has dreams (including sexual ones) about Eric after having ingested the vampire’s blood to heal his wounded leg.

While Andy and Jason tried to come up with a way to take on Maryann and regain control over Bon Temps,  Sam was saddled with Arlene’s children who haven’t eaten or seen their mother in days (since she’s under Maryann’s command).  Sam goes to Eric for help and the Area 5 sheriff decides to seek the advice of Queen Sophie Anne, only to learn that Bill has beat him to it.  Outside of the royal home, Bill warns Eric to stay away from Sookie but something tells me that the former Viking isn’t going to listen.

Hoyt and Jessica seem to have broken up since he didn’t like the fact that his vampire girlfriend jumped his possessed mother after she hurled one too many insults in their direction.  He told Jessica that he should have listened to Bill’s warnings about her and said that she couldn’t attack his mother.  I understand what he means but I can’t believe he picked his mama over his girlfriend, especially since Jessica was defending him.  Back at the house, Hoyt tells his mother that he’s sorry he hasn’t taken better care of her over the years since his father died but he was shocked to hear her tell him that he’s prevented her from having a good life and that his dad actually died by shooting himself in the head.  She lied and said that he was shot in a burglary so that she could collect the insurance money.

The episode ends with Sookie going to her home and being confronted by the fact that it’s been overtaken by Maryann and her “zombies” and she’s upset because it feels like they are violating her Gran’s memory.  She’s horrified to go up the stairs and find Tara and Eggs breaking her Gran’s possessions in her bedroom but she’s even more stunned to see that there is a giant egg in a nest on her grandmother’s bed and that Lafayette has fallen under the control of Maryann.

Quick notes:

- It’s unclear how significant it’s going to turn out to be but Bill meets Sookie’s cousin at Sophie-Anne’s palace/home.  If you’ve read the books, you might have ideas about where this is going.

- Andy and Jason now know that Sam is a shape-shifter

- There’s only one episode left this season!

images: HBO

Post from: EveryJoe

Hmm…”The lady doth protest too much, methinks”.

ANYWAY, if you’ve been watching the show, have read the books or basically, if you HAVEN’T been living under a rock, then you probably have a basic idea of what Tru Blood is and if you don’t, well, I’m going to tell you.

The basic premise of the books and show is that about five years ago, some Japanese scientists created a synthetic blood substitute that allowed vampires to come out of the coffin so to speak.

And then begins the vampire zaniness.

What’s cool for fans of the show and the books is that now, you can actually get your hands on Tru Blood – like actually drink the stuff.

The real version of Tru Blood is a blood orange carbonated soda that’s pretty damn expensive {$96 for a 24 pack plus a shipping surcharge} but sounds like a yummy way to celebrate the season finale of this year’s True Blood on HBO. The official “release date” of the Tru Blood is September 8th so, if you’re so inclined, go ahead and order you some so you’ll have it in-stock for these yummy cocktails. Bear in mind that I haven’t found any actual recipes for these – just the ingredients – so the directions are how I would make them.

And don’t forget that Halloween will be here before you know it!

The Fangbanger

Ingredients:

• Tru Blood
• vodka

Directions:

Make sure that your vodka is ice cold and mix this two parts Tru Blood to one part vodka. Serve over ice.

Death on the Beach

Ingredients

• Tru Blood
• Peach Schnapps
• Pineapple juice
• vodka

Directions:

I say build this in a glass with ice using 2 oz of vodka and a 1/2 oz of peach schnapps then do equal parts pineapple juice and Tru Blood to fill your Rocks glass.

Plasmapolitan

Ingredients:

• Tru Blood
• Citron vodka
• Cointreau
• fresh lime juice

Directions:

This is one that should be served in a martini glass. Fill your glass with ice and set aside. Fill your cocktail shaker half full with ice and add 2 oz Citron, 1/2 oz Cointreau and I’d say the juice from one lime. Shake until cold. Dump the ice from your martini glass and strain your liquid from the shaker. Top with Tru Blood.

And in case you can’t wait until next week to get a taste of True Blood’s Episode 11 “Frenzy”, here’s a preview:

Image and cocktails from HBO

Post from: EveryJoe

Jessica continued to lament over the fact that, since she died a virgin, she will always be a virgin vampire since they heal.  Hoyt didn’t seem bothered by it and he tried to console her and reassure her that everything would be fine between them.  He told her that he wanted her to meet his mother and Jessica was excited, despite the fact that Hoyt warned her that his mother didn’t like vampires.

Back at home with his mother, Hoyt brought up the fact that he wanted the two to meet and his mother respondly negatively.  Hoyt told her that she was a woman filled with hate and stormed out.  Later, the three met at Merlotte’s and things did not go well.  Hoyt’s mother pointed out that Jessica could never have any children and the young vampire ran out crying.

Tara and Eggs woke up looking beaten since, well, they beat each other up after eating Maryann’s pie (you know, the one made with Daphne’s heart – shudder).  They don’t remember a thing, of course.  When Tara shows up for work looking bruised and bloodied, Lafayette automatically assumes that she’s been a victim of domestic violence and goes after Eggs.  Later on, Tara and Eggs are talking to Maryann in Sookie’s kitchen and Lafayette and Tara’s mom come through the door.  They tell Tara that she’s going to have to leave this situation and Lafayette accuses Maryann of being something supernatural.  A fight breaks out but Lafayette is able to grab Tara (whose eyes are black and she’s snarling) and throw her in the car.  Maryann tells Eggs not to worry because Tara will be back – and she’ll bring her mother and Lafayette with her.

After the explosion, Sookie wakes to find Eric on top of her.  He tells her that he shielded her from the blast.  She immediately begins looking for her brother, Jason, who is miraculously fine.  Some humans and vampires were not as lucky, including Stan.  When Sookie returns to where she had fallen, she finds Eric still lying there and he begs her to suck the silver bullets from his skin, claiming he’s about to die.  Sookie does it and, despite trying to spit it out, ingests some of Eric’s blood.

When Bill finds out, he’s furious since exchanging blood has bonded them – Eric will now know where Sookie is and how she is feeling.  That’s a potentially bad thing since he will be able to tell if she’s beginning to feel attracted to him (and Sookie’s very sexual dream about Eric could signal an impending love triangle).

After Nan shows up accuses the vampires in Dallas of being bad press to their kind, Godric agrees that it was a mistake to go to the Fellowship of the Sun and voluntarily relinquishes his title of Sheriff.  Eric tries to object but it’s clear that Godric has made up his mind.  It also becomes obvious that Godric plans to kill himself.  This upsets Eric but Godric tells him that he has made his decision but agrees to talk about it on the rooftop.  Eric is about to follow him when Bill stops him, despite Eric pleading that it was the wrong time.  Bill insists on letting Eric know that the blood swap with Sookie was a mistake and he punches the Area 5 Sheriff (who heals instantly).

After a brief pause, Eric follows Godric and Sookie explains that she needs to be with Godric too, since he did save her life.  She tells Bill that she needs to go alone and, since it’s almost daylight, he should retire to his room.  After arriving on the roof, Sookie watches the exchange between a peaceful and resolute Godric and an extremely distraught Eric.  It’s a first glimpse into some tenderness from Eric.  He begs Godric not to “meet the sun” but his maker insists.  Eric says goodbye to him and retreats from the rising sun.

Sookie approaches Godric and asks him if he is afraid.  He tells her that he isn’t but she confesses her own fears.  He asks her if she believes in God and she says that she does and he expresses worry over what punishment might lie ahead for him.  She tells him that God doesn’t punish, he forgives and that seemed to be enough for Godric.  He told her that having a human by his side proved that, after 2000 years on earth, he could still be surprised.  Sookie watches as his body slowly burns and disappears.

images: HBO

Post from: EveryJoe

Anna told AOL Television:  “It’s a sexy vampire show and yes, there’s more getting it on, so to speak.”

I’m sure having her real-life boyfriend, Stephen Moyer, play her on-screen love interest, vampire Bill Compton, helps make her more comfortable.

She went on to say:  “I feel fine.  Although the way that people ask me about it all the time, I feel like maybe I should feel uptight about it. But I really don’t.
Obviously, if you’re already with that person then you’re not having to sort of get over the ‘Wow, I’m naked with someone that I don’t even know the middle name of!’  I think that regardless of what kind of scene you’re doing, the better you know the person … the more open and real your performance can be.  And that goes for stunt scenes and heavy emotional scenes and sex scenes. OK, so I have a little bit of a leg up in that particular area with my on-screen [partner].”

I think she’s got a real point.  I can’t imagine what it’s like to pretend to have a connection with someone that I don’t even know (or like).  It can work out, however, if both people are professional and don’t get uptight about it.  Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds recently talked about their nude scene in The Proposal and, while it was awkward at first, they quickly got over and were able to even laugh at the situation.

True Blood is in its second season.  You can catch it Sunday nights on HBO.

HBO Photo Credit: Steven Lippman

Post from: EveryJoe

Sookie Stackhouse and Tara Thornton walk Detective Andy Bellefleur out to his car because he was so drunk he could barely walk.  After he swears that his car has been moved, Tara scans the area and sees it in the distance.  When they walk over to it, they discover that the rear door is ajar and the ladies begin screaming when they see a foot hanging out.  Since it’s clearly the appendage of someone with a dark complexion and red toenail polish, it seems most likely that the foot belongs to Lafayette Reynolds, the short-order cook at Merlotte’s.  It’s hard to guess who could have done something to him because he was involved in most of the sordid things that happen in Bon Temps.  Since we know he had boldly threatened that politician and that he’s involved with drugs and the sexual underworld of the small town, it’s fair to say that anyone could be responsible for putting him in the back of that police car.

Meanwhile, Tara has been staying with Maryann Forrester, a woman who bailed her out of jail and claims to be a social worker.  The weird part is that this mystery woman doesn’t seem to actually work and likes the companionship of a large pig (kind of like the naked woman who caused Tara’s car accident and landed her behind bars in the first place, right?).  Tara meets another boarder at Maryann’s house, Benedict “Eggs” Talley, and it seems pretty obvious that their storyline is going to develop this season.

Sookie’s brother, Jason Stackhouse, is released from police custody after it is revealed that Rene Lenier is responsible for killing all of the recently murdered young women (and Sookie and Jason’s grandmother).  Unfortunately, Jason believes that he’s been saved for a reason and he joins the anti-vampire church, Fellowship of the Sun.  It’s hard to be mad at Jason since he’s clearly not the brightest person and he’s just lost Amy Burley, the love of his life, but it’s equally obvious that his alignment with the hate group is going to lead to disaster – especially since his sister is in love with a vampire.

Speaking of which, Bill Compton, was more than disappointed to learn that Eric Northman and Pam would not be honoring their agreement to care for and train the young woman (Jessica Hamby) that Bill was forced to turn into a vampire as a punishment for murdering one of his own to protect a human (when Sookie was attacked at Fangtasia).

Jessica is bound to cause trouble between Sookie and Bill – will Sookie turn to Sam Merlotte (her boss at the bar) when things get rough?  Are Sam and Tara truly over now?  How does Sam know Maryann?

If you’ve read the books by Charlaine Harris, then you will have a good idea of what will happen although the television series does deviate a fair amount from the original storyline.  Either way, I’m sure the viewers are excited that the show is returning.

If you’ve never seen the show, you might want watch one episode to see if you like it.  I will warn you, though, that the series does contain a lot of graphic sex so if you hate that sort of thing steer clear.

True Blood airs tonight on HBO at 10pm ET/PT.

images: HBO

Post from: EveryJoe

image: Amazon

Sookie might seem like a typical woman but she does have a secret – she can read people’s thoughts.  In a dark and sexy twist, she is instantly drawn to the “new guy” in town, Bill Compton (Steven Moyer), who happens to be a 173 year old vampire.  Fortunately, things have evolved for his kind – they no longer sleep in coffins and they don’t need human blood to survive.

I will admit that I love HBO shows but I haven’t watched this one.  I’ve heard that Anna does a great job, too, which doesn’t surprise me considering the fact that she won the Golden Globe (and that she has some experience playing a freak from her X-Men days).  I do like the Twilight series and, since this sounds like it has a similar plot, maybe I’ll check it out.

Post from: EveryJoe