True Blood is decidedly more adult than the Twlight saga, and these vampires are not of the Edward Cullen variety. Although they technically don’t need to drink human blood, many of them can’t resist, especially if they happen to be having sex with a human (something which happens quite a lot, oddly enough). Additionally, vampire blood has become a black-market drug, having a similar effect as ecstasy, something which would never happen in the Twilight universe.
Despite these differences, it can be surmised that one of the reasons True Blood has become such a hit is the general resurgence in vampire-loving activity. True Blood most likely appeals to the older Twilight fans, the people who don’t like to admit they’ve actually read the books targeted at teenage girls, and who wouldn’t mind a few more sex scenes along with their vampires.
The Vampire Diaries is an upcoming television show, scheduled to air in 2009-2010. Like True Blood it is based on a series of novels, by L.J. Smith. The show is set in Virginia and revolves around Elena, a high school student, and two vampire brothers, one good, one evil, who are at war for her soul and for the souls of everyone in her town. This sounds a little more like Twilight than True Blood and I can imagine it will attract the same sort of audience Twilight did.
If these three examples aren’t enough to convince you that the world has gone utterly ga-ga for vampires, let me give you one more: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This television show was (and still is) one of the best shows around, not only for its portrayal of vampires, but for its witty dialogue and fresh, feminist viewpoint. When it wrapped in 2003, millions of fans were devastated. Since its conclusion, there have been frequent whispers of a possible movie adaptation, none of them coming to fruition. Now, in the midst of vampire obsession season, executive producer Fran Rubel Kuzui is apparently thinking of making a movie based on the television series. Coincidence? I think not.
Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are just a few of the many examples of how obsessed society has become with vampires. Go into your nearest Hot Topic and I guarantee that you will find a plethora of vampire merchandise. These days, it seems as though humans are as thirsty for vampires as vampires are for blood. And not the synthetic kind.
Article comments
1 - Silas Kain
Having been a huge Dark Shadows fan as a kid, I have to admit that True Blood is my guilty pleasure. Once you get by the vampirical myth, there's an underlying story which is compelling. Alan Ball's world of Sookie Stackhouse and her vampire lover is a metaphor for American society today. Years from now, True Blood will be viewed in political science classes for its' powerful message. This show is today's version of what All in the Family was in the 70's. I don't usually endorse networks, but HBO has been a leader in producing programming that defies the so-called norm. As long as there's a place for Alan Ball, HBO will continue to deliver quality programming that is sorely lacking in commercial television.
2 - roger nowosielski
Welcome back, Silas. You've been a missing person for quite some time. Are you doing OK?
3 - Silas Kain
Thanks, Roger. I am great! We're working hard on getting our business off the ground and that's eating up a lot of my time these days. I'm planning to do a weekly political blogtalk radio show later this summer once we get one of our pet projects off the ground. It seems that my mission in life these days is to go out and meet with small and medium business owners to tell them that things are going to be fine. We might not make much money doing it, but we're trying to do our part on a local level to build up our collective confidence and use these harsh economic times to our advantage. The bottom line is that out of every recession comes recovery. If there is to be a sustainable economic recovery it has to become a grass roots effort in every community across the nation. Let me get off my soapbox and just humbly say thank you, Roger.
4 - roger nowosielski
Are you a community activist? What business? It sounds very interesting and all-involving. Tell me about it later.
5 - Ralph Jones
I always was a big horror buff! To be honest vampires always caught my interest from the very start. I can name a few friends of mine that are into vampire stuff as well so I would agree when you say that this vampire fever is still spreading when you think so many book and movies are made on them, you think people will get tired but no, that never happens because I think the dark and mysterious side always manages to capture the attention of the audience
6 - Twilight
When is the next horror movie coming along?