Facts From a TV Junkie: 'True Blood'

Hello all! Chances are if you're reading this it means you, much like myself, are addicted to TV. You just can't ever get enough of that small screen action! Well, I'm here to tell you that I feel your pain and would like to help you in your noble quest for TV knowledge, which is why I've taken it upon myself to create this fun, weekly feature. Every week, I will dig up new and interesting facts about a show and share them with you right here. So sit back, relax, and let the trivia madness commence!

This week I thought it would be fun to sink our teeth into some 'True Blood' trivia. Whether alive or undead, these Bon Temp residents know just how to capture our interest and leave us thirsty for more. (Vampires, werewolves, Hep V — oh my!) But there are still a few things that will leave you clamoring (or should I say glamouring) to learn more about your favorite supernatural southerners. Such as…

Did you know:

1. Almost every major character on the show has a Broadway theatre background.

This includes cast members Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Denis O'Hare, Chris Bauer, and even director Alan Ball, who originally started out as a playwright. How does everyone feel about 'True Blood: The Musical'?

2. There's a reason none of the cast members are displayed in the show's opening title sequence.

Director Alan Ball did this on purpose due to the fact that he seriously dislikes when other TV shows do that. Ball believes that since fans will already be watching these actors for the next hour, he doesn't really see the point in showcasing them further.

3. Ian Somerhalder auditioned for the role of Jason Stackhouse.

As much as I love the Smolderholder, it's hard to picture anyone else in this role other than Ryan Kwanten. Besides, Somerhalder got his own tasty offer on another vampire show only a year later. You may have heard of it…'The Vampire Diaries.'

4. The name of Bon Temps is French for "good times."

It also serves as the Cajun expression, "Laissez les bon temps rouler!" meaning "let the good times roll!" Fitting since nothing bad ever happens there, right? (cough, cough)

5. Very few of the main cast members have a genuine Southern accent.

Ryan Kwanten (who plays Jason) is originally from Australia; Alexander Skarsgård (who plays Eric) is Swedish; Stephen Moyer (who plays Bill) is actually British; and Anna Paquin (who plays Sookie) grew up in New Zealand.

6. Rutina Wesley almost didn't get the role of Tara Thornton.

The part was originally given to actress Brook Kerr, but after her performance in the pilot wasn't well received by critics, Wesley was recast as her replacement. And we couldn't be happier.

7. 'True Blood' is based off a book series.

Yes indeed, book enthusiasts will be interested to learn that each season is loosely based on the corresponding novel of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse book series. The first book, which parallels Season 1, is called 'Dead Until Dark.' Seems pretty appropriate, don't you think?

8. All of the episode titles are actually lyrics from songs.

Ever thought some of the show's episode titles were a little random? Well, it turns out that they're not random at all and are actually lyrics taken from popular or Christian music. If you look back at all of the titles, you'll definitely notice the pattern.

9. Alexander Skarsgård originally auditioned for the role of Bill, while Joe Manganiello tried out for the role of Cooter.

What the what??? It's so hard to imagine either of these supernatural hunks playing any other role than the ones they have. Plus, that would mean Manganiello would've been killed off back in Season 3 (ironically by Alcide). Think of all the shirtless time we would've missed out on!

10. Executive producer Mark Bayshore can be seen in the show's opening credits.

He's the man dancing with the girl with her arm wrapped around him. Additionally, his sons are the boys with berry juice all over their faces. The rest of the people in the opener were just strangers the production crew came across on the streets. They would jump out of their cars and just start filming if they saw something they liked. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!

11. Author Charlaine Harris makes a cameo in the Season 2 finale at Merlotte's.

Hey, if I wrote a book that became a popular TV show, I'd totally make a cameo appearance as well. Heck, I'd star myself in the whole thing.

12. In the book series, Tru Blood is called Life Flow (O Negative) most of the time.

Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue as easily as Tru Blood, so we can understand why they changed it up for the small screen.

13. In the novels, Tara is only a minor character.

In fact, she doesn't even appear in the series until Book 2, 'Living Dead In Dallas' and she is not Sookie's best friend like she is on the show.

14. 'True Blood' has its very own jewelry line.

The collection is commissioned by the studio and created by jeweler Udi Behr. Most of the items consist of silver and features leather, rubies, and chains. Naturally.

15. Bill and Sookie are together in real life.

I think most people know this one by now, but I wanted to throw it in here (you know, just in case someone's been living under a rock for the past several years). The actors met while on the set of 'True Blood' in 2007 and got married in 2010. They're even the parents of fraternal twins who were born in September 2012!

I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of Facts From a TV Junkie. Check back next week for another fix!

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