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Marc Buxton Sep 9, 2016

From Tribble to Andorians, we run down the 50 best alien life forms explored in the Star Trek universe.

The crews of the various iterations of Star Trek boldly went where no one has gone before — and then boldly met a whole lot of alien species.

Star Trek may be the human adventure, but there have been countless non-human beings, critters, menaces, gods, and blobs that have been introduced in the Star Trek universe. From The Original Series to The Animated Series, to The Next Generation, to Deep Space Nine, the Delta Quadrant and Voyager, to the early adventures of Enterprise, to the modern day films, Star Trek has gifted fans with many unforgettable species as the five-year mission slowly turned into five decades of first contact.

There have been vile races bred for combat, omnipotent races that use humankind as puppets, and even a bunch of cute little furry things.

Teen Wolf may not have a premiere date for its upcoming sixth season (yet), but while we wait, MTV is giving us something even better: Dylan O’Brien.

RelatedTeen Wolf Ep Reveals Season 6’s First Villain, Teases ‘Something Big’ With Stiles and Lydia, Plus More Scoop

Following severe injuries sustained on the set of The Maze Runner: The Death Cure, O’Brien is back in Beacon Hills, and MTV is celebrating by sharing a batch of behind-the-scenes shots from Season 6.

Naturally, we’re spending most of our time obsessing over the above shot of O’Brien with co-star Shelley Hennig...

Just when you thought it was safe to travel to New England, Rock and Shock announces Tara Reid is among the newest crop of guests attending the 11th annual event. We all know wherever Tara goes, a sharknado can't be far behind.

In anticipation for the October 17-19 event in Worcester, Ma, Rock and Shock organizers have been busy over the past couple of weeks announcing the guest list a few names at a time in true cliffhanger fashion, keeping fans of the event glued to social media to catch the next name.

In addition to Reid, Rock and Shock has announced a slew of other guests, including festival favorites Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, and William Forsythe. Also, Andrew Divoff, Tom Savini, Lynn Lowry, John Russo, Kristina Klebe, Justin Beahm, and Jack Bennett have been added as well.

Saturday's headline musical act was also revealed. Gwar will be...

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I’m now forced to choose between my blissfully happy avoidance of 24 and my enjoyment of Stephen Fry, as Deadline reports that Fry has signed up to play the UK Prime Minister in the upcoming 24 series.

The CW’s Flash pilot has cast two (potential) villains with Rick Cosnett (you might recognize him as The Vampire Diaries‘ Dr. Wes) as Eddie Thawne, a police detective whose name sounds a lot like a certain Flash archvillian‘s alter ego. Meanwhile, Denielle Panabaker will play Caitlin Snow a bioengineering expert who definitely shares a name with a another DC Comics villain.

Rick Cosnett

USA has ordered Benched, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The comedy stars Happy Endings‘ Eliza Coupe as a former corporate attorney who becomes a public defender after suffering from a nervous breakdown. Better Off Ted hottie Jay Harrington plays her co-worker.

Paul James is making his way to Grey’s Anatomy.

The unique, bold and undeniably sexy TV series returns with True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season released on Blu-ray and DVD on 20th May 2013, from HBO Home Entertainment. Packed with even more action and allure, satisfy your addiction and get sucked in right from the very start as the Complete Season 1 – 5 boxset is also released on both formats.

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humour, True Blood Season 5 goes deep into the battle between the “Vampire Authority” and “Vampire Fundamentalists” – a political power play whose outcome could decide not only the fate of Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and her Bon Temps friends, but of all human existence.

Picking up where Season 4 left off, Sookie is dealing with Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) shooting and her unpredictable faerie powers while Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) find themselves called into action by the Vampire Authority. Meanwhile, Sam (Sam Tremmell) searches for...

We know "True Blood" has some of the most dedicated fans in the world, and if you're one of them, here's your chance to be part of a Season 5 DVD virtual signing with stars Stephen Moyer and Kristin Bauer van Straten.

The contest, entitled "Fill in the Blood," celebrates the launch of True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season on DVD/Blu-ray via HBO Select, and here are all the details:

Beginning yesterday and ending May 17th, the "True Blood" Twitter feed (@TrueBloodHBO) is hosting the "Psalms of Lilith" contest. Each day fans will be asked to fill in the missing words from a Psalm of Lilith (#fillintheblood), and the top ten submissions for each Psalm will win an autographed copy of the release. All of the winners will be announced the day after their tweet. The official micro-site for the contest is FillInTheBlood.com.

At 12:00 noon Pt/3:00 pm Et on Tuesday,...

HBO Home Video has announced the release of True Blood Season 5 to Blu-ray and DVD on May 21st. We have the full list of bonus features, additional release details, and the official cover art. The Blu-ray version will be sold as a 7-disc combo pack that also includes DVD and digital copies of the episodes. A separate DVD version will also be available.

“Based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, True Bloodis HBO’s sexy, scary, wildly entertaining drama series from Oscar and Emmy-winner Alan Ball (Six Feet Under). In addition to returning cast favorites — human/faerie waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), her vampire suitors Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard), soul-searching pal Tara (Rutina Wesley), shape-shifting boss Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), rakish brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten), clairvoyant Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) and teen-vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) — Season Five introduces a whole new wave of otherworldly characters.

True Blood

“Save Yourself” Air Date: 8/26/12

Alan Ball sure goes out with a bang fang. There’s not much I can say about this episode without ruining it, but let’s just say there are a ton of deaths (including two of the coolest of the show), surprises and vampires “popping,” beginning from the start with a purposefully anti-climactic scene and shocking pre-opening credits scene.

Storylines finally collide, with Bill & Luna shifting like mad to try and save Luna’s daughter and were-puppy Emma from the clutches of Steve Newlin and the Vampire Authority, while Eric, Nora, Sookie, Jason and Tara bring the offensive to the Authority in an attempt to free Pam and Jessica while trying to “save” Bill from the rapture of Lilith. The whole thing is all very exhilarating.

Meanwhile, there two subplots dangling. Alcide and his Dad are forced to make a move on J.D.’s...

Well ... That happened.

For the capper to a wildly uneven season, True Blood decided to whack a major character, only to bring him back again seconds later as the Second Coming. That's right, folks - Lilith has passed on her bloody merkin, and Bill Compton has strapped it on as the new cherry-coated vampire demigod du jour.

That sound you hear is millions of shrugs as the half of the audience who gave up on the show years ago but still tunes in every week in the hopes that it will at least get their spouse horny enough for a little Sunday night nookie cancels their HBO in a fuzzy post-coital haze and forgets that any of this ever happened.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

"Blast him!"

Sookie (Anna Paquin) rallies her magical, dance belted army against Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare) - but it does little to dissuade him.

"True Blood's" Season 5 finale was just as bloody as exiting showrunner Alan Ball promised.

Shocking? Not so much.

Let's tally the bodies -- and goop -- shall we?

(Warning: Spoilers Ahead!)

By chugging the last of Lilith's blood, Bill (Stephen Moyer) apparently met his true death -- dissolving like the Wicked Witch at Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric's (Alexander Skarsgard) feet.

Unfortunately (sorry, we are on Team Kill Bill) -- he was reborn, arising nude and blood-drenched like Lilith, as Eric ordered Sookie to run for her life.

At least we know who the big bad will be in Season 6?

Before deifying himself, Bill flattered Salomé into believing Lilith told him she was the true prophet. She sealed the deal by drinking Bill's silver-poisoned blood mickey. If there's anything worse than a true death, it has to be Bill lecturing you about your "impatience" during your last agonizing seconds.

After loving the "True Blood" Vampire Authority earlier this season, we're now ready for things to come to a head with that group and for Bill and Eric to get back to Bon Temps. Check out this preview of Episode 5.11, "Sunset," to see if we get our wish.

Episode #59 (5.11): “Sunset”: Slipping further into religious fervor, Bill (Stephen Moyer) gives Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) an order she’s loath to carry out. Armed with a damning video of Russell (Denis O’Hare) and Steve (Michael McMillian), the military delivers an ultimatum to the Authority. Claude (Giles Matthey) and Maurella (Kristina Anapau) take Sookie (Anna Paquin) to meet the faerie elder, who may know something about an ancient family secret. Alcide (Joe Manganiello) reconnects with his father. Written by Angela Robinson; directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.

Episode #60 (5.12): “Save Yourself”: Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) embarks on a final, desperate mission...

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Now that we’re officially in the second half of the season, True Blood appears to be doing that thing it does where regardless of the momentum (or lack thereof) its various stories are carrying, the show just doubles down on the crazy, for better or worse. The good news is that even if this doesn’t seem to work well on a logical level it at least tends to deliver on the outrageousness. “In the Beginning” found the insanity dialed up a notch and the “Other” metaphor about this close to just taking a piss on the fourth wall, but at least most of the plots are moving forward, I just hope they all have something to say by the end of the season. Let’s break them down in terms of winners and losers.

First off, the episode’s big win – seeing Russell Edgington...

Tonight, True Blood’s second episode of the new 5th season airs, a little something called “Authority Always Wins” – an ominous title for any who may view or find themselves in opposition of the vampire junta headed up by True Blood newcomer Chris Meloni. Below are two from HBO teasing tonight’s festivities, adding to the shorttv teaser released earlier in the week. In one of the clips Tara is showing off her new turned up prowess in front of Sookie and Lafayette. The other preview shows us Bill, Eric and Nora checking out the HQ of the Vampire Authority.

related | True Blood Season 5 – A Look Ahead Promo

This week also brought us word that we will be meeting Alcide’s (Joe Manganiello) father, and that he will be played by former Judgement Day Terminator Robert Patrick.

True Blood “Authority Always Wins” Episode Summary:

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans,...

We have to admit this current season of "True Blood" is off to a much better start than last year. Despite just premiering last weekend, the casting news isn't over yet. Read on for the info that will have you doing the time warp.

TrueBlood.net reports that Terminator 2 star Robert Patrick has signed on for a recurring guest role as Alcide's father, Jackson Herveaux. We’ll meet him in Episode 5.09, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", when we flash back to when Alcide and Debbie Pelt were teenagers in the 1980s. Back then, Jackson was “powerful, inspiring, and heroic”, but in present day he’s pretty much given up on life. He’ll be a recurring guest star.

In the interim check out the skinny on this week's episode.

Episode 5.02: “Authority Always Wins”

Debut: Sunday, June 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans,...

HBO is giving us a taste of the next episode from True Blood Season 5 with new two clips and a preview video from “Authority Always Wins”:

Episode #50: “Authority Always Wins” – At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco, and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. (Louis Herthum) and Rikki (Kelly Overton) pay tribute to Marcus, but Alcide refuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster. Martha Bozeman (Dale Dickey) shows up wanting to see her granddaughter, causing conflict for Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar). Fearing Russell’s return, Sookie procures a home-protection system; Arlene (Carrie Preston) tries to get to the bottom of Terry’s erratic behavior; Steve...

Except for one or two little hiccups, the Season 5 premiere of "True Blood" was better than just about anything we saw during the entire Season 4, and this week Chris Meloni arrives! Check out these two clips from Episode 5.02, "Authority Always Wins".

Episode 5.02: “Authority Always Wins”

Debut: Sunday, June 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. (Louis Herthum) and Rikki (Kelly Overton) pay tribute to Marcus, but Alcide refuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster. Martha Bozeman (Dale Dickey) shows up wanting to see her granddaughter, causing conflict for Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar). Fearing Russell’s return,...

Fans are always going on and on about their favorite moments from "True Blood" over the past four seasons, and now it's time for the stars of the show to reveal theirs. Check out this new video released by HBO - some of the choices may surprise you!

Be sure to tune in this Sunday, June 17th, for Episode 5.02, "Authority Always Wins". For more in the meantime visit "True Blood" on HBO.com, "like" "True Blood" on Facebook, and jump in on the Twitter conversations here using the hashtag #trueblood or #TBMoments.

Episode 5.02: “Authority Always Wins”

Debut: Sunday, June 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco and her first encounter with Eric.

True Blood‘s fifth season kicked off last night and we have a copy of the season preview trailer in case you missed it. For those that are looking for even more spoilers, we have episode descriptions for the next 7 episodes.

Episode #5.02: “Authority Always Wins”: At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco, and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. (Louis Herthum) and Rikki (Kelly Overton) pay tribute to Marcus, but Alcide refuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster. Martha Bozeman (Dale Dickey) shows up wanting to see her granddaughter, causing conflict for Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar). Fearing Russell’s return, Sookie procures a home-protection system...

True Blood returned to HBO last night, kicking off its 5th season with authority. Waiting sucked no more as HBO’s current, I guess this is still true though the people of Westeros may want to be heard, flagship show chronicling the happenings of Sookie Stackhouse and the Bon Temps stomping grounds. Below we have a lip, just in case you missed it, for next week’s episode, titled “Authority Always Wins” – go catch almost 2 minutes of future True Blood!

True Blood Season 5 “Authority Always Wins” (5.02) Episode summary:

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco, and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. and Rikki pay tribute to Marcus, but Alciderefuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster.

The first episode of "True Blood" Season 5 has come and gone, and now we know Tara's fate and the direction in which most of the other characters are heading this year. For more check out this new promo video for the show along with a preview of Episode 5.02, "Authority Always Wins".

Episode 5.02: “Authority Always Wins”

Debut: Sunday, June 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. (Louis Herthum) and Rikki (Kelly Overton) pay tribute to Marcus, but Alcide refuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster. Martha Bozeman (Dale Dickey) shows up wanting to see her granddaughter,...

Like most series, True Blood releases its DVDs from the last season shortly before the new season starts – just enough time to catch up with some marathon sessions. Here are a couple of cute TV spots for the DVD/Blu-ray/Digital Download package, followed by synopses for the first three episodes (possible spoilers!):

TV Spot: True Blood: Season 4 on Blu-ray with HBO Select: Infomercial

Click here to view the embedded video.

True Blood: Season 4 on Blu-ray with HBO Select: Expert Advice

Click here to view the embedded video.

See larger image True Blood: The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) Starring: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten

Rating: Unrated

List Price: $59.99 Usd New From: $26.30 In Stock Used from: $23.00 In Stock Release date May 29, 2012.

Here’s a good summary of the show, along with who’s returning, who is new, and the episode synopses; spoilerphobes, you’re safe for most of it,...

Alan Ball will be stepping down as showrunner of "True Blood" at the end of Season 5, and now we know who will replace him should HBO renew the series for a Season 6. But before we get ahead of ourselves, here are the synopses of Episodes 5.01, 5.02, and 5.03, airing June 10, 17, and 24.

According to Deadline, co-executive producer Mark Hudis will be upped to executive producer/showrunner for Season 6 as part of an overall deal he has signed with HBO. The two-year pact also includes a development component.

Hudis has been on "True Blood" for two seasons — last year’s Season 4 and Season 5, which premieres June 10th. While his and Ball’s paths previously crossed on the CBS comedy series "Cybill", where they co-wrote several episodes during the 1997-98 season, the two first met two decades ago working at trade publication AdWeek. While leaving "True Blood" full-time after Season 5, Ball is staying in business...

HBO has been teasing us brutally with images and trailers from the upcoming season of "True Blood." We've drooled over the thought of seeing Vampires Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) again. We've wondered how Tara (Rutina Wesley) will be brought back into the show. We just can't wait.

The cable network has just released the story lines for the first three episodes, and we've got them right here for you. New characters, old enemies and lots of blood. We're also getting a look at Pam's (Kristen Bauer van Straten) first meeting with Eric.

Check out the plot lines below and let us know which episode you're looking forward to most. "True Blood" returns to HBO on June 10.

Episode #49: "Turn! Turn! Turn!"

Debut: Sunday, June 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt)

Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) struggle with the aftermath of Tara's (Rutina Wesley) shooting,...

HBO has released the official plot descriptions for the first 3 episodes of True Blood Season 5. Of course, there are spoilers here, so don’t read the following text if you want to be surprised when you watch the new season.

“The 12-episode fifth season of True Blood will kick off Sunday, June 10 at 9:00 p.m. (Et/Pt). Based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, this Emmy®-nominated hit drama series was created by Alan Ball, creator of HBO’s Emmy®-winning series “Six Feet Under.” The show follows waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and vampire Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård).”

Episode #49: “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Debut: Sunday, June 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt)

Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) struggle with the aftermath of Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) shooting, while also cleaning up after Debbie Pelt.

HBO has released lengthy descriptions of the first three episodes of True Blood‘s fifth season, and they contain some juicy spoilers about Christopher Meloni’s legendary vamp, Tara’s shooting, the return of Russell Edgington and much more!

Needless to say, read at your own risk!

Sunday, June 10 “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) struggle with the aftermath of Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) shooting, while also cleaning up after Debbie Pelt. Meanwhile, Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård), cleaning up a mess of their own, are visited by the Vampire Authority, one of whom...

I have a long history with Scifi conventions. I attended the second or third Star Trek Convention ever held in the early 70s when I was barely a teenager. The Hubs has been going to Philcon forever, it seems. However, it wasn’t until moving to Los Angeles that we really started attending major conventions with any frequency. That wasn’t by any design on our part. I had begun the insane writing experiment, The Secret Logs of Mistress Janeway. Because of those stories and later, the webpage, we started getting invitations to speak on panels at conventions. We became even more popular on convention panels after I appeared in the documentary, Trekkies. I was in fangirl heaven for a while. If a convention paid for me to attend, I had money to buy lots of stuff from the vendors. I bought t-shirts and buttons from my favorite shows, and I wore them,...

The Good Wife’s Scott Porter has been cast in Josh Schwartz’s Hart of Dixie for The CW. The pilot stars Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart, who moves from New York City doctor to the small Southern town in which she inherits a medical practice. Porter will play a character named George Tucker. Kevin Zegers, who’s spent this season recurring on Schwartz’s Gossip Girl, meanwhile, has signed on to Schwartz’s ABC pilot Georgetown, described as a sexy soap centered around young people behind the power brokers of Washington DC. He’ll play Monty, a wealthy...

A Warning, gentle readers. This blog is a real geek fest.

Year of Fun – Ron Moore

I hadn't planned on Ron Moore being part of the Year of Fun (quick recap for those new to the blog who ask every week -- Since I will be in the hospital for a large chunk of May, the month I usually celebrate my birthday, getting cancer treatment and I'm turning the big 5-0, I'm celebrating from Jan 2010 to New Year's Eve). Our meeting was about some serious business for Jon and I, but it involved a nifty Italian restaurant, some great food and conversation that was riveting and inspiring. Thus, how could I not count it? Incidentally, 'how could I not' is my mantra for the year. My muse, Kim, was using it. I felt it had a sort of joyful deviltry and left the world open to all sorts of possibilities.

Warning: There be many spoilers and strong opinions ahead.

As I wrote in yesterday's mini-blog, we watched two films last night. I watched Scream Blacula Scream on my own as Jon was napping. Each film was a treat for vastly different reasons. The first was The Naked Monster, a loving send up of B monster films from the 50s and 60s. It makes very clever use of existing footage and casting of actors from those films (The Thing from Another World, War of the Worlds, and This Island Earth for example). In many cases, these were the last roles for those iconic actors. They all seemed to be having a great time, so we had a great time watching them. There were even a couple of bits with the wonderful Forrest J. Ackerman whom I had the pleasure of meeting more than once. We've toured his amazing home and had...