Watching Showtime

With Dexter about to enter it’s third season on Showtime, IGN.com sat down with screenwriter and co-executive producer Melissa Rosenburg to talk about transforming the books into a television show.

“With Darkly Dreaming Dexter, we as a group of writers had to take a rather thin novel and spread it out over the course of 12 episodes, and not only 12 episodes, but lay in story for everyone that’s going to take you through five years.”

And when asked about Erik King, one of the show’s great actors, and how the absence of his character Doakes will affect the third season, she had this to say.

“…it was a huge risk killing him off, because what do you do then? But we also felt we’d played out that story with him. Where else was that going to go? We probably could have struggled it out for another three years, but then you’re like, ‘Doakes is just kind of an idiot.’ So we just felt it had played itself out. He was too good to not kill.”

So where do they go now? The Bay Harbor Butcher has been “caught”, but Dexter can’t just turn human on them. The show wouldn’t be worth making if Dexter suddenly grew a conscience and stopped killing. This is what Rosenburg had to say.

“We’ve been meeting for a month now for the third season and it’s been like, ‘What the hell are we going to do now?’” she says. “But I think we’ve come up with something that’s going to be hopefully as good. I can’t even hope to surpass it, but I can hope to do as well. It’s going to be tough. But it’s a challenge.”

The show should start filming soon, as it airs in the fall, so hopefully we’ll get some stills from production as filming begins!

Turns out stars like to talk about all the things they’re good at besides just acting, and in a recent Macon article, some of Showtime’s stars sounded off on this very topic.

David Duchovny (”Californication”) is good at sports or “anything like that. I’m terrible at anything mechanical. I can’t work anything. I’m stupid at it, and I’m impatient and every machine we get breaks. Both of us (he and his wife, actress Tea Leoni) - every computer, every television, every phone breaks. And we do not know how to work it. Not only do we not know how to work it, but we break it. Tea is terrible too. I’m not even good with cars. She can fix a car. It’s pretty impressive. I make a good sandwich.”

Michael C. Hall (”Dexter”): I think I’m really good at communicating, listening. I think I’m good at being a friend. Yet that’s the very thing I would say I’m bad at, but the thing I want to be better at and continue to cultivate. What I’m sometimes bad at is in my desire to be with another person, to communicate with them, is losing myself. What I’m bad at, what I’d like to get better at is maintaining that sense that I’m a good listener, communicator but also holding on to part of myself that can’t be touched and I maintain in spite of whatever goes right or wrong. It’s kind of an esoteric answer. What I’d like to get better at is having a sense of where this is all coming from and who I am.”

Cybill Shepherd (”The L Word”): I’m really good most of the time at talking to my children and defining limits … I’m hopeless at cleaning up the house. I’m a slob. I just always find something better to do like read or watch a movie or `Let’s go swimming!’”

Looks like Jennifer Carpenter kept herself busy between Dexter seasons, filming a new horror film called “Quarantine”.

Carpenter plays a television reporter assigned to spend the night shift with the LA Fire Department, and get the story of their lives when they’re sent out to an apartment where a woman who has been infected with something is screaming uncontrollably. Before they can escape, they find out the CDC has quarantined the building, and so they’ve been ostensibly cut off from everyone. By the time the quarantine is lifted, the only way to know what happened to the people inside is the news crew video.Sounds like Jennifer’s sticking to the dark-themed thrillers with this movie. Too bad she’s probably going to die in it, but I’m betting it’ll be a good one!

Here’s a few stills that have been released so far.

While I don’t really see what the big deal is, people are getting their panties in a serious bunch over Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter dating. On-screen, the pair play Dexter and Deb Morgan, siblings both working for the Miami PD on Dexter. Off-screen, the pair have enjoyed a quiet romance for at least several months. While on set, they keep things professional, but once the cameras have stopped, they take their romance public.

The latest spotting of the couple came just hours after it was announced that Dexter had garnered a coveted Peabody Award. They were spotted having a romantic dinner at the Sunset Tower, drinking champagne and “clearly celebrating” according to one source.

Personally, I’m happy for the pair, and can’t wait to see more pics of the couple surface.

Missing the “great romance” that is Tibette? Sad that you can’t get your Jennifer Beals fix for almost a year? Have no fear, because Desolation Sound will air on Lifetime april 9th (Jennifer Beals stars). I have no idea what the movie is about, but seeing as it’s airing on Lifetime, I’m betting romantic somehow, sad in many ways, and totally worth hunkering down on a Wednesday to watch. If you’re too ashamed to turn Lifetime on in real-time, just Tivo it!

Julie Benz (Rita on Dexter for those not in the know), has signed on to be in Saw V. I have no idea if this is a good thing or not. I felt the same way about her being in Rambo, though, and I’m sure that’s done wonders for her career. But Saw? I can’t help but express my distaste, if only a little bit.

Some would say that winning a Peabody is more prestigious than winning an Emmy, so the creators and stars of Dexter must be celebrating, as their show has been granted the prestigious honor. Along with such greats as 30 Rock, Planet Earth and even Project Runway (the first reality show to take home such an honor), Dexter will be officially honored on June 16 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. The Peabody committee is acknowledging Dexter for its “complex and ambiguous meditation on morality”, a tremendously accurate description of the show and the title character.

Brian Williams will be hosting the event, and although it won’t be televised, I’m sure we’ll get some great pictures of the red carpet. Congratulations to Dexter for the win!

• There’s some potential news about the third season of Dexter surfacing. Not sure how true it is, as the writers have just gotten down to the business of writing episodes, but at least it gives us one person’s take on what might happen. (Film Rotation)
• Salon.com has a review of The Tudors up on its site. Head on over there to read their take on all the sex and intrigue.
• Admiring Natalie Dormer has tons of videos up from the second season of The Tudors. Don’t click through to them if you don’t want to see spoilers, but I think that even the most naive viewer knows that Anne’s life isn’t long and happy!
• I love to read Paul’s reviews of shows, and his review of the season finale of The L Word didin’t disappoint! (Infinite Regress)

• There’s finally a release date for the second season of Dexter to DVD. It’s officially available for purchase on August 19 … such a long time to wait, but it lets those catching up with the first season on CBS get on the same level as all of us older Dexter fans before the third season.
• The New York Times has an article previewing the second season of The Tudors, reminding us all why we love it so (the costumes! the sets! the sex scenes!)
• I love love love these shots of the extras on the set of The Tudors, listening to their IPods and rocking their cell phones. Hilarious!

It’s just hours away (less than?) from the season finale of The L Word, so stick around as I’ll be recapping it shortly!

With all that’s been popping up surrounding Showtime in the past few days, here’s a run-down of all the events you’ll want to know about.

• Mary Louise Parker gave an interview, albeit begrudgingly, to the New York Times on March 3, in which she talks everything from her love life to directing to the media and paparazzi role in Hollywood. Definite must-read for Weeds fans.
• Speaking of Weeds, they’ll officially start shooting the fourth season in April, which is good news for fans of the show. It looks like they’re on schedule for it’s fall release to the network, just as it was last year. Those in the New York area can see MLP for the next few weeks on the stage in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”.
• Ebony profiled Rose Rollins on their website last month, which somehow slipped past my radar. In it she talks on-screen hookups as well as off, her eight years as a struggling actor before hitting it big with The L Word, and much more. Did you know she was in Mission Impossible 3, which ties her to Showtime actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers? I’m going to have to watch that movie again, now!
• For those who love Dexter, it sounds like we’ll have more than three seasons of the show after all. Based on a trilogy of books, author Jeff Lindsay has revealed he’s working on a fourth novel to add to the collection!
• Californication fans can now rejoice … the first season is being released on DVD on June 17. While that’s still a few months away, with the release I’m sure we’ll be treated to some great extras. Jill over at Showtime Fan has listed out her picks for extras, so check them out.
• DVD releases seem to be big for June and Showtime. The third season of Weeds releases on June 3! Extras will include commentary tracks and featurettes including all the Good Morning Agrestic talk show episodes.

So, I’ve been taking a few days to regroup and such, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a ton of news floating around about Showtime. So here’s a few of those notes.

• Showtime has inked a deal to create Dexter action figures!
• Jonathan Rhys Meyers is set to star in a brand new movie called Shelter.
• Edie Falco is joining the Showtime family!

• It looks like Jonathan Rhys Meyers is back together with girlfriend Reena Hammer. For the time being. The pair breaks up and makes up almost as fast as most people did in high school, so I’m not too worried about them staying together for long. Hopefully she’ll start being a better influence on him! (Daily Mail UK)
• The Rose Rollins Fan Blog has a list of reasons we need a sixth season of The L Word. I’d say the only reason not to would be Paris Hilton.
• There’s a parents group calling for a ban on Dexter. I’m betting it won’t work, but kudos to them for trying. (EW online)
• Finally, I know it’s got nothing to do with Showtime, but Angelina Jolie has finally confirmed her pregnancy in her typical silent way. She showed up to the Spirit Awards in a super clingy dress, showing of the newest addition(s) to the Jolie-Pitt family in style! (Angelina Jolie Watch)

I’m officially back, after a long four or five days of intense family stuff going on. Thanks so much to Eliza for filling in with some great “six degrees” style fun for us! I’m thinking we might have to ask her back more often, as I had no idea there were so many great connections to be made! Over the next few days I’ll be getting caught back up with all the Showtime-related gossip, getting my L Word review and picks up for you all, and so much more. For now here’s some of the goodness that’s been coming across the “google reader” wire!

• Tudors-inspired fashion hit New York Fashion week big this year. I’ve seen several sources quote the time period as inspiration for their fall lines (the fashion industry shows their upcoming fall lines in the spring months and vice-versa, so that all the starlets can be properly informed of what to buy). It was all jewel tones, flowing dresses and skirts, etc. Tons of beadwork and pouty, Ann Bolyn inspired looks rounded it all off. I don’t have any links, unfortunately, but open any fashion magazine over the next few months and you’ll know what I’m talking about!
• Dexter was a hit last night, as it aired the first episode of season one, edited for the general public. The most noticable difference? Deb’s language! Word has it Jennifer Carpenter had to spend hours in a taping studio to redo much of Deb’s potty mouth in order to make her character suitable for national television! Everyone’s talking about the show, though, which means good news for Showtime for sure!

As I get caught up, I’ll have a lot more info for you, including some L Word videos, and engagement announcement and how my L Word Fantasy Challenge gals did this week (and my picks for next week!)

There’s tons of talk surrounding Showtime actors this morning on the web, but as I’ve got tons of “day job” related work to get done, I’m going to bring it to you in list format.

• Marlee Matlin and Jennifer Beals are mentioned in an article concerning the decline of sign language use in America. As hearing implants are being placed in infants and children more frequently, parents are more hesitant to teach their kids ASL. Kudos to these two actors for bringing sign language back into discussion!
• The folks over at Brightcove are going to be interviewing Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig, and are asking for your questions! Head on over to their site to check out tons of great L Word -related videos and to post your questions!
• Want to let everyone know you’re excited for the Tudors? Get the countdown widget (like the one I’ve got in my sidebar!) to put on your site for free!
• There’s a new Tudors-related blog out there! The Tudors On Showtime is currently doing mini biographies of all the characters surrounding King Henry, in anticipation of the premiere of the second season of the hit show. Head on over if you find yourself getting confused.
• Julie Benz (Rita on Dexter) discusses her suprise at the show making it’s way to network tv in another amazing interview. This girl’s sure making a name for herself!
• Ilene Chakin advance screened The L Word at NYU’s film school and answered questions they had. Tons of opinions were also shared, and the whole thing is captured in this article for the Washington Square News (albeit several weeks after the fact).

Looking for more celeb gossip? Head on over to Celebrity Weasel!

Perfect for a Sunday, here’s some great news about Showtime and it’s stars from around the internet.

• Michael C. Hall sat down to talk to Unreality TV about Dexter, both the character and the show.
• Jennifer Beals spent some time talking to TV Guide about Bette, Jodi, Tina, love scenes, and even a little bit of Flashdance!
• Never one to shy away from controversy apparently, there’s a whole movement of parents who want CBS to change its decision to air Dexter on network tv, feeling the show is best suited to premium channels.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

While he may not have won a much-deserved SAG last night for his portrayl of Dexter Morgan on Dexter(James Gandolfini beat him to it), Michael C. Hall looked extremely dapper in his classic suit and striped tie. I wish we could be celebrating a win, but I’m sure no one will complain at his hotness!

(don’t forget to enter our comment contest! you’ve got until the end of the week to get your name in!)