Can 'Tyrant' Be FX's Next Big Hit & Provide A Solid Summer Show For Fans At The Same Time?

I am always on the look out for new shows to watch, but especially at this time of year. The summer is often suffers from a glut of original programming, and in years previous was always the place to show re-runs and dump shows that the networks don't think can make it in the Fall. However, attitudes have changed with the cable success of shows like True Blood (one of HBO's best regarded) and network shows like Under The Dome (huge ratings for CBS last summer, returning next week!). Now all networks are not only scrambling to come up with original shows for the summer... they are going BIG on the shows they are putting out. Tyrant is one of FX's entries for this summer (they also have The Strain from Guillermo del Torro, which I am looking forward to as well) and it promises to be big on drama and budget. The Middle East set show focuses on a family of significant power in that area of the world and the struggles that come with that power. It has the feel of The Godfather to it, and FX is sparing no expense, filming the show on location in Moracco to get the authentic feel for the area of the world they are portraying. It also comes from the executive producers of Homeland, which have been doing a hell of a job over at Showtime. All in all, I am intrigued. The first show is tonight (Tuesday) at 10 pm... tune in. The Tyrant on FX Youtube page has a bunch of 30 second trailers, which you can watch by clicking here. You can see two very informative teaser clips, one about the show and one about the location shooting, after the jump embedded. I think this might be a good one... we shall see!!!



Tyrant: First Look




Tyrant: On Location

Guillermo del Torro's 'The Strain' Is Must Watch TV This Summer

As a fan of genre work, particularly the horror genre, I am absolutely amazed (and secretly quite happy) with the takeover of mainstream and cable television by genre programming. I know there is a copycat effect in place, and that channels are green-lighting genre shows because they want to piggyback on the success of others before them but, the new shows are getting better and better than their predecessors. So, in effect they are not only continuing the trend but, making more sustainable programs in the process. When these shows succeed it makes it easier for them to be taken seriously, and boy they should be! Would you ever have imagine a world where we would have shows like 'Sleepy Hollow', 'Grimm', 'Hannibal', 'Penny Dreadful', 'American Horror Story', 'The Walking Dead', 'From Dusk Til Dawn', 'Being Human' and many more in regular rotation? I certainly never did but, boy am I happy we do. The next big program to come down the pipeline has the pedigree, creative forces behind it, and the premise to garner my attention for the summer. It's called 'The Strain', comes from the mind of Guillermo del Torro & Chuck Hogan, and will air on FX this summer...

Check after the jump for more....



Back in 2008, del Torro had a great idea for a TV show and he began pitching it around town. Unable to gain any support or networks willing to make the show, his agent suggested turning the property into a book. Teaming up with author Chuck Hogan (who wrote the book 'The Town' with Ben Affleck was based on) the duo created The Strain trilogy. Three books that tell the epic tale of a vampire parasite that begins infecting the residents of NYC. The vampire story then takes a turn towards the pandemic, as the virus begins to rapidly spread and only a group of ragtag scientists and fighters can try to bring it to an end.

The vampires and the parasite that infects them are vastly different than the way vampires have been displayed and characterized in the past. They feature many of the creep-tastic qualities that have become a staple of del Torro's work. The vampires have a 6 foot 'stinger' proboscis that is under their tongue. It can be used to 'infect' people from afar... eliminating the need for the vamps to get up close to their victims. The virus itself is also transmitted via 'worms', small creatures that are either introduced to the victims bloodstream via a bite or can invade a person through an open wound or cut. This makes the risk for infection even greater, as you not only have to avoid the actual vampires but microscopic organisms that could infect you as well.

The first book was one of the best things I have ever read. Apparently FX felt the same way... and they finally gave the property a order for a TV series. The show will air on July 13th, and I for one could not be more excited.

Check the trailer out, and tune in this summer for some blood crazy fun...


 

OHC of the Day (All Horror Week Edition): Alexandra Breckenridge

When I decided to pick an OHC (obscure hot chick) to be featured during All Horror Week, I tried to think of who to pick. No one better fit the profile of a sexy scream queen such as Alexandra Breckenridge. Alex plays the sexy your version of Moira the maid on FX's breakout hit TV show 'American Horror Story'. She drives the shows main male character, Dylan McDermont crazy with her skimpy outfits and sexual advances. I can't get enough of her in those garters! You may recognize Alexandra from last season of True Blood (she played one of the people in Marnie's coven) or you may recognize her voice from the hit animated show 'Familty Guy'. Either way, after the success of American Horror Story we are sure to see much more of the sexy starlet. Lets just hope she keeps the red hair and garters intact!!! Click after the jump for more pics...

Jessica Lange Is Gonna Get The Screams Going In 'American Horror Stories' for FX

Lange & The Dude

When I was a kid I had the hugest crush on Jessica Lange. She is so F'n hot in King Kong, I totally had my first boners that I can recall to her. Anyway, she always had a special place in my heart (and my groin) as the years past.

Boing.... nerd boner!

Today, my boy Jeff Bond sent me word that she is starring in a new dramatic series opposite the lovely Connie Briton (Friday Night Lights) and Denis O'Hare (Russel on True Blood) for FX. Te series will feature a horror/sci-fi tone, but other then that there ain't much else to know about it right now.

FX has had some great shows (The Shield, Justified and Damages were great, and Rescue Me may be my favorite show of the last 10 years) in the past, and I recently became hooked on Sons of Anarchy (it's on Netflix Instant and is sooooo amazing)... with a track record like that and Lange's beautiful mug, I'll take a gander at this show on general principle. Check back in a couple of month's for more news on this one....

OHC of the Day: Natalie Zea

OHC of the Day... hmmm, these have become quite popular here at CCD. But honestly, I started the column to highlight beautiful actresses who you probably do not know of, yet are poised for a breakout. For the most part they are younger and just breaking into the business but, with toady's choice that is not the case. No, Ms. Zea has been working in the business for years. A couple of small movie roles ('Boys Don't Cry', 'The Other Guys') throughout the years, a couple of guest starring spots on very successful TV shows (FX's 'The Shield', HBO's 'Hung', NBC's 'Passions'), and even a lead role in a promising but short lived series ('Dirty Sexy Money'... this one is on Netflix Instant, check it out!!!). But she has never fully crossed over the edge to recognition. Then FX came calling again, this time for the female lead on 'Justified' opposite Timothy Olyphant... and bam!!! she is on top of the world! (Thank god to, since Natalie has an aversion to bras which we (and the rest of you guys who love nipple shots) love. The show is a critical success, and is doing gangbusters in the ratings department. So it looks like you should all start to pay some attention to Ms. Zea. She has an upcoming supernatural-tinged big screen release entitled 'InSight' coming out in 2011, and the 2nd season of 'Justified' is moving full speed ahead right now on FX. I will be tuning in for both, as should you. Good luck Natalie... see you at the top shortly.

***Please click Read more below to see more pics of Natalie Zea***

For You Jeff!