Not a rave review but I'm still watching it:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080828/ap_en_re/ap_on_tv_series_reviews;_ylt=AqTFFkdJlA2yEIXZ6P1NRvJxFb8C

Just one persons opinion, maybe they just don't get it.

I'll also still watch it

I didn't think much of it either, not sure if I will continue to watch it.

I haven't watched the first episode yet, but I figure, even if I don't like it I will keep watching....

I didn't like the first episode of Charmed and it ended up being one of my favorite shows, same thing with Buffy and with Angel....

I watched the first episode tonight , loved it. Now how can I get DH o get me HBO ???

BTW, if you don't have HBO you can get the first episode at Blockbuster, our BB let us rent it for free, not sure about all BlockBusters though.

Yeah, I thought that too. I looked to see if it was on iTunes yet & that's what it told me.

Don't have HBO, so maybe I'm not missing much then. 

TrueBlood has not started yet - unless something wierd is  going on. How did some of you guys see it and I wonder how Blockbuster has it now -- and for free? Per the review link Dawn put up (posted below) it doesn't start until the 7th and also HBO says it doesn't start until the 7th. It wasn't on here (east or west).  I panicked there for a second when I read other people had seen it already!  I guess I can stop hyperventilating now! lol

As for it being obscure per the reviewer -- Sookie is obscure. The books are obscure. The characters are obscure. They're not "mainstream" characters and can be sort of "dark." I'm opting for the idea the reviewer didn't "get it."  He's probably not a paranormal person.

Those of you that have read the books - what do you think of the casting for Bill? I'm not sure. I think I would be fine if he lost the stubble. I never pictured Bill with stubble. That's my main issue.

Below is the review from the link Dawn gave us:

"True Blood" (premiering Sunday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m. EDT)

The best thing about HBO's "True Blood" is the mythical product Tru Blood, a recently invented synthetic stand-in for the real thing. Like a richer blend of vitamin water, it's conveniently bottled and available for every vampire's nourishment at their local store.

Thanks to Tru Blood, no humans need fear the fangs of thirsty vampires.

Meanwhile, vampires now are agitating to be accepted by humans into mainstream society. But not everyone is ready to let bygones be bygones.

It's a very clever premise, as far as it goes. But beyond that, "True Blood" can get bloody obscure.

Masterminded by Alan Ball ("Six Feet Under"), it's set in a Louisiana backwater named Bon Temps, where it focuses on waitress Sookie Stackhouse (series star Anna Paquin). Sookie has her peculiarities, notably the burden of being able to hear the churning thoughts of people around her. She's tired of all the racket.

She feels a different sensation when the handsome stranger slides into a booth in Merlotte's Bar and Grill. She is enchanted by his presence. Right away she senses he's a vampire — the first one she's ever seen. Best of all, she is spared the sound of his thoughts. His brain is transmitting blessed silence.

An offbeat romance crackles between the winsome Sookie and this 173-year-old stud-muffin, who calls himself Bill Compton and plans to make Bon Temps his home.

Bill (played by Stephen Moyer) is an object of great interest for nearly everyone. He arouses suspicion from Sookie's bartender-boss, who's in love with her. Her sweet, dotty grandmother wants to meet him.

And he gets brutally attacked by vampire drainers (vampire blood is highly sought by humans as a recreational drug).

The reputed sexual prowess of vampires fascinates Sookie's brother: "I read in Hustler, everybody should have sex with a vampire at least once before they die."

The woman with whom he's cavorting at the moment shares her personal knowledge of vampire technique.

"Way too rough," she confides.

The things you learn from this show! Unfortunately, "True Blood" isn't nearly as entertaining as it is clever. It's a sluggish mix of brooding and campy; violence, mystery and fairy tale. It outsmarts itself.

What it adds up to is truly anemic.

I thought that after CBS cancelled Moonlight, I was not gonna watch another vampire show, I am still in mourning over that cancellation .... but after seeing the previews on HBO and the 15 minute special on Alan Ball and Tru Blood, I am excited to see it.

Sherry, I never knew Blockbuster had the 1st episode... I'll have to check out our store to see if they have it....

I have not read the books either....but got the first one on PBS.... just haven't started reading it yet.

I am a big paranormal fan, and I didn't like it (and I love the books)...it has nothing to do with not getting it...

and it would be unwise of me to say how I saw it already lol

Even if I don't like the first episode, I  will still continue to watch it. I think judging a new series by the first episode is too premature. For instance, I didn't think much of the first episode of Moonlight but it sure got way better with every episode thereafter. Six Feet Under was a great show so I can't imagine this show is totally going to blow with Alan Ball behind the helm.

I just found out about this and I think it looks good.  It's on for 12 weeks according to the forums I just read on the HBO site.  Oh, Mick, where are u?

I just watched the first episode last night (blockbuster), it was kind of boring during most of it..but how much excitement can you expect during a pilot episode?  I'm going to continue to watch it...along with Heroes when that starts again, can't wait!