New TV Shows I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

 Yes, TV is a bit of an addiction to me, although apparently I'm not as bad some of the people that I know. Actually, my list of favorite TV shows that I watch religiously is pretty small by some comparisons - Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, The Borgias (The Tudors when that was on), Spartacus, Game of Thrones. Both hubby and I are embarrassed to say we watch The Mob Wives - I curse myself during each and every show for watching it. lol Two of my dear friends finally got me into watching Once Upon A Time, as well.  And lately, I've been quiet addicted to the HGTV (Home/Garden), and all the remodeling and renovation shows. But that's probably because we're buying a house and I'm looking for design ideas.

I'm always on the look out for a good TV show, with a riveting storyline and great writing. I need these shows. To me, they are like similar to a good reading session. They take me away from the everyday problems and stress, if just for a little while.

So here's a list of some of the shows that are coming to a TV near you this year that I'm looking forward to experiencing and, hopefully, enjoying.

Vikings

As you can see by the list above, I'm a big fan of historical shows. Vikings is from the creator of The Tudors and The Borgias, Michael Hirst. The story will revolve around a historical figure, a warrior by the name of Ragnar Lothbrok. I love that one of the main characters is Ragnar's first wife, Lagertha, who is a warrior in her own right and often fought at her husband's side. To me - awesomeness! It also doesn't hurt that one of the stars of the show is Gabriel Byrne, one of my favorite actors!
Vikings will premier on March 3rd on History Channel.

Here's the trailer: 

Da Vinci's Demons

Ok, so those who read my blog even occasionally will know that I'm a huge fan of Leonardo da Vinci. He was my hero and one of the most interesting man who ever lived, at least to me, since I was a little kid. I have to admit that I'm very cautious about this show. It will center on da Vinci in his mid-twenties. It looks like a mix of history, adventure, mysticism and romance. I really don't know about this one...But I will be definitely there for the pilot episode.
Da Vinci's Demons will premier on April 12th on Starz

Here's the trailer: 
 

The Americans

Felicity grows up. Kerri Russel plays an embedded Soviet KGB agent, whose mission is to impersonate American citizens. Hey, it's a spy show. I like spy shows. And, if they do it right, the story twists could be really good.
The Americans premiers on January 30th on FX

Here is the trailer: 

L.A. Noir

This show is bbout the decades-long battle between Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker and mob figure Mickey Cohen. It is the child of Frank Darabont of the Walking Dead. And the main reason I'm going to watch it is because Jon Bernthal, whom you might remember as Shane on the Walking Dead, is going to be starring.

The series will air on TNT but there is no date for the pilot released yet and no trailer so far.

Show I'm not looking forward to:

Celebrity Diving. Really? Need I say more?
Premiers March 19th on ABC


And of course, don't forget:

The Vampire Diaries is back from it's mid-season hiatus today, January 17th on CW11! 

The Walking Dead is back from it's mid-season hiatus on Sunday, February 10th on AMC

 Game of Thrones is back for another season on March 31st



Which TV shows are you addicted to? Which shows are you looking forward to this year?

Homage To The Writers of Vampire Diaries

I’m an addict. Ok, there, I admitted it. I suffer from the withdrawal to shows like True Blood and Vampire Diaries. Luckily for me, as soon as True Blood had its season finale (which, unfortunately, I wasn’t very impressed with), the season premier of Vampire Diaries came on. And I have to say, that was one of the best season premiers I have ever seen for any show. But that didn’t surprise me at all. After all, Vampire Diaries delivers consistently from episode to episode. And this consistency is in big part thanks to the show writers. I believe any writer can learn from that.

Based on the books by L. J. Smith, and with Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec as the head writers, Vampire Diaries captured its audience from the first couple of episodes of Season 1. And it never let go. That is never an easy task for any show. But what’s more impressive for them is that this show managed to break through the notion that all of the CW shows are flighty, teenag-y soap operas such as “Gossip Girls” (no offence to the fans). While many of the characters on Vampire Diaries are in high school, the writers managed to make it a mature show that has grabbed the attention of the 20+ and 30+ population with its dark and realistic portrayal of human emotions and relationships – vampires and werewolves notwithstanding.

So what is their secret? It is taking into account and putting down on paper (and TV screen) all the great parts of writing that we always discuss on blogs and in chats as writers.  The components are:

1. Tension – the proper amount of tension between the characters and in the story as a whole. Vampire Diaries has managed to consistently build and hold the tension in each episode. And it changes from character to character, from situation to situation. There are multiple examples but here’s one:  the tension between Caroline and Tyler – they are attracted to each other but can a vampire and a werewolf have a normal relationship when they are natural enemies and can potentially kill each other.
2.  Stakes – what is at stake for each of the character? This is what drives them, what motives them to do certain things, take certain actions. Elena’s and Damon’s lives are the stakes for Stefan currently. If he doesn’t do what Klaus wants him to, their lives may be in danger.  Elena’s love for Stefan is what’s at stake for her. She wants to be with him but will she be able to find him and bring him back from the edge of the darkness he’s walking now. This is only a couple of examples.
3.  Delivering the unexpected, not being predictable. This is one of the shows where you can truly say you don’t know what’s going to happen next. Or who’s going to die next.
4. Forgoing clichés. We all use them from time to time. They didn’t become clichés for no reason. However, it’s important to use them extremely sparingly. Elena not picking up the phone when Stefan called because she didn’t heat it (in the season premier) would have been a cliché. Instead, she eventually heard it and picked it up. Again, just a small example of good writing.

I enjoy watching this show now not only for entertainment values – which is great for me personally – but also to learn as a writer what works, what keeps the audience’s attention. I really recommend that you try that as well.

Do you watch Vampire Diaries? What do you think of the show? Of the writing? Are there other shows that you watch where you feel the writing is great? Please share.