How Does True Blood Defy An Ancient Ratings Curse on Serialized Shows?

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I'm not sure how many innocent shapeshifters Alan Ball had to sacrifice for this, but Sunday's episode of True Blood earned the series its highest ratings ever -- for the fifth week in a row. Just how crazy has True Blood's ratings path been this season?

Unlike most serialized dramas, which drop off after their season premieres (see: week two of Mad Men), True Blood's steady rise has been truly remarkable. The series has always been a slow burner -- in its first season, it premiered modestly but continued to build -- and this year has seen the heat turned up: After True Blood's June premiere netted it 3.7 million viewers (at the time, HBO's largest audience since the series finale of The Sopranos), ratings have risen dramatically. The latest tune-in? 5.3 million -- a full 20% climb from the previous week's episode.

At this point, True Blood has even more in common with Buffy the Vampire Slayer than its central blond-and-brunette vampire love triangle: Its ratings are right in line with what Buffy averaged in its heyday. It may be time to buy Anna Paquin's boobs that Porsche Boxster -- they've earned it!

· 'Dating in the Dark' ends modestly; ratings rundown [THR]



Comments

  • Jim says:

    Well True Blood lucked out on Sun night! The previous two episodes were boring pieces of s**t! Luckily this last Sunday's episode was great!

  • stretch65 says:

    Why such a hater - calm down, relax and enjoy...

  • Old No.7 says:

    Shows promoted exclusively by word-of-mouth always have uphill rating trends. Honestly, have you ever seen any marketing for this, outside of on the HBO network itself?

  • Losim says:

    Yes. I first found out about True Blood when I passed by several posted bills, seemingly created for the American Vampire League, urging me to support the Vampire Rights Amendment.

  • stolidog says:

    well, i think we're all tuning in so that we're witness to when the show decides to go full frontal (plus it's really entertaining).

  • dollywould says:

    Please let it be Eric going full-frontal. Oh god, PLEASE!!!

  • I think True Blood's campiness really helps it, because while it's a serial, I imagine you could jump in and appreciate just for the boobies, ass, and hilarity.