Trueblood on HBO

They say that waiting is the hardest part, but never has this been quite as true as with fans of the series "True Blood." Originally scheduled to start in the summer months, the season has been pushed back to fall, leaving a whole lot of bloodthirsty fans who don't quite know what to do. Sure, they can buy the blood orange soda that the series sells on its website and try to stay happy with the numerous re-runs currently airing on satellite tv, but that's just not the same as being able to sink their teeth into the next season of the show.

You might have thought that all of the vampire mania would have faded away a little bit, with the fact that "Twilight" is beloved only by teenage girls and the hope that zombie movies might be the next thing to have disappeared only to make a return. But there's really no messing with "True Blood." In fact, HBO has realized that its fans are not so happy to be waiting, and if you happen to be catching season two in re-runs on satellite tv right now, you'll see that episodes are preceded with little mini peeks into the future of the series. While wrapping up simple questions that die-hard fans had about plot loops that were never quite tied up, these mini-vignettes also give a sneak peek into the direction that next season might be taking.

And in the world of "True Blood," you never really have any idea what could be coming. Sure, some fans started to read the namesake book series that the show is based on, but Alan Ball is a far different creative mind than those behind the original books, and you can count on him for a healthy dose of classy southern Gothic aesthetic. You're not going to find something simple or gimmicky from the man who brought audiences "Six Feet Under" and "American Beauty," so even though series three introduces some elements that might get a little bit crazy--werewolves, anyone?--chances are, you can count on it being one of the more together shows that airs on satellite tv and features a somewhat outlandish premise.

With vampire Bill kidnapped by unknown sources and Sookie having to keep her wits about her while vampire sheriff Eric starts to put on the moves, it is anyone's guess what will happen with the romance on "True Blood." For guys watching the show who are just hoping to see some crazy vampire killing in HDTV, you will find that there is just as much gore and weird plot twists as last season, which got a little bit crazy once the cultish self-proclaimed evil deity came on the scene and took over Sookie's grandmother's house.

Hopefully, the crazier and weirder elements of the show will continue to be alleviated with the comedic moments. With both sassy Lafayette and dopey Jason Stackhouse still on the scene, there should be more than enough to make you laugh just as much as you want to hide your eyes, too.