Interview With The Vampire 2022: The Series

Nope. Anne Rice's oeuvre lost me when she stanned for Tom Cruise as Lestat.

Subtext is now text. Looks cheap and modern. At least the imperfect film was lavish and had power. Anything that scared Oprah must have something.

I am. I love Jacob what’s his name, & the show premieres right after my bday. I read the Mayfair witches books & about 5 or 6 of the vampire ones. Queen of the Damned was my fave by far.

Didn't know about this - thanks OP. I will watch it. I read all the books.

The film was excellent. I have that. I’ve had sufficient.

I think Sam Reid is sexy, so might give it a whirl.

Was a big fan of the books and the 1994 film. No plans to watch the series at all.

So will Jacob play a black creole slave owner. I think that will be an interesting dynamic. This series has the potential to explore some unique themes while also being suspenseful and sexy. And I hear the sexual romance between the two leads will not be downplayed this time.

I see they managed to cast the requisite number of POCs

R9 Make that your last inflammatory troll comment on my thread bitch.

R10, this makes me think you are a weak asshole and this project sucks like a 🧛🏽‍♂️

Quite nice tits.

Sam Reid is totally my type.

Will he be having same sex relations on the show?

I prefer the earlier film.

Sam makes quite a handsome Lestat.

R11 ok maybe I overreacted. Apologies.

These guys look great together.

Presentism. Filming historical stories but with woke bs criteria. Passsss.

[quote]R4: Didn't know about this - thanks OP. I will watch it. I read all the books.

Well, it's not like this was the first thread on it

And this one:

And this one...

Annnnnd this one:

POISONEDdragon can you please seek help. You always do that. There is something seriously wrong with you.

I'm tired of the "there's already a thread on this topic" trolls. This must be all they do all day, search DL for duplicate threads. Who cares? Is it such an imposition on your time to post to a couple similar threads or ignore them? I'm going to the "Let's be annoying shit" thread to post this same comment.

R16, totally all good 👍

[quote]R23: POISONEDdragon can you please seek help. You always do that. There is something seriously wrong with you.

No, I don't. In my entire time here at the DL I've only done it perhaps four times, and only when there's really egregious examples of repetitive threads. And if it's something wrong with me, then I'm in good company, because it's almost always somebody else.

Also, I don't need to be lectured by someone who thinks religion can't be the cause of homophobia because 'Russia,' as though they weren't/aren't religious.

[quote]R24: I'm tired of the "there's already a thread on this topic" trolls. This must be all they do all day, search DL for duplicate threads. Who cares? Is it such an imposition on your time to post to a couple similar threads or ignore them? I'm going to the "Let's be annoying shit" thread to post this same comment.

No, babe, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠- duplicate threads - is the annoying shit. It only took five minutes to search, and the reason I did so was because I'd already posted to one of them, and this one wasn't it - this was yet 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 one. And so far, it has zero content on the series. I have to wonder if the point here is really to talk about the series, or if it's some more paid-by-the-post, answer-by-the-sock bullshit.

R26 ,stfu and take your meds you stupid ass bitch.

▲ There we go; that's more your speed. :D

It only took 26 posts to turn this thread into a pissing contest between two queens. Might be a record.

▲ OP's sock, pretending to be an outside disinterested party, bumping the thread.

PoisonedDragon, why are you so interested in derailing this thread with your opinions that have nothing to do with the topic?

R31, I'm not. Early this morning I merely pointed out how many threads there have already been on the topic (and we're still a month off from this series actually airing; this one won't be the last), but you thread socks keep summoning me back by repeatedly crying about it - and you've even been to other threads to continue to try to engage me. You could move on and talk about the series, but you won't. Why is that?

Ask yourself: do you wanna talk about this series, or do you want to keep replying to me?

It's no Dark Shadows

R33 There's already a thread on that...

R30 That is why ppl hate your stankin ass because I didn't make that post. Listen I'm sorry; pl3ase get help. Cuz I don't anyone to do anything cray.

I'm torn on this - I don't have an issue with the casting, but I'm not sure how I feel about them moving the story up to the 1920s. I've read ALL the books (and oooof... by the end there, yikes) and the historical setting of each book was deliberate. Not sure if it works without it.

[quote] This series has the potential to explore some unique themes while also being suspenseful and sexy.

I doubt that. The books already had plenty of sexual and disturbing elements. Instead of sticking with the rich source material, the producers made major changes to several characters (ageing the child vampire Claudia to a teenager, turning the interviewer into an old man), moved the time period 120 years later to avoid the issue of slavery, and generally sanitized the unique (for its time) themes found in the novels, all in order to cater to the perpetually offended social justice mob. They took the bite out of the story. And, as another poster pointed out, the presentism is apparent. It is silly.

The trailer suggests that Louis and Lestat have a deep bond, a romantic partnership. That’s not at all what happened in the first novel. Louis and Lestat were never on the same page. They didn’t understand one another and were in conflict most of the time. The addition of Claudia increased the dysfunction of their vampire family. It led to the conflicts that moved the story in unpredictable ways. It looks like the series ignores all that and would rather use well-worn tropes. Definite pass.

Great analysis, R37.

I don't understand why Hollywood always has to fuck with stories that already well done.

These stupid assholes clearly have no talent of their own, so they have to fuck with someone else's work, pass it off as their own, and pretend that they're so original.

It's intellectual and artistic theft by stupid people who are completely clueless.

Exactly, R38. You summed it up nicely. Hollywood is full of hacks who pretend to be original as they piggyback onto the work of truly creative people. One memorable example are the 2 showrunners who fucked up Game Of Thrones. When they had to write their own material for the series (because George R.R. Martin still hadn’t written the remaining novels) they showed how inadequate they really are.

Premiered tonight!

How was it?

[quote]I don't understand why Hollywood always has to fuck with stories that already well done.

R37 Thank you! Nightmare Alley is a perfect example. The original Tyrone Power version was great. Why the need for that Bradley Cooper disaster?

Unless they've moved up the date it premieres October 2nd.

You're right, R42.

It was just a preview of the show.

AMC labeled it "Interview with the Vampire" on the cable guide, and made it seem like they were showing episode one.

Fakers.

r38 They always have trouble writing for the current generation in every era. . .

but so are the troubles that the majority audience wants the familiar rather than the new.

And the industry, itself, is quite resistant to change. . . so, like govt and politics, it enacts on the superficial, cosmetic, surface changes.

It's been emboldened by the industry being able to scream isms when their projects flounder, reflective of the fallout of gamergate and the rise of clickbait journalism... one glaring example is the often huge gap between audience scores and critic scores.

(been analyzing series from the last decade for a little side project with others, still in the process but the gist of it can be broken down for sci-fi/fantasy/mystery/action

boomers for plots, both episodic and long arcs. generic character roles, collectives over individuals, more action oriented, slow character growth as dialogue is focused on immediate tasks or present needs and thus we're only presented with snippits of character lives and histories.

gen x for complex on-going character development. flawed, verbally abrasive in some form, often of antihero/antivillain archetypes. plots have relevance but focus is on character growth towards good or spiraling out.

millennials for dialogue, often excessive verbalization of emotion and thought to the point of neurosis, avoidance through cultural references and often supersedes physical action. primary characters are slightly mary sue/marty stu butmany insecurities about themselves and their relationships to others - They're group oriented yet these neurotic tendencies seem somewhere on the spectrum as each primary is a little too perfect and the only drama they seem to face is with each other. They don't seem to grow as much as level up or level down per episode than overall. They have trouble maintaining long arc plots and their finales tend to be rushed, often attempting a plot twist that doesn't make sense because there was no foreshadowing or in that it renders the entire series redundant with issues that could have been solved in the pilot.

GenZ/Alpha media is still largely created by others but the hallmarks seem to be poorly edited and disjointed stories that fail across the board. It seems too frequently that it was still in the conceptual stage and not fully realized. Every episode tends to be a very special episode with little characters made out of ticky tacky, little characters and they all come out just the same regardless of whatever superficial diversity they're supposed to represent. So, perhaps, it's hardly a wonder outside of western media more of this audience is drawn to korean series instead. Which I've yet to binge for fears of developing diabetes.

Review

[quote] Interview with the Vampire Review: AMC's Anne Rice Adaptation Is Kooky, Sexy Camp- Gaze upon its bloody, ridiculous, queer glory

Excerpts

[quote] It helps that both leads are outstanding. Anderson has a big job, tasked with pulling off a double act of finding the through line between the distressed Louis of the past and the stoic Louis of the present. (The through line is, of course, his losing battle of trying to hold on to some aspect of his human life.) He's as magnificent as the unreliable narrator as he is as the romantic lead as he is as the "fledgling" vampire struggling to adapt.

[quote] As Lestat, Reid is hypnotic, imbuing him with a mix of joie de vivre, sociopathic charm, and bare affection for Louis. Around Louis, the unflappable Lestat goes weak in the knees. Together, Anderson and Reid create an enthralling rhythm, embracing the absurdity while finding a legitimate emotional core.

[quote] When they meet, Lestat is already head over heels and barely makes a secret of it; Louis is cautious, but powerlessly drawn to Lestat. You can tell that the series knows it's found something special in Anderson and Reid's crackling chemistry, and it's at its best when Louis, in all of his increasing dourness, and Lestat, a boisterous hedonist perturbed by his partner's rejection of the vampiric lifestyle, are at their most toxic. By the time Lestat transforms Louis, solidifying them as companions for the rest of eternity, they've already slept together, fallen out, and engaged in light blood play. They're teenagers in love; they're an old married couple on the brink of divorce. The show confirms their relationship in no uncertain terms — "He was my mentor, my lover, and my maker," Louis explains to Molloy — and there's a kooky fearlessness in the writing of their dynamic. Neither is tortured by his queerness, which is also refreshing; they're mostly just tortured by each other. Should they break up for good? Probably, but what's the rush when they literally have forever?

Here's a more recent trailer that seems not to the hide the gayness of the project.

R46 I'm not usually a picky person about bad acting, but that is some of the worst acting I have ever seen in a trailer.

And if that IWTV trailer is the best they can show of the upcoming season, then the rest of the season must be terrible.

Both male leads are nice to look at, but they show no passion in their acting. At all.

Don't even get me started on that boring GenZ girl who plays Claudia.

[quote]The film was excellent. I have that. I’ve had sufficient.

The film was shit. I have that. I have sufficient.

I loved the movie. So, bite me.

At this point there are only 8 reviews, but the rating is 100% fresh so far.

[quote] It's overwrought, maximalist camp, bolstered by wholly committed performances from Anderson, Bogosian, Sam Reid, and the rest of the ensemble. It's the crazy, sexy, queer adaptation Rice's crazy, sexy, queer story always deserved.

Harry Styles is a goddamned FLOP!!

AMC+ released the first episode early.

Claudia looks to have been horribly miscast. Utterly dreadful.

Premieres tomorrow night.

I loved the book.

[quote]Together, Anderson and Reid create an enthralling rhythm, embracing the absurdity while finding a legitimate emotional core.

MARY!

I'll partly repeat what I wrote in the other thread:

I'm an old-school Vampire Chronicles fan (at least of the first few books) and, having watched the first two episodes, I actually love the series so far. If you can accept the changes (and there are many), it's really good. Not only does it capture the mood of the books very well, both Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid are killing it. The chemistry between them is excellent. I didn't see Sam Reid as Lestat before, but he captures the character really well. The dynamic between Lestat and Louis has changed quite a bit, though, both due to 'race-swapping' Louis (and how he is treated by society based on that) and due to the age difference between the characters. (Lestat is not a fledgling vampire when he turns Louis, he's already 150 years old.) The framing device with an older and cynical Daniel works well, especially since I expect Daniel's 1970s backstory and relationship to Armand to be explored as well at some point.

I'm definitely hooked and am looking forward to the rest of the season.

My advice is, just take it as its own thing--a reboot and remix, without comparing it to the books all the time. The basics are still all there, but are presented in a fresh and interesting way.

R54 The first episode is out already.

Even though they're given executive producer credits (because they were the ones who originally developed the series for TV before departing with no explanation), Christopher Rice and Anne Rice's legacy social media accounts ignoring the existence of this series.

Interesting.

^^ARE ignoring.

[quote] The dynamic between Lestat and Louis has changed quite a bit, though, both due to 'race-swapping' Louis (and how he is treated by society based on that) and due to the age difference between the characters. (Lestat is not a fledgling vampire when he turns Louis, he's already 150 years old.) The framing device with an older and cynical Daniel works well, especially since I expect Daniel's 1970s backstory and relationship to Armand to be explored

Huh? I didn't see anything about the 1970's in the show's preview.

[quote] Christopher Rice and Anne Rice's legacy social media accounts ignoring the existence of this series.

Are those Christopher's social media accounts, or just "fan driven" social media accounts?

If it's fan-driven, then it has nothing to do with either Anne or Christopher, personally.

I think that Christopher would actually like this series.

[quote]Are those Christopher's social media accounts, or just "fan driven" social media accounts?

His own accounts, and then his mother's old accounts which he posts on and which are still open for her fans.

Not a peep about the show.

Thanks, R62.

That makes a big difference.

Didn't Anne (before her death) and Chris leave production of the show?

The second episode is as good as the first. Sam Reid is wonderful.

When does the homosex start?

The actress who plays Claudia, really annoys me.

Too many GenZ affectations in the way she speaks.

It's inauthentic to the time period.

R66: If Lestat and Louis are having sex in this series, then it’s yet another thing that has nothing to do with the novels. Rice’s vampires don’t fuck. Their sex organs don’t work anymore. For them, the ultimate physical pleasure is the kill, the sensations they get from feeding on a human being and feeling that person’s death. That’s what turns them on.

so far all i'm getting basically is a lot of cunting from lestat which seems onbrand but i only read one of the books and that was years ago so

[quote]so far all i'm getting basically is a lot of cunting from lestat

Cunting, declarations of adoration and savagery.

It’s on! The language is raunchy and vile!

Acting all over the place, in a fun way. Nice butt shots. Rae Dawn Chong was good as the mother. Also like seeing Eric Bogosian as the older interviewer. Dubai? Okay. The young religious-nut brother's cuter than Louis, although it's great to see Jacob Anderson getting so much to do. Sam's voice is delicious.

Jacob Anderson has incredible cakes. Disappointed they didn’t showcase them

Louis’ confession scene is the best of this episode. Jacob did the thing!

Jacob is very attractive, particularly in the modern scenes.

The second episode was not as good aa the first. Maybe it's due to the pilot being very good. The second episode was sadly just average. I hope it picks up again in the third.

I love the slow seduction of Louis, by Lestat.

I always find that to be the sexiest part of this story.

The scene at the dinner table was hilarious, when that one guy was listening to Lestat tell his story, and his mouth was wide open.

My takeaway?

Sam Reid has a VERY NICE ass.

Oh, and I didn't realize that Louis is a bottom.

I just finished the first episode, and I’m loving it so far. I’ve read all of Rice’s books and was initially sceptical of the changes, but was quickly won-over by the strength of the lead actors performances. They’re both wonderful and their chemistry is out of this world.

I hate to nitpick, but Jacob Anderson said grieviously, instead of grievously.

That was in the confessional scene.

That said, Louis' confessional scene was really well done.

The torment Jacob Anderson portrayed was so raw, so real.

It was a closeted gay man's torment, a miserable working man's torment, an unloved person's torment.

Interestingly, I felt every word of that scene.

[quote] They’re both wonderful and their chemistry is out of this world.

They also look really good together.

I'd let Sam Reid suck the blood out of me any day... just as long as I get to suck the cum out of him first! I'd suck him so hard I'd reverse his vampirism and become a vampire myself.

R80, real people mispronounce stuff all the time, so it’s realistic. 99% of the audience didn’t catch it

I liked the first episode more than I thought I would. I’ll give it a whirl. I wonder if all the gay stuff will turn audiences away, though.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Haven’t seen it yet, but.....dare I ask about Armand....

He was my favourite part of the OG movie and the musical (as a very off-model unfaithful adapted character), so if he’s more in line with the book version then I don’t think I’ll like him...

Anne's involvement was not an asset for the feature film. Her medium was clearly print, not the moving image.

That’s not really true R68. They do have sex, especially if it’s with human lovers that they haven’t turned, they just find it to vastly inferior to blood drinking. There are A LOT of sex scenes throughout all of the vampire books. The subject is left opaque for a reason.

Straight from Lestat's mouth (Queen of the Damned):

[quote]I studied my reflection—my chest was like a marble torso in a museum, that white. And the organ, the organ we don’t need, poised as if ready for what it would never again know how to do or want to do, marble, a Priapus at a gate.

No, Rice's vampires don't have sexual intercourse.

I'm just happy that it's made clear from the outset that this is a show about two males in a love affair.

The movie was very ambiguous, and it made for a lot of questions as to the true nature of Louis and Lestat's relationship.

What's weird is that in the movie, the "powers that be" would rather have had Louis in love with a little girl, rather than have Louis in love with Lestat. That's Hollywood for you. They'd prefer a pedophile character over a gay character.

That said, this television series makes it clear from the outset that Louis was already a closeted gay man who fell for a male vampire who FROM THE OUTSET expressed his love and desire for Louis. And expressed it not only through his words, but through his physical actions.

And, via his interview with Mr. Molloy, Louis makes it clear that now he is both open and accepting of his homosexuality.

We've come a long way, baby.

That was reality for the times. You think audiences would have gone to see a movie about two dudes in love with each other?

[quote] You think audiences would have gone to see a movie about two dudes in love with each other?

That's no excuse.

Either stay true to the story, or don't make the movie.

Homophobia is no reason to dumb down a movie for the sake of the audience.

I mean, why even bother, if that's the case.

[quote]Straight from Lestat's mouth (Queen of the Damned): "I studied my reflection—my chest was like a marble torso in a museum, that white. And the organ, the organ we don’t need, poised as if ready for what it would never again know how to do or want to do, marble, a Priapus at a gate." No, Rice's vampires don't have sexual intercourse.

R89, it's been a while since I read the books... so, they don't fuck anymore but have constant boners?

The book IWTV was written about Anne's tortured, failing and probably at that point sexless marriage (with Louis a self-insert and Lestat an analogue for her ex-husband). It makes sense from her perspective if, at least initially, her vamps weren't sexually ferocious.

Just watched the first two episodes. Didn’t mind the changes at all. I thought it was really good. So far, so good.

R76 said this:

[quote] The second episode was not as good aa the first. Maybe it's due to the pilot being very good. The second episode was sadly just average. I hope it picks up again in the third.

Do you know what they're whining about, R95?

I had no idea what Christopher Rice looked like, until I googled him just now.

He's quite cute!

R59 According to a Youtube comment:

[Quote]if I understood her Facebook live conversation correctly, she wanted to start the story where it chronologically began and that was with Lestat when he was first turned and then from there on out follow the series of events in their chronological order.

Where are you guys seeing the second episode? Only one has aired to date, right?

R98 the Elton John musical follows the linear Lestat chronology that Anne wanted.

People who subscribe to the AMC+ streaming service (for a monthly cost) apparently have the second episode available to them now. It will show on the regular AMC cable network next week.

Anne and Stan were a cute couple.

Trivia: Anne Rice was born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien.

Will Anne be in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2023 Oscar telecast?

Apparently, she was left out of the 2022 segment.

The AMC adaptation of Anne Rice's beloved 'Vampire Chronicles' gets off to a bloody good start thanks to the crackling chemistry between leads Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid.

Ya'll weren't kidding about INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (2022). Pilot was likely a masterpiece and a film of its own. Jacob Anderson gives the year's best lead actor performance (was absolutely wasted in Game of Thrones). The romanticism, the violence, that final shot—exquisite TV

Style

Senate (Nevada) Laxalt (R) 45% Cortez Masto (D) 43% Rubinson (I) 1% Scott (L) 1% 9/20-9/29 by OH Predictive Insights (B/C) 741 LV

I follow Christopher Rice on Instagram and didn’t even notice that he hasn’t been mentioning the series. Someone asked him about it and he said “I have no comment on the series and must direct all queries to @AMCTV.”

Christopher Rice is damned sexy.

Is he single? And WHY?

I just saw episode 1 and loved it! I love anything about NOLA and Vampires and the scene where Anderson and Reid first consummate with Lily, watching their naked asses levitate was everything.

I'm glad these gay vampires fuck. Rice's neutered gay characters always seemed a regressively homophobic to me, as much as I loved them.

I've mentioned it in another thread, so I'll mention it here: Claudia is miscast, and the producers realized it- she was terrible in front and behind the camera. They've made sure she won't make it to future series. Also I've explained why they aged her up: At the time, vax shots weren't available for children, they did 6 months of nights, and older teens (she's 16-18) can work longer than kids.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Anne and Chris didn’t agree on some of the creative choices.

When do we get to see Louis and Lestat have intercourse?

Just realized the guy who plays the Alderman is the same actor who voices Bender on Futurama.

This is good...real good.

So basically, Louis' whole family knew he was gay, right?

They all suspected it, but no one said it. Except for his crazy brother.

Did Lestat make his brother jump from the rooftop, thereby causing Louis to run into his arms?

Sam Reid is good with the French accent. He’s sexy too.

This is a whole a lot better than I thought it would be. This is what the film should have been.

I've never read the novels. I feel like the film tried to make it partly a horror story. This is way more dramatic and erotic. Were the books partially horror in tone or genre?

Wow this is really good. Even Rae Chong Dawn is shining in this. I'm not gonna lie; I was a little concerned from the promos. Seem like it was going to be lame but boy was I wrong.

[quote]Did Lestat make his brother jump from the rooftop, thereby causing Louis to run into his arms?

No. Anne Rice made it clear with readers that Lestat had nothing to do with Paul's suicide. I think the series is of the same mind.

Paul knew he lost Louis to the devil. His raison d’être was gone.

R93, they can get erections (like Lestat in that scene) but it's just an empty physical reflex; their dicks don't truly work, they don't get sexually aroused to orgasm anymore. Blood drinking and biting are where it's at. The stories would be quite different if the vamps actually fucked people.

[quote]The book IWTV was written about Anne's tortured, failing and probably at that point sexless marriage (with Louis a self-insert and Lestat an analogue for her ex-husband)

Anne and her husband were married 40+ years, until his death in 2002; they were together to the end, not exes. IWTV was written in the aftermath of their six-year-old daughter's death from leukemia, obviously a low point. She always owned that the Louis/Lestat dynamic was inspired by the one between her and her husband during the daughter's health crisis.

[quote]I wouldn’t be surprised if Anne and Chris didn’t agree on some of the creative choices.

I think that's probably a good guess.

Almost certainly there was an NDA, given Anne's rep as a loose cannon, hence Chris's refusal to comment. I don't think they even issued a statement when they exited the project.

Unfortunately those executive producer credits give the impression of their involvement and approval, which isn't the case.

R125 When did they exit the project? This has me slightly worried. Wonder if future episodes will be worse because of it.

Queerty's review...

Lots of well deserved love for Sam Reid, but I also love Jacob Anderson. Damn he is fine.

Why doesn't Christopher Rice have a boyfriend?

Is he high maintenance? Stuck up? Difficult?

Started watching this today. I was informed using the promo "interviewpod" at AMC+ would give me a 30 day trial instead of the usual 7 day, so passing that along to anyone who may be interested. Had a lot of fun with the first two episodes- Sam Reid is a wonderful Lestat and Jacob Anderson is an enjoyable Louis (I wanted to strangle Brad Pitt). Very interesting what they kept, considering all the changes- Paul and his issues, for instance. The opera scene with the tenor in the second episode made me laugh, I think DL would appreciate it.

The 2nd episode came out?

OMG R131, have you been reading this thread????

For the 1,000,000th time... you get to see the episodes a week early if you have AMC+.

GOT IT????

[quote]The opera scene with the tenor in the second episode made me laugh,

The pained gasp Lestat let out when he heard a sour note was very funny.

Lestat would make an excellent DLer. Pointless bitchery indeed.

R131, in the streaming service, yes. It will air on the 9th.

R135, Thanks. Can someone please give r132 a Valium. I don't have the comments memorized. From the discussion I thought some were saying the got to see the pilot alone a week early.

You can watch it and 100s of other shows on dozens of bootleg websites, luddites. I'm not talking torrents, but one-click, no pop-up websites.

Torrent and bootlegging sites. That is so 2008.

[quote]R125 When did they exit the project?

As near as I can tell, they were out before or around the time it was announced AMC had bought the Witching Hour books too, which was spring/summer of 2020. The current team behind the series was brought in after they left.

^^Or maybe overlapped, and that could have been part of the problem. Christopher was to have been the showrunner and head writer, and Bryan Fuller was briefly involved as a producer too. Then a producer named Dee Johnson was brought in by AMC I think, and after that the news from the Rices dwindled to nothing.

Paying for TV. That is so 1998.

Would you walk into Target and shoplift. Piracy is theft. Plain and simple.

Would you add a question mark when asking a question? Literacy is cheap; plain and simple.

As if a TV network's hurting for money. Grow up, illiterate corporate lackey.

You can be particular with grammar to deflect from the argument all you want. And your argument about the profits of TV networks can be applied to any corporation selling shit in stores. So again I ask would you walk into Neiman Marcus and shoplift. It's ok if the answer is no, but we should all be aware of your hypocrisy.

Cunt?

Your comparison of AMC to Neiman Marcus is inane, control queen.

Cunt? Troll, queen.

I'm done with you. You got my point and failed to make a legitimate argument. Now back to the topic at hand.

Sam Reid is delicious. Great Lestat... way better than Tom Cruise and definitely better than Stuart Townsend. Amazing body as well.

[quote] Christopher was to have been the showrunner and head writer, and Bryan Fuller was briefly involved as a producer too. Then a producer named Dee Johnson was brought in by AMC I think, and after that the news from the Rices dwindled to nothing.

AMC has a history of doing this.

They are really shitty to people, and they make promises that they NEVER keep.

Just ask Frank Darabont.

He made Walking Dead what it is. He brought it to life, realized Robert Kirkman's vision, made it a HUGE success in its first season on AMC, and then they DUMPED him.

Darabont sued and won, which proves that AMC is nothing but shit.

FYI: Piracy is a huge factor in rate increases, so we pay for your theft.

R149. Exactly. One wouldn't walk into Home Depot and just steal paint. Well maybe the hypocritical cunt would.

R124 So it wasn't really a sex scene, as I suspected. You don't really see them having sex, just Lestat having a boner. I question why everyone calls it a gay sex scene when it clearly isn't. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that they made them explicitly gay on this show. It's so much better than the lame movie where the gay love was just implied. I do wish they would have been able to have sex in this version though. It feels like a bit of a cop-out. They have changed so much about the story already, making it explicitly gay, so why not go all the way? Might as well change the fact that they're able to have sex too. But of course they don't. Because gay (male) sex is still forbidden on tv... sigh. At least they get to kiss this time. That's something I guess.

R150 I for one am glad for the bootleg websites as it's the only way for me to watch the show. It's not on any streaming services in my country. I'd probably have to wait like 6 months or a year to watch it and that ain't gonna happen. I'm starved for gay tv content.

a minute of silence for amazon who spent 1 billion dollars on the show that determines their entire streaming service’s future

only to drop it at the same time as the secretly good game of thrones redux, plus interview with the gay vampire (hardcore edition)😔

R134 tbf Tammy's take on Lestat was also very DL (for different reasons)

[quote]I for one am glad for the bootleg websites as it's the only way for me to watch the show. It's not on any streaming services in my country. I'd probably have to wait like 6 months or a year to watch it and that ain't gonna happen.

Some people steal because they can't afford to put food on the table, some people steal because not being able to see a TV show the moment it debuts is a hardship too painful to endure.

Eric Bogosian's performance is bizarre and not a good way.

[quote]I do wish they would have been able to have sex in this version though. It feels like a bit of a cop-out. They have changed so much about the story already, making it explicitly gay, so why not go all the way? Might as well change the fact that they're able to have sex too. But of course they don't. Because gay (male) sex is still forbidden on tv... sigh. At least they get to kiss this time. That's something I guess.

They can get erections, like Lestat did after being bathed in Akasha's blood in the books.

They can have physical sex, as Marius and Pandora did in the books. They just wouldn't want to.

Drinking blood feels better than any actual sex could so there's no real need for anything else. Drinking blood, replaces sex for them. Their dicks are useless in that they derive more pleasure from doing that.

I think they stopped at just the right amount of changes. These are still Anne Rice vampires.

The fact that they can say they actually like each other sexually, Louis can admit he's gay, it's okay to show their naked asses now ... that's a pretty big stretch from the original works anyway.

Louis is a black bottom.

Lestat is a white top.

They were fucking.

But of course, they could not SHOW that on cable television. That much had to be implied.

Louis was so ashamed of being fucked by Lestat that he vowed never to see him again.

But he couldn't resist Lestat's cock.

Even after the death of his own brother, and Lestat killing the Priest to whom he confessed, and Lestat killing the other priest who was a witness to the carnage.

Through the blood, and the fire, and the death. He still gave in to Lestat. In the middle of a church, no less!

It was a crazy scene, man!

I’m annoyed by these ridiculous people here who demand to see hardcore sex in mainstream programming, Get help for your porn addiction

Agreed R156. Eric Bogosian should not be playing Daniel. He should play Anthony Bourdain in a biopic or something.

OK I've seen Episode 2. I like this story. The performances of the two are arch but good. It's such tale of companionship and loneliness. I don't mind the changes because who the fuck cares if they change from the source. The black and white aspects of the time in New Orleans are interesting and add texture to the narrative and the characterization.

Snippy Nieman Marcus queen R142 R144 et al:

Have you ever downloaded an MP3 song, YouTube video, adult video, image or copyrighted ebook without paying? Then you too, are a thief.

You say you've never done any of theses things, ever? [bold]Then you're also a liar.[/bold]

Can the posters fighting about piracy go get a room? Nobody else gives a fuck.

[quote] They can have physical sex, as Marius and Pandora did in the books. They just wouldn't want to.

Yes, exactly as I said above, and they’ve had sex with mortals in the books as well. They do have sex, they just don’t find it satisfying.

Marcus in the books and also the musical is such a funny old bastard. Like just one of those Zen Master types who never gives a straight answer, because he's got literally all the time in the world so who cares about actually solving existential dread? He's like the positive half of the 'nOthIng mATteRs' meme.

Interesting- I don't remember Marius at all in the series, but I adore Pandora's story. I wonder if they'll branch off to the Mummy or Mmenoch the Devil.

There’s a lot of great source material with the opportunity to go back to ancient times. It’d be nice if the series delved into that history, rather than turning this into a Walking Dead vampire series.

Let's hope they cherry-pick wisely from the source material. The truth is that after The Tale of the Body Thief (with the exception of The Vampire Armand) it gets ever more uneven and unmemorable, finally crashing and burning. The crossover with the Mayfair witches ultimately sank it. Rice managed to prop it back up with her three Prince Lestat stories, but they're still nowhere near what Interview and The Vampire Lestat are.

Is Sam Reid gay?

I know that Jacob Anderson is married to a female, but what's the story with Sam?

So far I am loving it. I do hope AMC doesn't do it to death like they did with The Walking Dead. That show should have ended seasons ago.

Does anyone have any insight into the ratings?

I've read that they were considered 'solid' for the premiere but this doesn't look great to me. (Make sure to scroll right on the chart to see the whole thing.)

This is a hilarious review!

[quote]Does anyone have any insight into the ratings? I've read that they were considered 'solid' for the premiere but this doesn't look great to me.

Interview has about the same total number of viewers as Snowfall, FX's highest rated show, and the same 18-49 rating as Fargo, which is coming up on season 5. Episode 1 received better ratings than FX "hits" What We Do in the Shadows, Old Man and Atlanta.

Is this an expensive show to make?

Variety: The premiere of “Interview with the Vampire,” AMC’s first Anne Rice TV adaptation, and the eagerly anticipated return of the final season of “The Walking Dead” on Oct. 2 took streamer AMC+ to its highest two days of viewership and subscriber growth since the platform’s October 2020 launch, Variety has learned exclusively.

Per AMC+, “The premiere of ‘Interview’ and the return of The Walking Dead’ drove AMC+ to the most successful two days in its history on Sunday and Monday and highest levels of series viewership and new subscriber acquisition ever.”

Is this a good show? A positive show?

Has the second show dropped, yet?

Another great reaction to the first episode. This is hilarious!

R178 Do you mean the second episode? Yes, it has.

Thanks to those who posted info about the ratings.

From what I've read, the premiere ended up totaling 1.5 million viewers, which doesn't sound all that mindblowing to me, but then the last time I paid any attention to ratings was back in the days of Game of Thrones, which was getting around 15 million per episode (not accounting for piracy). AMC seems happy.

6 hours and 39 minutes…..

Now I understand what some of you were saying about the second episode.

It was a bit boring, but mainly because there's a lot of dialogue.

The scenes between Anderson and Bogosian got very bogged down with too many words.

Of course, too much talking was interspersed with the occasional distraction like the seven course meal and the fox under the cloche.

I did enjoy the bitchy interaction between Lestat and Louis' mom. She knows her son is gay and Louis is his lover, which makes her extra bitchy towards him. Lol.

There was too much "racial politics" in this episode.

I guess it's inevitable because of the era and Lestat being white and Louis mixed race, but still.

Their conversations sound more like something you'd hear in 2022, and not the early 1900's.

This is my new favorite show. Thank you creators.

More DAMEK.

Yes, please!

Another beautiful episode, man this show is so good. That "I heard your hearts dancing!" moment from Lestat was exquisite. As was him telling Louis he could fuck anyone he wanted and immediately regretting it more and more with each new "of course."

The poster bitching about too much politics makes me laugh when the characters literally tell you they're not dealing with just memories alone, but with how memories become recontextualised over the years and decades. Obviously they didn't talk like that back then, it's the collected wisdom we're getting from this retelling. And yes, it's clearly more global in nature, as is to be expected from someone who lives a long time and is able to observe humanity from the outside.

R184 Same. Finally a show that does't shy away from the gay sex. So many series this year has done that, and I'm sick of it. They always make up excuses for the gays to not have sex. That stupid Aussie high school show had one of the gays be asexual! Like what the actual fuck?! Then there was that Netflix telenovela from Mexico where EVERYONE was allowed to have sex, even the lesbians... EXCEPT the gay men. Of course. We cannot depict gay male sex, but lesbian sex is totally fine! You can say what you want about this show... ridiculous, over the top, woke at times... sure, all true, but at least they embrace the gay sex. Something few other shows do.

But will audiences embrace it?

Audiences are hating this.

R188 and R189 are both racists who missed this being the highest rated show for AMC in a long time.

This show is finally mentioned on a Norwegian website. Fucking finally! Still not a single word about a Norwegian release date though... wtf.

Even Lipstick Alley loves this show! They don't seem to mind all the gay stuff either, many think it's hot.

Gen Z has found Lipstick

Lol at Damek the hot Russian (posted at R185) who was drained by Louis at the dinner table.

He looks big and butch, but in his real life Instagram, he's a cat lady! What in the hell is his obsession with cats?

And Kirill actually refers to himself as "girl." Lol.

I never thought I'd EVER say this, but I prefer Brad Pitt's "Louis" over Jacob Anderson's portrayal.

I really hate the way that Anderson pronounces certain words. He pronounces "homosexual" the same way you would say "homocidal."

He said "grieviously" instead of "griVOUSly."

And there was a word he said in episode two that really bugged me, but I can't remember what it was.

He really needs grammar lessons. Or at the very least, AMC should have him re-do the lines, and make him say it correctly. But they just give him a pass. It's really quite annoying.

I do think that both Anderson and Pitt have the "whining" thing (as Tom Cruise called it in the movie version of IWTV), down pat.

Most Americans don’t talk like r195, and definitely as anal retentive. Great job, Jacob!

How looooooooong have you been keeping yourself from saying that? That you would NEVER say that... All of the three weeks the show has been on?

Are you insane, R197?

What in the hell are you talking about?

R195, it's because he's French.

[quote] R195, it's because he's French.

Lestat is French.

Louis is American. And illiterate.

Oh right I was thinking he was talking about Lestat.

Sam Reid has an amazing body.

When he took off his clothes, he was incredibly thin and toned.

Poor guy must be starving himself to death.

R202, but a pancake ass. The whole scene was hot tho.

R195 “And there was a word he said in episode two that really bugged me, but I can't remember what it was.”

Was it “cunt?”

[quote]But will audiences embrace it?

I think the real question is, will the audience AMC is pursuing embrace the show? They want this to be their new Walking Dead, but the Walking Dead had a wide-ranging audience with a huge dudebro element I doubt will buy into this show. The premiere, after the stats were totaled, got 1.5 million viewers. AMC immediately trumpeted this was the highest-rated show in ages (without mentioning the actual numbers), but still. They've got an uphill battle ahead of them.

Somebody pointed out that the show didn't seem to be 'big on Reddit'. That's noteworthy since Reddit is over 60% males between the ages of 18-49. If AMC doesn't get that audience, then they won't have the new Walking Dead.

The acting is fucking awful. I couldn't get through the first episode.

It’s not that bad, R206. Louis is the weakest spot for me. Sam Reid as Lestat is good. I notice moments where his emoting is a bit Sunset Boulevard, but it’s like really, really minimal. You pretty much have to look for it, but it makes me think he’s more of a stage actor. I think with this show, though, you have to put aside the books and just accept that the characters and storylines are re-imagined for today’s audience. I thought I’d hate that about it, but I don’t.

Naw, Jacob Anderson is rightfully receiving the lion’s share of critical acclaim and audience love. He sizzles in this

[quote] Naw, Jacob Anderson is rightfully receiving the lion’s share of critical acclaim and audience love. He sizzles in this

You're confusing his attractiveness with his acting.

Anderson's acting is abysmal. Overly dramatic and scenery chewing.

EW: " Reid plays the 150-year-old as a refined hedonist, less a creature of the night than a Eurotrash Ken Doll."

I don't think that's a compliment.

As if EW is the arbiter of style and taste.

Well, it’s possible that the overwhelming pro-Anderson critical consensus is wrong and you are right.

Just not bloody likely.

Here's Vanity Fair on Sam Reid's performance:

[quote] Months before the movie came out, describing her (then) objection to Cruise’s casting, Rice told Movieline’s Martha Frankel that Lestat should be “an overpowering person…very blond, very tall, very athletic, very full.” Rice did not live to see Sam Reid’s performance, which aligns precisely with her brief; we eventually see nearly all of Reid and he is so “very athletic, very full” that one shirtless shot made me gasp aloud. (He also apparently grew out his strawberry blond hair for the role, and in an era when bad TV wigs are an urgent topic of concern, we simply must applaud the commitment.)

[quote] Lestat is an aesthete, a womanizer, a charming dinner guest, a card sharp—whatever he needs to be to fulfill his ultimate goal as a serial murderer. Not since Mads Mikkelsen’s Hannibal Lecter has a fictional character killed with such purpose and artistry....Sam Reid’s Lestat, feasting on every one of his scenes, is what makes the show unmissable.

I actually love what both actors are doing with their roles, and most importantly, the great chemistry they have together. Most of the reviewers have noticed that, too.

He and the actress who played Claudia agreed to get acrylic nails done (for 6 months!). Jacob declined because he had a brand new baby that he didn't want to accidentally harm.

Ratings for the second episode. Oof.

Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid "break down" Louis' transformation.

Sam Reid is eye fucking Jacob Anderson in that clip.

Looking up reaction videos on YouTube, I noticed two things:

1) This series has very little fan resonance on YT in general. Those reactions and reviews I saw were 100% positive, but it's almost as if the series was under the radar for most people (especially, compared to other surprise hits, like Netflix's Cyberpunk Edgerunners, which has tons of fan reactions).

2) I was pleasantly surprised that many fan reactions were by black people (instead of the typical white nerds), and that they really seemed to be hooked by the nuanced presentation of blackness and gayness.

R206 Say what?! Are we watching the same show? I think Jacob is VERY good. That confessional is emmy worthy. The acting and the chemistry is what keeps me watching. I know the show is ridiculous and over the top and yes, it does deviate from the book quite a bit, but the gay scenes, the chemistry, the acting and the time period makes it interesting.

R208 Totally. And rightfully so. The guy playing Louis is better than the guy playing Lestat imo. Lestat gives OTT soap opera vibes while Louis is just incredible. That confessional alone is emmy worthy. It's odd how some people think it's the other way around, makes me wonder if racism comes into play here. With that said I do agree that Louis' role is more interesting, he has more to work with, as his character is more neuanced (with themes like dark vs good, coming out etc) than the ridiculous OTT Lestat. That in itself makes it easier to flesh out the character.

R218 I agree. I think part of the problem is 1) it's on a channel that nobody watches 2) it's too gay and 3) it hasn't been released international yet. I question what AMC is doing with this show. It has had minimal promo, yet they gave it a second season before the first even aired. Why didn't they negotiate with other companies so the show could be released internationally (with some delay, that would be fine). That would have created a lot more buzz. Only having rights in America means most of the world is missing out. Which is a shame. There is a reason Netflix shows go viral. Those are avilable to watch for most of the world, unlike IWTV.

R215 I wonder if people tuned out because they felt it was too gay and/or too woke. The fact that it was so different from the book might have played a part too. People who were curious tuned out (especially the book lovers). I bet this show would have done better if both actors were white because of racists. Well... maybe not. This show is still too gay for most people. Comic book geeks who usually love these shows probably don't watch because they're bigots. They have no problem with lesbians though, funny that.

R218 That's because white nerds don't watch this show, hence the shows abysmal ratings. White nerds are homophobic.

I absolutely, unapologetically love this show, but I get why it’s not a ratings hit.

FWIW, I was determined not to watch it because it looked like another show ticking off political boxes while ignoring actual storytelling. The reviews convinced me to give it a try and I’m so glad I did. They didn’t just graft a skin of PC-ness onto an old property. They seemed to have made the choices they made FOR storytelling purposes. God, how refreshing.

[quote] I think part of the problem is 1) it's on a channel that nobody watches 2) it's too gay and 3) it hasn't been released international yet. I question what AMC is doing with this show. It has had minimal promo, yet they gave it a second season before the first even aired.

AMC is home of The Walking Dead, highest rated cable series ever.

It's not a "channel that nobody watches." That's ridiculous.

Walking Dead was likewise "under the radar" in season one, and then it really took off with season two. You have to give new shows some time to gel and catch on with viewers. Word of mouth is the best way for viewership to increase.

That said, I also agree that this show will never get Walking Dead ratings. It appeals to a somewhat different demographic.

Not only that, but some viewers who don't want to watch a "gay" show won't return. It has also alienated some Catholics viewers who might like the show, but didn't like the violent church scene.

You never know what will turn people off.

Hmm. Pretty sure you can "know" in advance that a gay (bi) aristocratic white vampire murdering priests and turning a black guy into a vamp and fucking him in front of a burning alter will turn off Christians, to start.

"I bet this show would have done better if both actors were white because of racists"

I agree, R222, you very rarely see an interracial couple in yaoi/BL. Most white gay men would rather see two white guys, too. Brokeback Mountain and CMBYN certainly wouldn't have the same success if they had race-swapped one of them.

Speaking of gay/bisexual vampires, this scene is still one of my favourites:

[quote] I wonder if people tuned out because they felt it was too gay and/or too woke.

It's hard not to think it didn't have something to do with it. But as Billy Eichner has recently demonstrated, telling people "you're a bigot if you don't watch my project!" is not an effective marketing technique.

This shows isn't a flop yet. Amc IS a channel nobody watches. They're probably going after quality original content and paid a nice sum to have this produced. If I were a producer I wouldn't wate my time on a cable channel that isn't HBO, Showtime, or FX.

Sam Reid has very hairy legs, but his ass is smooth.

I guess he shaves his butt for the show.

Just watched episode 4. Hm, I don't know what to think about the episode yet. I don't think the actress playing Claudia is bad, instead I feel the character is just written like a teenager/borderliner from hell. Also, I didn't like having the focus shifted to her so much. Hopefully, they finished introducing us to the character and can shift back gears a little bit.

If it continues in this hectic, chaotic pace, they're going to lose me.

I loved episode 4. It's a great insight on Claudia in a way Louis couldn't possibly tell. They really galloped along with her storyline, but I think it works.

And we finally have Louis not moping over his family because now he finally has his own.

Will they go to Paris, as in the book and film (where Claudia and her matron die)?

I want Teatre des Vampires!

One of Claudia's diary entries shown in the episode talked about Paris in 1945, I think. So, yes, I think that we're going to see the Théâtre.

[quote] I don't think the actress playing Claudia is bad, instead I feel the character is just written like a teenager/borderliner from hell.

It's a combo of both writing and acting imo. It's very obvious we're watching an older actress play younger, and she's not really good enough to make us overlook it - all her younger "bounce" feels forced. Then they've just made too many leaps from the original character's core for what they're trying to pull off.

Rice's Claudia began as a six year old; you can age her somewhat (as in the film) and still have the concept work, but past a certain point the dilemma and the poignancy is lost. So we no longer have a woman who grew to adulthood unnoticed in the defenseless body of a tiny child, trapped and forced to rely on those who made her an abomination even among vampires, with no hope of independence. We have a teenager who started out annoying and got worse.

Man, I loved the first two episodes. Which shocked me, frankly.

I read the books in college and fell in love with them. The Brad Pitt movie was alright. I was expecting to hate this and all the wokey changes. But they really, really worked for me. Greyworm blew me away. He's getting an Emmy nod next year.

R234, since we have a source here on DL who claims the actress will not be back after this season, I wonder if we're looking at a recast for any Theatre des Vampires stuff?

HELL NO, how dare they give the woke treatment to this great film/book.....geez

shitty casting, no real hotties at all.

This guy has seen 5 episodes and he says episode 1 to 3 are the strongest.

R205 This white redneck loved it. He nailed it when he said Louis has this inner struggle while Lestat has the outer struggle and he said episode 3 was really good, which he thought it wouldn't be, so he had to bite his words.

R240 I knew the show would go downhill when Claudia got introduced. Nobody likes a cockblock. Louis and Lestat's relationship is the best past about this show, nobody wants to see someone come between them. I know she was also in the book, so they just follow that story, but it's still annoying af.

follow the book, not woke baloney.

Episode three airs tonight, for those who don't have AMC+ or any other services where you can view episodes ahead of the regular broadcast date.

r233, yes. they're going to Spain and possibly France for S2 to film

r237- that's what they told me during filming. It would be smart of them to recast.

Fourth episode is yet again wonderful, man what a fantastic show this is. Best TV surprise of the year for me, so far. And to think I wasn't even going to check it out because of all the rumours it was going to suck ass.

R244 Those who watch it on tv are in for a good episode. Epi 3 was so much better than epi 2. Much gayer too.

That’s great to hear R248 because I really loved episode 2. This entire series is turning into a classic.

I love the show but while watching Claudia I was reminded how grateful I am that I didn't have children. She wore me out.

I think they aged Claudia because the gay elements are more explicit in this telling. They already are doing some pretty violent immoral stuff. You know the GOP is on their whole grooming, gays are sexual predators stance. It's an easier sell to make Claudia a teen rather than a child.

Yes, we're sure Matt Gaetz approves.

One of the writers must be a Datalounger.

Lestat actually said, "There. I said it."

Rofl.

Interesting "Moonlight" references.

Two black guys on the DL.

Hmm....

Episode 4 was the worst yet. Too much Claudia. Horrible actress and Claudia is annoying af. Cockblocker to the extreme. I'm worried about what's to come. The reason people watch IWTV is because of Lestat and Louis and their relationship and chemistry. Now that Louis admitted it was basically a loveless marriage, what will happen? I don't feel good for the last 3 episodes. I hope Claudia gets killed off. That might help.

Why does Claudia have reddish brown eyes while Louis has green and Lestat blue? I don't get it.

[Quote]Also, I didn't like having the focus shifted to her so much. Hopefully, they finished introducing us to the character and can shift back gears a little bit. If it continues in this hectic, chaotic pace, they're going to lose me.

Same.

I'd rate the episodes like this: Episode 1: best yet, it had everything, action, suspense, thriller, romance, love, a solid back story. 10/10. That episode was like a movie on its own. Basically a perfect episode. Episode 2: a bit slower paced, more talking, less happening between Louis and Lestat, but the story moved forward, 6/10. Episode 3: definitely better than episode 2, it was the gayest yet, we got to see more of Louis, what happened to Alderman and Storyville, Louis going from a "kind" vampire to a ruthless killer was interesting, 8/10. Episode 4: Too much of annoying Claudia, not enough of Louis and Lestat, 4/10, and that's me being kind, it probably didn't deserve more than 2/10. Episode 4 is the first episode I have no intention of watching again, it was that bad and boring.

R253 Lestat is such a Dtaalounger, remember he also killed that Opera singer because of one bad note! lmao

I loved that we got an episode told mostly from Claudia's perspective. It must be a particular mindfuck, getting turned at 16. The ending with her spiraling into insanity was so ominous, a crazy vampire has so much potential in it for causing chaos and destruction.

Also loved seeing Louis and Lestat trying their best to be good dads. The little misfires in both the actors' French pronunciations are adorable.

I didn’t mind that the episode was told from her perspective either, R260, but the actress was a bit grating.

She was a LOT grating.

This show would be better if Claudia was never brought in. Just let it be Lestat and Louis.

I agree, R263.

Claudia never should have been included in this new series.

She is only there to cock block Louis and Lestat, and also to try to "straighten out" Louis.

Do we know what Lestat thinks of FOLLIES? This really needs to be addressed in the second season.

In the movie, Lestat was in love with Louis, but not vice-versa.

In this television series, Louis was also supposed to be in love with Lestat, but they decided to still include Claudia for an "unsatisfied" Louis.

It makes no sense.

Why would Claudia be the "missing piece" for Louis, if he's gay and in love with Lestat? There's no need for her.

You know what would really blow peoples' minds?

Make Louis fall in love with a teen boy!!!

Hahaha.

If a teen girl can be the object of Louis' affection, then why not a teen boy?

[quote] You know what would really blow peoples' minds?

[quote] Make Louis fall in love with a teen boy!!!

Actually, that's going to be a documentary called "The Matt Gaetz Story."

So, like Armand then, R267?

christ this cast sux.....chosen by str8 men no doubt...

If you want to call this show Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, you CANNOT leave Claudia out. You also can't call an adaptation successful that fucks up the Claudia arc, which is what they're doing. Underneath all the supernatural window dressing, Rice's book is about the death of her daughter. Without that, the story has no center. Claudia's death is something Louis and Lestat never get over and the shared loss links them together in a way few others understand. It's a key component of their relationship throughout the books.

I know there are people here who only care about the gay stuff and will forgive the show anything because of it, but other parts of the story do matter. The problem isn't that Claudia is there, it's that they're doing it WRONG.

Since that guy Rashid is very probably Armand, I doubt R267 will get his wish.

R266 Exactly! Fucking preach. I think they wanted to portray Louis as a family man, wanting a family of his own? They included that clip of him saying he was never going to have a family, then Claudia came along, as he said she was his missing piece. But as you said, they have rewritten everything else, why not rewrite this too? Nobody wants to watch Claudia. People watch for Louis and Lestat. Claudia is a cockblocker. She ruins the show.

R272 You think Rashid is Armand? Why do you think that?

Maybe 'very probably' Armand is too strong. But there are some things about that character...they keep drawing attention to him. He stayed in the shadows just out of the light, which suggests vampire...some speculation that he might be the apartment's real owner (with Marius's painting there) and Dubai will be the show's version of the Night Island. Armand is from the same general area as Rashid (Golden Horde vs Kazakhstan). Louis and Armand lived together on and off for many years. He could also be Fareed from the later vampire books.

Personally I hope he's not Armand and we finally get something closer to what Anne envisioned after Antonio Banderas.

Considering Lestat crept into Louis' coffin when they thought Claudia was asleep she is not an effective cockblock.

You can’t do the story without Claudia. She’s integral to the story. She’s what creates the tension between Louis and Lestat, and what moves the story along to Paris. It’s just they aged the character up, yet still made her act like a petulant six year old.

I'll stop watching, if Claudia gets past season one.

I hate her and her cock blocking.

Also the actress looks like a short 18 year old girl, not a 14 year old. So it's hard to think of Claudia as a teenager trapped in a woman's body. The movie was far superior in that aspect.

^¨*woman trapped in a teenager's body

This is a brilliant reaction video. I absolutely agree with everything they say. Episode 3 was brilliant.

I can't stand the way they made the straight sex scene so much longer than Louis and Lestat's. I see the double standard and it's annoying.

Episode 3 ratings are out. No change in the 18-49 demographic--they didn't regain any of that 40% they lost from the premiere--and overall viewership dipped a bit.

The problem is they're not advertising the show at all. I'm not American and I would never have heard of it if I wasn't already a fan of the franchise. Plus it's only available in the States which also doesn't help with the ratings.

They need to do better next season if they don't want to it to be the last.

[quote]This is a brilliant reaction video. I absolutely agree with everything they say. Episode 3 was brilliant.

Yeah, I like their reaction videos as well.

Interesting that they both have very different reactions to Claudia. Mirrors what we've talked about here.

This is from July 2021 via the webside The Illuminerdi:

"Not only is Lestat a lead role in Interview With The Vampire, it looks like the role will also require options for 5 other potential series. This isn’t entirely shocking given the fact that AMC is looking to build a universe around Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels with Interview With The Vampire being the first. Lestat is a key character in a number of other novels from the franchise, so his involvement in other series makes sense."

"Louis De Pointe Du Lac is one of the other leads in Interview With The Vampire that will also require options for another potential series and will be expected to appear in 2 episodes in further series, subject to the actor’s availability."

So AMC plans to put Lestat in FIVE MORE SERIES?! Talk about being overexposed, and it also seems a bit ridiculous seeing as the ratings have not panned out for this show, so far.

I compared the ratings for this show to the first season of The Walking Dead and there is none. IWTV is nowhere close. I also looked at the ratings for Halt and Catch Fire, which was another AMC show, and it never dipped below 0.574 during the first season. IWTV is already at 0.445 and this is ONLY the third episode.

I am aware that AMC plus was not around during this time, but ratings do matter, and I don't see how they can build an entire Ann Rice universe using this show. I guess they'll have to hope Mayfair Witches will do it for them.

Oh, and I'm not a hater. I LOVE this show, love Anderson and Reid and am excited to see every new episode. I just want this show to get 3 or 4 seasons but at this point and time I'm not sure that it will.

[quote]I compared the ratings for this show to the first season of The Walking Dead and there is none.

You can't compare anything from 2010 to today, the audience is way more segmented. No show or channel gets the ratings it did 10 years ago.

My favorite part of the movie was when the French vamps threw Claudia into the sunlight, and she burned up and turned to ashes.

I hope they do something like that with this annoying bitch.

Yes, it will happen r288.

This is funny...

Oh Louis, Louis, Louis.

Always whining.

Not as funny as R290, but I find her videos entertaining as well.

Tomorrow night is episode four on AMC cable television, and I am so NOT looking forward to Claudia's appearance.

R285 I agree with the lady. Claudia was weird. At one point she acted like a 5 year old, wasn't she supposed to be 14 when Lestat turned her? Then a few years later when she was supposed to be 18 or 19 she looked more like 25 or 30. The writers didn't really seem to know what to do with her.

Oh, wow, episode 5 was vicious.

Poor Louis!

R295 PLEASE don't spoil anything! I have to wait until tomorrow to watch it.

Tomorrow is episode four on AMC, R296.

I might just skip tonight's episode with Claudia.

I'm not in the mood for some shrill GenZ teenaged actress, trying to act like a 10 year old.

I don't find that appealing. AT ALL.

NO HOTTIES.....A DUD.

Episode four, R299?

Episode 5 was pretty good. Claudia wasn’t as annoying. Loved the last scene. It seemed very IWTV.

Gay domestic violence...yay? And they threw in some GOT-style "rape as character growth" while they were at it.

Claudia is a disaster.

[quote]Gay domestic violence...yay? And they threw in some GOT-style "rape as character growth" while they were at it.

I really love this re-imagining/adaptation in general, but episode 5 was very hard to watch.

I don't know yet if they lost me or not. I'm still processing... The next episode is going to be crucial.

By the way, Bruce or "Killer" apparently is the vampire who turned Baby Jenks from Queen of the Damned. Completely forgot about this storyline. He seems to make an appearance in the newer books (which I haven't read yet).

It's funny that Baby Jenks was a 14 yo girl when she was turned by Killer, something that wasn't a big deal in the Vampire Chronicle (in contrast to Claudia who was like 5 yo when she was turned). Armand was also turned at 15 yo, I think. So, Claudia's complaints in episode 5 rang a bit hollow when knowing the books. Then again, they aged up everyone for the series, I think.

R303, I think the only way they can come back from what they did this episode is to have what we saw be the product of unreliable narration...but even then, they're on a very slippery slope that some people just aren't going to get past.

What happened, R305?

Now you have me curious.

Was it domestic violence? Did Lestat and Louis beat the crap out of each other?

I'm starting to develop a slight crush on Rashid (Assad Zaman).

He's kind of cute.

R307, he plays gay in Hotel Portofino.

[quote]Was it domestic violence? Did Lestat and Louis beat the crap out of each other?

R306, more like, Lestat brutally beat Louis almost to death, while Claudia begged him to stop.

They beat each other but Lestat is so powerful that he should have known better than to keep going. It was the equivalent of a grown adult fighting an angry child. The very end of the fight was pure torture for Louis though. I don't condone it and Lestat will definitely 100% deserve what's coming for him but I do feel for him, who's been completely ignored by Louis for 7 years and unloved for 20 years. For someone as psychotic as Lestat, everytime Louis rejected him was a violent slap in the face everytime. And I think Louis knew that and he relished in the power he held over him because he not so secretly resented him for turning him into a vampire. Hurting Lestat with harsh words and coldness was his only weapon against him and he's used it plently over the years. Again, not condoning domestic violence at all but Lestat snapping didn't come out of nowhere.

Omg, Jesus people. It’s a show set in a different time. It was supernatural men fighting each other. Some of you pearl clutchers need to go back to PBS.

Omg, Jesus people. It’s a show set in a different time. It was supernatural men fighting each other. Some of you pearl clutchers need to go back to PBS.

Exactly.

And I don't know why there's all the pearl clutching over two vampires beating the crap out of each other.

Especially when you consider all the innocent people they've both KILLED and BURNED.

To me, that's much worse.

Claudia wasn't as bad as I thought.

The way you all described her, I thought she would be annoying as hell.

But the actress who played her wasn't too bad. In fact, she's quite pretty.

[quote]And I don't know why there's all the pearl clutching over two vampires beating the crap out of each other.

Because even the actors have described Louis and Lestat's relationship as a LOVE STORY. The show has gone out of its way to turn the books' less defined relationship into a gay romance. And Lestat beat Louis senseless, dragged him down a hall by his jaw while leaving a bloody trail in his wake, and then proceeded to drop him to the ground from hundreds of feet, shattering his bones. All while ranting how much he loves Louis and how these actions are punishment for Louis not loving him the same in return. Genderflip that if you need to in order to see how fucked up it is for such violence to occur between a show's OTP couple.

As for all the violence the two have doled out to their victims, that sort of violence is par for the course between vampires and their human prey. We're used to that. Domestic violence is something else.

[quote] As for all the violence the two have doled out to their victims, that sort of violence is par for the course between vampires and their human prey. We're used to that. Domestic violence is something else.

I really don't see the difference.

In actuality, murder is worse than assault and battery.

Wow... episode 5 lost me. I knew they would go with the slave angle. What the fuck happened to this show? Episodes 1 to 3 were so good. Claudia ruined everything.

R311 White man nearly beats a black man to death. Do you NOT see where the show is going with this?!

This show used to be gay. Now it's all about that annoying brat Claudia. For the first time since starting this show I am not looking forward to the next episode. Episode 5 was actually the first one I had to ff through. It totally lost me, fucking hell... this whole show lost the plot. It was boring, contrieved garbage. And I say this as a lover of the first three episodes.

R298 Same. Claudia ruined EVRYTHING for me. This show went downhill when she was introdcued. I hope the rumors are true and they kill her off, sooner rather than later.

Keep clutching those pearls, Marys.

And not EVERYTHING is about race.

These are just two gay vampires having a domestic quarrel.

Shit happens.

R302 Preach. That fifth episode was a mess. Domestic abuse. I just can't defend it. Nobody can. Nobody wanted to watch that. I think the show lost a lot of people.

[quote] Domestic abuse. I just can't defend it. Nobody can. Nobody wanted to watch that. I think the show lost a lot of people.

But you idiots are fine with all the blood, gore, murder, and suicide?

Okay. Got it.

R303 Same. They lost me. I was a huge fan of the first 3 episodes. Episode 4 was bad because I can't stand Claudia, and now, with episode 5, they lost me completely. Louis and Lestat's chemistry is why I started to watch, why I loved this show. Now... I really have no reason to watch anymore. More Claudia causing problems between them, yay. And Lestat trying to make up for being an abuser... yay. No thanks. I'm afraid I'm done with this show.

Good riddance to all you pearl clutchers.

Now the adults can enjoy the show without all of your whining.

R305 Yup. I cannot believe they ruined this show just like that. What were they thinking? Louis and Lestat were the reason people tuned in. Their relationship is EVERYTHING. Why would they go ahead and destroy it just like that? And for what? Fucking Claudia? You got to be fucking kidding me. Domestic abuse is never excusable. Then you have Lestat being white beating up on a black man. Again... what the FUCK were they thinking?

R307 Same. He was the only good thing about this episode.

This show has a message for all pearl clutching Marys.....

R312 ONE vampire beat the crap out of the other and if you don't see why that's a problem then you are truly fucked in the head. Add their race to the mix and you might get a clue why some of us are upset.

[Quote]The way you all described her, I thought she would be annoying as hell.

I don't know what fucking show you're watching, it can't be IWTV. Claudia IS annoying. She is supposed to be 14 yet is the most annoying brat ever. She's not even acting like a 14 year old, she's acting like a 5 year old.

[Quote]And I don't know why there's all the pearl clutching over two vampires beating the crap out of each other. Especially when you consider all the innocent people they've both KILLED and BURNED. To me, that's much worse.

Nope, you are wrong. You can't compare the two. They are killers. They are vampires. That's who they are. But they NEVER did anything like this to each other, that is the small amount of humanity they still had left, but now... even that is gone.

[Quote]Because even the actors have described Louis and Lestat's relationship as a LOVE STORY. The show has gone out of its way to turn the books' less defined relationship into a gay romance. And Lestat beat Louis senseless, dragged him down a hall by his jaw while leaving a bloody trail in his wake, and then proceeded to drop him to the ground from hundreds of feet, shattering his bones. All while ranting how much he loves Louis and how these actions are punishment for Louis not loving him the same in return. Genderflip that if you need to in order to see how fucked up it is for such violence to occur between a show's OTP couple. As for all the violence the two have doled out to their victims, that sort of violence is par for the course between vampires and their human prey. We're used to that. Domestic violence is something else.

R314 PREACH. Fucking AMEN. Thank you for saying this so much better than I ever could. I don't think this show can come back from domestic abuse. Not between the main couple, which is why people tune into the show in the first place. This show has truly jumped the shark. Good luck coming back from that.

Fine, R330.

Then don't watch the show.

K, BYEEEEE!!!

Love the idiot on this thread defending domestic abuse. Fucking hell, get your head out of your ass. What happened was the death of this show. It should not have been showed. Who the fuck thought this was a good idea?!

At least, they're likely to address the elephant in the room in the next episode.

[quote]Because even the actors have described Louis and Lestat's relationship as a LOVE STORY. The show has gone out of its way to turn the books' less defined relationship into a gay romance.

[quote]Louis and Lestat were the reason people tuned in. Their relationship is EVERYTHING.

Well, at least, we knew going in that the relationship would sour eventually, so I don't mind this part. It's just that Lestat's viciousness in this episode is going to make it next to impossible to redeem him later on. Before, he was a manipulative asshole, but he could still have been a lovable rogue. Now, not so much.

Of course LSA loved the episode. Those are the only two viewers they have left after this episode. No way viewers can continue to watch and root for Lestat after what he did. People don't accept domestic abusers. Way to ruin a character! Even IF Louis takes him back, why would I root for them? The viewers have no reason to cheer them on anymore. One of few gay couples on tv and that is now ruined. Why make them gay in the first place and brand this as a big gay love story if this was the end result? Seriously... domestic abuse is something we should just accept now?

What I don't get is WHY didn't the writers have Lestat be... idk... more subtle? Like... let him be a villain. That's fine. But don't make him outright evil. Make him a grey character, not this black and white thing. Vampire shows have managed to create good villains in the past, villains who do bad things, but who aren't outright evil, so the viewers can watch and still root for them. Lestat is just pure evil, abusing someone he supposedly loves. There is no coming back from that. The gay couple is ruined. Lestat as a character is ruined. People tuned in BECAUSE of what we were promised, a great big love story. Lestat had MANY fans who will not be able to look at him in the same light. The writers completely jumped the shark.

[Quote]It's just that Lestat's viciousness in this episode is going to make it next to impossible to redeem him later on. Before, he was a manipulative asshole, but he could still have been a lovable rogue. Now, not so much.

Exactly! He was rude, manipulative and a "bad guy", but he wasn't evil. There's a difference. He wasn't vicious. He wasn't a domestic abuser. I don't see how they can come back from this. I have lost all hope. And yes, I knew the relationship would sour sooner or later. That is not why I'm upset. I'm upset because first, I didn't expect it to happen this fast (a big gay love story lasted how long... 2 or 3 episodes? wtf?!) and second, HOW it happened (why couldn't it have happened any other way than domestic abuse, ugh). Way to ruin a manipulative asshole character, someone viewers love to hate. Now they just hate him. Before viewers saw Lestat's manipulative assholeness as endearing and amusing. Well... not so much anymore. There is no coming back from this. Lestat as a character is dead. They might as well kill him off. The viewers can't root for him anymore, so what's the point?

I wouldn't give up hope yet, R336.

We do know that present-day Louis sees things differently and looks back at his relationship with Lestat with some fondness, so maybe there is going to be a reveal later on that re-contextualizes this scene. It would align with the books, at least, given that The Vampire Lestat re-contextualized a lot of IWTV.

I cannot understand the complaining about Claudia...she's an important character in the book. A book that was released in 1976...which none of you complaining cunts did not get around to reading. Lestat, Louis and Claudia's relationship are integral to this story...I'm looking forward to the story moving to France and introducing the French vampires. On another note didn't Lestat learn how to fly in the book 'The Vampire Lestat'? I found it strange that he was flying with Louis over New Orleans...Can anyone clarify?

[quote]On another note didn't Lestat learn how to fly in the book 'The Vampire Lestat'? I found it strange that he was flying with Louis over New Orleans...Can anyone clarify?

My guess is, in the original novels, Lestat had very little time between his own creation, his encounter with Akasha, and the creation of Louis. In this version, he's about 150 years old when he creates Louis--a lot of time to make the most of Akasha's blood and to learn the various Gifts at an accelerated rate.

[quote]People don't accept domestic abusers. Way to ruin a character!

[quote]Before, [Lestat] was a manipulative asshole, but he could still have been a lovable rogue. Now, not so much.

[quote]Exactly! [Lestat] was rude, manipulative and a "bad guy", but he wasn't evil.

You people are nuts. Lestat is a monster and he has been from the first time we saw him on screen. He revels in killing innocent human beings, often in the most debased manner possible. He turned the object of his fancy into an undead creature and ridicules him for not being as depraved as he is. He is evil, through and through.

[quote] I hope the rumors are true and they kill her off,

It's not a rumor. It's in the book. She gets a nanny, they go to Paris and the Teatre des Vampires kidnap them and lock them in a 'sun pit.'

It was very well done in the feature film. It'll probably be done wrong in this series.

Who's talking about rumors!!!!? Either you read the book or you didn't! Just admit your ignorance!! R319

Listening to the score, I think it really helps making the scene such a gut punch. Damn!

I'm convinced that the people harping on "domestic abuse" are all female FRAUS.

Most gay males don't even think about this shit. Not only that, but there's a very low incidence of domestic violence among gay male couples, so you cunts rambling on and on about this are VERY tedious.

This is not a fucking FRAU site. We are not Lestat and Louis shippers who are "devastated" that Lestat attacked Louis.

This is fucking FICTION, you stupid fucking FRAUS.

It's MAKE BELIEVE.

Get a fucking grip on yourselves.

[quote]I'm convinced that the people harping on "domestic abuse" are all female FRAUS.

Or, you know, we are all just normal, well-adjusted, compassionate gay men who are not afraid to call a spade a spade.

[quote]Or, you know, we are all just normal, well-adjusted, compassionate gay men who are not afraid to call a spade a spade.

Who are you calling a spade?

It’s been a long time since I’ve read the books, but don’t Louis and Claudia try to kill Lestat? Like, burn him alive or drain him of blood and throw him into a swamp or something? I haven’t seen the episode in question yet, but it sounds like the writers are trying to justify what Louis is going to do next.

Some of you bitches need to toughen up.

You sound like whiny women.

[quote] Claudia wasn't as bad as I thought.

Yeah, these queens just want gay porn. I am actually very interested in Claudia, she is fiery and has raging contempt for Lestat. Her character arc creates tension and uncertainty in a story we are all familiar with from the book. I am curious how her revenge will play out in the series.

[quote] You sound like whiny women.

Episode 5 was triggering. You know some of these gurls here have been knocked around. Domestic violence within same-sex relationships is very underreported.

This show is so good.

I noticed episodes 4 and 5 had ZERO gay kisses. I knew Claudia would cockblock them.

[Quote]Yeah, these queens just want gay porn.

Nope, I just want to watch gay love. I want a gay storyline, complete with gay love, which includes kissing and yes, even sex.

[Quote]Yeah, these queens just want gay porn.

No, we want a gay love story, like we were promised. Not this domestic abuse shit.

Love this show so far! Claudia has grown on me now that she's older, and I get where they were trying to go with her. Also liked Daniel not letting Louis push him around so much. Really curious to see what they're going to do with the Rashid character - mentioning the Crimea seems like a big hint in Armand's direction and I wonder if that area of the world will make another appearance. Here's to hoping because I love Armand.

[quote] No, we want a gay love story, like we were promised. Not this domestic abuse shit.

[quote] Nope, I just want to watch gay love. I want a gay storyline, complete with gay love, which includes kissing and yes, even sex.

I beg your pardon.

I never promised you a motherfucking ROSE GARDEN.

This show has inherited the fangirls who used to watch Supernatural

R357 It’s inevitable that this show will have a big female fanbase, given that it is a show thats primarily about a relationship.

I’ve also noticed that many of the show’s Black fans in particular are very protective of the Louis character, which is also another element of why episode 5 was so upsetting. Alongside domestic abuse, there are many historical reasons why it is painful to watch a Black person being beaten up by their white partner.

[quote] No, we want a gay love story, like we were promised.

They [bold]eat [/bold] people. They're [bold]vampires[/bold]. It's in the title.

It's interesting how people's sensibilities change. NBC's HANNIBAL went off the air 7 years ago and there are still people who romanticize Hannibal Lecter's and Will Graham's relationship despite during the series' run Hannibal made Will think he was crazy, framed him for murder, stabbed him and cut his head open. But Lestat beating up Louis is making people lose their minds.

Looks like there’s one hysterical Mary and maybe one other. Neither obviously read the books or they’d know Lestat is really a predatory monster. And it’s not as if *domestic abuse* doesn’t occur - it’s depicted on celluloid all the time. If you empathized with Lestat in any way and thought he was some hero, that’s on you. And to bring in the race thing is beyond ridiculous when Lestat fell for Louis in the first place. Like Julia Philips said when she wanted to make the movie in the 80s, IWTV isn’t about vampires pissing on each other. It’s not a gay love story. It’s vampires who brutalize. If you didn’t know or understand that, then please stop watching the show and quit posting your insane ranting. You sound stupid.

Of course, it's a series about people-eating vampires BUT, if the showrunners hadn't wanted to associate Lestat's and Louis' fight as one-sided domestic abuse, they wouldn't have framed it the way they did. It's disingenuous to say it's not domestic abuse because these are two monsters fighting, when it is clearly framed as such. And if you frame it like this, you cannot complain if people are upset and triggered by it.

Personally, my problem is not that I have been in similar situations or witnessed them. I also don't see them as an ideal couple, so it's not that I don't have the necessary distance to the characters. Still, the scene did something to me (maybe because I talked and talk to victims of domestic abuse in a professional capacity from time to time). Moreover, I'm just confused about the reasons why they would go there if they are obviously building towards a larger Vampire Chronicles universe. It's just not wise from a storytelling and business perspective, because it's going to trigger and alienate the audience.

*associate Lestat's and Louis' fight WITH one-sided domestic abuse

R362 - because Lestat is a monster. He’s not a superhero. He’s selfish and violent, the way he is in the books. Lestat and Louis also physically fight in IWTV, but Lestat is made by an ancient vampire and much stronger for it, plus he’s much older than Louis. Their strength comes from factors like that. Again, read the books and you’ll see this show may skew certain elements, but it stays true to the characters. You’ll likely also see what Louis and Claudia do to Lestat to escape him, which is violent, and which is probably coming up in the last episodes. And if this show triggers you so much, then seriously, stop watching. It’s not a love story.

[quote]And if this show triggers you so much, then seriously, stop watching. It’s not a love story.

Maybe there should have been a narrator at the beginning, a la 500 Days of Summer, to spell it out for the clueless: "This is a story of boy meets boy, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story."

[quote]Love the idiot on this thread defending domestic abuse.

There are a lot of damaged people on DL, unfortunately.

[quote]Of course LSA loved the episode

LSA has morphed into 4chan for black people. There's a whole lot of crazy there.

[quote]Some of you bitches need to toughen up.

This is what Rolin Jones said about Claudia's rape...that it "toughened her up". Rolin, is that you?

[quote] It's disingenuous to say it's not domestic abuse because these are two monsters fighting, when it is clearly framed as such.

The stans making this argument are well aware they're full of shit. Even someone with a basic set of interpretive skills can see the fight was portrayed as a classic domestic abuse incident, complete with Daddy claiming that Other Daddy MAKES him hurt him and the kid crying and begging Daddy to stop hitting Other Daddy. They just can't handle any criticism of the show. And there's a lot of space between the cartoonish, fully-expected horror of vampires killing victims and the much more personal, intimate violence between two people who are romantic partners. Nobody watching the show has killed victims for blood or been killed by vampires. But plenty of people have seen or experienced domestic abuse.

[quote]It’s not a love story.

Somebody tell the actors, then. Because they've said it is. Sam Reid even said that Louis is 'home' to Lestat. MARY!

[quote]If you empathized with Lestat in any way and thought he was some hero, that’s on you.

Anne Rice on Lestat, from a 2016 interview in Women's Wear Daily: "He’s the ideal hero to me and the ideal rebel. I love him. He’s my alter ego." And that's far from the only interview where she said that. It's obvious to anyone who's read the entire series that Rice regarded Lestat as the hero. Deal with it.

Fuck’s sakes, no one “loved” the domestic abuse. Lestat stalked and preyed upon Louis, and turned him by force because he wanted a companion, but more because he saw him as a possession. If you found ANY of that romantic, then you weren’t paying attention from the start what the story is about.

Who gives a fuck what Rice said, R367. Read what I spelled out at R368. Is that a hero?

I think some of you are looking for Twilight.

[quote] Nope, I just want to watch gay love. I want a gay storyline, complete with gay love, which includes kissing and yes, even sex.

That's not these books. Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles are horror novels with homoerotic overtones, not gay romance novels.

[quote] Fuck’s sakes, no one “loved” the domestic abuse. Lestat stalked and preyed upon Louis, and turned him by force because he wanted a companion, but more because he saw him as a possession. If you found ANY of that romantic, then you weren’t paying attention from the start what the story is about.

Thank you, R368. Completely agree.

I think some people on here refuse to interpret the scene as domestic violence because if they did they'd also have to think about their own life and their role as either a victim or an abuser.

It's okay, like you said it's just a show so you'll get over us having a different opinion.

Unclench.

[quote] I think some people on here refuse to interpret the scene as domestic violence because if they did they'd also have to think about their own life and their role as either a victim or an abuser.

The fact that you ONLY see people as a "victim" or "abuser" just shows that you are the only one obsessed with it.

You're like a right-wing Republican who only sees thing in black or white.

And you're obsessed with domestic violence, like most harpy shrew FRAUS are. You know, the ones with an AGENDA.

You have been told numerous times throughout this thread that these are CHARACTERS written in a FICTIONAL story about VAMPIRES.

NONE of which is real.

You're delusional, hyper political, and quite a bore.

Please go the fuck away and let the people who are not completely insane, have a nice discussion of this cable television show about fictional characters.

R374 Oh no, the unhinged caplocks queen is having a tantrum again!

Team Lestat for Ep. 5. Louis has always been a bit of drip. And he was insufferable about the "mistake". For years. I like the "mistake", Claudia.

I found the fight very moving because Lestat just laid in on the line to Louis. I found it "human".

Could someone explain to me why Lestat didn't dump Louis a few years after Claudia disappeared? I know, love, love. But their life turned so desperately glum, reflected in the trashed decor of their mansion.

So far episode 1 and episode 5 have been my favorites. But it needs more gay sex! Once an episode!

[Quote]It's just not wise from a storytelling and business perspective, because it's going to trigger and alienate the audience.

R362 Exactly. They have alienated a bunch of viewers and the numbers weren't that good to start with. It just wasn't a wise decision, at least not this soon. It's impossible to redeem Lestat now, a character people tuned in to watch. The viewers loved him. Well... not so much anymore.

[quote] It's impossible to redeem Lestat now, a character people tuned in to watch. The viewers loved him. Well... not so much anymore.

I believe you've repeated this exact line at least 20 times in this thread.

You're like a broken record. A dog with a bone. A lunatic with a diseased mind.

I have never witnessed what an insane fangurl really was, until I read through this thread.

Now I completely understand why UNHINGED FAN STANS are so hated throughout the internet.

You people really are unhinged.

R359 And you STILL don't get it. We know they are vampires. We know they kill people (well... Lestat does at least). That has nothing to do with them as a couple. Up until the fight they treated each other well. There was passive aggressiveness and some manipulation. They clearly had a toxic relationship. No doubt. But that was all it was. It was NEVER abusive, not physical anyway. They didn't have to go down the domestic abuse route. I'm disappointed. They could have done so much with Lestat as a character. He is ruined now.

R376 I think it's really just because he still loved him and hoped he'd come around. I understood Louis becoming depressed over losing his daughter but I also thought that Lestat would have been completely justified in leaving him because Louis completely ignored him for 7 long years. It just goes to show how much Lestat loves him to endure all that gloom and the constant criticism from Louis for that long. And if Claudia hadn't tried to take Louis away I'm sure Lestat would have kept waiting for him.

^^^^^^^^

Unhinged STAN has repeated it now for the 21st time.

[Quote]And if this show triggers you so much, then seriously, stop watching. It’s not a love story.

Then why the FUCK were we promised a beautiful gay love story like in ALL the promo they did? You know what, I will stop watching. This show clearly isn't for me. They lost me, and they lost a bunch of fans and as I said, the numbers weren't that great to begin with. No way in hell this show will last more than two seasons considering Louis and Lestat's relationship is why people tuned in to watch. With that gone people have no reason to watch anymore. They totally jumped the shark. And before you make up excuses like "but this is the story according to the book". So fucking what?! They have changed SO much, the century, the location... hell, vampires have sex now unlike the book. Why couldn't they have changed up the story a bit? They will have no viewers left after this.

I am impressed r381 could type that so coherently with his arm in a sling, a broken jaw and one eye swollen shut. That Percocet is doing the trick

R383 Mary! I didn't like the violence but I trust the writers know what they're doing with the story. And no, just because a buch of viewers were (rightfully) upset by the scene doesn't mean the show will get cancelled. They still have many, many viewers left. I'd suggest you at least finish the season before casting judgement since there are only 2 episodes left.

At this point I'm team Lestat. I don't give a fuck if he is a killer. He is more exciting than those boring shitheads Louis and Claudia. Boring, boring, boring. Claudia is an annoying brat. Louis deserved to get bashed by his lover who he had treated like shit for years, just because that annoying fugly Claudia ran away. I was rooting for that guy who raped her. She deserved it for being an annoying brat. The moment they kill off Lestat I'm done. As if I'm gonna watch a show with that whore Claudia and Louis the softie, who won't even kill and be a vampire. Lmao. How pathetic. Yup. Can't wait to see Louis eat more rats in season 2. It's gonna be great!

Lol R386.

R384 Your two eyes swollen shut prevent you from differenciating correctly between posters.

Try posting again after putting some ointment on them, would you?

R383: [quote] Then why the FUCK were we promised a beautiful gay love story like in ALL the promo they did? You know what, I will stop watching. This show clearly isn't for me. They lost me, and they lost a bunch of fans and as I said, the numbers weren't that great to begin with. No way in hell this show will last more than two seasons considering Louis and Lestat's relationship is why people tuned in to watch. With that gone people have no reason to watch anymore. They totally jumped the shark. And before you make up excuses like "but this is the story according to the book". So fucking what?! They have changed SO much, the century, the location... hell, vampires have sex now unlike the book. Why couldn't they have changed up the story a bit? They will have no viewers left after this.

Judge Millicent: "Thank you, MARY! You may now step down from the witness stand and return to your fainting couch."

R383 is hysterical!

Someone please slap her in the face.

HARD!

[Quote]but I also thought that Lestat would have been completely justified in leaving him because Louis completely ignored him for 7 long years.

Exactly. I'm 100 % team Lestat. I would be bitchy too if I had to share a home with a brat.

Cunts!

I am shocked! That sparkle pony viewers have a huge issue with vampire lovers beating each other up. It didn't even occur to me watching the episode to apply a human "domestic abuse" framework to this story. They have been gobbling down humans for episodes.

Vamps have regenerative powers. The idea that a violent fight between vamps must make sense in human terms is ridiculous.

No doubt half the complainers are "doll face thread" fans.

I'll stick with Anne Rice's original.

They could've just given this show another title and changed the characters' names, because it's so different from the source material.

And yes I know a faithful adaptation of the original story would just be way too problematic and controversial in this day and age. I get it. But this interpretation is really lacking imho.

[quote] [R188] and [R189] are both racists who missed this being the highest rated show for AMC in a long time.

This comment aged well. lol

[quote] They eat people. They're vampires.

No they don’t.

CANT GIT INTO IT...... SNOOZEY SCRIPT AND SO SO ACTORS..

The fraus and fangirls have really ruined this thread.

The contacts look cheap as shit. Claudia's are okay though.

{quote] Now the adults can enjoy the show without all of your whining.

You sound like the have the maturity of a middle schooler. Like all the "adults" who "enjoy the show."

You guys have it wrong that Louis was in love with Claudia. In the books, it was only ever parental love from Louis' end. Claudia did have some confused sexual feelings for Louis though, I vaguely remember a couple tense moments where it shows.

I never got why Louis was so irresistable to the larger than life characters like Lestat and Armand. He's handsome but so are the rest of them, plus he sulks all the time. It's been a few years since I've read though.

[quote] I never got why Louis was so irresistable to the larger than life characters like Lestat and Armand. He's handsome but so are the rest of them, plus he sulks all the time.

Tops are often suckers for whiny bottom bitches.

Louis always considered Claudia his "child." A child with the mentality of a spoiled, angry, willful, self absorbed woman. No doubt she came to have adult feelings towards Louis but could never be his companion in that respect because she would always remain a child of maybe five years. She would always need to be cared for by an adult vampire. That was a focal point in the novel; the fact that Claudia would always be stuck in the body of a SMALL child, not a teenager or preteen. The reader was supposed to feel compassion for poor bloodthirsty, murderous little Claudia but I found it very satisfying when she and her brainless, clingy new "mother" Madeline got burned to a crisp.

[quote] So far episode 1 and episode 5 have been my favorites. But it needs more gay sex! Once an episode!

Is this an institution of learning, or a teenage brothel???

R402 Lestat, about Louis (The Tale of the Body Thief):

His face, quite thin and finely drawn by nature, an exquisitely delicate face for all its obvious strength, was gorgeously flushed. He had hunted early, I’d missed it. I was for one second completely crushed.

Nevertheless it was tantalizing to see him so enlivened by the low throb of human blood. I could smell the blood too, which gave a curious dimension to being near him.

His beauty has always maddened me. I think I idealize him in my mind when I’m not with him; but then when I see him again I’m overcome.

Of course it was his beauty which drew me to him, in my first nights here in Louisiana, when it was a savage, lawless colony, and he was a reckless, drunken fool, gambling and picking fights in taverns, and doing what he could to bring about his own death. Well, he got what he thought he wanted, more or less.

Anne Rice was such a good writer, at least in her earlier works.

100 years old but looks like she's five. Claudia could be a DLer.

I hate that they aged Claudia up. Especially since the character doesn’t last to too long, they wouldn’t have even had to worry about the child actress hitting puberty in later seasons.

[quote]You guys have it wrong that Louis was in love with Claudia. In the books, it was only ever parental love from Louis' end.

They both have ambiguous, 'lover' feelings for each other mixed up with the parent-child relationship in the books. Both use the word lover to describe each other at different times.

[Quote]In the books, it was only ever parental love from Louis' end. Claudia did have some confused sexual feelings for Louis though, I vaguely remember a couple tense moments where it shows.

That is why I gathered from the show. Claudia wanted Louis, in a sexual way. Not in a parental way. That's why she manipulated Lestat. She knew what she was doing by pitting them against each other. Manipulative little bitch.

Its obvious in the series for anyone paying attention. She SCREAMS at them - which one of you is going to fuck me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

R377 Won't happen now. They introduced Claudia the cockblocker and since then they haven't been intimate. I knew it was an excuse to come between them.

At this point I'm sure Lestat has fucked Antoinette more than he has fucked Louis.

Don't blame Claudia, their relationship was dead long before she arrived. It's not her fault Louis is repulsed by Lestat.

[quote]I never got why Louis was so irresistable to the larger than life characters like Lestat and Armand. He's handsome but so are the rest of them, plus he sulks all the time.

In addition to what R406 posted, I think part of Louis' appeal is he is viewed as a very HUMAN vampire. He never really accepted his nature, he's melancholic and gentle and reserved. Humanity does it for vampires.

Interesting reaction again. I was surprised by this much sympathy for Lestat...

R414 No, it wasn't. In the episode she arrived we see Lestat climbing into Louis' coffin. I think that's why episode 5 was so triggering. We don't see enough of the apparant toxicity between them. We don't really see Lestat rejecting Louis or visa versa except that one scene with Antoinette. Everything is just implied. That's my problem with how it was handled. I blame Claudia. They spent too much time on her character when they should have explored Louis' and Lestat's relationship, toxic or not. I think if they made it clear Lestat had been abusive to Louis for years then maybe people would have reacted differently to the domestic abuse scene.

[quote] We don't see enough of the apparant toxicity between them.

The show made it clear that Lestat was emotionally abusive to Louis.

-Ambushed him at his brother's funeral going full Glenn Close with his "I will not be ignored" spiel about Louis not coming round.

-Downplays Louis' feelings concerning race issues that affect him (sighing, "This again." when Louis tells him that fledgling is like slave to him .)

-Laughs in Louis' face when Louis -obviously hurt about Antoinette- asks him is he not enough.

-Rages at Louis when Louis steps out with another man even though Lestat said he was fine with it.

Meanwhile Louis has always rubbed in Lestat's face that he will end up alone. Despite them building a life together he still keeps Leatat at arms length (I lost my family. I am going to lose the only thing I car about (the saloon). It's the only weapon in his arsenal to hurt Lestat and he has always wielded it

R417 - I think you should instead turn to Twilight. That, or read the fucking books so you know the background and can stop your incessant whining already. If you had, you’d know Claudia and Louis get revenge on Lestat. So, trigger warning, I guess - more violence to come… lest you run out of pearls to clutch.

gosh i remember anne rice signing books at a small bookstore in the castro in Frisco.....nice lady.

Back in the Gold Rush, when prospectors and coolies called it Frisco?

I loved the Charlie Manson needle drop and the end of the episode. I never heard it before. Do you think Manson will collect royalties?

When Manson was alive he couldn't profit from any royalties. With his death, his estate can receive royalties and any profits.

I wonder who is in Manson's estate? How strange to be part of it.

Manson had three biological children, which is quite chilling to think about.

Call me crazy but I really like Claudia. The actress is stunningly beautiful & I think she’s giving a good performance. I’m not a Lestat-Louis shipper, & am not a Lestat fan at all.

I am liking Claudia more and more too as she has matured.

[quote]Call me crazy but I really like Claudia.

Crazy!

[quote] Louis has always rubbed in Lestat's face that he will end up alone.

The point of Lestat’s entire existential story arc is that No-one and Nothing Saves, not even Love or a family. Lestat goes through centuries and travels the entire world looking for meaning and a place to rest his restless soul, and never finds it.

[quote] The actress is stunningly beautiful & I think she’s giving a good performance.

You must be her agent because she is neither of those things.

I would love to know what the actress who plays Claudia did to get fired after one season?

If this is true it would seem that Lestat and Claudia both die in the final episode.

^I guess you didn’t read the books…

[quote]and never finds it.

Have you read the last VC book, Blood Communion?

R431, we don't KNOW that Bailey Bass has been fired. We have a poster here claiming insider knowledge that the powers that be were unhappy with both her performance and her off-camera behavior, and that they expected Claudia would be recast, but this is the only place anyone is saying that. If true it's not surprising, but it has yet to be verified.

I read "Interview With The Vampire." I found it mildly interesting but quite dull. It did well though, so it spawned a sequel "The Vampire Lestat." Seems readers found him a lot more interesting than Louis, so Lestat starred in the sequel. But Lestat was the embodiment of evil, and you can't have a protagonist that's purely evil. So he was changed into a much more sympathetic, likable character. But what of his atrocious behavior in IWTV? Well, Lestat explains it this way: poor old Louis's depiction of events might have been the way HE saw it but it wasn't really what happened. Of course "The Vampire Lestat" did well and Anne Rice kept grinding out her florid tales of the enviable lives of blood sucking vampires until the day she died. But I never read another book of hers after IWTV. When I heard "The Vampire Lestat" featured Lestat as a rock star I thought it sounded really ridiculous. But I guess her diehard fans loved anything she did.

Okay, with a week to process episode 5, I've come to be okay with the domestic violence angle.

Also, episode 6 did well in recreating the ambiguity of Lestat; in a way, it reestablishes the likable qualities about him, while constantly reminding us of his ugly sides.

Finally, with the risk of being too cryptic: It's nice to see the rumors were true... I'm okay with this change. It's very different, but okay.

Pandora is a great book. It's a stand-alone Vampire novel about an ancient Roman woman who became a vampire and survives to the present day. Very entertaining.

R435 - they’re not “rumours”. It’s what happens in the books.

R435, what are you talking about? I meant the rumors about Rashid.

Don’t be cryptic. What rumors?

The rumors that Rashid is Armand.

We get a flashback how Daniel and Louis met in the bar in the 1970s. And Daniel remembers that 'Rashid' was there as well.

Why would Armand be so submissive to Louis though?

Cuz Armand likes that BBC.

I assume because Armand doesn't want to reveal himself to Daniel, R441.

Episode 5 was quite good.

It was actually very mellow until the ending.

And I absolutely loved the ending. It made complete sense in the context of what happened earlier.

The ending was DRAMA. It's what I love and expect from this show.

All you crybabies making such a big deal about "episode five" were totally over-reacting.

I'm glad I got to see it and decide for myself.

I loved episode five.

The sex scenes in episode 6 were hot af. Still don't get why Louis went back to Lestat though. Is he in love and love makes him blind? Because Lestat is still an abusive and cheating whore.

After watching episode five on AMC, it's clear that FRAUS, Shippers, and HYSTERICAL QUEENS should not be watching this show.

They're too delicate for an adult story like this.

why aint ther no hotties in it ?????

Jacob Anderson is very hot

"You're wondering what he tastes like."

"Get out of my head."

"Pineapples."

Haha that was such a gay reference. Guys eat pineapple to make their cum taste better.

Louis and Rashid are clearly fucking.

They should have cast a hotter actress as Antoinette if they wanted Lestat's preoccupation with her to be believable. He could do much better than that.

An interesting DEI take on the new IWTH

Oops IWTV not IWTH!

[quote] They're too delicate for an adult story like this.

You call THIS "an adult story?" What an imbecile you are. It's mindless entertainment for the mindless.

I just finished Episode 6 and I am loving IWTV. The decision to age Claudia has removed the potential unease that would have been present if she were in an 8 year old body. Lestat can menace her without creating viewer trauma. She also seems like she can be a worthy adversary for Lestat, what she lacks in physical strength she makes up for with intellect, cunning, deception and cold calculation -- he won't see it coming. Also, we see her character evolve from Louis' "daughter" to more of a sister and confidante, which would have been less plausible if the character were younger. The actress, Bailey Bass, is totally pulling it off. Her performance is getting stronger and more assured just as the character matures and becomes more assured.

I now know why it was renewed for Season 2 before Season 1 aired. The showrunner and the writers have made excellent choices. Still I don't know if this show will find an audience, many viewers will be repulsed or indifferent because the protagonist is Black, and I'm sure the boldly homosexual stuff will also turn off a lot of viewers.

[quote] what she lacks in physical strength she makes up for with intellect, cunning, deception and cold calculation -- he won't see it coming. Also, we see her character evolve from Louis' "daughter" to more of a sister and confidante, which would have been less plausible if the character were younger.

[quote] The actress, Bailey Bass, is totally pulling it off. Her performance is getting stronger and more assured just as the character matures and becomes more assured.

I could totally see this evolution in episode five, and this is precisely why Lestat got so angry with Louis.

So the scene with Lestat lashing out at him, made total sense.

He knew exactly what Claudia was doing, and that he was being out-maneuvered.

If the writers wanted to be completely honest, Lestat would have attacked Claudia.

But that really would have set the viewers off. So they made him attack Louis instead.

[quote] I now know why it was renewed for Season 2 before Season 1 aired. The showrunner and the writers have made excellent choices. Still I don't know if this show will find an audience, many viewers will be repulsed or indifferent because the protagonist is Black, and I'm sure the boldly homosexual stuff will also turn off a lot of viewers.

AMC is trying very hard to push this show.

In fact, they pushed "Talking Dead" back for one hour, so that the final episodes of Walking Dead would be the lead-in to Interview With the Vampire.

Chris Hardwick isn't happy about it, and you can tell by his facial expressions every time he has to make a plug for IWTV on his show. He mentions it at least five times per episode. "Here's a sneak preview of IWTV" or "Don't miss next week's IWTV."

AMC really wants to make it their next big show (which I applaud), but it just doesn't have the same audience as Walking Dead.

R455, is the same creative team behind the upcoming series about the Mayfair Witches?

[quote] is the same creative team behind the upcoming series about the Mayfair Witches?

Interview With the Vampire:

Created by Rolin Jones

Executive producers: Anne Rice, Christopher Rice, Rolin Jones, Alan Taylor, Mark Johnson

Producers" Adam O'Byrne, Jessica Held

Production companies: Gran Via Productions, Dwight Street Book Club

Mayfair Witches:

Created by Esta Spalding, Michelle Ashford

Executive producers: Esta Spalding, Michelle Ashford, Mark Johnson, Anne Rice, Christopher Rice

Production companies: AMC Studios, Gran Via Productions

Both series' have Mark Johnson and Gran Via Productions in common.

Not sure if that's good or bad.

Ratings are out for episode 5. They fell again after a small rise the week before. I guess the domestic violence controversy didn't help like they thought.

I’m gonna domestic violence on you, R460.

You're naive if you didn't think they hoped having a Twitter controversy would bump the numbers, r461.

R460 It's like a cheap, uninspired version of the glorious Father vs Son fight in Castlevania. This series is a mess. Such a wasted opportunity...

The first 2 episodes will finally be released in Norway on Tuesday. Yay! It will be avilable for streaming on TV2 Play.

no one truly cute is in it.....alas

Many think Jacob is hot

Spoilers for the finale, but... Louis definitely saved him on purpose, right? Beyond not burning the body, slitting his throat was a way to bleed out the poison.

They said decapitating was how you kill a vampire, nothing about a cut throat.

In the novel I think Louis said the only ways to kill a vampire were dismemberment, fire or sunlight.

R467 was tonight the finale on AMC?

R469 I have AMC+, you get an episode early

*on streaming

[quote] Spoilers for the finale, but... Louis definitely saved him on purpose, right? Beyond not burning the body, slitting his throat was a way to bleed out the poison.

I think the implication of the episode was that Louis is deluding himself about that, just as he's deluding himself about Armand being the love of his life. Possibly due to the manipulation of Armand as well.

He couldn't finish Lestat because subconsciously he loved him too much, despite everything. Daniel challenged him on this, and you could see the discomfort and cognitive dissonance written in Louis' face.

I'm pretty sure Louis and Lestat will end up together again eventually, like in the books, if the series continues long enough.

Tonight's episode was weird.

So Louis took Lestat back because of a recording? Ugh.

And it's quite clear to me that Louis is a total sap. He's being manipulated and controlled by both Lestat AND Claudia. It's like a competition and a battle of wills between them, to see who will win Louis' affection.

I do think that Claudia cares more for him than Lestat does. Claudia genuinely loves Louis, but Lestat just doesn't want to be alone.

Louis is such a bottom.. lol.

Wow! That was great! Just finished binging the first season Part I. Although Claudia is annoying AF and Daniel is off-putting, the beautiful Sam/Jacob chemistry, acting, story with changes, gay text (no more movie subtext crap!), gay sex (no more asexual crap!) and the Armand reveal at the end (love The Vampire Armand book) more than makes up for it! Glad I streamed AMC on Amazon. It was worth it. Looking forward to Part II.

[quote] So Louis took Lestat back because of a recording? Ugh.

He took him back because the recording made him jealous, and his desire to be Lestat's great love was greater than his feelings of anger, resentment and caution.

Can I just say that Sam Reid's body in episode six, looks absolutely amazing.

He is so damned sexy.

[quote]He took him back because the recording made him jealous, and his desire to be Lestat's great love was greater than his feelings of anger, resentment and caution.

And still wanted to act with Daniel as if it didn't affect him too much, calling Lestat's version inferior. Hoe, you made him re-record this song and kept it for like 80 years.

I thought I would hate this version of Claudia, but I am really loving this portrayal of her.

She is such a sympathetic and slightly complex character.

I couldn't stand Kirsten Dunst's shrill and whiny version of Claudia.

But this Claudia has so much depth and also a lot of heart.

I felt so sorry for her when she wanted to escape to Europe, but Lestat forced her back to New Orleans.

It was actually sadder (to me) than when Lestat beat the crap out of Louis.

I knew this show wouldn't have the balls to give us Rice's Armand. Yet another reimagined version. Sigh.

[quote]I knew this show wouldn't have the balls to give us Rice's Armand. Yet another reimagined version. Sigh.

This was clear when they aged up Claudia. Claudia in the series is about the age that Armand was turned in the books.

[quote] Claudia in the series is about the age that Armand was turned in the books.

Yikes!

Then Antonio Banderas was horribly miscast as Armand in the movie, because he looked older than both Lestat AND Louis.

[quote]Then Antonio Banderas was horribly miscast as Armand in the movie, because he looked older than both Lestat AND Louis.

Yeah, he was.

I checked again, Armand was 17 when turned, so older than Claudia in the series. My bad.

In the books, he's originally from Kyiv, has auburn hair, dark eyes, a beautiful body and face, and is supposed to look like a cupid from a Caravaggio painting.

[quote] Armand was 17 when turned, so older than Claudia in the series. My bad.

[quote] In the books, he's originally from Kyiv, has auburn hair, dark eyes, a beautiful body and face, and is supposed to look like a cupid from a Caravaggio painting.

Oh, my. Well, THIS is not THAT.

I don't know what the casting people were thinking.

Love the show.

Lestat was madly in love with Louis, or had severe codependency, trust and abandonment issues. He knew Louis would be miserable without Claudia, so that is why he dragged her back. Lestat always knew that he would go back to Louis, but he wasn't sure Louis would come back to him once he found someone else (like the military friend from Louis' teenage days).

Love Claudia, she's a great adversary for Lestat, playing and manipulating him. That would've been very difficult to execute with someone who looks like a five year old (viewers: Nah, not buying it!).

I am curious why Anne and Christopher Rice left the project? I think it's very well executed.

This is a plausible fan rendition of Armand from the books.

This was Armand in, "Queen of the Damned".

Looking back, it was kind of weird that Louis was feeding off of Rashid/Armand, which would make Louis stronger with Armand's powers, no? Was it just a ruse to test Daniel?

It's fiction you moron R18 not a historical event. VAMPIRES AREN'T REAL and fiction doesn't need race quotas.

I originally didn’t like the Claudia character or performance. But last night, both the character and actress were the highlight of the show!

Agreed, R490.

I know Claudia has her haters, but she really is a beautiful girl.

And her acting is spot-on, with what the story calls for.

She started out as a silly brat, but as her character aged, she has evolved into a conniving, intelligent, and formidable opponent to Lestat.

Interestingly, Louis is the weak one. I guess he always was the weak one.

Lestat saw it, and now Claudia sees it. They're both trying to control him, and I find it interesting that a dominant bisexual character and a young female character are fighting for the conflicted gay man's affection.

This story is 100x more complicated and interesting than the movie.

Particularly because of the gay love triangle/quadrangle (if you include Antoinette).

It's like a Mozart composition.

They kept the essence of Louis... everyone wants him to love them. Lestat, Claudia, Armand, etc.

For whatever reason, Louis is vampire catnip.

[quote] For whatever reason, Louis is vampire catnip.

He's a cute, submissive bottom, who wants to please people.

Everyone loves that.

Because he so wants to be human.

I don't think it's that, R494.

Louis was a troubled soul.

He was deeply closeted, until Lestat helped him to accept himself.

I think deep down, that's why he loves Lestat, no matter how abusive he is. Louis never would have been able to acknowledge his homosexuality, without Lestat.

Unfortunately, what came along with it was abuse, vampirism, manipulation, being controlled, loneliness, abandonment and rejection from his family, and ultimately the realization that he would never be happy.

In a perfect world, Louis and Lestat would be a happy gay couple. They could have potentially been happy together.

But Lestat is mean, violent, and a cheater. And he doesn't want to change.

That's why Louis said that they could live a 100 years or more, and still be miserable.

There's no happy outcome for them.

Claudia realizes it, and that's why she realizes Lestat has to die. And she wants Louis to realize it too.

[quote]I am curious why Anne and Christopher Rice left the project?

AMC doesn't want you to know, so they put Christopher Rice under a non-disclosure agreement. But it probably had something to do with them wanting the show to be more like the books instead of fanfiction.

[quote] Claudia is miscast, and the producers realized it- she was terrible in front and behind the camera.

If true, the Producers are wrong. Or maybe they found out, like the viewers, that the actress became more effective in each successive episode. She should be proud of her work on the show.

If that's the case R496, then I'm glad Christopher didn't have any input into this series.

Gay males are loving it precisely because of what it is.

Anne had a lot of input in the movie version, and I think it's inferior to the television series.

r498, I'm sure Tom did too.

[quote] In a perfect world, Louis and Lestat would be a happy gay couple. They could have potentially been happy together.

Lestat wanted a companion. He kept secrets from Louis (like being able to fly). He rolled his eyes at Louis and his attachment to his family.

In a perfect world, people in a relationship still could be their own person and grow individually. Lestat most certainly didn't want Louis to be his own person. He gave Louis toys to play with (the business, Claudia, etc.) but never wanted him to be his equal (keeping him in the dark about all the things vampires can do).

This thread stinks of vagina.

R500 I really don't want to stereotype, but do you think that's a typical "top/bottom" or "dom/submissive" relationship dynamic?

Because it sounds like one.

Also, Claudia took that dynamic and twisted it into a "master/slave" dynamic, which is really clever.

There are moments where I think Lestat is being sincere in his argument that he has "given them everything," but there are also moments when I see Claudia's point that "Massa let's us do this, or Massa gives us that."

It's so complicated and nuanced, which I think this show is articulating perfectly.

Hilariously, the only clueless person who doesn't realize what's going on, is Louis.

Jacob Anderson is portraying that cluelessness in a perfect way, as well.

I am getting so much more out of this series, than I got out of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt's performances in the movie.

Troll 6000. Sounds like a great horror film.

r502, he doesn't give them "everything", though. Both asked him to get rid of Antoinette, but instead he sets up a scheme, faking her death and turning her into a vampire, so she can listen in on their telepathic conversations.

Once Louis finds out that Lestat still visits Antoinette he shuts down and goes along with Claudia's plan, only to fall for Lestat again when they dance together. Most people don't want to admit it, but they are drawn to drama, betrayal, and humiliation because they believe they don't deserve any better. Lois' own family rejects him once they realize that he's gone to the dark side in more ways than one (criminal, gay, supernatural creature). Lestat welcomed him with open arms and for guys like Lois they believe nobody else will want to have them. Claudia was able to push him, but it wasn't enough to sever the bond between them for good.

Sorry, I meant ... but it wasn't enough to sever the bond between Lestat and Louis for good.

[quote] he doesn't give them "everything", though. Both asked him to get rid of Antoinette, but instead he sets up a scheme, faking her death and turning her into a vampire, so she can listen in on their telepathic conversations.

That's the point, though.

Lestat really BELIEVES that he is doing both Louis and Claudia some huge favor (which he isn't).

Lestat thinks he's some grand benefactor, and they should both be grateful.

That's why Claudia keeps taunting him with "Massa does this" and "Massa does that."

She knows that Lestat is just throwing them a bone, but Lestat thinks he is so generous.

Fucking OP!

This thread is really good.

What in the hell did you do to get tagged "TROLL 6000??"

R507 Put OP on ignore and have a look at his insane posting history.

Chances are you'll already have ignored a few of his other accounts too.

What an honor to be named TROLL 6000.

Congrats, op!

[quote] But this Claudia has so much depth and also a lot of heart.

"Depth? "A lot of heart?" You must be an idiot. She's a spoiled, self centered little twit; not much "depth" there. She's a greedy, remorseless killer; this little bitch has no "heart at all." Are you sure you're watching this series? Because Claudia is one of the most unsympathetic characters in existence.

[quote] I don't know what the casting people were thinking.

They were thinking "boy, people are really going to stampede to this this movie if Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Antonio Banderas are in it!"

By the way, the best performance in the movie version was by Stephen Rea as Santiago. Kirsten Dunst was also good n her role, Her Claudia was about six or seven years older than the the five year old Claudia in the book but at least she was still a child. Making her a snotty, rebellious teenager was a big mistake.

I thought the tiny child vampire Claudia in the novel was quite horrifying. She was described as maybe five years old with long flowing golden locks. Louis said "she was the most beautiful child I"'ve ever seen." A vampire child. She learns to play with her victims before she kills them; having them take her out to the doll shop or having them buy her a cup of cocoa before she drains their blood. SOunds pretty evil, doesn't she? Louis and Lestat love showing her off, dressing her in the latest child fashions and combing her long golden hair. Then the years pass and her mind matures even if her body doesn't. She finally demands to know how she came to be a vampire. Although it was both Louis and Lestat who created her (although it WAS Lestat's idea) she blames Lestat and tries to kill Lestat. She demands that Louis another vampire, a female (all the vampires have startling hair in black, red, or gold) who will be her companion since she sees how much Louis wants Armand. All in all, she has the mind of a furious, headstrong, indulged, demanding woman in the body of a five year old child, which is pretty grotesque. She's supposed to be sympathetic because the poor dear is trapped in a child's body, but I don't see how anyone could be sympathetic towards her. She's as abhorrent as Lestat, the supposedly "bad" one.

Claudia was inspired by Anne Rice's daughter Michele, who died at age 6 or leukemia. Claudia is always described as being a gorgeous, stunningly beautiful child, which I guess is Rice's view of Michele, but pictures of her show a rather ordinary looking blonde child.

Fun stuff. Nice finale.

How come some folks seem to be one episode ahead? I thought the finale is next week?

If you pay for AMC+ you can stream one episode ahead of TV release R513

R513, ignore the idiots who keep posting shit from future episodes.

They seem to think they're so special because they get to watch the show, a week ahead of everyone else.

Truthfully, they just come across as pathetic and insecure assholes.

Hi there fans. I'm the OP of this thread. I was stalked and hunted and accused of being someone I'm not by a deranged lunatic.

Welcome to DataLounge!

Antoinette's "reveal" via flashbacks as Lestat's spy was so hokey I had to laugh.

Intervention with the Vampire.......please.

[quote] Both asked him to get rid of Antoinette, but instead he sets up a scheme, faking her death and turning her into a vampire, so she can listen in on their telepathic conversations.

When was this revealed??

I guess I missed it, because I didn't even realize that Antoinette was turned into a vampire.

r520, I am terribly sorry, I guess I spoiled the finale you have not yet watched.

It's okay R521.

I don't mind spoilers.

I like knowing what's coming ahead of time, so I'm not shocked.

I actually like spoilers... lol.

R408, Claudia should really be the patron saint of DL: Youthfully old, petulant, horrible, selfish, destroyer of love, impossible to love, and insistent on being the center of attention at all times.

Claudia is a master manipulator throwing shade. She's a DL goddess for that alone.

I DESPISE Lestat! Never liked that character. Louis’ a sorry little bottom bitch for staying with him.

Louis has classic battered wife syndrome..lol.

Why is Louis so attractive to guys like Lestat and Armand?

Vampires, despite being romanticized (like in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight), are (sexual?) predators, and they single out vulnerable prey. Louis acts all tough, but is emotionally vulnerable and weak. Predators have a skill to sense those kinds of weaknesses in their prey.

New interview with Jacob and Sam.

They get asked why it was important to make the characters explicitely gay. Look how annoyed Sam Reid is by that question, he's definitely family and I'm glad he's not letting Hollywood influence his career choices.

I don’t normally like long hair on guys, but it works for Sam. I find him so sexy.

The hair is an improvement. I found him so bland before.

[quote]They get asked why it was important to make the characters explicitely gay. Look how annoyed Sam Reid is by that question

His huffy response would make Lestat proud. He is obviously fed up with people's complaints about the gay aspect of this series.

These Youtube "creators" are hate-watching this show because " we believe the original work is so wonderful that it must be defended."

He thinks that Louis will be the main character of all future shows because Lestat is a white oppressor.

She thinks there is no chemistry between the leads, and Jacob Anderson isn't even good looking.

She also wonders why the writers can't fathom friendship between two men and why did they have to make Nicki Lestat's lover?

He thinks the actress who plays Claudia looks "rough" for being 20 years old.

At some point they mention Lesat and Louie are "grooming" Claudia.

They also say that series creator Rolin Jones is creepy and has been "diddling kids."

In the video review for the season finale, she says that Christopher Rice "took the money and ran, and is now using it to write stupid, f*ggy, romance novels."

Charming!

^^Fuck them and their stupid, homophobic opinions

I thought it was a fantastic season. Gay as fuck.

R531 She has 134 views after 3 days. It doesn't mean her viewpoint isn't homophobic or toxic, it just means that no one is listening.

I grew up reading these books, and I loved this season. Well-written, fantastically acted, and gay as fuck.

I'm also a bit annoyed by the fandom. Actually, I pity them for being unable to evaluate the show on its own merits, instead obsessing over differences from the books.

Are they getting ready to film again?

Jacob and Sam seem to be in the same place.

R526 - Maybe, there is a part 2

meant for R536☝️

In today's Rotten Tomatoes IG Live Bailey was asked about returning for season 2. She acts like she is but their was something so general about her response as if she's hoping to return but doesn't know when. But if she weren't returning why would AMC continue having her promote the series.

R539. they are all still promoting the series as there is one more episode to go.

A Youtuber speculated they would get rid of Claudia sooner rather than later because Bailey will start to look more womanly and it will be difficult for her to play a 14 year old.

R540 Weren't the Glee kids like 30 during its prime? They looked it at least. Anyway, I doubt they're killing off Claudia for that reason.

I thought the latest episode is already the S1 finale? Is there another one?

Claudia dies after the Teatre des Vampires kidnap her. One of their show flyers was seen in a scrapbook in a Dubai scene.

They're going to Paris, where she dies. If they fuck with that story line from the book and film, fuck them.

[quote]I thought the latest episode is already the S1 finale? Is there another one? The finale has already aired on AMC+. Regular AMC viewers get it this Sunday.

IMO the actress and the Claudia character shine the most in the season finale. Thinking back, she did very well with what she was given. She played the bratty child (get out of my room!), the freak out of her mind being trapped in a child's body, and the scheming against Lestat perfectly.

[quote]She also wonders why the writers can't fathom friendship between two men and why did they have to make Nicki Lestat's lover?

Anne RIce made him Lestat's lover, but go on, girl.

[quote]A Youtuber speculated they would get rid of Claudia sooner rather than later because Bailey will start to look more womanly and it will be difficult for her to play a 14 year old.

Bailey already looks like a grownass woman by episode 6. That ship has sailed.

[quote]I pity them for being unable to evaluate the show on its own merits, instead obsessing over differences from the books.

If anything, there's less comparing the books to the show than there is in other adaptation fandoms because the TV fandom has been nasty as fuck to the book people. Look no further than the threads here.

So did Louis try to fuck the interviewer and the interviewer fled the room before anything could happen? I got that vibe from the bar scene and the conversations around that night..

Daniel Molloy is truly built different, because if I was asked to interview a guy I really wanted to fuck decades ago, and I know for a fact that he can read my mind and knows that I would still very much like to fuck not only him, but also his husband who happens to be able to read minds and knows how much I want to fuck him as well, I would simply throw myself off the balcony of their fancy ass penthouse out of mortification but hey that’s just me 😔

R548 Why are you quoting Tumblr without quotations marks?

Didn't the interviewer claim that he was only at the gay bar to score some good, high quality blow (as in drugs)?

I think he was there for drugs but he was down to fuck in lieu of payment since he was broke for a while. He seemed to be genuinely attracted to Louis in episode 6 though so he might actually be bi.

[quote] I think he was there for drugs but he was down to fuck in lieu of payment since he was broke for a while.

That's what I thought also.

Although he left it open ended, by saying "We'll see what happens."

I found it interesting that while in the movie, Louis got angry because Molloy wanted to be turned (in his youth), Louis was now offering to turn him (in his old age) so he could have more time with his family and also better health.

Young Molloy wanted to be turned, but Louis said no.

Then Louis wanted to turn older Molloy, but he said no.

It was an interesting turn of events.

The show got a 4 out of 6 by a Norwegian critic. I'd agree. First half of the season was good. I'd give the first half a 5 and the second half a 3. An average of 4 seems accurate.

Disrespectable to woke a fy such a classic.....very disappointed.

omg rae dawn chong old as fawk.

This season was very good. Every liberty they took with the story paid off. The series has far more tension than the book. Love it.

[quote] The series has far more tension than the book. Love it.

You mean it has far more SEX than the book, which is the cheapest device in the world. Very lame.

You're complaining about gay SEX on a gay website? Very odd.

The narrative had more tension. We knew what was going to happen but we didn't. Claudia is more formidable. Armand?! I didn't see his entrance coming. The sex was a distraction and the series would have succeeded without it.

Excellent season finale! That twist ending and character introduction was pretty awesome.

2 WOKE, NEEDS HOT MEN.

[quote] Claudia is more formidable

How's that? In the novel she was VERY formidable, which was a startling contrast to her appearance, which was that of a small child. In the novel she had the mind of an adult woman in a five year old body. In this thing she's not "formidable." She's just a smart mouthed, snotty teenager.

r562, Just like in the book and film, she was formidable enough to come up with the brilliant plan to fuck Lestat’s shit up. If it wasn’t for Louis’ sorry ass co-dependent domestic abuse PTSD, Lestat would be dead.

Did read the books, what's the significance of Armand?

^ *Didn't*

Armand is a vampire more powerful than Lestat...he traded up.

Extended trailer for season 2, which shows new cast member Ben Daniels as the vampire Santiago and Justin Kirk in an unnamed role.

I like the look of the new Claudia. That was a good teaser.

I don't know about that trailer at R567's link. Looks like they're veering way off the books and previous film but I could be wrong. Louis is not only black/creole, but now he's talking like a very modern African American doing inspirational speech shtick. He crying/sobbing in scenes, being mushy about a lot of things....it looks like it's a bit much. Louis is supposed to be brooding, strong, not easily forthcoming thus why the interview is so special. He's not supposed to be some emo mess, sitting on a sofa with his androgynous gay lover. It looks like Claudia isn't going to die in this version, so they'll keep her around, which is interesting perhaps, but there looks to be a lot of creative licensing taking place in that trailer.

No doubt we'll see a trans vampire or a Che Diaz character. They're throwing everything else at it, might as well blow it up while they're at it.