After decades of lagging behind HBO in second place, Showtime — that other pay cable entertainment channel — finally believes it has the right kind of original programming that will give cable giant HBO a real challenge.
Showtime has decided to pull out two of its biggest guns this fall and will run the new season episodes of its highly acclaimed series’ “Dexter” and “Californication,” with superstar David Duchovny up against HBO’s new vampire drama “True Blood,” which stars “X-Men” alum Anna Paquin and the multi-Emmy winning “Entourage” which returns after a long hiatus.
Both channels step into the ring against each other beginning Sunday, September 28.
Does Showtime have a winning K.O. one-two punch this time? Viewers will decide.
No way.
HBO brought us Deadwood, Sopranos, Rome, Oz, Band of Brothers, The Wire...all *superb* dramas. What does Showtime have to compete?
HBO also just exercised the option they bought last year for George RR Martin's "Game of Thrones" novel (breaking news from yesterday's post on Martin's site). Granted, that's still a long way from the project actually going into production, but a step in the right direction. If they actually do one season per book for his work as the option news stated last year, its over.
HBO rules.