Click the picture to see my latest vlog about Lucifer!  Don't forget to let me know what you think!

I have loved Anne Rice's work since I first read Interview with The Vampire many years ago.  Fans have survived 2 movie adaptations, one more successfully done than the other, but neither really capturing the beauty and detail that the novel series provides. 

Fans have been waiting a long time for a true adaptation, one that focusses on the wonder that is Lestat, perhaps a feature for The Mayfair Witches, in fact being honest here, we would probably settle for just about any of her stories as long as they were done well.  

In 2018 it looked as though fans were finally going to get their wish as Hulu acquired the rights and talks of The Vampire Chronicles tv series flooded the internet and they even announced that season 1 would focus on the largely ignored "Vampire Lestat" novel and his emergence in the vampire world.  Then at the end of 2019 the rug was one more pulled out from under us we learned it had all fallen through and the rights were once again up for grabs. 

(You can read my full article about the previous cancellation here)

And now we have an announcement that AMC has purchased the rights. (You can read the full announcement on the official Vampire Chronicles Facebook page HERE  At this point I really want to get excited, but I don't think I have the energy left.  For at least 8 years (The Imagine acquisition for the rights of Tale of the Body Thief back in 2012 is the first I actively remember), we have been waiting on a new movie or even better a TV show.  There have been SO MANY acquisitions and promises at this point than until we have ACTUAL filming news including casting, and premiere date, this for me will remain in the "I will believe it when I see it" category. 

The short answer to what does it mean to the rights being purchased by AMC is that it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot.  It keeps hope in the fans hearts that perhaps it will happen, but color me as jaded as to whether this will come to fruition.  I would love to be wrong, but only time will tell. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Followers of mine will know that I am a HUGE Lucifer fan! Have been since the very beginning. I'm an admin for Morningstars group on Facebook (along with 2 other superfans), have cosplayed Maze on numberous occassions, and even interviewed Joe Henderson back before Season 2.  I was hugely involved with the #SaveLucifer campaign, I have Lucifer listed as a #MustWatch show on my site, and I could go on but I think you get the picture!

Over the last few weeks there have been an ever increasing number of articles talking about Lucifer Season 6.  It all started with TV Line - and many of the new articles quote their source as "TV Line" - but after much research I can tell you THERE IS OFFICIALLY NO WORD ABOUT SEASON 6 and I am SICK of clicking on things looking for actual news only to see the same speculation being rehashed by yet another source!

 Now that doesn't mean that a Season 6 might not actually be happening.  There are definitely games afoot based on tweets, and various other online shenanigans being launched, BUT THERE IS NOTHING OFFICIAL!!  

Until either Netflix, The Official Writers, or one of the Cast Members posts an OFFICIAL announcement, there is nothing but speculation out there.  Online outlets are just recircling rumors in the hope of getting attention.  Trust me, if anything is officially confirmed I will be ALL over it!

Feel free to share your thoughts below - or share this article which clearly states in the article what is going on - and help end the ClickBait!​

It appears the "Melanie Curse" has struck again.  No sooner do I convince someone to start a show - the Network pulls the plug.   SyFy announced today that The Magicians (which is currently 3/4 of the way through it's 5th season), will end with Season 5.  That means that the season finale scheduled for April 1st, will now serve as the series finale.

In reality 5 seasons for such a groundbreaking show is actually quite an achievement. That, and at least (according to an Interview with TV Insider that can be read here), the writers have gone into every season apart from season 4, knowing cancellation was an option, and have planned accordingly.  Fans can rest a little easier knowing that we won't be left with a major cliffhanger, although whether we will actually LIKE the ending remains to be seen.  Followers of my musings will know that endings and I are generally not friends!

And so we bid farewell to another of my favorites.  I suppose I should be grateful that we got as many episodes as we did, (Blood Drive, Deadly Class, Happy - I'm looking at you).  2020 does not seem to be a good year for my TV shows so far, and we only just started March!  Let me know what you think about this latest cancellation in the comments.  If you don't watch, I still recommend it (the first four seasons are streaming on Netflix) and I leave you with my two favorite scenes to date.  Yes they are songs, and no I don't feel like they are spoilers,  just click and enjoy - even if you never plan on watching the show! 

**YouTube Videos Courtesy of the official SyFY Channel.  No rights or claims of ownership by Melanie's Muses is inferred**

New Vlog!  Remember that Comments on the original YouTube Video are appreciated as well as comments here.  As I always say - Like, Comment, Subscribe, & Share!

Regular viewers and followers will know that despite my love of serial killers and general sci fi, I am a sucker for a great musical episode! Come to a live and just ask Greg (general hater of the sing and dance shenanigans in non song and dance shows) about it.  From Bollywood in Legends of Tomorrow, to 80's remixes in The Magicians, ever since Buffy did theirs, I am more than on board for musical interludes.

 The one thing better than random musical numbers or episodes? WHOLE SHOWS that bring the music, and NBC has been doing just that with one just ending, and one about to start!

Perfect Harmony is a quirkly little half hour comedy that just finished its 13 episode run on NBC (if you missed it you can catch it on Hulu or NBC on Demand.  Featuring  Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp you find an unlikely blend of a Harvard professor helping a southern church.  It is 100% feel good TV - like a mini Hallmark movie with feel good songs.  Be sure to watch for the hilarious alternate tv and movie titles from Reverand Jax (Rizwan Manji) whose missionary parents felt moral lessons were needed.  My favorites include Glee - "Being Gay Makes High School Hard"  .... And Heathers - "Girls Named Heather Go to Hell Together."

As of the time of writing the future for Perfect Harmony is still up in the air.  From everything I have seen I am not expecting news until probably mid season and at this point I am sticking with no news is good news.  With staple half hour comedies like the Good Place coming to and end - there is a perfect slot just waiting for it.  

***Trailer from the official NBC Youtube Channel - All Rights Reserved - No ownership implied from posting***

 The second show has aired the pilot, but now we have to wait until February for epsiode 2 (which is a little weird - but hey it looks like it is going to be worth it!)

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist follows Zoey (Jane Levy) after a strange incident involving music and an MRI machine.  Basically, she can now hear people's thought process and true emotions expressed in a song and dance routine that only she can see.   Yes there are things that you could dissect (Greg), and explain why this wouldn't work in the way it does (I mean I will give you that everyone joining in the song and dance routine with the SAME song in their head is a bit of a stretch), but I didn't care.   This was amazingly heartwarming, and definitely fun!  The pilot episode is now streaming on NBC on demand, Hulu, and even YouTube (as part of the official Zoey's Extrordinary Playlist channel).  Check out the trailer below and get some music in you, and as with everything I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on either or both of the shows.

***Trailer via the  official TV  Promo 360  Youtube Channel - All Rights Reserved - No ownership implied from posting***

New for 2020 Netflix has added a reality show that makes Big Brother look Old School in comparison!

Yes, yes, reality TV is terrible and we shouldn't encourage it *eye roll* but Big Brother has been a summer staple in this house for years but I think The Circle just became our new reality #MustWatch. 

Just like Big Brother these "guests" are on Camera 24/7 (although there are no live feeds - this is all pre-recorded and obviously edited for viewing entertainment), but the big twist here is that The Circle is basically played in a Social Media app!  There are no actual conversations, no seeing who you are talking to, everything is done via "The Circle" leaving text messages, status updates, and profile pictures to be interpreted - and we all know how THAT can go! 

Just like with real social media, the guests get to choose what they want to represent to the other players, and they can be as honest, or as fake as they want!  Some players are literally in there deliberately catfishing all in the hope that they will become the ultimate influencer and win $100K.  There are group chats, private messages, and my favorite - The Circle Games!  "Shooby will take random Blue Eyed stars for the win!" 

I think what makes this so addicting is that you KNOW that there are people on Facebook playing this exact game in real life RIGHT NOW!  So many communications are just messages in an app that being real has almost become an optional commodity.

With new episodes dropping weekly, unlike regularly scheduled Netflixing, not all episodes are available yet.  We don't know who will eventually be crowned the "Ultimate Influencer"​, but this journey is one that is way more entertaining than I expected. 

If you like Big Brother, you will LOVE this! If you aren't a reality show fan I would still say check this out anyway JUST because if you are on Social Media - which if you are reading this you must be - It's like a dose of Facebook on the big screen - with all the drama that comes with it! 

The Circle is currently streaming on Netflix (US).  New epsiodes every Wednesday.  Let me know if you are watching - or going to watch - You know this is going to be a topic on the next Facebook Live!

The Masked Singer has been a surprise hit for Fox, already having had 2 exciting seasons, and a UK Spin-Off which aired last week, but now reportedly we are going to be getting The Masked Dancer.​

Based on a segment from The Ellen Degeneres show last year, it is reported that Fox has greenlit the new show with Ellen signing on as a producer. Although no date has been officially set, it is expected to release as part of the 2020/2021 season. 

Whilst I personally have my doubts about how this would be successful for more than a quick novelty act, a scan of Ellen's official YouTube account shows that the videos there are extremely popular, with views in the millions, so I am sure Fox is hoping it will have another hit on its hands. 

Let me know what you think in the comments.  Will you be watching? I know Musers are huge Masked Singer fans - will we be needingMasked Dancer notebooks too? I guess time will tell. 

In the meantime here is one of the official EllenTube Masked Dancer Videos.

***Video is linked from Ellen's Official YouTube Channel - Melanie's Muses is sharing official content for fan amusement***

 The new Dracula series from Sherlock creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss dropped all 3 episodes on Netflix in the US today, having previously aired January 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the UK to mixed reviews. 

Being the avid vampire addict that I am, this is something I have been waiting for since the original announcement, but as always my question was "could it live up to the hype"?  Scroll down for my review of Episode 1 - with very limited spoilers!

The story of Dracula is so well known to vampire lovers, and has already seen so many incarnations, I was intrigued to see what approach Moffat and Gatiss would take.  They had already confirmed that the series would not be a modern day piece (unlike their Sherlock adaptation), and they promised a show that focussed on Dracula being the main focus, rather than the normal casting of him as the antagonist with much of the story focussing on Mina's story. 

As I start writing this, avoiding major spoilers is harder than I expected, but I can tell you that this is definitely a new take on the story.  I haven't read or seen anything using this version of story, although you can tell they have pulled heavily from Coppola's version for their early introduction of Dracula scenes. 

There is definitely an onlgoing thread of dark humor running through that you would expect from these creators, but the big surprise for me was Sister Agatha (Dolly Well)! She is definitely a welcome surprise addition and she steals the scenes with her dry commentary and no-nonsense attitude!   

Dracula himself (Claes Bang) does an admirable job (for the most part) in this first episode of bringing the expected Dracula feel, although the English accent that develops (although being explained), does at certain times when mixed with the dry one liners, remind me of an episode of Downton Abbey. (Watch for the scene where he is sitting in the convent as a prime example). 

Over all I give the first episode a solid 4 out of 5.  I will definitely be watching the remaining parts, but it didn't quite have that immediate #MustWatch feeling that other shows have had for me.  I wasn't disappointed - but I am not obsessing either. 

Are you going to watch? Have you already watched? I'd love to hear your spoiler free thoughts.  Check out the official trailer below - and then below that check out the 2 possible Easter Eggs I noticed on the first watch through!  (There may be more - let me know if you see any).

**Official Netflix Trailer - Shared From The Official Netflix YouTube Channel - No Content Included Is Owned Or Represented by Melanie's Muses**

 

Possible Easter Eggs I Noticed In Episode 1

Not sure if these are officially counted as Easter Eggs but mention is made of the barmaid at the Rose and Crown  (Clara Oswold from Doctor Who was a barmaid at the Rose and Crown. 

Mention of consulting with a detective in London.  Although Moffat and Gatiss have their Sherlock set in present day - I have to believe that was deliberate!