Rome (on HBO)

[waywyrd]

Originally Posted by prhoshay

Starting Monday, 12/26. at 8 p.m. the first season will be rerun in marathon (3 shows/night)

Excellent! I have all week off and a new DVD recorder...hee.

[Google]

 

[Critical]

A little news tidbit:

Italians give a thumbs down to 'Rome'

ROME, March 26 (UPI) -- Italian TV viewers are staying away in droves from the HBO/BBC series "Rome," it was reported Sunday.

As the second season of the lusty drama prepares to start filming at Rome's Cinecittà studios, a PG-version of the series' first season is airing on Rome's RAI2, Daily Variety reported Sunday.

Italian media blasted the watered-down version -- minus all nudity and violence -- and challenged the historical accuracy of the series, as well as its use of British actors to portray Romans.

"Watching British actors playing Romans rubs a lot of people the wrong way and prompted the press to find fault with the historical accuracy," an RIA spokesman told Variety.

So far, the epic has drawn a disappointing 10 percent audience share, only half the number of viewers who watched Woody Allen's 1983 comedy "Zelig" at the same time on the Mediaset channel, Variety said.

Filming of "Rome's" season two is scheduled to start April 10. The only major change leaked so far is Max Pirkis will not be back as Octavian, as the character will be aged.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.ph...6-072152-3921r

Whoever said that they would have to recast Octavian was right on. I'm disappointed because I really liked Max Pirkis in the role. He had really developed and matured over the course of the season. Hopefully, there will be no more recasts. Now we only have to wait, what? A year until the next season.

Also - no word from HBO about when the first season will be out on DVD

[PhoneGrrrl]

Awww, no Max Pirkis!?!? He was so good as Octavian. He had to have matured since the end of filming last season--it's been over a year. But, they've done such a good job with the casting (despite what that Italian article may say) they'll probably get someone equally as good.

HBO needs to hurry up with that DVD!

[Critical]

I know, PhoneGrrrl. I was really hoping they'd keep Max. By the end of the season he was SO good and had really started growing into being a man. I'm sure the new Octavian will be equally good because (you're right) the casting on this show is outstanding.

I'll admit to obsessively checking the official site several times a week hoping for the DVD release date to be announced. If they aren't going to release it for a while, they need to put the show back on OnDemand. I'm having to watch trailers on the official site to get my fix. That's just sad.

[prhoshay]

I, for one, said that Max wouldn't age that far in a year (she says, as she takes her bow!). I had also hoped that they would get him some weight training to possibly at least help him out! At any rate, he is going to be such a fine actor as he matures. He's such a joy to watch now, that can you imagine what's coming in his future?? Whew!

[waywyrd]

Aww, I thought Max was excellent as Octavian. I guess they really want to age the character. I can't wait til the second season!

I agree, HBO needs to get on the ball and release that DVD!

[Critical]

ITA waywyrd! I'm getting very impatient! I did some more looking last night and found people selling it on eBay. It must be released somewhere in Asia, because that's where most of the sellers were I checked Amazon UK and it's not going to be released there until (I think) mid-July - maybe the 26th. It was about $68 US after the Amazon discount (pushing $100 without the discount). SO - hopefully we'll be getting some info soon!

You were right, prhoshay! I was just hoping you wouldn't be! I love Max Pirkis, so I was hoping there was some way he could continue in the role. He definitely has a great career ahead of him

[Critical]

Filming for the second season is officially underway! I got the following email today from HBO:

ROME Begins Production of second season

HBO's epic drama series ROMESM has begun production on its ten-episode second season, it was announced by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. Filming of the new episodes will continue at Rome's Cinecitta Studios through next October, with debut set for 2007.

"This exciting series offers a spectacle unlike anything else on TV," noted Strauss. "The new episodes of ROME will go deeper into the intriguing characters and provocative storylines that made the first season a hit with critics and subscribers."

Chronicling the fall of a republic and the rise of an empire, the first season of ROME wrapped last December. TV Guide hailed it as a "feast for the eyes" and a "ripping good story," as well as a "shamelessly enjoyable historical romp," while the Washington Post described the series as "ravishing and wickedly shocking," and "a feast for the senses that includes generous portions of food for thought." In addition, ROME received two Golden Globe® nominations: Best Television Series - Drama and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama (Polly Walker).

[prhoshay]

I see they are still sticking to that 2007 air date. Thanks, Critical!

[Critical]

Originally Posted by prhoshay

I see they are still sticking to that 2007 air date. Thanks, Critical!

If they're filming until October and only doing 10 episodes, this show must take a HUGE amount of time to film and to put together in post production.

Hopefully, it will be early 2007