'True Blood': What You Need to Know to Watch Season 5

The vampires and werewolves are ready to rise again.

"True Blood's" fifth season starts on Sunday and, the teasers promise, "Everything’s at stake.” HBO's campy hit hopes to reignite viewers' interest by stalling some overdone storylines and introducing some new undeads and full-mooners.

And with Marnie and the witches out (as well as Sophie-Anne, Claudine, Tommy Mickens, Jesus, Nan, Marcus and Debbie Pelt), there’s ample room for some fresh meat.

In the first episode we meet prominent werewolf newcomers: powerful Martha (Marcus’ mother, played by Dale Dickey) and beautiful Rikki (Kelly Overton), out to avenge the murder of their packmaster.

Alexander Skarsgard's Eric gets some new friends in high places with the introduction of Nora (Lucy Griffiths), an agent of The Authority. And though he doesn’t make an appearance in the premiere, Scott Foley returns for part of the season as Terry Bellefleur’s former military buddy Patrick who wants answers to a lot of questions.

It’s been teased plenty that Dennis O’Hare is back as vampire Russell, and Christopher Meloni (left) is also joining the cast as Roman, an all powerful vampire of The Authority.

While neither is in the premiere, they’re going to be the major source of tension for our favorite vamps.

Speaking of favorite vamps, witches, werewolves and, yes, humans, here’s a recap of where we left off and what to expect with the other Bon Temps residents who had key roles in the finale:

SOOKIE

Where we left off: The ghost of Gran reminded her she’s better off alone -- so she simultaneously rejected both Eric and Bill. Last seen, she was in her kitchen, clutching Tara, who'd just been shot by Tara.

What to expect:  It’s time for Sooki to figure out things completely on her own -- without the men or Tara.  Alcide did say he loved her, so expect some quality sexual tension there all season. She hasn’t worked at Merlotte’s or used her fairy powers in ages, so it goes without saying she’ll be donning her signature apron and channeling fireballs soon.

ERIC/BILL

Where we left off: They were burning at the stake (naturally shirtless), but Sookie saved them -- and despite Bill's "blessing," rejected them both. 

What to expect:  After getting dumped and almost dying at the same time, a real bromance is brewing with these two. Between The Authority and Russell’s return, they will have their hands full this season.

JASON/JESSICA:

Where we left off: Jessica’s grown out of her innocent phase and is a full-on vampire, donning a sexy outfit and seducing Jason only to remind him it’s just sex. He thinks she’s coming back for more when he’s surprised at his front door by his former church cult leader Steve Newlin.

What to expect:  Teaser stills revealed Steve's back as a vampire -- but what does he want from Jason? Help? His six pack? Or just his blood? The first episode answers the initial question, but Steve won’t be gone that easy. With Sookie “over” Eric and Bill, expect the Jason/Jessica/Hoyt love triangle to be one of the main sources of sexual tension (and gratuitous sex scenes) for the season.

TARA

Where we left off: She was shot by Debbie in Sookie’s kitchen.

What to expect: Well, actress Rutina Wesley has confirmed she’s coming back for Season 5, but in what capacity is still unclear. It’d be a twist of irony if the one character who despises vampires the most had to become one herself … or since ghosts played a big role last scene, even if she “dies” all hope is not lost.

PAM

Where we left off: She’s pissed as hell at Sookie for the way she treats Eric but is determined to make up with him no matter what it takes.

What to expect: Series creator Alan Ball has revealed there will be flashbacks explaining her vampire origins this season -- it also will be revealed reveal why she feels so strongly about Eric as her maker. Also expect her much-needed comic relief to continue with enough witty one-liners to fill Facebook status updates and Twitter feeds for days.

As far as the others, Terry’s hiding a big secret about the fire, and Arlene is being visited and given ominous warnings from Rene’s ghost. Sam will do anything to protect Luna/Emma and even cover up the fact that Alcide murdered Marcus. Lafayette lost his boyfriend, his sister and had the demon beat out of him. He’s going to be a mess for a while.

Annie Lennox, Lulu 'in running for Voice UK second series'

Annie Lennox and Lulu are reportedly being targeted by the BBC as potential replacements for the Voice UK coaching panel.

Following a drop in ratings during the reality show's live shows, BBC One controller Danny Cohen is apparently considering making switches to the stars on the show, reports the Daily Mail.

Lulu - The singer, currently starring in Strictly Come Dancing, turns 63 on Thursday.

The Eurythmics singer has previously been outspoken about Simon Cowell's talent shows, but it is believed she could be tempted because of her relationship with record label Universal, who work with the show's winning act.

Lulu has previously worked with the BBC as a judge on reality series Just the Two of Us in 2006 and as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Mail piece claims that Jessie J may not return because of her rumoured frosty relationship with producers and Cohen. Meanwhile, Reggie Yates's role as co-host is also allegedly under threat.

Auditions details for the second series of The Voice UK were announced and released by the BBC yesterday (June 7), but the coaches are not expected to be confirmed until much later this year.

ABC's Attempt to Delay CBS' 'Glass House' Restraining Order Shot Down by Judge

It's crunch time for ABC and its upcoming "Big Brother"-like reality show "Glass House."

Federal judge Gary Feess shot down ABC's effort to delay CBS' temporary restraining order against "Glass House" on Friday, ruling that ABC has until 5 p.m. Monday to file any opposition to the restraining order.

Also read: CBS Asks Judge to Stop ABC's "Big Brother"-Like "Glass House" From Airing

CBS filed for its restraining order to block ABC from airing the series on Friday. ABC responded with an application to reschedule the briefing schedule and hearing on CBS's TRO application shortly thereafter.

However, Judge Feess sided with CBS.

Also read: CBS Sues ABC Over "Big Brother"-Like Reality Series

CBS sued ABC last month, claiming that "Glass House" bears a little too much resemblance to "Big Brother," noting that numerous former employers from "Big Brother" are working on the new series and suggesting that they used proprietary information to develop "Glass House."

In the suit, CBS is asking that ABC and the other defendants be enjoined from using CBS' confidential information and surrender all copyrighted material and trade secrets they may have. The network is also asking for $500,000 each from the former "Big Brother" employees for allegedly breaching their confidentiality agreements, plus undisclosed damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.

ABC has denied that "Glass House" is a copycat series.

"We believe there is no merit to this lawsuit," the network said in a statement provided to TheWrap last month. "The differences between 'Glass House' and 'Big Brother' are both fundamental and obvious, ranging from 'Glass House's' interactive elements and audience participation to its deployment of cutting edge technologies."

"Glass House" is scheduled to premiere on June 18. For now, anyway.

Luke Anderson's parents proud of son's Big Brother stint

Big Brother housemate Luke Anderson's parents have spoken of their pride at their son's decision to go into the Big Brother house and talk about being transgender.

Anderson, 31, has spoken to nearly all his fellow housemates about his switch from being a female to a male on the Channel 5 reality show.

Bill and Christine Anderson have told the Daily Star that they never had any issues with Luke's decision to have surgery and switch genders.

"I had lost a daughter - and a gorgeous-looking girl at that. But I had also gained another son and we both knew at last he was happy," said Bill.

"When you are a parent anything your child does, you love them unconditionally. You want the best for them and you carry that through."

Luke is not the first transgender Big Brother housemate. Nadia Almada, who went on to win the fifth series on Channel 4, was born a boy.

'Modern Family' Producer Abraham Higginbotham Strikes Overall Deal With 20th TV

Abraham Higginbotham, co-executive producer of "Modern Family," has struck a two-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, TheWrap has confirmed.

Under the pact, Higginbotham will be elevated to executive producer and will develop projects for 20th Century Fox TV, which produces the ABC hit.

Earlier this week, "Modern Family's" Jeff Richman received a similar deal with 20th Century Fox Television.

Higginbotham has been with "Modern Family" since 2010. His resume includes a stint as a co-executive producer on the Kelsey Grammer/Patricia Heaton comedy "Back to You" -- which, like "Modern Family," was created by Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd.

Henry Ian Cusick Not Returning to 'Scandal' for 2nd Season

Henry Ian Cusick is done being "Scandal"-ized.

"Lost" alum Cusick will not return to ABC's drama "Scandal" for its second season, TheWrap has confirmed.

On the Shonda Rhimes-created series -- which stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a former White House communications director who goes into private practice with a crisis-management firm -- Cusick played Stephen Finch, a womanizing employee of Pope's.

No word on how Finch's character will be handled -- or not handled -- in the show's second season.However, the show has elevated Joshua Malina -- who plays David Rosen on the series -- from recurring to regular cast member for the second season.

Cusick's upcoming projects include the upcoming thriller "The Girl on the Train" about a documentary filmmaker whose life takes a dramatic turn after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman.

Consumer Watchdog Urges FCC to Preserve Viewability Rule

Cable customers should not be forced to pay additional fees for the converter boxes that would be needed for them to continue receiving broadcast TV signals, if the FCC’s viewability rule is allowed to expire, the watchdog Consumers Union said Friday.

As TheWrap reported on Thursday, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski wants to eliminate the viewability rule -- a regulation that requires cable TV operators to ensure that all of their customers have access to local must-carry TV signals.

The chairman’s proposal came after pressure from broadcasters who feared that the regulation would expire as scheduled on June 12, hurting smaller independent and foreign-language stations.

Genachowski's proposal would instead phase out the regulations over six months. After that date, cable’s analog TV subscribers would have to use digital-to-analog converter boxes to continue receiving the broadcast TV must-carry signals.

Cable operators would be free to charge customers for the boxes, though the proposal suggests that the boxes be low-cost.

“Put simply, this proposal means higher cable bills for consumers,” said Parul Desai, Consumers Union policy counsel, in a statement.

“Consumers already face mounting cable bills, with many of them already paying monthly fees for their current cable boxes,” Desai said. “This proposal would just add to that, with no guidelines as to what ‘low-cost’ really means.”

The FCC had no immediate comment.

“Ending the viewability rule would threaten the financial viability of scores of local TV stations that are a source for the most diverse programming on television," said Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters, which wants the FCC to extend the viewability rule -- established in 2007 to ensure that all 58 million cable TV subscribers have access to local must-carry signals -- for another three years.

"But more importantly, it would reward Time Warner Cable and others for refusing to upgrade their systems from analog to digital," Wharton said. "Requiring millions of people to lease yet another box -- and pay yet another monthly cable fee -- can hardly be considered in the public interest.” 

Not everyone agreed.

“Continuing analog carriage of these must-carry channels will not benefit the vast majority of consumers who want that capacity used for high-definition, faster broadband, video on demand and other interactive services,” said Brian Dietz, a spokesman for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, which has been urging the FCC to let the viewability rule expire.

“Cable operators have made clear that they will continue to make available low-cost digital converter boxes so customers can view must-carry signals that are being provided only in digital format.”