2 Hyperbolic Statements, 1 'Winds of Winter' Graph and a New 'Game of Thrones' Contract

By Cindy Davis | Game of Thrones | January 13, 2016 |

By Cindy Davis | Game of Thrones | January 13, 2016 |

Please tell me you heard that as it was intended, to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas? If you did indeed, I’ll share a few Game of Thrones tidbits; if not, GTFO.

Just kidding; I’ll give you the news regardless. Here we go.

Two Hyperbolic Statements:

1. Emilia Clarke Says Season 6 Has “The Biggest Moments on Television that have…

…EVER EXISTED.” Whoa. I’m sure that’s not an overstatement (and she must mean scripted, specifically), right? Sure, GoT has had a few unforgettable, unexpected, crazy scenes (as have shows like Outlander) but that’s a pretty high mark to hit. Don’t you think we’ll forget about this, Khaleesi. (*Note to commenters, let’s think about the biggest moments we’ve ever seen on television.) As for Jon Snow, all Clarke would say after a moment of thought is, “It’s gonna be big.” Okay, we got it. Big stuff is coming.

I did love her response to the question about those cringeworthy jokes Gervais made at the Golden Globes ceremony, and whether she preferred that to everyone just smiling and being happy.

“I’m British, darling, I’m always happy with uncomfortable moments.”

2. ABC Claims Its New Series Is a “Non-Dragon Game of Thrones.”

Apparently the broadcast networks are so desperate, an executive producer has claimed ABC’s new series Of Kings and Prophets (based on the biblical book of Samuel) is basically a ripoff of (arguably) the most watched show on television.

“We don’t view this as a revisionist history nor do we view it as a literal translation. We’ve sought to make the show modern…This is a non-dragon version of Game of Thrones.

It’s suspenseful. It’s extraordinarily violent. It’s sexual. And it’s a power struggle between two men.”

Is this a successful strategy? You might think that remains to be seen, but a peek at that trailer does not seem to support Chris Brancato’s (Narcos, Hannibal) declaration, despite the fact that when asked about the crew he said, “We have as many as Game of Thrones.” Oh, well that probably equates to viewers. Of the sex scenes said to be more graphic than what censors might allow, ABC’s entertainment chief said, “They’re really pushing the limits. We have high hopes.” Right. In a final comparison, when asked why the pilot was pushed off from its original premiere date, Brancato replied, “Game of Thrones tossed out its original pilot and started again, and we guess for much the same reason.” There you go, people. It’s exactly like GoT except, no dragons. Tune in March 8th.

One Winds of Winter Graph:

Surprise! According to Winds of Winter’s analysis of a Washington Post-created graph making the interweb rounds, George R. R. Martin isn’t actually late with The Winds of Winter. In a page-for-page comparison of other series authors’ works (J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling), Martin is right on track with the next Song of Ice and Fire installment; in fact, he could wait until next year to publish and still be in line with the other authors’ frequency. So, quitcher whining already! (I hope someone sent this to George.) Also, Tor breaks down how TWoW could be published within three months.

A New Game of Thrones Contract:

HBO Is Currently Negotiating Game of Thrones’ Final Two Seasons.

HBO programming president Michael Lombardo confirmed at the recent Television Critics Association Panel that seasons 7 and 8 are expected to be contracted, and that does not mean they intend to split the seventh in half, as some other series (Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos) did with their final seasons; HBO wants two complete seasons.

Game of Thrones sixth season premieres April 24th.

p.s. David Nutter has been nominated for a Directors Guild Award for “Mother’s Mercy,” and ***Spoilers at the link*** Sean Bean addressed a silly question about him returning as Ned Stark if a prequel series ever happens (hint: they may want to go with a younger actor).

(via Eonline, EW, Winter Is Coming)

Cindy Davis, (Twitter)