HBO

CHICAGO – Only two episodes into the second season of the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” and the network has seen enough to order up a third season of the show. After critical appeal from the first season and even more praise from the second season debut, HBO is ready to get behind the 1920s series for what could be a long ride.

CHICAGO – “Hung” returned for a third season this week and every year that program comes back, I think “Boy, I like Thomas Jane, maybe this is the year that this disappointing show turns around.” And, just like that program, every year that “Bored to Death” lands on my desk, I think “Boy, I like Jason Schwartzman, maybe this is the year that this disappointing show turns around.” And, just like “Hung,” I’m disappointed yet again.

CHICAGO – Why has television become the home for so many talented actresses? The sad fact is that Hollywood screenwriters aren’t writing many quality roles for actresses over forty and so you have incredibly gifted performers like Toni Collette, Laura Linney, and Jessica Lange turning to the writing on cable to find roles that challenge them. Will Dern find the same success in HBO’s “Enlightened”?

CHICAGO – We need more programming as ridiculously ambitious as HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” Not only does this Emmy award-winning program, returning tonight for its highly-anticipated second season, feature dozens of speaking roles and multiple subplots but it’s also the most uniquely stylish show on TV.

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have 10 admit-two passes up for grabs to the VIP advance-screening Chicago party for season two of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” starring Steve Buscemi!

CHICAGO – Foul play may be involved in the discovery of the body of an actor from one of HBO’s hit shows. Michael Showers, best known for his work in the HBO series “Treme,” was found dead yesterday morning in New Orleans. Showers was 45 years old.

CHICAGO – Fans that were excited for the possibility of a third “Sex and the City” film may be disappointed at the news the movie will be put on hold. However, the fix to see Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda could still be filled.

CHICAGO – The trend of vampire culture in movies and television seems to be continuing strong in the entertainment and pop culture world. The HBO hit series “True Blood,” which is currently on the air in its fourth season, has been renewed for a fifth season set to begin production later this year. The fifth season is scheduled to debut in the summer of 2012.

CHICAGO – HBO brought two of their most outgoing personalities to Blu-ray and DVD last week with the releases of “Eastbound & Down: The Complete Second Season” and “Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue.” Both are a step down from the best that these men have offered the comedy world but they also feature enough quality laughs for fans of Danny McBride and the controversial star of “30 Rock.”

CHICAGO – There have been a pair of fascinating feature films recently in which the lead character chose to combat evil by dressing like a caped crusader and fighting crime. It didn’t really work out too well for the leads in “Kick-Ass” or “Super” (which just-so-happens to come out on Blu-ray and tomorrow) but you may be surprised to learn that stories like these are not purely works of fiction. There actually are men and women going for what one calls “the real-life superhero experience” and their stories are chronicled in HBO’s documentary “Superheroes,” airing tonight, August 8th, 2011.