Are you fond of fantasy? A sucker for swords? Eager for English accents? Then tie up your doublet, pour some mead in a skin, and saddle your trusty steed (which probably looks a lot like a tattered old couch). On the first of April, cable network Starz introduces its newest original program Camelot, and on April 17, HBO unveils Game of Thrones.
Both programs are based on well-known properties and both tackle fantasy from an adult perspective, meaning you will see boobies. Camelot revisits the story of King Arthur, Merlin (played by a decidedly unbeardy Joseph Fiennes), and the other Knights of the Round Table; Game of Thrones is based on the booming Song of Fire and Ice novels by author George R.R. Martin.
Thankfully, both shows recently released promo videos to help you decide which one will win the bulk of your interest.
Let's start with Camelot:
And now the latest from Game of Thrones:
The premiere episode of Camelot is actually available online and on some on-demand services as a tease for the network to lure potential subscribers, but be warned (or excited!): It contains nudity and "strong sexual content." In related news, you should know that former Bond hottie Eva Green and Claire Forlani also star in the series.
Which show looks better to you?
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Weak acting, terrible Arthur, hope the show is cancelled soon enough. The only interesting angle is Merlin's story.
@Harawen - First of all, it is not "The Arthurian Legend" but the "Legend of Artyr Myrdn." I'm not sure what source you think is the only correct version of the story, but this so-called legend is almost always wrong no matter what modern source you reference. A couple thousand years before even Sir Thomas Mallory wrote "Le Morte d'Arthur" in 1485, there was an epic tale of Artyr Myrdn (Merlin) that had no Christians, grails nor castles named Camelot. Any modern version of this Arthur and Camelot story is going to be wrong--just enjoy it for what it is--a story in its own telling.Secondly, what we saw air on Starz was not the finished nor complete pilot episode. It was an early preview (aka "beta" aka "screening cut").
I have seen the first ep of Camelot and it is now set on my DVR, will see if it stays as good in later eps.
Game of Thrones looks so good, I can't wait!!!
Camelot wasnt very good. the first sceenes were so poorely cut I nearly stoped watching within 5min into the show. The actors are for the most part good enough, but the script and director is far from good enough and retelling ofthe arthurian legend is a big miss. There are a lot more material out there.actually, I think the show would be a tad better if they just changed all the names, the show is an spin on the arthurian legend and all attempts have their own take on it. I'll give this one a solid 2 out of 6. if the story picks up it could become a 3 but this will never turn into anything great.
From what I've seen until now Game of Thrones looks better to me...
sweetr, finally some cool shows again. looks amazing
Man I am so f***in psyched for GOT. I need something to get my Song of Ice and Fire fix until A Dance with Dragons comes out. Did I mention that I was beyond psyched?
Camelot actually aired Friday night after the Spartacus: GOTA finale.. it was alright. it will either turn out to be good or annoying.. maybe both at the same time. i just can't get behind Caius from Twilight as Arthur though.. just seems weird. I'm excited for GOT though
based on the videos above i think camelot looks better, i was disappointed in the game of thrones preview video i hope it's better than what was shown there.
I'll watch Camelot cos it's Merlin with US big bucks and that umphness you do so well and that UK shows are reluctant to embrace (whatever that means). And I'll watch Game of Thrones for Jeremy Irons. Oh yes, and for the boobies too :)
Saw the first episode of Camelot and it was actually really good! I was expecting it to be bland and boring, but was pleasantly surprised that i actually really like it!
I watched the first episode of Camelot mainly out of boredom, and I gotta admit its not as bad as I thought it would be. I know the story has been told a gazilion times before, but based on this pilot they did a pretty good job with this one, and its way edgier than Merlin... Still, you cant compare it to Game of Thrones!! I can't wait for that show to air.
I can't see either trailer either. I don't know if Camelot is really necessary. Merlin has already been dealing with the story for a couple years now. So either it will take a liberal approach like Merlin or it will try to stick to the story that everyone already knows. But I'll have to watch at least the pilot to tell how it will fare.
What the... :(Can't watch the Camelot trailer because apparently it's blocked in my country, and the Game of Thrones one is just a big blank space on the page. Not my day, apparently...
I'm not getting the Game of Thrones vid!