Get ready to see a lot more shows on TV with limited series runs. 

As networks showed off trailers for their big new fall shows this week, one thing was very clear: everyone wants its own "True Detective."

The HBO limited series starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson gained a lot of attention during its 8-episode run. Creator Nic  show was influenced by 1895 book "The King in Yellow." So it's no surprise others would want to try and duplicate by finding other works to adapt.

Here are the shows we noticed that felt all too familiar. 

ABC

"Secrets and Lies"

Stars: Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis
Adaptation of: Australian TV series "Secrets & Lies" 
Episodes: 10

Synopsis: "Ben Garner (Ryan Phillippe) is about to go from Good Samaritan to murder suspect, after he discovers the body of his neighbor's young son in the woods. As Detective Andrea Cornell (Juliette Lewis) digs for the truth, the secrets and lies of this town come to the surface and no one is above suspicion. Ben's family's life will be turned upside down as he sets out on a complicated journey to prove his innocence in this thriller mystery from Barbie Kligman ("Private Practice") based on the original Australian series of the same name." 

FOX

Fox is investing in two new shows with 10-episode formats.

"Gracepoint"

Stars: David Tennant ("Doctor Who") and Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad")
Adaptation of: British series "Broadchurch"
Episodes: 10

Synopsis: "A riveting mystery that follows the tragic death of a young boy, and the major police investigation and nationwide media frenzy that subsequently overtake a picturesque seaside town, where anyone is a suspect." 

"Wayward Pines"

Stars: Matt Dillon and Juliette Lewis and is from director M. Night Shyamalan
Adaptation of: "The Wayward Pines" series
Episodes: 10

Synopsis:"An intense, mind-bending 10-episode thriller starring Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon ("Crash") as a Secret Service agent on a mission to find two missing federal agents in the bucolic town of Wayward Pines, ID. Every step closer to the truth makes him question if he will ever get out of Wayward Pines alive."

CBS also has a new crime thriller "Stalker" coming to the network with Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott but it's not a limited series. Similarly, ABC will launch a show from "12 Years A Slave" screenwriter John Ridley in 2015 called "American Crime."

NBC was the only major network that didn't announce any sort of similar crime series. 

The influx of more limited series shows the influence that shows like "True Detective" and even Netflix's 13-episode rollouts of Emmy-winning political drama "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black" are having on network TV.

During a recent conference call for "24: Live Another Day," we noted how executive producer Manny Coto said one of the reasons "24" was returning as a limited series as opposed to a full season was in part due to the recent success of limited series shows like "Under the Dome."

ABC Studios chief Patrick Moran commented about the trend recently with The Hollywood Reporter.

"The limited event -- eventized [programming], the short-order, the close-ended, however it's described-- is clearly a big push everywhere, and it's [designed to] make these things as water-cooler as possible," said Moran. "There were very few shows that were announced that I think could even be the traditional 22 [episodes.]

Fox Broadcast chairman Kevin Reilly echoed those sentiments during this week's conference call when he said there isn't a standard number of episode orders for a show anymore.

SEE ALSO: Here are the 25 TV shows that just got cancelled

AND: Here are all of the TV shows that got saved for another season

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Break out your hashtags, Jessica Chastain has reportedly been offered the lead in True Detective Season 2. According to The Nerdist:

Recent rumors have stated series creator Nic Pizzolatto was seeking a female-driven cast for Season 2 of the hit HBO series, and now today, Nerdist has learned exclusively one of the names that may be on the bill in 2015: Jessica Chastain.

According to sources, the Zero Dark Thirty actress has been offered a leading role in the second season but has yet to accept. As for official confirmation, we reached out to representatives for Chastain, who have declined to comment at this time.

Between glowing reviews at Cannes, an upcoming Marilyn Monroe film, and that much anticipated Interstellar trailer, Chastain has had quite the busy couple of weeks. In fact, the actress couldn’t be busier. So will she be able to take time out of her schedule for HBO?

It couldn’t possibly hurt, Chastain has a lot of award chache and prestige, but has yet to break out into true household name stardom. An across the board hit like True Detective could put her on another level entirely.

And if HBO could wrangle Chastain and Brad Pitt (who is also rumored to have been offered a role) to be her partner? Well, that’s certainly one way to top McConaughey.

SEE ALSO: A Lot Of New Shows Are Trying To Copy The Success Of 'True Detective'

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While most TV shows these days have to find their audience, and don’t really start finding widespread acclaim until their second or even third seasons, True Detective exploded with people buzzing about “The Yellow King”, “Time is a flat circle”, and countless impressions of Matthew McConaughey‘s nihilistic Rust Cohle. 

It’s going to be a tough act to follow, and details have been scarce about season two.  All we’ve known thus far is that it’s about “hard women, bad men and the secret occult history of the United States transportation system.”

Now, a few more details have emerged.

On the To the Best of Our Knowledge podcast [via The Playlist], creator/writer/producer, Nic Pizzolatto said:

“Right now, we’re working with three leads. It takes place in California. Not Los Angeles, but some of the lesser known venues of California and we’re going to try to capture a certain psychosphere ambience of the place, much like we did with season one.”

Pizzolatto also reiterated that all of the characters are new, but added that the entire season is now broken out, he has a couple of scripts, “and we’ll probably start casting within the coming month.”

As we previously reported, Jessica Chastain won’t be in the cast, but I’m sure there are plenty of other talented actors clamoring to be part of HBO’s acclaimed series.  It’s worth noting that HBO hasn’t officially renewed the show for a second season, but that’s a formality at this point.  Presumably, they’re waiting to make the announcement until the cast is in place.

SEE ALSO: A Lot Of New Shows Are Trying To Copy The Success Of 'True Detective'

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Even though HBO hasn't officially renewed True Detective yet, there is still plenty we know about the seemingly-inevitable Season 2. 

Season 1 stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson will not be returning as Rust Cohle and Marty Hart, with the season to focus on a completely different case with a new cast of characters.

While we wait for any official news from HBO, Matthew McConaughey revealed in a new interview that he signed on to do the show because it was only a one-season commitment, but now he is open to coming back.

When asked if he was always just set to star in one, eight-episode season, Matthew McConaughey revealed he would not have signed on if HBO wanted to lock him in for two or three years.

However, after working with series creator Nic Pizzolatto and director Cary Fukunaga, both of whom wrote and directed all eight Season 1 episodes, the actor revealed he would be open to returning.

The actor also spoke about how the first two scripts drew him to sign on.

However, he was initially sought out to play the Marty Hart character, although he was more drawn to Rust Cohle, while discussing how the series felt like one, very long movie. 

While no cast members have been confirmed for Season 2, it has been rumored that Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain are being sought for roles. We also reported last month that Season 2 will feature three lead actors, and will be set in "lesser-known" areas of California. Nic Pizzolatto revealed in that report that casting will begin this month.

Would you like to see Matthew McConaughey come back as Rust Cohle in True Detective? Chime in with your thoughts below.

SEE ALSO: A Lot Of New Shows Are Trying To Copy The Success Of 'True Detective'

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When HBO eventually gets around to officially announcing that True Detective has been renewed for Season 2, it may be quite surprising to many fans, if only because there has already been plenty of talk about it thus far. Series creator Nic Pizzolatto is already writing the new episodes, which have been confirmed to be set in "lesser known areas" of California. The season will feature a whole new cast of characters, but beyond that, there is little else we do know about the season. With the anthology format that brings in a new cast and story line each season, much like FX's American Horror Story, the show could seemingly go on forever, right? It appears that might not actually be the case.

During an appearance at the Banff World Media Festival, Nic Pizzolatto revealed that he can't see the show running for more than three seasons, since he is writing every episode of the show and creating a whole new story line each season.

Of course, it's possible that the show could continue on past Season 3, although that may mean that Nic Pizzolatto would not write every episode or "be there every second." He also went on to shoot down the casting rumors that have surfaced lately, indicating that stars such as Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain may be up for roles. The executive producer revealed that he has only met with one actor thus far, but he does have a secret list of actors he wants for Season 2. 

He also shot down rumors that Season 2 would be a female-centric cast, although he did say that one of the leads is a female.

Contrary to a report from last month, Nic Pizzolatto revealed that there are actually four lead roles in Season 2, not three. He also revealed that the first two episodes of Season 2 are written, and that he has some vague ideas about Season 3. When asked whether or not he followed all of the social media buzz and fan theories during Season 1, the executive producer had this to say. 

We'll keep you posted when any official details for Season 2 of True Detective are revealed.

SEE ALSO: Matthew McConaughey Is Open To A 'True Detective' Return

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When Matthew McConaughey accepted the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Critics' Choice Awards for his role in "True Dectective," he addressed a question he — and probably many other big actors — get asked all the time: "Why did you make the move from film to TV?"

McConaughey said it was an easy answer. 

"Quality. Not only quality that specifically came out of ‘True Detective’ which was quality of the highest, but I’m talking about quality of television today," said McConaughey. "Television is raising the bar on the character-driven drama series. It just is."

"What other medium do you get to have that as actors and writers — that tasty act one which is all that character development that we love?" he continued. "You don’t get that anywhere else. Where else do you get to see that introduction to character so patiently unfold on the screen? ... Plus, you’ve got the weekly episodes. You’ve got the Monday-morning watercooler talk. You’ve got the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, whatever those days are, anticipation of seeing the next episode and I can’t wait to see it. That’s what television has given us as artists and that’s also what television has given us as audiences. I’d say thank you to that."

McConaughey joins a long list of actors who have boarded a television series in the past few years whether in a miniseries or a network series. Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton were a part of History's record-breaking 2012 miniseries, "Hatfields & McCoys," Ashton Kutcher boarded CBS' "Two and a Half Men," and Claire Danes leads Showtime's "Homeland." 

This summer, Halle Berry will appear as an astronaut on CBS' "Extant."

Watch McConaughey's speech below:

SEE ALSO: Why Sony Keeps Making Adam Sandler Movies

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True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto has confirmed that he is halfway through writing True Detective's Season 2 episodes, and that this new storyline will center on 4 lead characters as they traverse the lesser-known parts of California. No one has been cast just yet, and the plot may not revolve around the secret occult history of the transportation system as previously rumored.

Now an Emmy nominee for his writing work on True Detective Season 1, Nic Pizzolatto also hints that there may be multiple directors in the upcoming season. Cary Fukunaga, also nominated for an Emmy this morning, directed all 8 episodes of the first season by himself. Speaking with The Daily Beast shortly after the Emmy announcements were made, Nic Pizzolatto talked about the future of his hit show, a favorite amongst critics and audiences alike.

About the scripts, he offers an update on where he has landed in terms of the overall story.

When asked if the new episodes would focus on the U.S. transportation system, the creator got a little cagey,

In a previous interview, Nic Pizzolatto claimed that he had characters he loved and cared about as much as Rust and Marty, which nabbed both Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey Emmy nominations this morning. He goes onto talk about these new characters and how they've continued to evolve.

He then confirmed that there will be 4 lead roles,

Nic Pizzolatto refused to confirm if any of the new roles were women. Also commenting on the future of the show was HBO programming president Michael Lombardo, who claims that casting will be announced soon and that the first two scripts he's read for the new season far surpass previous episodes.

About that upcoming casting announcement, he had this to say,

As for the multiple director aspect of the show, one person being eyed to board True Detective Season 2 is The Exorcist and The French Connection director William Friedkin. He had this to say about the prospects of joining the series.

What do you think? Could True Detective Season 2 turn out to be better than the first?

SEE ALSO: HBO completely blew its chance to air "Breaking Bad"

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Yesterday, True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto revealed plenty of new information about Season 2, including the fact that it will feature 4 main leads. Today, it looks like one of those central characters will be portrayed by Colin Farrell.

Colin Farrell is currently in deep negotiations to portray one of the main characters, in a storyline that takes place in the lesser known areas of California. The story may also deal with the little known occult history of the U.S. transportation system, but Nic Pizzolatto doesn't want to confirm that just yet.

Colin Farrell will follow in the footsteps of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, who both earned Emmy nominations for their roles in True Detective Season 1. Colin Farrell will continue the HBO series' tradition of bringing in high caliber talent for just one 8 episode season. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain were previously rumored to be up for roles in True Detective Season 2, but that was never confirmed and said to be false by Nic Pizzolatto.

Speaking yesterday, Nic Pizzolatto did also confirm that True Detective Season 2 will have multiple directors, as opposed to Cary Fukunaga directing all of them, as he did for the first run of episodes. The Exorcist and The French Connection director William Friedkin will likely helm at least one of the new episodes.

HBO programming president Michael Lombardo also announced yesterday that the full cast would be revealed soon. So expect Colin Farrell to be officially confirmed sometime next week.

SEE ALSO: 'True Detective' May End After Season 3

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HBO's hit series "True Detective" will be going head-to-head with AMC's "Breaking Bad" at the Emmys this year.

Among its 12 nominations, the series received nods for both Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series.

While that sounds fair, both shows were incredibly talked about in the past year receiving high praise from critics and fans alike, some say it makes little sense for the HBO series to be sitting alongside "Breaking Bad" during its final season. 

Back in March, HBO announced "True Detective" would compete as a drama series. The news was met with surprise since the show fits the Emmys' definition of a miniseries. 

A miniseries is based on a single theme or story line, which is resolved within the piece. In a single awards year all of the parts must be presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision.

A miniseries consists of two or more episodes with a total running time of at least four
broadcast hours (at least 150 program minutes).

It also fits the definition of a drama series: 

Comedy and drama series are defined as programs with multiple episodes (minimum of six), where the majority of the running time of at least six of the total eligible episodes are primarily comedic for comedy series entries, or primarily dramatic for dramatic series entries, in which the ongoing theme, storyline and main characters are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision.

Since day one, it's been known "True Detective" would have a different cast and storyline every season. 

It's an unusual television format that FX's "American Horror Story" adopted when it first aired in 2011. It's also one that the network's new show "Fargo," nominated for 18 Emmys, also shares.

However, both of those shows are dueling it out in the TV movie/miniseries category.

What gives? Is HBO's drama getting special treatment?

Not exactly.

Vulture pointed out a closer read of the Emmy's rules shows exactly why "True Detective" never would have been put into the miniseries category unless producers went out of their way to receive permission to run in either category.

A limited-run series with a "created by" credit CANNOT enter as a miniseries
unless the producer for the limited run series applies for and receives entitlement to dual
qualification, i.e. qualification in more than one category, because of an affirmative
determination by the Awards Committee that the limited run series has elements of both
drama series and miniseries categories.

The jarring line there is the fact that any miniseries that conveniently has a "created by" credit can't be labeled a miniseries unless a petition is submitted.

It's a rule that has allowed "American Horror Story" to be nominated as a drama a miniseries after it lost to "Homeland" at the 2012 Golden Globes in the drama category. 

The move was met with a lot of backlash from critics who claimed the show thought it had a better chance of winning in the Outstanding TV movie or miniseries category. But honestly it seems kind of weird for a show with a revolving cast and storyline to receive the same treatment as longer dramas.

Vulture reports the only reason "Fargo" didn't have the same issue this year is because the FX series cleverly made the decision to phrase its credit as "created for television by" instead of "created by."

It's a very unclear and murky way for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to deal with the nomination categories for shows.

It's not just "True Detective" that was placed into a category that may not correctly define it. "Orange is the New Black" is being labeled as a comedy so it doesn't go up against fellow Netflix series "House of Cards." Showtime's "Shameless" is also in the category after being considered a drama for three years now that award-winning "30 Rock" is over.

What's worse is that we could very likely see "True Detective" in the miniseries category next year if there isn't as much buzz about season 2 and it doesn't want to go toe to toe with AMC's "Mad Men." 

The "created by" loophole, if you will call it this, allows HBO to take advantage of a brilliant opportunity to try and take down TV favorite "Breaking Bad" during its final Emmy run.

Think of the headlines if "True Detective" shut out "Breaking Bad" from the biggest awards of the night.

Yes, "True Detective" certainly has the legs to possibly upset the AMC show, but the bigger win for HBO may be knowing it beat out a show it passed on so many years ago all because an exec thought the series' premise was too boring during a pitch meeting. 

SEE ALSO: How HBO blew its chance to air "Breaking Bad"

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A few days ago the news hit that True Detective Season 2 was zeroing in on its leads (Colin Farrell is reportedly in talks to join the hit HBO series with Taylor Kitsch being in the mix for another role). 

The day before that creator Nic Pizzolatto revealed that there will be four central roles and William Friedkin claimed to be considering a directing gig on the series (Season 2 will have multiple directors, standing in contrast to Season 1 which was directed solely by Cary Fukunaga).

At the time Pizzolatto seemed reticent to discuss plot specifics, backing away from the rumor that Season would deal with the U.S. transportation system.  But now talk of that story angle has returned with a much greater degree of specificity.  There’s also a lot of new info in terms of the demons that will be haunting our protagonists.  Hit the jump for more on True Detective Season 2 plot rumors.

A source told Film Divider (via The Playlist):

“The new mystery is to be kickstarted by the murder of Ray Caspar, City Manager of a fictional Californian city.  From what I can gather, the new, partly invented map that Pizzolatto is drawing will be essential to his new story.  As he teased, some months ago, part of the mystery will involve California’s transportation systems. This plot will involve a corrupt scheme to link North and South California with a high speed train, all in pursuit of profitable land ownership and lucrative federal grants.”

Several people have alluded to similarities to Chinatown in regard to institutionalized corruption and I don’t disagree (nor am I bothered by it, I think the show has many,  many tricks up its sleeve).  The tortured protagonist angle isn’t going away either.  From the same report:

“I can tell you now that these would make up two corners of the series’ central triangle of investigators, two men and a woman from different Californian cities and their own distinct branches of the State’s law enforcement bodies, coming together to uncover a whole mess of corruption.

The third corner will be a woman, a character in her 30s.  She’s a Monterey Sheriff with – as you might well expect – trouble in her past and problems in her day-to-day. Her issues are with alcohol and gambling.

Farrell’s character has terrible problems with cocaine and anger management. The young guy, a member of the California Highway Patrol, has been suspended for sexually exploiting a young woman he pulled over.  Nobody is clean.”

Regardless of the veracity of these rumors, Pizzolatto has more than earned my trust.  I’d be looking forward to True Detective Season 2 even if it was set on the moon.

SEE ALSO: Colin Farrell Is In Talks To Star In 'True Detective' Season 2

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A few weeks ago, we reported that True Detective had begun casting by bringing on Colin Farrell in one of the four lead roles, and was eyeing Taylor Kitsch for another.

However, rumored plot details indicated that there are only three lead roles: Farrell’s character who suffers from cocaine addiction and anger management issues; a female sheriff who’s an alcoholic and addicted to gambling; and a young highway patrolman who was suspended for sexually exploiting a woman he pulled over.

In an attempt to reconcile these two stories, it could be that there’s a fourth character, but we don’t know have any details on him.  However, we do know that Vince Vaughn is in early talks to join True Detective Season 2.  [Update: Click here for new details including season 2 character breakdowns.]  

According to TV Line, Vaughn “is in preliminary talks to play one of the three leads,” although the story continues by noting that Pizzolatto says there will be “four central roles”.

Clearly, we’re still largely in the dark when it comes to the highly-anticipated second season.  There could be three leads and four central roles in the sense that in season one Maggie is a central role, but not a lead character.

Either way, Vaughn’s involvement in True Detective is an encouraging sign for his career because it means he probably won’t be playing his standard “Wise Guy Who’s not as Smart as He Thinks” character.  Additionally, he’s starring in the crime drama Term Life, which has the actor playing a criminal who takes out a life insurance policy on himself in order to provide for his daughter, but must stay alive long enough for the policy to take effect.

If Vaughn is looking to take his career in a fresh direction a la Matthew McConaughey, this could be a smart way to do it.

SEE ALSO: 'True Detective' May End After Season 3

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We learned earlier today that Vince Vaughn is in talks to star in True Detective season 2.  A new report from The Wrap surfaced tonight and suggests creator Nic Pizzolatto is close to firming up the rest of the cast.  Vaughn is in talks to play the central antagonist.  Colin Farrell is reportedly nearing a deal for the older male lead, while Taylor Kitsch is the frontrunner for the younger male lead.  Elizabeth Moss is under consideration for the female lead and Michelle Forbes is in contention for a key role.

The report also expanded on the previously reported True Detective season 2 plot details, provided character descriptions for the above roles, and mentioned a candidate to direct some episodes.  Hit the jump for more.

The Wrap offered this season 2 synopsis:

“The second season of True Detective will follow the death of Ben Caspar, the corrupt City Manager of a fictional California city who’s found brutally murdered amidst a potentially groundbreaking transportation deal that would forever change the freeway gridlock in California.  Three law enforcement officers from different cities and branches of the government are tasked with finding out who did it.  They soon discover their investigation has much broader and darker implications than they initially thought.

Caspar’s 52-year-old corpse is found on a lonely stretch of the PCH near Big Sur—his eye burned out, genitals cut off and satanic symbols etched on his chest.  It turns out he had a penchant for rough sex and may have been involved in the Occult.”

Although the casting isn’t official yet, here is the The Wrap’s rundown on the characters these five actors would play:

• Vince Vaughn – “Frank Semyon, a former thug turned businessman who’s working with a local Mayor and his political cohorts to spearhead the construction of a high-speed railway system that links southern California to northern California in order to reap financial gains from federal grants and land purchases.”
• Elizabeth Moss – “Ani Bezzerides, a tough, no-nonsense Monterrey sheriff whose troubled upbringing has driven her to gambling and alcohol.  She reports to Sheriff James O’Neil and Deputy Sheriff Marla Simenon, and her partner, Elvis Ilinca, may have a crush on her.  Ani also has both a hippie-type father who was absent when she was growing up, as well as a younger sister who isn’t afraid to show off her body.  She’s also looking into the disappearance of former classmate’s sister.”
• Colin Farrell – “Ray Velcoro, who has been damaged by years of turmoil in both his personal and professional lives.  A barely functioning coke-head with anger issues, he’s on Frank’s payroll and is battling his ex-wife for custody of their only son, Chad.”
• Taylor Kitsch - “Paul Woodrugh, a handsome, 28-year-old military veteran who has seen his own share of violence and destruction.  He’s a motorcycle California Highway Patrol officer who’s put on leave after soliciting oral sex from a beautiful girl he pulls over for drunk driving.  He reports to Commander Floyd Heschmeyer and has a Latino girlfriend he breaks up with when he’s assigned to the Caspar investigation.”
• Michelle Forbes - “It’s possible she could play either Farrell’s ex-wife (a survivor of sexual assault) or Vaughn’s charming but mercurial wife.”

Amid the season 1 acclaim, True Detective was criticized for weak female characters.  Moss is the perfect antidote, demonstrating in Mad Men and Top of the Lake her chops as a strong female lead in a boy’s club setting.  Forbes, too, would be a wonderful addition.  If this ends up being the cast, the men may have more star power, but the women are more talented.

The Wrap also mentions a rumor that HBO approached Andrew Dominik to direct some of True Detective season 2, but Dominik may be too busy preparing his Marilyn Monroe movie Blonde to join the fun.  In case Dominik does sign on, get to know the director through Evan’s in-depth look at his filmography.

For me, True Detective is much more about execution than plotting, but I invite you to dissect the new plot details to your heart’s content in the comments.

SEE ALSO: Vince Vaughn Reportedly In Talks For 'True Detective' Season 2

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Today is a good day to be angry at True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto. Not only have Pizzolatto's comments in a new Hollywood Reporter feature rightly enraged people on Twitter, but he's battling an extensive plagiarism accusation on another front. 

In Lacey Rose's Hollywood Reporter feature, Pizzolatto doubles down on his rejection of the criticism surrounding  True Detective's portrayal of women. Rose wrote that criticism, like Emily Nussbaum's essay "Cool Story, Bro,""incenses" Pizzolatto. 

But the first season, he argues, was conceived as a close point-of-view show, wholly told through the eyes and experiences of the two male characters. "You can either accept that about the show or not, but it's not a phony excuse," he says, unable to hide his frustration. He adds that he consulted his friend Callie Khouri on the matter: "When Callie, who wrote Thelma & Louise, thinks that that's stupid criticism, I'm inclined to take her opinion over someone with a Wi-Fi connection."

This isn't an unfamiliar stance for Pizzolatto. When asked about similar criticisms of the show in a recent Daily Beast interview, Pizzolatto said: "I think it affected me a little bit in my conception of Season 2, but then not at all. I realized I was listening to things I didn’t agree with and taking cues from the wrong places. I just put it out of my mind." Reporter Andrew Romano followed up by asking Pizzolatto what he meant by "taking cues from the wrong places." He said: "I mean that writing towards what I consider an insubstantial criticism isn’t a good way to create." 

But just as incensed as the criticism makes Pizzolatto, his easy dismissal of it has the same effect on those reading him. Reducing the New Yorker's television critic—(or for that matter any of the other intelligent people who analyzed the show's complicated relationship to its female characters)—to "someone with a Wi-Fi connection" is a bad look. So is the excuse that one wonderful female writer didn't see a problem with the characterization. Ultimately, his attitude is taking a toll on Pizzolatto's reputation, just as excitement ramps up for season two. 

And any remaining respect I had for Nic Pizzolatto just instantly evaporated. Wow.

— Jace Lacob (@televisionary) August 6, 2014

Mentioning that one female/LGBTQ/POC friend of yours who was cool with it...NEVER WORKS AS A DEFENSE http://t.co/BxSrgee5uZ

— christiana cuellar (@Hi_Christiana) August 6, 2014

Nic Pizzolatto, philbrosopher, refers to Emily Nussbaum as "someone with a Wi-Fi connection." My eyes break from rolling too hard.

— Max B. O'Connell (@thefilmtemple) August 6, 2014

The Hollywood Reporter comments come only shortly after Pizzolatto was accused of plagiarism in an extensive post on The Lovecraft eZine, an online magazine dedicated to H.P. Lovecraft. In the post Mike Davis interviews Jon Padgett ofThomas Ligotti Online about the striking similarities between Rust Cohle's ponderous speeches and Ligotti's work in The Conspiracy Against the Human Race. The similarities are most definitely there. Now Pizzolatto talked extensively about Ligotti and The Conspiracy Against the Human Race and its influence on the show in an interview with the Wall Street Journal's Michael Calia, who had already highlighted some of the similarities between Rust's ramblings and Ligotti's work. Padgett, however, argues there's a "behind the scenes" story going on as well. 

In this case, Pizzolatto has his defenders. Greg Cwik wrote on Criticwire that "contra Davis’ invidious article, plagiarism isn’t such a cut-and-dried matter. This isn’t a freshmen seminar on American Literature, and Pizzolatto isn’t just copy-and-pasting lines off of Wikipedia: It’s art, and art isn’t so straightforward." Meanwhile, Wil Wheaton tweeted: "That’s ludicrous. Cole is clearly influenced by Ligotti, so Pizzolatto had him use Ligotti’s words. Typical Gawker BS link bait." 

Either way, True Detective backlash is stronger than ever today, which should put Pizzolatto in an uncomfortable position heading into both the Emmys and the show's highly anticipated second season. 

SEE ALSO: Vince Vaughn Reportedly In Talks For 'True Detective' Season 2

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HBO and Nic Pizzolatto have responded to recent allegations that the writer and showrunner of “True Detective” plagiarized parts of his Emmy-nominated show.

“True Detective is a work of exceptional originality and the story, plot, characters and dialogue are that of Nic Pizzolatto,” HBO said in a statement.

The show has come under fire in recent days when horror fansiteThe Lovecraft E-Zine founder Mike Davis and Thomas Ligotti Online founder John Padgett published on Monday their evidence that themes and even dialogue from Pizzolatto's show bore too much similarity to the work of other writers, in particular Ligotti and his book “The Conspiracy Against the Human Race.”

But the network believes any similarities are broad or coincidental. “Philosophical concepts are free for anyone to use, including writers of fiction, and there have been many such examples in the past,” said HBO in a statement. “Exploring and engaging with ideas and themes that philosophers and novelists have wrestled with over time is one of the show's many strengths — we stand by the show, its writing and Nic Pizzolatto entirely.”

Also read: ‘True Detective’ Plot Details Emerge; Vince Vaughn in Talks, Elisabeth Moss Circling

Pizzolatto himself is adamant that there is no plagiarism, and names many influences for the show — though Ligotti is not one of them. “Nothing in the television show True Detective was plagiarized,” the show creator said in a statement. “The philosophical thoughts expressed by Rust Cohle do not represent any thought or idea unique to any one author; rather these are the philosophical tenets of a pessimistic, anti-natalist philosophy with an historic tradition including Arthur Schopenauer, Friedrich Nietzche, E.M. Cioran, and various other philosophers, all of whom express these ideas. As an autodidact pessimist, Cohle speaks toward that philosophy with erudition and in his own words. The ideas within this philosophy are certainly not exclusive to any writer.”

“True Detective” is nominated for 5 Emmy nominations for its first season, inclding Best Drama Series, two Best Actor nods for both Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, Best Writing for Pizzolatto and Best Directing for Cary Fukunaga.

A second season featuring a brand new cast and story is in development. As TheWrap reported, Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn and Taylor Kitsch are among the names in the mix.

The full statements from HBO and Pizzolatto can be seen below:

HBO Statement:
‘True Detective’ is a work of exceptional originality and the story, plot, characters and dialogue are that of Nic Pizzolatto. Philosophical concepts are free for anyone to use, including writers of fiction, and there have been many such examples in the past. Exploring and engaging with ideas and themes that philosophers and novelists have wrestled with over time is one of the show's many strengths — we stand by the show, its writing and Nic Pizzolatto entirely.

Nic Pizzolatto Statement:
Nothing in the television show ‘True Detective’ was plagiarized. The philosophical thoughts expressed by Rust Cohle do not represent any thought or idea unique to any one author; rather these are the philosophical tenets of a pessimistic, anti-natalist philosophy with an historic tradition including Arthur Schopenauer, Friedrich Nietzche, E.M. Cioran, and various other philosophers, all of whom express these ideas. As an autodidact pessimist, Cohle speaks toward that philosophy with erudition and in his own words. The ideas within this philosophy are certainly not exclusive to any writer.

SEE ALSO: 'True Detective' Creator Is Under Fire For Alleged Plagiarism And A Lack Of Female Characters

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The 66th annual Primetime Emmys are Monday, August 25.

If you're filling out a ballot, or if you can't remember who's nominated in the big categories, here's a quick look at who's slated to take home the Emmy gold.

We've consulted awards show predictor site Gold Derby's expert analysis for picks. Here are the numbers to help select the winners for the top categories.

So far, it looks like the final eight episodes of AMC's "Breaking Bad" are set to sweep the ceremony.

Outstanding Drama Series

"Breaking Bad" - 1/10
"True Detective" - 33/1
"Game of Thrones" - 50/1
"House of Cards" - 50/1
"Mad Men" - 100/1
"Downton Abbey" - 100/1

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

Matthew McConaughey ("True Detective") - 1/4
Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") - 11/2
Kevin Spacey ("House of Cards") - 50/1
Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") - 100/1
Woody Harrelson ("True Detective") - 100/1
Jeff Daniels ("The Newsroom") - 100/1

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife") - 10/9
Robin Wright ("House of Cards") - 19/10
Claire Danes ("Homeland") - 12/1
Kerry Washington ("Scandal") - 12/1
Lizzy Caplan ("Masters of Sex") - 100/1
Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey") - 100/1

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") - 2/3
Josh Charles ("The Good Wife") - 4/1
Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones") - 10/1
Jon Voight ("Ray Donovan") - 12/1
Mandy Patinkin ("Homeland") - 100/1
Jim Carter ("Downton Abbey") - 100/1

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad") - 1/4
Christine Baranski ("The Good Wife") - 10/1
Joanne Froggatt ("Downton Abbey") - 12/1
Maggie Smith ("Downton Abbey") - 50-1
Lena Headey ("Game of Thrones") - 100-1
Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men") - 100/1

Outstanding Comedy Series

"Orange is the New Black" - 3/2
"Modern Family" - 19/10
"Veep" - 11/2
"Louie" - 12/1
"The Big Bang Theory" - 50-1
"Silicon Valley" - 100/1 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory") - 10/9
Ricky Gervais ("Derek") - 4/1
Louis C.K. ("Louie") - 11/2
William H. Macy ("Shameless") - 11/2
Matt LeBlanc ("Episodes") - 100/1
Don Cheadle ("House of Lies") - 100/1

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep") - 2/11
Taylor Schilling ("Orange is the New Black") - 10/1
Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation") - 50/1
Melissa McCarthy ("Mike and Molly") - 50/1
Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie") - 50/1
Lena Dunham ("Girls") - 100/1 

Outstanding miniseries

"Fargo" - 1/10
"American Horror Story: Coven" - 33/1
"Luther" - 50/1
"The White Queen" - 50-1
"Treme" - 100/1
"Bonnie and Clyde" - 100/1

Those are only the top categories. You can view all of the odds here.

SEE ALSO: A ridiculous rule is allowing "True Detective" to go up against "Breaking Bad" at the Emmys

AND: Why this year's Emmys will air on a Monday night for the first time in nearly 40 years

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When the Emmys air Monday, HBO's hit series "True Detective" will go head-to-head with AMC's "Breaking Bad" in one of the closest races of the night.

The mystery crime thriller received a total of 12 nominations this year including nods for both Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series.

While that sounds fair, both shows were incredibly talked about in the past year receiving high praise from critics and fans alike, some say it makes little sense for the HBO series to be sitting alongside "Breaking Bad" during its final season. 

Back in March, HBO announced "True Detective" would compete as a drama series. The news was met with surprise since the show fits the Emmys' definition of a miniseries. 

A miniseries is based on a single theme or story line, which is resolved within the piece. In a single awards year all of the parts must be presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision.

A miniseries consists of two or more episodes with a total running time of at least four
broadcast hours (at least 150 program minutes).

However, it also fits the definition of a drama series: 

Comedy and drama series are defined as programs with multiple episodes (minimum of six), where the majority of the running time of at least six of the total eligible episodes are primarily comedic for comedy series entries, or primarily dramatic for dramatic series entries, in which the ongoing theme, storyline and main characters are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision.

Since day one, it's been known "True Detective" would have a different cast and storyline every season. 

It's an unusual television format that FX's "American Horror Story" adopted when it first aired in 2011. It's also one that the network's new show "Fargo," nominated for 18 Emmys, also shares.

However, both of those shows are dueling it out in the TV movie/miniseries category.

What gives? Is HBO's drama getting special treatment?

Not exactly.

Vulture pointed out a closer read of the Emmy's rules shows exactly why "True Detective" never would have been put into the miniseries category unless producers went out of their way to receive permission to run in either category.

A limited-run series with a "created by" credit CANNOT enter as a miniseries
unless the producer for the limited run series applies for and receives entitlement to dual
qualification, i.e. qualification in more than one category, because of an affirmative
determination by the Awards Committee that the limited run series has elements of both
drama series and miniseries categories.

The jarring line there is the fact that any miniseries that conveniently has a "created by" credit can't be labeled a miniseries unless a petition is submitted.

It's a rule that has allowed "American Horror Story" to be nominated first as a drama and later as a miniseries after it lost to "Homeland" at the 2012 Golden Globes in the drama category. 

The move was met with a lot of backlash from critics who claimed the show thought it had a better chance of winning in the Outstanding TV movie or miniseries category. But honestly it seems kind of weird for a show with a revolving cast and storyline to receive the same treatment as longer dramas.

Vulture reports the only reason "Fargo" didn't have the same issue this year is because the FX series cleverly made the decision to phrase its credit as "created for television by" instead of "created by."

It's a very unclear and murky way for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to deal with the nomination categories for shows.

It's not just "True Detective" that was placed into a category that may not correctly define it. "Orange is the New Black" is being labeled as a comedy so it doesn't go up against fellow Netflix series "House of Cards." Showtime's "Shameless" is also in the category after being considered a drama for three years now that award-winning "30 Rock" is over.

What's worse is that we could very likely see "True Detective" in the miniseries category next year if there isn't as much buzz about season 2 and it doesn't want to go toe to toe with AMC's "Mad Men." 

The "created by" loophole, if you will call it this, allows HBO to take advantage of a brilliant opportunity to try and take down TV favorite "Breaking Bad" during its final Emmy run.

Think of the headlines if "True Detective" shut out "Breaking Bad" from the biggest awards of the night.

Yes, "True Detective" certainly has the legs to possibly upset the AMC show, but the bigger win for HBO may be knowing it beat out a show it passed on so many years ago all because an exec thought the series' premise was too boring during a pitch meeting. 

SEE ALSO: How HBO blew its chance to air "Breaking Bad"

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While fans only have a few short days to find out if HBO's True Detective can take home the Best Drama Series award at the Emmys this Monday, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo confirmed at the Edinburgh TV Festival that Season 2 will start production in September for a Summer 2015 premiere, with casting to be announced shortly.

There have been a number of actors rumored to be in contention for various roles this season, including Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund and Vince Vaughn. Elisabeth Moss was also reportedly approached for a role, but she denied any involvement with the show earlier this month.

The story reportedly centers on the death of Ben Caspar, the corrupt city manager of a fictional California city. Colin Farrell is reportedly up for the role of Ray Velcro, a detective with issues in both his personal and professional lives. Taylor Kitsch's rumored role is 28-year-old detective Paul Woodrugh, who has seen plenty of destruction and violence. Vince Vaughn is in contention to play Frank Semyon, a businessman who is pushing for a high-speed light-rail system that will link Northern and Southern California. The role Elisabeth Moss was rumored for is Ani Bezzerides, the sheriff of Monterey who has issues with gambling and alcohol.

Of course, none of this has been confirmed yet, but if production is starting in September, hopefully we'll hear more concrete details soon.

Michael Lombardo also revealed he has read scripts for the first two Season 2 episodes, written by series creator Nic Pizzolatto, plus outlines for subsequent episodes. Here's what he had to say, revealing that the writing is even better than the first season.

The HBO executive also added that the show plans on employing "three or four directors" for Season 2, as opposed to Season 1 where Cary Fukunaga directed all eight episodes.

Michael Lombardo also talked about his history with creator Nic Pizzolatto, revealing it was one of the few shows he wanted to make right after reading the pilot.

SEE ALSO: A Ridiculous Rule Is Allowing 'True Detective' To Go Up Against 'Breaking Bad' At The Emmys

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Along with today's news that Justin Lin is in talks to direct two episodes of HBO's "True Detective," Variety reports that Rachel McAdams is vying for the female lead role alongside Elisabeth Moss.

While this is the first we're hearing about Rachel McAdams being in contention, Elisabeth Moss revealed last month that she had not been approached to star in the series, just days after a report revealed she was up for the female lead. However, a lot can change in one month, and it seems now that Elisabeth Moss is, in fact, in the running.

The role in question is, according to a July report, a sheriff from Montery, California who has a troubled past. Jessica Chastain was previously sought for the role in May, but she turned it down.

Variety also reports that Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn are currently in final negotiations for the other three lead roles. With shooting scheduled to begin later this month, these actors and the female lead should be confirmed very soon.

Rachel McAdams doesn't have a slew of TV experience, appearing in Canadian shows such as "Slings and Arrows" and "Earth: Final Conflict" before her movie career took off. Elisabeth Moss, on the other hand, returns for the final episodes of Mad Men next year. Would you rather see Rachel McAdams or Elisabeth Moss as the female lead on True Detective? Chime in with your thoughts below.

SEE ALSO: A Ridiculous Rule Is Allowing 'True Detective' To Go Up Against 'Breaking Bad' At The Emmys

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People have been itching for a standalone HBO Go service for some time now, hoping HBO would follow in the footsteps of Netflix.

Right now, the only way to get access to HBO's on-demand service HBO GO is through a cable subscription, but that could change sooner than you think.

At a recent investment conference, Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes hinted that a standalone HBO GO service was being "seriously considered" by the company, and that the idea was becoming "more viable, more interesting,"according to Quartz.

Considering there are now more Netflix subscribers than HBO subscribers, a shift to a HBO GO-only package would make a lot of sense.

The cord-cutting trend is becoming more and more viable, with many choosing to consume their media through Netflix, Apple TV, and other streaming services.

"We’re seriously considering what is the best way to deal with online distribution," said Bewkes, "but I don’t have anything to announce about it today."

So while it sounds like a direct-to-consumer HBO GO service could arrive soon, you'll still have to buy the Blu-Rays if you want to binge-watch "True Detective" and "Game of Thrones."

SEE ALSO: REPORT: Apple May Launch A Super-High-Resolution 5K Display This Year

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The rumors have been swirling for a while that Colin Farrell was in talks for True Detective Season 2, but now the actor has confirmed that we will indeed appear.  There’s still no official confirmation that Vince Vaughn will be appearing (or Taylor Kitsch for that matter), but now that this piece of info is firmed up I would expect some more official announcements in the coming weeks.

Season 2 of Nic Pizzolatto‘s show will reportedly take place in three different California cities with a plot that, to me, is beginning to resemble Chinatown via Zodiac in that it’s about land deals but also how different law enforcement agencies intersect with each other.  The casting news came with this semi-logline that this next stretch of episodes, “looks set to pick up on the vicious murder of a corrupt businessman found dead the night before he completes a deal.”  

Farrell told The Sunday World, “I’m doing the second series. I’m so excited.”  He then elaborated that the season would indeed be shooting within the “environs” of Los Angeles.    Apparently his character is named Ray Velcaro a man “who has been damaged by years of trauma in both his personal and professional lives.”

Vaughn is reportedly circling the role of Frank Semyon, “a former thug-turned-businessman, who’s wheeling and dealing gets him into some sticky situations.”  Interestingly enough, the World also reports that Elizabeth Moss and Rachel McAdams are up for the same part.  The show is due to start shooting soon, so I imaging they’ll need to work that out quickly.  It was previously reported that Justin Lin would be directing the first two episodes. Here’s hoping they can pull off eight episodes as singular as last year’s masterful outing.

SEE ALSO: A Lot Of New Shows Are Trying To Copy The Success Of 'True Detective'

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