CBS just announced its 2008-09 schedule with one glaring absence: "Moonlight." What are fans of the fanged persuasion going to watch now?

There are rumors the CW may step in to rescue the beleaguered series (which has a corporate connection to CBS), but it's a slim chance. It's happened before - "Roswell" aired on the WB and moved to UPN before cancellation and ABC just picked up NBC castoff "Scrubs" - so it could happen again. Oh, and what about "Jericho?" But maybe that's not a good example. It was canceled. Twice.

So what can a "Moonlight" fan do? Many have already poured their blood, sweat and tears into the show...literally. Fans organized a national blood drive earlier this year to show their support for the series. Should fans give more blood in the name of Mick St. John? Send blood samples to CBS? Wear blood vial necklaces circa Angelina Jolie in the late 90s?

Sigh. Another one is dusted, and there's little the fan can do. "Buffy," "Angel" and now "Moonlight" fans in need of their vampire fix must once again search for someplace else to quench their blood thirst.

The answer may very well be Alan Ball's upcoming series "True Blood" on HBO. Based on Charlaine Harris' "Southern Vampire" novels, "True Blood" is set in a small town in Louisiana. It's a humorous and horrific look at vampires and humans who are somehow able to coexist. The protagonist is a human named Sookie Stackhouse (played by Anna Paquin) who winds up falling for a vampire named Bill (Stephen Moyer).

It isn't Alex O'Loughlin lusting after Sophia Myles (or sharing blood with Jason Dohring...yowzers!), but it's something. And it will probably be good.

- Click here for a full look at the 2008-09 CBS schedule

Story by Noelle Talmon
Starpulse.com contributing writer