The Gay Actn Hero on Spartac is Back Tonight

Contents:

• THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK
• EXCLIVE: MEET "SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND"'S INTRIGUG NEW "GAY" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010/4:31 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010 / 4:31 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"EXCLIVE: MEET \"SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND\"'S INTRIGUG NEW \"GAY\" CHARACTER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}****WARNING*** THIS POST REVEALS THE INTY OF THE GAY CHARACTER THE NEW STARZ SERI SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND. STOP READG IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANYONE WHO KNOWS EVEN A LTLE ABOUT ANCIENT ROME, GREECE, ETC. KNOWS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS WERE AN TEGRAL PART OF THOSE SOCIETI. OF URSE, THAT DON'T MEAN HOLLYWOOD HASN'T UALLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT WHEN DOG MOVI OR SHOWS ABOUT THE ERA. THK RSELL CROWE'S GLADIATOR OR GERARD BUTLER'S 300 WHICH PECIALLY OOZED HOMOEROTICISM WHOUT ANY ACTUAL HOMOS. MEANWHILE HBO'S ROME CLUD SOME GIRL/GIRL PAIRGS BUT LEFT OUT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OBVLY, NOT EVERY ROMAN EPIC NEED HAVE "GAY" NTENT, BUT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WERE OCSNALLY CLIVE, NOT TO MENTN HISTORILLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORTUNATELY, BLE WORK STARZ IS ABOUT TO THE RERD STRAIGHT -- SO TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE FOURTH EPISO OF THE SEASON (BUTG JANUARY 22ND AT 10 PM) WE LEARN THAT THE CHARACTER OF BAR (ANTON TE MAHO), A GLADIATOR FIGHTG THE LUD (THK TRAG AMY) OWNED BY BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH), IS NOT ONLY "GAY" BUT HAS A RELATNSHIP WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHO AS BAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WE LEARN THE A PARTICULARLY ... VISUAL WAY. LET'S JT SAY 'S NOT SOMETHG SEEN TOO EQUENTLY ON AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO BAR'S FELLOW GLADIATORS FEEL ABOUT HAVG A "GAY" GLADIATOR THEIR MIDST? IS THERE SOME TYPE OF ROMAN "DON'T ASK/DON'T TELL" POLICY AT WORK? NOT THE LEAST. IN FACT, 'S A PLETE NON-ISSUE WHICH IS JT AS SHOULD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE IS HOW THE WORK SCRIB THE CHARACTER:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A BIG, HULKG BTE OF A MAN, AN TEEMED GLADIATOR AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BATIAT’S BODYGUARD AND SOMETIM H MAN, BAR IS SEND ONLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIX AT THE LUD. THOUGH POSSSED OF A TEMPER AND AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STATURE, HE TEMPERS THIS WH THE TENRNS HE SHOWS HIS LLECTN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BIRDS AND PIETROS, A SLAVE BOY. HE IS EE OF GUILE, LOYAL TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT SECRETLY P TO GA HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR ISN'T LIKE QUE LIKE ANY OTHER GAY CHARACTER YOU'VE SEEN ON TELEVISN BEFORE. NOT ONLY IS HE TOUGH AS NAILS (HE'S NICKNAMED THE BUTCHER OF CARTHAGE FOR HIS FEATS ON THE BATTLEFIELD), BUT HE'S ALSO KD OF AN ARROGANT, FOUL-MOUTHED JERK WHO, AT LEAST SO FAR, IS NOT ON THE SI OF SPARTAC (ANDY WHFIELD). AND THAT'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'RE ALL ABOUT GAY VISIBILY HERE AT AND THAT CLUS GAY CHARACTERS OF ALL STRIP. HAVG A CHARACTER LIKE BAR NOT ONLY ADDS TO THE DIVERSY TO THE TV LANDSPE, BUT UNTERS STEREOTYP THAT A GLADIATOR CHARACTER ULDN'T BE "GAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BY THE WAY, I KEEP PUTTG THE WORD "GAY" QUOT BEE ANCIENT CULTUR LIKE ROME AND GREECE DIDN'T THK ABOUT SEXUALY THE WAY WE DO. THERE WASN'T REALLY AN IA OF "GAY" OR "STRAIGHT" THE WAY WE THK OF THEM. INSTEAD WAS MUCH MORE ABOUT POWER AND BEG DOMANT VERS BEG SUBMISSIVE. WHICH ISN'T TO SAY THAT TWO MEN ULDN'T LOVE EACH OTHER THE WAY TWO STRAIGHT PEOPLE WOULD.  HOPEFULLY, SPARTAC WILL MUNITE THAT SI OF THGS AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS FOR THE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE SHOW SHOW, WE'LL HAVE A FULL REVIEW THE WEEK BUTS AND WE HAVE AN TERVIEW G UP WH LUCY LAWLS WHO PLAYS LUCRETIA. BUT HAVG SEEN THE FIRST FOUR EPISOS, I N SAY THAT IF YOU ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF ANCIENT ROME AND GLADIATORS, THE SERI NOT ONLY LOOKS AMAZG, BUT IS VERY WELL-ACTED. AS LONG AS YOU N GET PAST THE GORE, 'S FELY A THUMBS UP OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND DID I MENTN ALL OF THE GLADIATOR EYE-NDY? CHECK OUT ON THE NEXT PAGE!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE THE RT OF THE MEN YOU'LL BE GETTG AN EYEFUL OF. AND I DO MEAN AN EYEFUL! FOR THOSE TERTED THE SORTS OF THGS, I DON'T THK WE'VE HAD THIS MUCH MALE NUDY ON TELEVISN SCE HBO'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDY WHFIELD AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BEN AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JAI COURTNEY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NICK E. TARABAY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL THE GAY CHARACTER THE SUBJECT LE OF ANY MENTS YOU MAKE! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• WILL "SPARTAC" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009/9:05 AMBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009 / 9:05 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WILL \"SPARTAC\" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG LAST JANUARY'S TCA PRS TOUR, I CHATTED WH STEVEN S. DEKNIGHT, THE HEADWRER FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WHO TOLD ME THAT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW STARZ SERI HAD YET TO YET SHOOT A SGLE SCENE, ST A SGLE ACTOR, OR EVEN WRE A PAGE OF THE SCRIPT, THE SHOW WOULD FELY CLU "GAY" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR , BUT AS MY MOTHER-L-AW ED TO WISELY SAY, "THERE'S MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP." WHILE I WAS HOPEFUL THAT DEKNIGHT WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH, I WAS ALSO WELL AWARE THAT MORE THAN ONE GAY CHARACTER HAS FAILED TO MAKE OUT OF THE WRER'S HEAD AND ONTO OUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OUR OWN BRENT HARTGER RECENTLY TALKED WH ROB TAPERT, SPARTAC' EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (AND THE CREATOR OF THE MUCH BELOVED XENA: WARRR PRCS) ABOUT THE SHOW, AND TAPERT NFIRMED THAT SPARTAC, CURRENTLY SHOOTG NEW ZEALAND, WILL ED CLU A GAY CHARACTER. WHEN PRSED FOR TAILS, TAPERT CLAMMED UP WHICH MEANS 'S TIME FOR TO PLAY ANOTHER ROUND OF "GUS THE GAY CHARACTER!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST, SOME MORE ABOUT THE SHOW WHICH TAPERT PROMIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST REALISTIC PORTRAYALS EVER SEEN OF GLADIATOR LIFE. WHICH I TRANSLATE AS "SCE WE'RE ON PREMIUM BLE, WE N BE AS SEXUALLY AND VLENTLY GRAPHIC AS WE LIKE." THAT ULD BE TERTG, PECIALLY PENDG ON WHO THE GAY CHARACTER(S) ARE AND THE FACT THAT STARZ IS SPENDG TWO LN DOLLARS PER EPISO. THERE IS BOTH SER TALENT AND MONEY VOLVED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PART OF WHAT MAK THE ROMAN ERA SO TERTG IS THAT THEIR CULTURE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SEXUALY. HISTORIANS BELIEVE THERE WASN'T REALLY A "GAY" INTY AS WE KNOW NOW, BUT NOHELS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS EXISTED. OFTEN WHAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GENR OF THE PERSON ONE SLEPT WH WAS THE STAT AND PERCEIVED POWER OF YOUR BEDMATE -- AND WHO DID WHAT TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHO ARE THE NDIDAT FOR OUR GAY CHARACTER? WHAT FOLLOWS IS A LIST OF EACH CHARACTER AND THE ACTOR WHO PLAYS THEM. AT THE END, I'LL BRIEFLY DISCS WHAT PAIRGS I THK ARE LIKELY, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, ETC. THEN YOU N GO FOR !{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ATRALIAN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD (GABRIEL) STARS AS SPARTAC, THE THRACIAN SOLDIER PTURED, TURNED SLAVE AND FORCED TO FIGHT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARTAC EVENTUALLY WDS UP THE PROPERTY OF BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH) AND HIS WIFE LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) WHO N A GLADIATOR TRAG MP AND ARE UNTG ON SPARTAC TO RTORE THEIR FALLEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH WILL PLAY DOCTORE, BATIAT' MOST TTED AND LOYAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BENT IS CRIX, THE TOP GLADIATOR AT THE MP AND A LIKELY RIVAL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHA PLAYS BAR, BATIAT' BODYGUARD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER HAS THE ROLE OF GLABER, A ROMAN LEGATE (GENERAL) WHO BLAM SPARTAC FOR THE FAILURE OF HIS ARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FALLY, NICK E. TARABY PLAYS ASHUR, A FORMER GLADIATOR WHO IS NOW A "BOOKIE" WORKG AT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME PRETTY TERTG SCENARS, NO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN TERVIEW WH , DEKNIGHT SAID, "THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THE SEXUALY OF THE TIM, WAS VERY DIFFERENT KD OF SEXUAL FEELG, PARTICULARLY WH THE SLAVE CLASS WHERE WAS PLETELY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SEX WH YOUR SLAV, EVEN SI A MARRIAGE. USUALLY WAS FE FOR A MAN TO HAVE SEX WH FEMALE SLAV AND SOMETIM THE MALE SLAV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GIVEN THAT MENT AND DEKNIGHT'S OTHER OBSERVATNS ABOUT POWER DICTATG WHO IS SUBMISSIVE AND WHO IS DOMANT, I'M THKG WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN BATIAT AND ONE OF HIS SLAV/GLADIATORS. I DOUBT ANYTHG WILL HAPPEN WH SPARTAC AND ANOTHER MALE. THIS MIGHT BE STARZ, BUT I DOUBT EVEN THEY WILL BE THAT EDGY -- THOUGH I'D LOVE TO EAT MY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT I ULD SEE SOMETHG HAPPENG BETWEEN BATIAT AND DOCTORE, OR BATIAT AND CRIX. FRANKLY, I ULD ALSO SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN A UPLE OF THE GLADIATORS, SAY CRIX AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATURALLY, 'S ALSO EASY TO SEE GLABER HAVG A RELATNSHIP WH A FELLOW SOLDIER, THOUGH I'D RATHER BE WH A ST REGULAR AND NOT SOMETHG SIAR TO PRCE JACK ON KGS WHERE HE HAD A RELATNSHIP, BUT WE NEVER REALLY GOT TO SEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ENTIRE SET-UP SEEMS RIFE WH POTENTIAL AND I ACTUALLY HAVE A FAIR B OF FAH DEKNIGHT AND TAPERT, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WA UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTNS AND/OR WISH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985
• FANTASY AND SCI-FI BOOKS WH GAY YOUNG ADULT PROTAGONISTS

THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK

The seri quickly unfold to an trigug tale of power, honor, vengeance, and romance -- romance which clus the love story that began last season between two gay rebel warrrs, Agron (played by Dan Ferriegel) and Nasir (Pana Hema-Taylor). On Starz, hunky Dan Ferriegel tells about his preparatn for scen between his character and Nasir, survivg the show's tense physil trag regimen, and playg one of TV's first gay actn 'd been workg as an actor Atralia for a few years before landg the role of Agron Spartac.

EXCLIVE: MEET "SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND"'S INTRIGUG NEW "GAY" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010/4:31 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJANUARY 4, 2010 / 4:31 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"EXCLIVE: MEET \"SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND\"'S INTRIGUG NEW \"GAY\" CHARACTER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-01-04T21:31:23.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}****WARNING*** THIS POST REVEALS THE INTY OF THE GAY CHARACTER THE NEW STARZ SERI SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND. STOP READG IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANYONE WHO KNOWS EVEN A LTLE ABOUT ANCIENT ROME, GREECE, ETC. KNOWS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS WERE AN TEGRAL PART OF THOSE SOCIETI. OF URSE, THAT DON'T MEAN HOLLYWOOD HASN'T UALLY CHOSEN TO IGNORE THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT WHEN DOG MOVI OR SHOWS ABOUT THE ERA. THK RSELL CROWE'S GLADIATOR OR GERARD BUTLER'S 300 WHICH PECIALLY OOZED HOMOEROTICISM WHOUT ANY ACTUAL HOMOS. MEANWHILE HBO'S ROME CLUD SOME GIRL/GIRL PAIRGS BUT LEFT OUT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OBVLY, NOT EVERY ROMAN EPIC NEED HAVE "GAY" NTENT, BUT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WERE OCSNALLY CLIVE, NOT TO MENTN HISTORILLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORTUNATELY, BLE WORK STARZ IS ABOUT TO THE RERD STRAIGHT -- SO TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE FOURTH EPISO OF THE SEASON (BUTG JANUARY 22ND AT 10 PM) WE LEARN THAT THE CHARACTER OF BAR (ANTON TE MAHO), A GLADIATOR FIGHTG THE LUD (THK TRAG AMY) OWNED BY BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH), IS NOT ONLY "GAY" BUT HAS A RELATNSHIP WH A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHO AS BAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WE LEARN THE A PARTICULARLY ... VISUAL WAY. LET'S JT SAY 'S NOT SOMETHG SEEN TOO EQUENTLY ON AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO BAR'S FELLOW GLADIATORS FEEL ABOUT HAVG A "GAY" GLADIATOR THEIR MIDST? IS THERE SOME TYPE OF ROMAN "DON'T ASK/DON'T TELL" POLICY AT WORK? NOT THE LEAST. IN FACT, 'S A PLETE NON-ISSUE WHICH IS JT AS SHOULD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE IS HOW THE WORK SCRIB THE CHARACTER:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A BIG, HULKG BTE OF A MAN, AN TEEMED GLADIATOR AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BATIAT’S BODYGUARD AND SOMETIM H MAN, BAR IS SEND ONLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIX AT THE LUD. THOUGH POSSSED OF A TEMPER AND AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STATURE, HE TEMPERS THIS WH THE TENRNS HE SHOWS HIS LLECTN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BIRDS AND PIETROS, A SLAVE BOY. HE IS EE OF GUILE, LOYAL TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT SECRETLY P TO GA HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BAR ISN'T LIKE QUE LIKE ANY OTHER GAY CHARACTER YOU'VE SEEN ON TELEVISN BEFORE. NOT ONLY IS HE TOUGH AS NAILS (HE'S NICKNAMED THE BUTCHER OF CARTHAGE FOR HIS FEATS ON THE BATTLEFIELD), BUT HE'S ALSO KD OF AN ARROGANT, FOUL-MOUTHED JERK WHO, AT LEAST SO FAR, IS NOT ON THE SI OF SPARTAC (ANDY WHFIELD). AND THAT'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE'RE ALL ABOUT GAY VISIBILY HERE AT AND THAT CLUS GAY CHARACTERS OF ALL STRIP. HAVG A CHARACTER LIKE BAR NOT ONLY ADDS TO THE DIVERSY TO THE TV LANDSPE, BUT UNTERS STEREOTYP THAT A GLADIATOR CHARACTER ULDN'T BE "GAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BY THE WAY, I KEEP PUTTG THE WORD "GAY" QUOT BEE ANCIENT CULTUR LIKE ROME AND GREECE DIDN'T THK ABOUT SEXUALY THE WAY WE DO. THERE WASN'T REALLY AN IA OF "GAY" OR "STRAIGHT" THE WAY WE THK OF THEM. INSTEAD WAS MUCH MORE ABOUT POWER AND BEG DOMANT VERS BEG SUBMISSIVE. WHICH ISN'T TO SAY THAT TWO MEN ULDN'T LOVE EACH OTHER THE WAY TWO STRAIGHT PEOPLE WOULD.  HOPEFULLY, SPARTAC WILL MUNITE THAT SI OF THGS AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS FOR THE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE SHOW SHOW, WE'LL HAVE A FULL REVIEW THE WEEK BUTS AND WE HAVE AN TERVIEW G UP WH LUCY LAWLS WHO PLAYS LUCRETIA. BUT HAVG SEEN THE FIRST FOUR EPISOS, I N SAY THAT IF YOU ENJOY THE SPECTACLE OF ANCIENT ROME AND GLADIATORS, THE SERI NOT ONLY LOOKS AMAZG, BUT IS VERY WELL-ACTED. AS LONG AS YOU N GET PAST THE GORE, 'S FELY A THUMBS UP OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND DID I MENTN ALL OF THE GLADIATOR EYE-NDY? CHECK OUT ON THE NEXT PAGE!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE THE RT OF THE MEN YOU'LL BE GETTG AN EYEFUL OF. AND I DO MEAN AN EYEFUL! FOR THOSE TERTED THE SORTS OF THGS, I DON'T THK WE'VE HAD THIS MUCH MALE NUDY ON TELEVISN SCE HBO'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDY WHFIELD AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BEN AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JAI COURTNEY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NICK E. TARABAY AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL THE GAY CHARACTER THE SUBJECT LE OF ANY MENTS YOU MAKE! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

" But other than that wasn't until the send season that was absolutely clear and right ont of your was your reactn when you found out you'd be playg a gay gladiator?

His sexualy don't change that as far as I'm many gay fans, watchg a character like Agron on Spartac is huge bee there aren't any other gay characters like him on televisn. I've heard people tell me there's never been a gay character like Agron on TV before, and some fans have even thanked me bee they now feel like they have a gay actn hero and 's very enarg to hear that kd of stuff. I hated myself afterwards for eatg , but was jt so, gay characters have a history of beg killed off TV and film.

But on this week's episo, the show got good and gay, wh two gladiators "g out" by makg out ont of their fairns, two male gladiators were seen havg sex last week's episo...

WILL "SPARTAC" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009/9:05 AMBY MICHAEL JENSENAPRIL 28, 2009 / 9:05 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WILL \"SPARTAC\" GAY CHARACTER BE A GLADIATOR, SLAVE, SENATOR OR SOMETHG ELSE?","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-04-28T13:05:03.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG LAST JANUARY'S TCA PRS TOUR, I CHATTED WH STEVEN S. DEKNIGHT, THE HEADWRER FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WHO TOLD ME THAT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW STARZ SERI HAD YET TO YET SHOOT A SGLE SCENE, ST A SGLE ACTOR, OR EVEN WRE A PAGE OF THE SCRIPT, THE SHOW WOULD FELY CLU "GAY" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR , BUT AS MY MOTHER-L-AW ED TO WISELY SAY, "THERE'S MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP." WHILE I WAS HOPEFUL THAT DEKNIGHT WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH, I WAS ALSO WELL AWARE THAT MORE THAN ONE GAY CHARACTER HAS FAILED TO MAKE OUT OF THE WRER'S HEAD AND ONTO OUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT OUR OWN BRENT HARTGER RECENTLY TALKED WH ROB TAPERT, SPARTAC' EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (AND THE CREATOR OF THE MUCH BELOVED XENA: WARRR PRCS) ABOUT THE SHOW, AND TAPERT NFIRMED THAT SPARTAC, CURRENTLY SHOOTG NEW ZEALAND, WILL ED CLU A GAY CHARACTER. WHEN PRSED FOR TAILS, TAPERT CLAMMED UP WHICH MEANS 'S TIME FOR TO PLAY ANOTHER ROUND OF "GUS THE GAY CHARACTER!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST, SOME MORE ABOUT THE SHOW WHICH TAPERT PROMIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST REALISTIC PORTRAYALS EVER SEEN OF GLADIATOR LIFE. WHICH I TRANSLATE AS "SCE WE'RE ON PREMIUM BLE, WE N BE AS SEXUALLY AND VLENTLY GRAPHIC AS WE LIKE." THAT ULD BE TERTG, PECIALLY PENDG ON WHO THE GAY CHARACTER(S) ARE AND THE FACT THAT STARZ IS SPENDG TWO LN DOLLARS PER EPISO. THERE IS BOTH SER TALENT AND MONEY VOLVED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PART OF WHAT MAK THE ROMAN ERA SO TERTG IS THAT THEIR CULTURE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SEXUALY. HISTORIANS BELIEVE THERE WASN'T REALLY A "GAY" INTY AS WE KNOW NOW, BUT NOHELS THAT SAME-SEX RELATNSHIPS EXISTED. OFTEN WHAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GENR OF THE PERSON ONE SLEPT WH WAS THE STAT AND PERCEIVED POWER OF YOUR BEDMATE -- AND WHO DID WHAT TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHO ARE THE NDIDAT FOR OUR GAY CHARACTER? WHAT FOLLOWS IS A LIST OF EACH CHARACTER AND THE ACTOR WHO PLAYS THEM. AT THE END, I'LL BRIEFLY DISCS WHAT PAIRGS I THK ARE LIKELY, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, ETC. THEN YOU N GO FOR !{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ATRALIAN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD (GABRIEL) STARS AS SPARTAC, THE THRACIAN SOLDIER PTURED, TURNED SLAVE AND FORCED TO FIGHT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPARTAC EVENTUALLY WDS UP THE PROPERTY OF BATIAT (JOHN HANNAH) AND HIS WIFE LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) WHO N A GLADIATOR TRAG MP AND ARE UNTG ON SPARTAC TO RTORE THEIR FALLEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PETER MENSAH WILL PLAY DOCTORE, BATIAT' MOST TTED AND LOYAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANU BENT IS CRIX, THE TOP GLADIATOR AT THE MP AND A LIKELY RIVAL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON TE MAHA PLAYS BAR, BATIAT' BODYGUARD AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG PARKER HAS THE ROLE OF GLABER, A ROMAN LEGATE (GENERAL) WHO BLAM SPARTAC FOR THE FAILURE OF HIS ARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FALLY, NICK E. TARABY PLAYS ASHUR, A FORMER GLADIATOR WHO IS NOW A "BOOKIE" WORKG AT THE GLADIATOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME PRETTY TERTG SCENARS, NO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN TERVIEW WH , DEKNIGHT SAID, "THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THE SEXUALY OF THE TIM, WAS VERY DIFFERENT KD OF SEXUAL FEELG, PARTICULARLY WH THE SLAVE CLASS WHERE WAS PLETELY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SEX WH YOUR SLAV, EVEN SI A MARRIAGE. USUALLY WAS FE FOR A MAN TO HAVE SEX WH FEMALE SLAV AND SOMETIM THE MALE SLAV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GIVEN THAT MENT AND DEKNIGHT'S OTHER OBSERVATNS ABOUT POWER DICTATG WHO IS SUBMISSIVE AND WHO IS DOMANT, I'M THKG WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN BATIAT AND ONE OF HIS SLAV/GLADIATORS. I DOUBT ANYTHG WILL HAPPEN WH SPARTAC AND ANOTHER MALE. THIS MIGHT BE STARZ, BUT I DOUBT EVEN THEY WILL BE THAT EDGY -- THOUGH I'D LOVE TO EAT MY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT I ULD SEE SOMETHG HAPPENG BETWEEN BATIAT AND DOCTORE, OR BATIAT AND CRIX. FRANKLY, I ULD ALSO SEE SOMETHG BETWEEN A UPLE OF THE GLADIATORS, SAY CRIX AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATURALLY, 'S ALSO EASY TO SEE GLABER HAVG A RELATNSHIP WH A FELLOW SOLDIER, THOUGH I'D RATHER BE WH A ST REGULAR AND NOT SOMETHG SIAR TO PRCE JACK ON KGS WHERE HE HAD A RELATNSHIP, BUT WE NEVER REALLY GOT TO SEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ENTIRE SET-UP SEEMS RIFE WH POTENTIAL AND I ACTUALLY HAVE A FAIR B OF FAH DEKNIGHT AND TAPERT, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WA UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTNS AND/OR WISH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

****WARNING*** This post reveals the inty of the gay character the new Starz seri Spartac: Blood and Sand. Thk Rsell Crowe's Gladiator or Gerard Butler's 300 which pecially oozed homoeroticism whout any actual homos.

Obvly, not every Roman epic need have "gay" ntent, but would be nice if they were ocsnally clive, not to mentn historilly accurate. Fortunately, ble work Starz is about to the rerd straight -- so to the fourth episo of the season (butg January 22nd at 10 PM) we learn that the character of Bar (Anton Te Maho), a gladiator fightg the lud (thk trag amy) owned by Batiat (John Hannah), is not only "gay" but has a relatnship wh a slave. Let's jt say 's not somethg seen too equently on Amerin do Bar's fellow gladiators feel about havg a "gay" gladiator their midst?

He is ee of guile, loyal to Batiatbut secretly p to ga his isn't like que like any other gay character you've seen on televisn before. And that's 're all about gay visibily here at and that clus gay characters of all strip. Havg a character like Bar not only adds to the diversy to the TV landspe, but unters stereotyp that a gladiator character uldn't be "gay.

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"By the way, I keep puttg the word "gay" quot bee ancient cultur like Rome and Greece didn't thk about sexualy the way we do.

There wasn't really an ia of "gay" or "straight" the way we thk of them. Tarabay as AshurNote: Please do not reveal the gay character the subject le of any ments you make! The Gladiator is a closet homosexual, and is shamed by the fact that he n't tell anyone.

FANTASY AND SCI-FI BOOKS WH GAY YOUNG ADULT PROTAGONISTS

AnimeIn the anime adaptatn, Gladiator is almost the same character as he is the ics, but stead of beg a closeted homosexual threatened to be outed, he's a known homosexual beg threatened to be exposed for cheatg on his partner.