Spartac Gay Travel Inx (GTI) - Spartac Gay Travel BlogSpartac Gay Travel Blog

Contents:

• THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK
• "SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE {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 BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011/11:28 AMBY BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011 / 11:28 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA\" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE ORIGAL","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","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;}{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;}WARNG: THIS ARTICLE CLUS MOR SPOILERS ON THE UPG SEASON OF SPARTAC: GODS OF 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;}WHEN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD, WHO {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 TLE CHARACTER LAST YEAR'S BREAK-OUT BLE H SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WAS DIAGNOSED WH NCER, FORCED THE PRODUCERS OF THE SHOW TO GET CREATIVE WHILE THEY HOPEFULLY WAED FOR HIM 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;}THE RULT IS A SIX-EPISO "PREQUEL" SERI BUTG JANUARY 21ST ON STARZ THAT BEGS WH A GLT THE EYE OF BATIAT DYG AT THE END OF BLOOD AND SAND AND TAK BACK TO TELL THE STORY OF BATIAT' LUD BEFORE SPARTAC' {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;}IT ALSO GAVE THE PRODUCERS A CHANCE TO TELL A GAY SUB-PLOT THAT SEEMS NSIRABLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE BETWEEN BAR (ANTON TE MAHA) AND PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) BLOOD AND SAND: BAR'S EARLIER LOVE AFFAIR WH FELLOW GLADIATOR AUCT, PLAYED BY JOSEF BROWN, AN ATRALIAN DANCER 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;}JOSEF BROWN 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;}“WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THE BAR-AUCT RELATNSHIP IS THAT ’S TWO ALPHA MAL," THE SHOW'S -CREATOR STEVEN DEKNIGHT TELLS "IT’S TWO GUYS WHO ARE GLADIATORS. WH BAR AND PIETROS' RELATNSHIP, BAR BEME SORT OF A GENTLE GIANT AROUND PIETROS. WH AUCT, THE ARE TWO GUYS WHO LGH AND LOVE, AND THERE’S A JOY TO THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT I THK WH THE PIETROS RELATNSHIP, WAS MUCH MORE OF A GENTLE KD OF {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;}"WH BAR AND AUCT, THERE’S JT THIS EBULLIENCE, THIS EFFERVCENCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY SPEND A LOT OF THE PREQUEL JT LGHG AND HAVG A GREAT TIME. THEY’RE ALSO TWO OF THE BT GLADIATORS THERE. YOU’LL SEE BOTH BAR AND AUCT FIGHTG. ONE OF THE THGS I REGRET [ABOUT THE FIRST SEASON] IS THAT WE NEVER SAW BAR FIGHTG – JT FLASHBACKS. THERE WERE SCEN, BUT THEY ALWAYS GOT {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 HAS A REALLY FANTASTIC FIGHT THE ARENA, AND SO DO AUCT."{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;}INTERTGLY, THE PREQUEL SERI ALSO CLUS A GAY SEX SCENE THAT IS MORE EXPLIC THAN THE BRIEF SCENE BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS SEASON {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;}"ONE OF MY FAVORE MOMENTS – I THK ’S EPISO TWO OR THREE – {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 SEX SCENE] BETWEEN BAR AND AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "THEY HAVE AN EXCHANGE THAT BE SEXUAL {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 JT LOVE. IT EMBODI EVERYTHG THAT I WANTED 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;}RELATNSHIP, WHICH IS A PHYSIL, JOCULAR TYPE OF RELATNSHIP. {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;}ENJOY TRYG TO ONE-UP EACH OTHER. THEY’RE BOTH FIGHTERS, AND THEY’{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;}BOTH EQUALS. THERE’S NO LITE FLOWER THIS RELATNSHIP."{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 FIRST EPISO, MEANWHILE, CLUS A PRETTY STEAMY (AND NU) LBIAN SEX SCENE BETWEEN LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) AND GAIA (DEXTER'S JAIME MURRAY), EVEN AS NTU THE SHOW'S TRAMARK BLENDG OF EXPLIC SEX WH EXTREME AND GRAPHIC {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;}DEKNIGHT AND -CREATOR ROB TAPERT HAVE BOTH PREVLY EXPRSED A STRONG SISTENCE ON CLUDG BOTH GAY AND LBIAN CHARACTERS AND STORYL TO THE SERI (SPE SOME PH-BACK OM STRAIGHT MALE FANS ON THE TER), AND THEY'RE CLEARLY LIVG UP TO 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;}SCE AUCT OBVLY DON'T MAKE TO SEASON ONE, N WE ASSUME HE DI OVER THE URSE OF THE PREQUEL?{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 N’T REVEAL WHAT HAPPENS TO AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "OBVLY, HE’S NOT SEASON ONE, BUT THAT DON’T MEAN HE DI – JT THAT HE’S NOT THERE. BUT HE PLAYS A PIVOTAL, PIVOTAL ROLE THE PREQUEL. IT’S TERTG BEE THE AUCT CHARACTER HAS A EP EFFECT ON THE OTHER CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW. THERE’S SOMETHG THAT HAPPENS THAT SENDS A CHARACTER ON A URSE THAT CHANG EVERYTHG REALLY SEASON ONE."{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;}JOSEF {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;}DEKNIGHT IS PARTICULARLY PLEASED WH THE STG OF JOSEF BROWN 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;}"WE LOOKED AT SO MANY PEOPLE FOR THE ROLE," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "I NEED SOMEONE WHO STANTLY LOOKED LIKE A GLADIATOR, BUT ALSO HAD THAT KD OF ROGUISH CHARM, AND SOMEBODY THAT MATCHED WELL WH ANTON [WHO PLAYS BAR]. AND WHEN I SAW [BROWN], I LOVED HIS DN, AND I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT WE SHOULD ST HIM, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS A DANCER UNTIL AFTERWARDS. WHEN YOU SEE HIS ACTN STUFF, PECIALLY STUFF THE ARENA, HIS DANCG BACKGROUND GIV HIM SUCH A GRACEFUL ELEMENT. HIS FLUID MOV ARE LIKE NOTHG I’VE SEEN THE RT OF THE SHOW."{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;}BROWN (CENTER) PERFORMG THE SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY'S SALOME (1998){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 REGRET DEKNIGHT HAS WH THE PREQUEL SERI IS THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TELL THE BEGNG OF THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS THAT BLOSSOMS (AND IS CUT SHORT) BLOOD 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;}"EKA [DARVILLE, WHO PLAYED PIETROS] WASN’T AVAILABLE, BEE I PLANNED TO CLU THE TRODUCTN OF PIETROS AND HOW BAR FIRST FELL FOR HIM."{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;}WHAT WOULD’VE HAPPENED IF THE ACTOR HAD BEEN AVAILABLE?{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;}"HALFWAY THROUGH THE PREQUEL, PIETROS WOULD’VE BEEN BROUGHT AS A SLAVE," DEKNIGHT SAYS, "AND BAR STARTS TO HAVE EY FOR HIM, AND PROBLEMS WH AUCT. THE KD OF PROBLEMS ANY UPLE WOULD HAVE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EKA WASN’T AVAILABLE FOR THAT PART OF THE STORY. IT’S MY GREAT REGRET THAT WE ULDN’T GET EKA BACK, BUT I HEAR HE’S ON TERRA NOVA."{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;} PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) (LEFT) AND BAR A SCENE OM BLOOD 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;}CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE STILL MORE GAY MALE CHARACTERS SEASON TWO OF SPARTAC, G NEXT YEAR?{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;}"OF URSE," DEKNIGHT {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: GODS OF THE ARENA PREMIER JANUARY 21ST AT 10 PM ON {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;}{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
• WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT "SPARTAC"' SHOCKG 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 TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010/12:47 AMBY TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010 / 12:47 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT \"SPARTAC\"' SHOCKG GAY TWIST","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+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":"TIM O'LEARY","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;}WHEN THE STARZ WORK BEGAN S ADVERTISEMENT MPAIGN FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, SEEMED OBV THAT THIS WOULD BE A SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER ON TELEVISN. CLEARLY TAKG S VISUAL CUE OM THE FILM 300 AND S BASIC STORYLE OM GLADIATOR, WAS TO BE A SERI THAT WOULD PH THE BOUNDARI OF SEX AND VLENCE ON {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 THEN, ANOTHER BIG REVEAL: THERE WOULD BE EQUAL PARTS MALE AND FEMALE NUDY – ALMOST UNHEARD OF WHEN TO AMERIN ENTERTAMENT. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO LURE GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE VIEWERS, WE GOT THE SOP THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE – GET THIS – A GAY GLADIATOR. AND NOT JT ANY GLADIATOR, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGT AND TOUGHT ON THE SHOW!{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 AKA THE BEAST OF CARTHAGE {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 NOW WE WERE HOOKED, AND STARZ NOT ONLY KEPT THEIR WORD, BUT EXCEED . Y, THERE WAS AMPLE EYE NDY THAT GAY MALE VIEWERS ULD ENJOY, AND Y, THERE WAS CERTALY A BAD-ASS GAY GLADIATOR, BUT THE WRERS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND BY SHOWSG THE FACT THAT THE GAY GLADIATOR, BAR, WAS A MTED AND LOVG RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER SLAVE NAMED PIETROS. EVEN BETTER, NONE OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS THOUGHT ANY LS OF HIM OR ANYTHG NEGATIVE ABOUT THEIR RELATNSHIP AT {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;}IT SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TE. IT EVEN ED SOME TO WONR WHO EXACTLY THE TARGET MOGRAPHIC FOR THIS SHOW WAS. SURELY, HETEROSEXUAL MEN AGED 18-35 WOULD BE UNFORTABLE WH THE LEVEL OF TIMACY SHOWN BETWEEN BAR 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;}BUT REALLY, THEY NEEDN’T HAVE WORRIED. BAR ONLY APPEARED FIVE EPISOS BEFORE HE WAS SAVAGELY MURRED BY A ROOMFUL OF MEN ONE OF THE SHOW’S PATENTLY GRAPHIC AND GOME SLGHTER SCEN. IN THE FOLLOWG EPISO HIS LOVER, PIETROS, BELIEVG BAR HAD BOUGHT HIS OWN EEDOM AND ABANDONED HIM, HANGED {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 AND PIETROS ARE HARDLY THE FIRST GAY CHARACTERS TO DIE ON TELEVISN. IN FACT, THE PAST FOUR WEEKS ALONE WE'VE ALSO SEEN AD GLBT CHARACTERS ON BIG LOVE, LAW & ORR: SVU AND NCIS: LOS ANGEL. SADLY, THIS HIGH ATH TOLL FOR QUEER CHARACTERS IS NOTHG NEW FOR 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;}THOUGH THE BODY UNT FOR EACH EPISO OF SPARTAC IS HIGH, THE LOSS OF BAR FELT PECIALLY DISAPPOTG THAT WE WERE LOSG SUCH A UNIQUE CHARACTER. AFTER ALL, HE WAS A KILLG MACHE, REFERRED TO AS THE "BEAST OF CARTHAGE." HOW MANY PAST GAY CHARACTERS HAVE WE SEEN THAT E OTHER CHARACTERS TO QUAKE WH FEAR AT THE VERY MENTN OF THEIR NAME?{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;}NEXT PAGE ... WHAT WENT RIGHT AND WHAT WENT WRONG.  {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;}MAKE NO MISTAKE – BAR WAS NO SAT. IN FACT, A PREV EPISO HE MURRED A CHILD UNR ORRS OM HIS MASTER. BUT THE TWISTED MORALY OF THE WORLD OF SPARTAC, THAT N BE EXCED, FOR BAR HAD NO REAL CHOICE; IF HE REFED, THE CHILD WOULD STILL BE KILLED, AND BAR ALONG WH {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;}WHAT'S TROUBLG HERE IS PARTLY THE TIRED OLD TROP THAT THE ATHS FELL BACK ON. SCE THE CHARACTERS  ARE SENDARY, THEY ARE VERY EXPENDABLE AND THEIR ATHS ARE, OR WILL BE, ED TO ILLTRATE AND FURTHER THE MA CHARACTER'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;}WORSE, BAR IS BTALLY KILLED BY A GROUP OF (PRUMABLY) STRAIGHT MEN, SOMETHG WE’VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGA. PIETROS, WHO IS NOT A GLADIATOR BUT A SLAVE, AND TH SMALLER AND WEAKER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER MEN, IS FIRST RAPED AND BEATEN BY ANOTHER SLAVE BEFORE HE KILLS HIMSELF OUT OF {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 SHOW DO SERVE CRED, HOWEVER, FOR NOT FALLG BACK ON A VERY SPECIFIC TROPE: BAR'S AND PIETROS' ATH HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTG TO DO WH THEIR SEXUALY. JT THE OPPOSE, FACT: THEIR RELATNSHIP WAS PRENTED UNQUTNABLY AS A NORMAL, NON-NTROVERSIAL PART OF LIFE THE LUD WHERE THEY TRAED, AND NONE OF THE OTHER GLADIATORS BATTED AN EYE WHEN THEY EXPRSED AFFECTN FOR EACH {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;}PERHAPS WAS BEE OF THIS ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT THEIR LOSS IS FELT SO SEVERELY BY 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 WANT TO MAKE ONE THG VERY CLEAR. I NO WAY BELIEVE THEIR ATHS WERE DUE TO ANY MALIC TENT BY THOSE PENNG THE SCRIPTS. THE WRERS AND CREATORS OF THE SERI SERVE A LOT – A LOT – OF PRAISE FOR CLUDG OPENLY GAY CHARACTERS AND TREATG THEIR RELATNSHIP THE WAY THEY DID. I N’T IMAGE HOW MANY BATTL THEY MT HAVE FOUGHT TO GET BAR AND PIETROS 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;}WHAT’S MORE, BAR WAS NOT THE ONLY CHARACTER TO DIE THE EPISO THAT FEATURED HIS MURR; THE OTHER VICTIM WAS SURA, SPARTAC’ WIFE. THIS IS HIGHLY SIGNIFINT, AS THE WRERS SEEMED TO BE GOG TO GREAT LENGTHS TO NNECT THE TWO ATHS; OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE EQUATG THE LOVE BETWEEN SPARTAC AND SURA WH THE LOVE BETWEEN BAR 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;}BOTH ATHS WERE MEANT TO ELIC FEELGS OF SORROW OM THE VIEWER, AND ARE NO DOUBT GOG TO PROPEL SPARTAC TOWARD THE REBELLN FOR WHICH THE REBEL SLAVE IS SO FAMOLY KNOWN. HAVG THE WRERS PLACE THE SAME SIGNIFINCE ON BOTH THE GAY AND STRAIGHT CHARACTERS THIS MANNER IS HIGHLY {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;}STILL, THEIR ATHS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A WASTE. THERE ARE ALREADY PREC FEW GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, AND BAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE WE’VE EVER {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;}ON A PERSONAL NOTE, BAR AND PIETROS WERE SPECIAL TO ME THAT I AM, WELL, AN UNBELIEVABLE GEEK WHEN THE SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH. I WAS WEANED ON STAR WARS AND THE MATRIX, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LOVER OF ACTN/SCI-FI/FANTASY GENRE SHOWS AND MOVI. ONE OF THE REAL LET-DOWNS WH THE PROGRAMS WAS THAT THEY RARELY EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE EXISTENCE OF GAY PEOPLE, LET ALONE FEATURE POWERFUL 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;}SO WHEN GAY CHARACTERS DO APPEAR, THERE IS A FEELG EXCEMENT: FALLY, WE'VE MA . WE'VE {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 THEN TO HAVE THEM KILLED OFF SO SUDNLY AND HORRIFILLY ... LEAV A BAD TASTE ONE'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;}NEXT PAGE ... WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.  {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;}IT LLS TO MD THAT FEELG OF LOSS WHEN THE CHARACTER OF IANTO WAS KILLED OFF ON THE SCI-FI H TORCHWOOD LAST SUMMER. PARALLELS N CERTALY BE MA: BOTH WERE ACTN-ORIENTED MEN ON GENRE SHOWS, BOTH WERE EPLY LOVE, AND BOTH WERE KILLLED UNR TERRIBLY TRAGIC {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 ATH OF IANTO JON {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;}IANTO WAS A FASCATG CHARACTER: SOMEONE WE WATCHED GROW TO HIS OWN SK, SLOWLY BEG FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY AND HIS ATTRACTN TO ANOTHER MAN. THE FACT THAT MOST OF HIS SCREEN TIME WAS VOTED TO CHASG DOWN ALIENS MA THOSE SMALL HUMAN MOMENTS THAT MUCH MORE ABSORBG, AND MA HIS BTAL MURR SO VASTATG THAT OCCURRED JT AS HE WAS FALLY ABLE TO ACCEPT {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;}EVEN THOUGH SHE WASN’T A MAN, MANY GAY MALE FANS RELL FEELG EQUALLY VASTATED WHEN THE CHARACTER OF TARA WAS KILLED ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. HERE WAS A STRONG, TELLIGENT YOUNG GAY WOMAN A BETIFUL,{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;}MTED RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER WOMAN, AND JT AS THEIR RELATNSHIP BE STRONGER THAN EVER – ED, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWG THE FIRST TIME WE AS AN DIENCE SEE THEM MAKE LOVE – TARA WAS THOUGHTLSLY GUNNED DOWN BY A MOR {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;}AT THE TIME, THERE WERE EVEN FEWER GAY CHARACTERS THAN THERE ARE NOW, AND HER LOSS ALT 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;}BLOW 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;}THE ATH OF TARA {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 AN DIENCE, WE HAVEN’T HAD THE TIME TO NNECT WH BAR OR PIETROS THAT WE HAD WH IANTO AND TARA, BUT NOHELS THERE REMAS THE FEELG THAT AN CREDIBLE OPPORTUNY HAS BEEN SQUANRED. BAR AND PIETROS ULD HAVE BEEN A GAY UPLE THE LIK OF WHICH WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE ON TELEVISN — A BTAL GAY WARRR AND HIS BRAVE, LOVG {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;}TOO BAD ALL WE HAVE NOW IS THEIR {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 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. " 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?

"SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE {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 BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011/11:28 AMBY BRENT HARTGERJANUARY 13, 2011 / 11:28 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"SPARTAC: GODS OF THE ARENA\" MIGHT JT BE GAYER THAN THE ORIGAL","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-01-13T16:28:34.000+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":"BRENT HARTGER","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;}{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;}WARNG: THIS ARTICLE CLUS MOR SPOILERS ON THE UPG SEASON OF SPARTAC: GODS OF 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;}WHEN ACTOR ANDY WHFIELD, WHO {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 TLE CHARACTER LAST YEAR'S BREAK-OUT BLE H SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, WAS DIAGNOSED WH NCER, FORCED THE PRODUCERS OF THE SHOW TO GET CREATIVE WHILE THEY HOPEFULLY WAED FOR HIM 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;}THE RULT IS A SIX-EPISO "PREQUEL" SERI BUTG JANUARY 21ST ON STARZ THAT BEGS WH A GLT THE EYE OF BATIAT DYG AT THE END OF BLOOD AND SAND AND TAK BACK TO TELL THE STORY OF BATIAT' LUD BEFORE SPARTAC' {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;}IT ALSO GAVE THE PRODUCERS A CHANCE TO TELL A GAY SUB-PLOT THAT SEEMS NSIRABLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE BETWEEN BAR (ANTON TE MAHA) AND PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) BLOOD AND SAND: BAR'S EARLIER LOVE AFFAIR WH FELLOW GLADIATOR AUCT, PLAYED BY JOSEF BROWN, AN ATRALIAN DANCER 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;}JOSEF BROWN 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;}“WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THE BAR-AUCT RELATNSHIP IS THAT ’S TWO ALPHA MAL," THE SHOW'S -CREATOR STEVEN DEKNIGHT TELLS "IT’S TWO GUYS WHO ARE GLADIATORS. WH BAR AND PIETROS' RELATNSHIP, BAR BEME SORT OF A GENTLE GIANT AROUND PIETROS. WH AUCT, THE ARE TWO GUYS WHO LGH AND LOVE, AND THERE’S A JOY TO THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT I THK WH THE PIETROS RELATNSHIP, WAS MUCH MORE OF A GENTLE KD OF {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;}"WH BAR AND AUCT, THERE’S JT THIS EBULLIENCE, THIS EFFERVCENCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR EACH OTHER. THEY SPEND A LOT OF THE PREQUEL JT LGHG AND HAVG A GREAT TIME. THEY’RE ALSO TWO OF THE BT GLADIATORS THERE. YOU’LL SEE BOTH BAR AND AUCT FIGHTG. ONE OF THE THGS I REGRET [ABOUT THE FIRST SEASON] IS THAT WE NEVER SAW BAR FIGHTG – JT FLASHBACKS. THERE WERE SCEN, BUT THEY ALWAYS GOT {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 HAS A REALLY FANTASTIC FIGHT THE ARENA, AND SO DO AUCT."{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;}INTERTGLY, THE PREQUEL SERI ALSO CLUS A GAY SEX SCENE THAT IS MORE EXPLIC THAN THE BRIEF SCENE BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS SEASON {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;}"ONE OF MY FAVORE MOMENTS – I THK ’S EPISO TWO OR THREE – {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 SEX SCENE] BETWEEN BAR AND AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "THEY HAVE AN EXCHANGE THAT BE SEXUAL {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 JT LOVE. IT EMBODI EVERYTHG THAT I WANTED 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;}RELATNSHIP, WHICH IS A PHYSIL, JOCULAR TYPE OF RELATNSHIP. {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;}ENJOY TRYG TO ONE-UP EACH OTHER. THEY’RE BOTH FIGHTERS, AND THEY’{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;}BOTH EQUALS. THERE’S NO LITE FLOWER THIS RELATNSHIP."{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 FIRST EPISO, MEANWHILE, CLUS A PRETTY STEAMY (AND NU) LBIAN SEX SCENE BETWEEN LUCRETIA (LUCY LAWLS) AND GAIA (DEXTER'S JAIME MURRAY), EVEN AS NTU THE SHOW'S TRAMARK BLENDG OF EXPLIC SEX WH EXTREME AND GRAPHIC {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;}DEKNIGHT AND -CREATOR ROB TAPERT HAVE BOTH PREVLY EXPRSED A STRONG SISTENCE ON CLUDG BOTH GAY AND LBIAN CHARACTERS AND STORYL TO THE SERI (SPE SOME PH-BACK OM STRAIGHT MALE FANS ON THE TER), AND THEY'RE CLEARLY LIVG UP TO 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;}SCE AUCT OBVLY DON'T MAKE TO SEASON ONE, N WE ASSUME HE DI OVER THE URSE OF THE PREQUEL?{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 N’T REVEAL WHAT HAPPENS TO AUCT," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "OBVLY, HE’S NOT SEASON ONE, BUT THAT DON’T MEAN HE DI – JT THAT HE’S NOT THERE. BUT HE PLAYS A PIVOTAL, PIVOTAL ROLE THE PREQUEL. IT’S TERTG BEE THE AUCT CHARACTER HAS A EP EFFECT ON THE OTHER CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW. THERE’S SOMETHG THAT HAPPENS THAT SENDS A CHARACTER ON A URSE THAT CHANG EVERYTHG REALLY SEASON ONE."{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;}JOSEF {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;}DEKNIGHT IS PARTICULARLY PLEASED WH THE STG OF JOSEF BROWN 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;}"WE LOOKED AT SO MANY PEOPLE FOR THE ROLE," DEKNIGHT SAYS. "I NEED SOMEONE WHO STANTLY LOOKED LIKE A GLADIATOR, BUT ALSO HAD THAT KD OF ROGUISH CHARM, AND SOMEBODY THAT MATCHED WELL WH ANTON [WHO PLAYS BAR]. AND WHEN I SAW [BROWN], I LOVED HIS DN, AND I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT WE SHOULD ST HIM, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS A DANCER UNTIL AFTERWARDS. WHEN YOU SEE HIS ACTN STUFF, PECIALLY STUFF THE ARENA, HIS DANCG BACKGROUND GIV HIM SUCH A GRACEFUL ELEMENT. HIS FLUID MOV ARE LIKE NOTHG I’VE SEEN THE RT OF THE SHOW."{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;}BROWN (CENTER) PERFORMG THE SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY'S SALOME (1998){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 REGRET DEKNIGHT HAS WH THE PREQUEL SERI IS THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TELL THE BEGNG OF THE LOVE STORY BETWEEN BAR AND PIETROS THAT BLOSSOMS (AND IS CUT SHORT) BLOOD 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;}"EKA [DARVILLE, WHO PLAYED PIETROS] WASN’T AVAILABLE, BEE I PLANNED TO CLU THE TRODUCTN OF PIETROS AND HOW BAR FIRST FELL FOR HIM."{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;}WHAT WOULD’VE HAPPENED IF THE ACTOR HAD BEEN AVAILABLE?{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;}"HALFWAY THROUGH THE PREQUEL, PIETROS WOULD’VE BEEN BROUGHT AS A SLAVE," DEKNIGHT SAYS, "AND BAR STARTS TO HAVE EY FOR HIM, AND PROBLEMS WH AUCT. THE KD OF PROBLEMS ANY UPLE WOULD HAVE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EKA WASN’T AVAILABLE FOR THAT PART OF THE STORY. IT’S MY GREAT REGRET THAT WE ULDN’T GET EKA BACK, BUT I HEAR HE’S ON TERRA NOVA."{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;} PIETROS (EKA DARVILLE) (LEFT) AND BAR A SCENE OM BLOOD 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;}CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE STILL MORE GAY MALE CHARACTERS SEASON TWO OF SPARTAC, G NEXT YEAR?{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;}"OF URSE," DEKNIGHT {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: GODS OF THE ARENA PREMIER JANUARY 21ST AT 10 PM ON {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;}{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

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.

WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT "SPARTAC"' SHOCKG 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 TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010/12:47 AMBY TIM O'LEARYMARCH 8, 2010 / 12:47 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"WHAT WORKED – AND DIDN'T WORK – ABOUT \"SPARTAC\"' SHOCKG GAY TWIST","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-03-08T05:47:22.000+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":"TIM O'LEARY","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;}WHEN THE STARZ WORK BEGAN S ADVERTISEMENT MPAIGN FOR SPARTAC: BLOOD AND SAND, SEEMED OBV THAT THIS WOULD BE A SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER ON TELEVISN. CLEARLY TAKG S VISUAL CUE OM THE FILM 300 AND S BASIC STORYLE OM GLADIATOR, WAS TO BE A SERI THAT WOULD PH THE BOUNDARI OF SEX AND VLENCE ON {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 THEN, ANOTHER BIG REVEAL: THERE WOULD BE EQUAL PARTS MALE AND FEMALE NUDY – ALMOST UNHEARD OF WHEN TO AMERIN ENTERTAMENT. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO LURE GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE VIEWERS, WE GOT THE SOP THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE – GET THIS – A GAY GLADIATOR. AND NOT JT ANY GLADIATOR, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGT AND TOUGHT ON THE SHOW!{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 AKA THE BEAST OF CARTHAGE {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 NOW WE WERE HOOKED, AND STARZ NOT ONLY KEPT THEIR WORD, BUT EXCEED . Y, THERE WAS AMPLE EYE NDY THAT GAY MALE VIEWERS ULD ENJOY, AND Y, THERE WAS CERTALY A BAD-ASS GAY GLADIATOR, BUT THE WRERS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND BY SHOWSG THE FACT THAT THE GAY GLADIATOR, BAR, WAS A MTED AND LOVG RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER SLAVE NAMED PIETROS. EVEN BETTER, NONE OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS THOUGHT ANY LS OF HIM OR ANYTHG NEGATIVE ABOUT THEIR RELATNSHIP AT {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;}IT SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TE. IT EVEN ED SOME TO WONR WHO EXACTLY THE TARGET MOGRAPHIC FOR THIS SHOW WAS. SURELY, HETEROSEXUAL MEN AGED 18-35 WOULD BE UNFORTABLE WH THE LEVEL OF TIMACY SHOWN BETWEEN BAR 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;}BUT REALLY, THEY NEEDN’T HAVE WORRIED. BAR ONLY APPEARED FIVE EPISOS BEFORE HE WAS SAVAGELY MURRED BY A ROOMFUL OF MEN ONE OF THE SHOW’S PATENTLY GRAPHIC AND GOME SLGHTER SCEN. IN THE FOLLOWG EPISO HIS LOVER, PIETROS, BELIEVG BAR HAD BOUGHT HIS OWN EEDOM AND ABANDONED HIM, HANGED {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 AND PIETROS ARE HARDLY THE FIRST GAY CHARACTERS TO DIE ON TELEVISN. IN FACT, THE PAST FOUR WEEKS ALONE WE'VE ALSO SEEN AD GLBT CHARACTERS ON BIG LOVE, LAW & ORR: SVU AND NCIS: LOS ANGEL. SADLY, THIS HIGH ATH TOLL FOR QUEER CHARACTERS IS NOTHG NEW FOR 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;}THOUGH THE BODY UNT FOR EACH EPISO OF SPARTAC IS HIGH, THE LOSS OF BAR FELT PECIALLY DISAPPOTG THAT WE WERE LOSG SUCH A UNIQUE CHARACTER. AFTER ALL, HE WAS A KILLG MACHE, REFERRED TO AS THE "BEAST OF CARTHAGE." HOW MANY PAST GAY CHARACTERS HAVE WE SEEN THAT E OTHER CHARACTERS TO QUAKE WH FEAR AT THE VERY MENTN OF THEIR NAME?{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;}NEXT PAGE ... WHAT WENT RIGHT AND WHAT WENT WRONG.  {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;}MAKE NO MISTAKE – BAR WAS NO SAT. IN FACT, A PREV EPISO HE MURRED A CHILD UNR ORRS OM HIS MASTER. BUT THE TWISTED MORALY OF THE WORLD OF SPARTAC, THAT N BE EXCED, FOR BAR HAD NO REAL CHOICE; IF HE REFED, THE CHILD WOULD STILL BE KILLED, AND BAR ALONG WH {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;}WHAT'S TROUBLG HERE IS PARTLY THE TIRED OLD TROP THAT THE ATHS FELL BACK ON. SCE THE CHARACTERS  ARE SENDARY, THEY ARE VERY EXPENDABLE AND THEIR ATHS ARE, OR WILL BE, ED TO ILLTRATE AND FURTHER THE MA CHARACTER'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;}WORSE, BAR IS BTALLY KILLED BY A GROUP OF (PRUMABLY) STRAIGHT MEN, SOMETHG WE’VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGA. PIETROS, WHO IS NOT A GLADIATOR BUT A SLAVE, AND TH SMALLER AND WEAKER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER MEN, IS FIRST RAPED AND BEATEN BY ANOTHER SLAVE BEFORE HE KILLS HIMSELF OUT OF {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 SHOW DO SERVE CRED, HOWEVER, FOR NOT FALLG BACK ON A VERY SPECIFIC TROPE: BAR'S AND PIETROS' ATH HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTG TO DO WH THEIR SEXUALY. JT THE OPPOSE, FACT: THEIR RELATNSHIP WAS PRENTED UNQUTNABLY AS A NORMAL, NON-NTROVERSIAL PART OF LIFE THE LUD WHERE THEY TRAED, AND NONE OF THE OTHER GLADIATORS BATTED AN EYE WHEN THEY EXPRSED AFFECTN FOR EACH {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;}PERHAPS WAS BEE OF THIS ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR RELATNSHIP THAT THEIR LOSS IS FELT SO SEVERELY BY 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 WANT TO MAKE ONE THG VERY CLEAR. I NO WAY BELIEVE THEIR ATHS WERE DUE TO ANY MALIC TENT BY THOSE PENNG THE SCRIPTS. THE WRERS AND CREATORS OF THE SERI SERVE A LOT – A LOT – OF PRAISE FOR CLUDG OPENLY GAY CHARACTERS AND TREATG THEIR RELATNSHIP THE WAY THEY DID. I N’T IMAGE HOW MANY BATTL THEY MT HAVE FOUGHT TO GET BAR AND PIETROS 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;}WHAT’S MORE, BAR WAS NOT THE ONLY CHARACTER TO DIE THE EPISO THAT FEATURED HIS MURR; THE OTHER VICTIM WAS SURA, SPARTAC’ WIFE. THIS IS HIGHLY SIGNIFINT, AS THE WRERS SEEMED TO BE GOG TO GREAT LENGTHS TO NNECT THE TWO ATHS; OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE EQUATG THE LOVE BETWEEN SPARTAC AND SURA WH THE LOVE BETWEEN BAR 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;}BOTH ATHS WERE MEANT TO ELIC FEELGS OF SORROW OM THE VIEWER, AND ARE NO DOUBT GOG TO PROPEL SPARTAC TOWARD THE REBELLN FOR WHICH THE REBEL SLAVE IS SO FAMOLY KNOWN. HAVG THE WRERS PLACE THE SAME SIGNIFINCE ON BOTH THE GAY AND STRAIGHT CHARACTERS THIS MANNER IS HIGHLY {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;}STILL, THEIR ATHS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A WASTE. THERE ARE ALREADY PREC FEW GAY CHARACTERS ON TELEVISN, AND BAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE WE’VE EVER {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;}ON A PERSONAL NOTE, BAR AND PIETROS WERE SPECIAL TO ME THAT I AM, WELL, AN UNBELIEVABLE GEEK WHEN THE SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH. I WAS WEANED ON STAR WARS AND THE MATRIX, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LOVER OF ACTN/SCI-FI/FANTASY GENRE SHOWS AND MOVI. ONE OF THE REAL LET-DOWNS WH THE PROGRAMS WAS THAT THEY RARELY EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE EXISTENCE OF GAY PEOPLE, LET ALONE FEATURE POWERFUL 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;}SO WHEN GAY CHARACTERS DO APPEAR, THERE IS A FEELG EXCEMENT: FALLY, WE'VE MA . WE'VE {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 THEN TO HAVE THEM KILLED OFF SO SUDNLY AND HORRIFILLY ... LEAV A BAD TASTE ONE'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;}NEXT PAGE ... WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.  {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;}IT LLS TO MD THAT FEELG OF LOSS WHEN THE CHARACTER OF IANTO WAS KILLED OFF ON THE SCI-FI H TORCHWOOD LAST SUMMER. PARALLELS N CERTALY BE MA: BOTH WERE ACTN-ORIENTED MEN ON GENRE SHOWS, BOTH WERE EPLY LOVE, AND BOTH WERE KILLLED UNR TERRIBLY TRAGIC {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 ATH OF IANTO JON {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;}IANTO WAS A FASCATG CHARACTER: SOMEONE WE WATCHED GROW TO HIS OWN SK, SLOWLY BEG FORTABLE WH HIS SEXUALY AND HIS ATTRACTN TO ANOTHER MAN. THE FACT THAT MOST OF HIS SCREEN TIME WAS VOTED TO CHASG DOWN ALIENS MA THOSE SMALL HUMAN MOMENTS THAT MUCH MORE ABSORBG, AND MA HIS BTAL MURR SO VASTATG THAT OCCURRED JT AS HE WAS FALLY ABLE TO ACCEPT {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;}EVEN THOUGH SHE WASN’T A MAN, MANY GAY MALE FANS RELL FEELG EQUALLY VASTATED WHEN THE CHARACTER OF TARA WAS KILLED ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. HERE WAS A STRONG, TELLIGENT YOUNG GAY WOMAN A BETIFUL,{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;}MTED RELATNSHIP WH ANOTHER WOMAN, AND JT AS THEIR RELATNSHIP BE STRONGER THAN EVER – ED, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWG THE FIRST TIME WE AS AN DIENCE SEE THEM MAKE LOVE – TARA WAS THOUGHTLSLY GUNNED DOWN BY A MOR {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;}AT THE TIME, THERE WERE EVEN FEWER GAY CHARACTERS THAN THERE ARE NOW, AND HER LOSS ALT 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;}BLOW 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;}THE ATH OF TARA {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 AN DIENCE, WE HAVEN’T HAD THE TIME TO NNECT WH BAR OR PIETROS THAT WE HAD WH IANTO AND TARA, BUT NOHELS THERE REMAS THE FEELG THAT AN CREDIBLE OPPORTUNY HAS BEEN SQUANRED. BAR AND PIETROS ULD HAVE BEEN A GAY UPLE THE LIK OF WHICH WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE ON TELEVISN — A BTAL GAY WARRR AND HIS BRAVE, LOVG {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;}TOO BAD ALL WE HAVE NOW IS THEIR {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

What had been, 1960, a brave attempt by scriptwrer Dalton Tmbo to reflect the nuanc of Roman (and Greek) attus to same-sex love and timacy is now a straightforward pictn of homosexualy.