Spartac Internatnal Gay Gui 1998/99 by Bno Gmunr Verlag | Goodreads

Contents:

• THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK
• 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
• 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
• WERE THE SPARTANS GAY? HOMOSEXUALY SPARTA, ANCIENT GREECE
• SPARTAC INTERNATNAL GAY GUI 1998/99
• SPARTAC INTERNATNAL GAY GUI 2017
• TOPIC SPARTAC, SéRIE GAY
• THE 8 TOP GAY CIS FOR 2023

THE GAY ACTN HERO ON SPARTAC IS BACK

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. 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?

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.

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

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. And most recently that romance clud the love story that began last season between two gay rebel warrrs, Agron (played by Dan Ferriegel) and Nasir (Pana Hema-Taylor) the Spartac's fal season, Spartac: War of the Damned, premierg tonight at 9 p.

On STARZ, hunky Dan Ferriegel recently spoke 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 one particular moment, Ferriegelelegantly explas why he's glad his character is able to open up and have a soft, sensual si when he's alone wh the people he lov: "I would've been disappoted if all they red about was two guys havg sex and keepg their relatnship purely physil.

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.

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

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. In the followg episo his lover, Pietros, believg Bar had bought his own eedom and abandoned him, hanged and Pietros are hardly the first gay characters to die on televisn.

" How many past gay characters have we seen that e other characters to quake wh fear at the very mentn of their name?

WERE THE SPARTANS GAY? HOMOSEXUALY SPARTA, ANCIENT GREECE

Perhaps was bee of this acceptance of their relatnship that their loss is felt so severely by gay fans. 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.

Havg the wrers place the same signifince on both the gay and straight characters this manner is highly, 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 a personal note, Bar and Pietros were special to me that I am, well, an unbelievable geek when the shows I like to watch.

SPARTAC INTERNATNAL GAY GUI 1998/99

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 when gay characters do appear, there is a feelg excement: fally, we've ma . 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 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.

SPARTAC INTERNATNAL GAY GUI 2017

Here was a strong, telligent young gay woman a betiful, 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 the time, there were even fewer gay characters than there are now, and her loss alt a hugeblow to ath of Tara 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 bad all we have now is their ghosts.

****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.

TOPIC SPARTAC, SéRIE GAY

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.

THE 8 TOP GAY CIS FOR 2023

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?