Hi-Def Dish

with Kurt Niece

Sexy Spartacus

It’s difficult to ignore the gay content in Starz Network’s Sparta series

It was appropriate that Starz Network’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand had its premiere at the Wilder Theater in Westwood. Five miles northeast of Westwood is West Hollywood, and Spartacus could very well be the love child of HBO’s Rome, conceived at Gold’s gym the day before West Hollywood Pride.

Described by the network as “the Republic’s most infamous rebel treachery, corruption and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly tempt Spartacus.”

Indeed. There’s a whole lot of sensual tempting going on.

Australian-born Andy Whitfield plays the legend in buffed and oiled splendor.

I wasn’t familiar with the actor until I saw him as a guest on Chelsea Handler’s show, Chelsea Lately. It was one of the few times that the normally unflappable Handler was flapped. Apparently her hormones kicked in.

Whitfield is well spoken, intelligent, well dressed and way easy on the eyes, and when he recounted a nude, oiled-up wrestling scene in Spartacus, Chelsea blushed. She was probably making a mental note to set her TiVo. I know I was.

Anyone looking for historical accuracy needs to look elsewhere. Unlike HBO’s Rome, Spartacus doesn’t use sex and erotica as an ancillary sidebar to the story. Sex and erotica IS the story. In fairness, there’s a somewhat elaborate plot but, trust me, it’s hard to concentrate.

It’s also hard not to snicker at the No. 5 clipper cuts with product and the same perpetual two-day beard growth that made Survivor infamous. It’s hard not to wince at the gratuitous jock strap shots as body-shaved and gym-hardened gladiators sashay, crotch level, by the camera lens. It’s impossible not to roll your eyes when the gladiators rub each other’s shoulders and console one another about missing their wives and girlfriends, like no one’s heard that before.

But all snarking aside, this is one of the most gorgeous chariot wrecks I’ve ever seen. I dare most anyone — gay or straight — to look away. And, perhaps it’s my own dirty little mind, but it seems there’s a significant gay subtext going on.

That sometimes-blurry line between hyper-masculinity and gay male culture goes almost invisible on Spartacus. Domination, submission, water sports, force, sweat and muscle are common themes. Maybe it’s just another version of the tight end and wide receiver sports double entendre. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking and Freudian psychology in cahoots, but dang, if I’m right, what a lucky insect is the fly on the wall in the gladiator’s quarters.

But then, it’s the reversal. There’s a wistful glance thrown to a slave girl, or another reference to the missed wife timed perfectly to jam the gaydar. Then there’s more consoling and more profound, lingering stares as the boys try to figure it all out. It can make your head spin.

But the gay factor isn’t just Spartacus subtext anymore. Episodes airing recently feature a budding relationship between gladiator Barca, played by Antonia Te Maioha, and Pietros, played by Eka Darville.

Despite the soft porn foray deep into the land of beefcake, there’s actually some good acting here. Even with his clothes on, Whitfield is profoundly engaging. Whitfield portrays Spartacus with brooding angst and a believability. There’s depth.

Another treat is the comeback of 1990s lesbian icon, Lucy Lawless. Best known as Xena: Warrior Princes, another colon-ated myth drama, Lawless plays Lucretia, a patrician hottie with an eye for the boys and great taste in jewels. I admired Lawless as an actor and it’s great to see her again.

I’m convinced there’s another love interest in one of those love/hate dust-ups between Spartacus and Crixus, played by Manu Bennett. Bennett is another pleasure from the lands “down under.” Born in Auckland, New Zealand, and of Maori descent, he got his start in WWE Wrestling. Over the past decade he’s played several action roles, including Deputy Billy Kitka in 30 Days of Night.

Crixus and Spartacus dislike each other intensely. When not training and fighting, Crixus’ time is spent servicing his mistress, Lucretia, and casting longing glances at his mistress’ slave girl. He’s a busy boy, but he still manages to find time to stare at, bicker with, and oil wrestle his “enemy” Spartacus.

Frankly, I think he’s hinting for a good back rub. I hope so anyway.

Kurt Niece is an artist, teacher, freelance journalist and author of the critically acclaimed novel, The Breath of Rapture.

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