"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" Premieres Tonite

I'm the kinda nerd who watched the hell out of Starz' "Spartacus: Blood & Sand"

But when it was announced that lead actor Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, like many I questioned how a show could go on without the namesake

Well Starz went the prequel route and now with "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" we get a back story and six more episodes with our favorite Melrose Place in ancient Rome characters like gladiatorial school owners, Mr "Sliding Doors" and Lucy Lawless in bad wigs, along with new lead, Dustin Clare as gladiator Gannicus

(Mr "Sliding Doors" with new lead. Me thinks by the photos I've seen so far, that new lead is a little flat, but we shall see)

(Lucy plays the Sydney Andrews of the show, so desperate for love and power she'll turn to any outlet for either)

Alright, Starz. Tonite, we see what you're made of!

(Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, premieres at 10pm tonite on Starz, check local listings, of course)

Damn the Man

Umm, wow, did not see this coming. "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" ended its killer first season with a bang. All the bougie white folks got slaughtered in a slave and gladiator revolt.

Bye Bye Xena Warrior Princess. Bye Bye "Sliding Doors" guy.

The only people left of the upper class are the bougie white minx and her Mark Ronson-esque Roman general husband (thank goodness!)

Can't wait to see what happens next season, although now with the announcement of main actor, Andy Whitfield, diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, who knows when that will be.

At least "True Blood" is coming soon.