'True Blood' uses Barack Obama masks for gun scene

Published Jul 10 2012, 14:57 BST  |  By Alex Fletcher

HBO has denied that there was any political or secret motive behind the use of Barack Obama masks in a shooting scene in the latest episode of True Blood.

Masks of the president feature in a scene involving thugs shooting at the character Sam Merlotte, Luna Garza and her daughter Emma.



The incident follows the controversy surrounding the use of a prop President George W Bush head on a spike in fellow HBO series Game of Thrones.

HBO denied that there was any connection between the two events, commenting: "It's a complete and utter coincidence and one show has nothing to do with the other."

Costume supplier Costume Craze said: "True Blood's production team purchased several Obama masks from us earlier this year, and we've been waiting in suspense for them to appear."

HBO apologised for the George W Bush incident in Thrones, describing it as "unacceptable, disrespectful and in very bad taste". It was also edited for online and digital retail.

True Blood star Stephen Moyer revealed earlier this year that he had discovered Obama was a big fan of True Blood during a dinner event at the White House.