Season 1 · Episode 86
How 'Heated Rivalry' Even Seduced Russia
The hit series is now a symbol of hope for queer Russians.
The Sam Sanders Show · KCRW
January 27, 202625m 27s
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Show Notes
<p dir="ltr">Everyone is well aware of <em>Heated Rivalry</em>’s immense popularity. The gay hockey romance seduced the masses in ways we haven’t seen in years… Maybe decades? The show even has a following in Russia, where queer media is outlawed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar is familiar with that climate. He was exiled in 2022 when he came out as a gay and married his now husband. Mikhail recently wrote about the parallels between the show and his own life for <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/heated-rivalry-russian-lgbt-experience?srsltid=AfmBOorP1KArCX0j96lwIHiCd-u_XtNfpCDGoLx6EUvC7vfVHGVW8bue"><em>Vanity Fair.</em></a> He tells Sam about what it all means for state repression, freedom and hope for LGBTQ+ Russians. </p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p>
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