Is HBO Going to Get in More Trouble for ‘True Blood’ Obama Masks?

There were many sides to the infamous controversy surrounding 'Game of Thrones' season1 finale "Fire and Blood" utilizing a prop head of former president George W. Bush in the background, but one thing was for certain: HBO was not amused.  The episode was pulled from all formats, and re-edited to remove the image, but has 'True Blood' now created the same offense by featuring masks bearing the likeness of President Obama?

Just weeks after HBO famously pulled 'Game of Thrones' season 1 finale "Fire and Blood" to remove all traces of a prop head bearing the likeness of 43rd president George W. Bush, the network might have another controversy on its hands.  As reported by Deadline and witnessed by viewers around the globe, this past Sunday's 'True Blood' episode "Let's Boot and Rally" featured a posse of would-be redneck assassins disguised with masks of current president Barack Obama.

Of course, that isn't to say that masks bearing likenesses of presidents current and former aren't on sale at any mask provider.  In fact, it was mask provider Costume Craze who wrote today on its blog about the “pretty scary scene,” saying “'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. " In the scene in question, four masked figures open fire on known "shifters" Sam Merlotte and Luna Garza, even at the latter's young daughter Emma.

HBO representatives have said of the 'True Blood' scene in question, and its timing so close to the 'Game of Thrones' controversy that “It’s a complete and utter coincidence and one show has nothing to do with the other."  Still, remember that the infamous 'Game of Thrones' image aired back in June 2011, and was pointed out on the season 1 Blu-ray by show-runners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff themselves, while HBO only reacted to the depiction in the last month or so.

Uh-oh, y'alls.  Is 'True Blood' going to be in trouble soon?  Do you think the use of the Obama mask was offensive, or a playful 'Point Break' shout-out?  Sound off in the comments below!