American Gladiators

An update that stays very true to the original, the only real negative is goading contestants who clearly have very little practice dishing trash talk into doing so. They end up sounding very stilted and awkward. A few new events tossed in with the classics (Assault, Joust, etc.) makes for a decently fun show that's familiar, with just a dash of freshness sprinkled on top. They do also fall into the all-too-common trap of late of coming within a hair of starting an event, and then cutting to a commercial--it doesn't build the suspense they think it does, only the suspense of whether this week a frustrated viewer will give themselves a heart attack screaming, "Stop messing with me and just start the event already!!"

Laila Ali is a decent co-host (though her questions to competitors are predictable) and Hulk Hogan has been less annoying than he could've been. And talk about immediate interviews--Laila's on top of them within a second of finishing an event, which seems harsh but does take away their time to try to manufacture anything overly clever to say instead of just honestly answering the best they can.

All-in-all, it's a good, but not great show. While the WGA strike continues it should be gold, but once it's surrounded by new scripted fare, it will likely fade fast.

This show is a complete waste of time but I still watch it 'cuz nothing else is on. What is wrong with this show? Many things actually! First is, this show is completely fake and scripted. How do I know? Well, they never tell you where to sign up to be a contestant. Also, they never say (or write) "People people, real game, real action" or anything like that! In the games, the contestants will either have a tons of point leads or a close one. You can tell the Eliminator is staged, too. The "underdog" which was was way slower at the beginning will win, in most episodes if you pay atttention. Ever wonder how the contestants know so fast what to say to Hulk or Laila? Well, the people censor out pauses and words like "umm""hmmm""like" and stuttering. If they are really desparate, they have lines from scripts.

Secondly, the trash talking. It has to stop! You do not want your children to be watching prime tv with all that going on! Well, that's my review and what I thought of the show.

I was channel surfing a couple of Mondays ago and I happened to land on American Gladiators. Yes, I can remember the original one with the whacked out Malibu and the weird, split personality, Gemini. Very pastel.



The new Gladiator seems to focus (mostly) on the events (which appear to be tougher than the original). Even though the back-stories of all the competitors is far too sugary for the shows own good. Hulk is typically Hulk and adds kind of a strange humor to the proceedings but is definitely enthusiastic. Laila Ali is more straightforward as a host and presents a very interested demeanor.



The competitors really don't help themselves by peppering their dialogue with insipid, smack-talking remarks and over-the-top posturing, however, justice is served (literally) when most of them are taken out to the (competitive) cleaners.



Like the original, the new American Gladiators have there bizarre crew that can't seem to articulate, but the action is pretty decent, the games are fun to watch and the female Gladiators look for more human than machines.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1K69KSd1_Y

This show is unbelievable. In a good way. I can't believe how under-appreciated this show is. It's like wrestling meets gymnastics meets the emergency room.



I love all the insane new competitions. They made tug-of-war scary,basketball futuristic, and giant q-tips intimidating. I can't wait to see how they eff-up potato sack racing. The new gladiators have a lot more personality than the old set from back in the day. True, the old one has a special place in my heart, but the new one is boss.



Watch it! All the cool kids do. It's on mondays at 8. or 9 if you live in the uncool part of the country.

Fun and Entertaining. The contestants make it rewarding to watch as they overcome serious challenges, and then compete against a fellow contestant in the eliminator. This is a serious obstacle course most people could not handle. It also allows for speed and quickness to help you in certain events, and strategy in the new events like Rocketball and side swip. They can keep adding new events every year to change it up. The rock wall in incredibly tall this year, and the eliminator more difficult than ever, and dangerous.

I like it that they tell more about the contestants on every show. People want to be able to relate to a contestant, as they are normal people who have worked hard to earn a place on the show. Normal moms are competing against Gladiator Babes!

I don't get why people are addicted to lame 70's-tastic kiddie shows like "Dancing With The Stars", but are afraid to watch "American Gladiators". How often do you get to see a bunch of nerds try to redeem themselves by swimming through a lake of fire, getting wrestled into a giant pool, or getting pummeled with a tennis ball gun? I mean- come on! What's not to love!?



Is there a greater purpose to this show? No. But that's the point. It's the reality show version of "Point Break" - just sheer gleeful madness that's so tacky, it's awesome.



My friend and I play a Gladiators drinking game. trust me, it's unbelievable. I got them all turned on to the show, and I want everyone else to watch cuz I don't want it to go away!



Monday nights! NBC! 8pm! Go!

As much as I love the Gladiators, I don't know if I could stomach watching the show. Everything that comes out of his mouth will sour the gladiator tradition. Think about it, his son almost killed a true American Gladiator, one of our troops! It's one thing to represent the WWE but something all together different when you are over-seeing real competition. I have no problem continuing to hate "Hollywood" Hogan, because that's who he really is. I don't think that American Gladiators would continue to employ "Hollywood" Hogan. Now I must type 12 more words to be finished with this....

Every week on "American Gladiators" the greatest minds of all time gather in one place. Amazing. Albert Einstein would be proud. [Sarcastic mode off]

What I like about this show is that it is different from regular game shows. Your regular game shows have a bunch of geeks standing behind podiums answering questions about things nobody cares about. You feel stupid to watch, because you don't know any of the answers. "American Gladiators" is something different. Which is a good thing. There is too much "boring" on TV and not enough "different". This show helps add to the "different" column. Besides, what other show on TV can make a person with an average IQ feel smart?

I decided to try to watch the show after some friends at school were talking about it. And, to my surpise, I got addicted. The gladiators make it for the show. Some of the contestants are entertaining, but the gladiators are great. My favorite gladiator is Wolf. He has the best personality and a lot of random funny quotes. I also like Toa and Titan; they are good. Of the girls, I only like Crush. It is fun to see the challenges and see the gladiators dominate. Some of the contestants are really good tough. Overall, a very addicting, entertaining show.

American Gladiators has a much different feel than to the original series in the early 1990’s, but the concept of the game has not really changed except for addition of a few new games; therefore, the game doesn’t really offer any distinct attributes; there is a huge lack of interesting integrals. Although the Hulk is a wrestling legend, he is a terrible host for the show. It is his trademark, but if he continues to wear out his trademark, ‘brother’ will have no meaning anymore. On the other hand, Laila is a much better host than Hulk because she just seems fit for the role. Otherwise, I am not sure why I watched the show other than to watch Crush. Overall, it is not much of a improvement from the original.

What happened to Atlasphere? That was my favorite competition. I could watch reruns of the old American Gladiators all day long, but the new American Gladiators is just a disgrace. Hulk Hogan adds nothing to the show but "I'm hosting this show, BROTHER!" Another thing I hate is how right before the next competition it goes.. "Gladiators ready... competitors ready... 3.. 2.. 1.. commercial!" and then you have to sit there for 3 minutes waiting for it to come back when the competition could be done by now. That doesn't build suspense, what are they thinking people will still be there after the commercials watching intently thinking "Man how they cut to commercial like that I wonder if they will even have the competition?" One more thing I don't like before I wrap this up. I hate how they do those cheesy catch phrases and such, like competitors ready and wolf howls, and the others say stupid lines... just say you are ready and be done with it. This is just another example of NBC being the worst network on television, they can't even get the classic American Gladiators right..... I just hope they don't ruin Heroes and Chuck.

In place of original ideas, producers have looked to the past for shows to create. While a few may have improved on a successful original, most remakes just don't live up to the bar that was set. American Galdiators is not nearly as bad as the "Card Sharks" revival, but it leaves plenty of room for improvement. American Gladiators isn't as good here, and it's mostly because of the way it is produced.



For starters, the 1-14-08 show started at 7 and took its first break at 7:15. The only event accomplished in that time was Powerball, a 60 second game that meshes football and basketball. Both genders played it, bringing total action time to TWO MINUTES! What filled the other 13, you may ask? It was contender intros, Gladiators taking the field, interviews, etc. What happened to just a quick introduction? Get rid of all the filler, and one or two more events could fit. Let's stop dragging it out. I want to see competition!



However, Powerball is a rough game. One of the male contenders was clearly hurt after 20 seconds. Anyone with an ounce of compassion would have stopped the game immediately. But, they didn't. He laid on the floor for most of the other 40 seconds while the other guy got pounded by all 3 gladiators. Nobody checked on him until the event ended. This is unforgivable. NEVER should finishing an event take priority over checking on a potential injury. I blame this on the producers. They should have known better.



For new viewers to "American Gladiators," you may not know the events. This show doesn't help you at all. It doesn't explain the rules, objectives, or scoring of the events. They never explained to viewers why the Pyramid suddenly ended when one woman reached the top. Did they edit the rest? Was the rule changed from the old version? Are there any penalties? They don't need to cover the rules every playing, but new viewers should be able to understand what's going on.



Moving on, I loved the first Assault in 1989, with barrels, trees, and buildings to hide behind. Looking back, I realize now how short that course was, but that was the only flaw. They moved to generic safe zones with no character after that. However, I'd take that over 2008 Assault any day. In my opinion, Assault is the worst event of the new show. The sandbox, the smokescreen, loading weapons, and a slingshot that no one can aim right is just the beginning. It seems like a heavy advantage to the gladiator, but I can't tell what is going on because the camerawork is awful. They change cameras every second, and viewers can't focus on anything. It makes me dizzy.



On a good note, the Pyramid, Hang Tough, Joust, and Wall have all held true to the purpose of each event. I really like the scoring zone on the Pyramid. These events have been updated nicely. Of the Gladiators, I like Crush. She doesn't show off or gloat, and she gives a good fight. The rest I felt indifferent toward. It would be nice if some of the men actually wore something, though.



Hulk Hogan and Leila Ali are passable, as all they do are time wasting interviews. However, if Ali is asking a question to a contender, the contender should be in the shot. We shouldn't be seeing a close-up of Ali. They don't interview Brett Favre by zooming in on the person asking him the question, do they?



At the end, players run an obstacle course, the Eliminator. Although a bit long, I like the course. The only things that need to go are the log roll and flaming surface. The log roll is just silly, while the flames are unnecessary. Swimming is a great idea for an athletic competition; climbing a cargo net with wet hands and shoes is not. Forcing players to climb the Pyramid to reach the zipline is a good idea, too. (Of course, what is the penalty if someone were to just walk over to the zipline landing area and not climb the pyramid?)



In short, the problem is the production of this show. Producers should: Dump the filler and add one or two events. Stop the camera flipping during Assault and Joust. Check on injured contestants the second there is a problem. Let us see the gladiators' personalities. NBC has the right idea here, but until they focus on the competition over the spectacle, it won't live up to the older version.

Ah where do you start when reminiscing about American Gladiators. It is a show I grew up with, had they toys/video games, and attended the live tour. American Gladiator hold a special place in my heart and the new edition is no different. With it almost wrestling like properties American Gladiators is utterly addictive. You have to same diverse mix of gladiators, all with their own personal touch they add to the show. There are also the same nostalgic event that we all grew up with. With a steady mix of new to make it fresh. You just can help but be mesmerized with it comes on. As corny as it is it's great tv.

This shw was pretty good the first couple times around then after a few episodes it got kind old and i wonly wanted to see the eliminator or at least i think that's what it's called,and that is really awsome to watch i would check it out if you like the old AG because it is pretty good but i couldnt watch it every night like some tv shows(24 kid nation JERICHO) but in it's time slot it's the best show on tv at 8pm as far as thats concerned check it out and don't be suprised if it's not that great

I don't know if all Americans are like the contestants, but those in this show are very, very annoying. I know you have to be confident and all, but they just say "I'm gonna kick butt, so look out gladiator's" or "I'm gonna do it no matter what, I'll do it for my family that is here with me today". That's just ridiculous, I know they should please the crowd with those speaches but COME ON, that is so irritating. Another thing are the hosts of the show - Hulk repeats himself everytime: "Man/Brother/Dude you were amazing, how did you do it?" Pathetic, really pathetic. On the other hand it is pretty fun to watch, but that's all.

A show that was on air about 15 or so years ago that just awesome. Lve watching this show.What makes it great is they got huge body builders going up and battling it out with ordinary people. American Gladiators was an American competition television program that matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own "gladiators", in contests of strength and agility.



The show was taped at Universal Studios Hollywood until 1991, then moved to Gladiator Arena for the rest of its initial run. The National Indoor Arena, home to the UK version, hosted the International Gladiators competitions.



The series, a co-production of Trans World International and Four Point Entertainment, was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television.



An effort to launch a live American Gladiators show on the Las Vegas Strip became mired in a securities fraud prosecution.[1] However, the series was restarted in 2008.

I think this show need some work but still provides for a hour of really high energy and power entertainment. I haven't watched the first one in the eighties but this show is good either way. There are a few things they need to work out like the cheesiness of the show sometimes it feels just a little awkward to watch... I find the landing on water cool instead of just mats, the Eliminator is a fun thing to watch as well. Uh... sorry I am at a loss of words here, the show is a really good show to watch but I'd prefer other reality TV over it, like it's not priority. And a really good show would be priority, like if someone said "Who loves the Show American Gladiators?" I wouldn't say I would love it because I just don't enjoy watching it that much, but I still do enjoy watching it. I hope I'm making this clear enough... so I like it a lot, but I don't love it entirely.

First some of it is annoying, like what I see as excess talking. Less talk more action! I would like to see more challenging events like it used to be. For instance there used to be more PowerBall more Assualt and more to the Eliminator. They run climb swim climb roll hand bike run pyramid and jump. It used to be running climbing a maze gaunlets and a lot more to the Eliminator. To me the Eliminator is some what of a let down. My favorites are Assault PowerBall and sort of like the new Gauntlet game. I loved the old Elminator!!! I know things change but go back a little! I miss watching them run through mazes and the Eliminator used change so it wasn't the same every time.

I used to watch this show when I was young, and I liked it. Watching the newer version, I still like it. It's just fun...some aspects are pretty blah, but for the most part, it's something to watch. Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali host, and love them both. They have great personalities. All the guy gladiators are huge! Steroids much? But at least they pose a threat to the contestants. On the other hand, the lady gladiators are a serious joke. They just don't seem tough at all. The challenge games from the original Gladiator have been brought back and revamped along with newer challenge. Overall, it's a fun family competitive show that gives you something to watch. The first American Gladiator was a classic. This version makes a decent show.

I missed the premier, but I was glad to have ran into the second episode. I, like so many my age, remember watching this on Friday (I think) nights when we were children. I remember it being exciting to watch and to root for your favorite contender or Gladiator. Everyone had their favorite. Nitro was mine (funny when a few years later I actually met him when he did a table dance for my friend at a male strip club .... so that's where American Gladiators go when their show is cancelled .... hmmm).



Okay, I am going to go there. Comparisons to wrestling: yep it's theatrical. I hope they aren't all on steriods. But the big difference I see is that these are regular people contending for money and fame. The Gladiators are characters, just like on wrestling. And because of that, it is a lot of fun to be nervous and root for your favorite. It's been a long time since I have watched professional wrestling, but this seems to be less violent and have less questionable content.

Besides having a "reality" side to it. Everyone can get some enjoyment out of watching this show. My husband quickly dismissed it as "stupid and fake", but he watched anyway. Apparently not too "stupid and fake" for him to leave the room. My 8 year old son actually put down the PSP to watch, then asked the next day when it was coming on again. My 13 year old daughter watched it, and said nothing. This would seem to be a bad thing - but it's not! She talks through everything, and for her to keep it quiet for any amount of time must mean something. My other 2 kids weren't around, but I am pretty sure at least one of them would watch it with me. My 10 year old daughter will probably like it, my 6 year old son probably not. But nothing keeps his attention for longer than 5 minutes anyway. Finally something we can all watch together and enjoy. At least I hope it becomes that.



Hulk Hogan is pretty cheesy. But hasn't he always been that way? I wish he would think of something else to call people other than "Bruthah!". I wasn't sure who Miss Ali was at first, but she seemed a bit out of place. But when I figured out who she was, then she fit a little better. At least in theory. The interviews after each and every event are tiresome. And I really wish censors would beep out any phrase that contains the words "110 percent". We get enough of that on the evening news' sports segment.

As far as the Gladiators go, I have not been exposed to them enough yet to have much of an opinion. But I am sure they are quite colourful, and will compel many strong emotions from the audience.





Pure entertainment value, don't expect to be educated, enlightened, inspired, or otherwise cultured. So grab some popcorn, and maybe one of those giant foam #1 hands, and your family - and have a great time.

I was 10 when the regular American Gladiator went off but through that time I enjoy those episodes it was something different on TV at that time, the show was like a combo of WWF with regular people and it was exciting to watch. Now the show is back and better then ever, I like that they added the Hulk and Lila Ali. I enjoy the different events they have the regular contestants do and seeing that they added stuff to the old stuff is nice. This is not a bad show to watch I don't see anything wrong with this show and everyone should be able to enkot this show.

American Gladiators is a classic reborn. It is the same show from the past but with new games/challenges. The show starts with two representatives from each sex from the contenders to go head to head against the Home Team(American Gladiators).



You'll see some of the old favorites such as the Joust, and the gauntlet. There are also some new competitions like the bridge.



The show its self is very brutal and for those who thirst for the extreme this show is for you. The American Gladiators themselves represent the show very well. The personalities and the pure brute strength they have is astounding.



This show is nothing short of a classic all american show re-born and is a MUST to watch every chance you get.

Its great to see this show back in action, this time around its fully equipped with an American icon of a host in Hulk Hogan, diverse Gladiators with lame names and contenders who insist on spewing cheesy trash talk. Immediately the most noticeable change is the size of the Power Ball cylinders. They have increased the goal by a huge amount; this has been done with pretty much all the event obstacles in an apparent attempt to increase the scoring and make the show more enjoyable. Another noticeable change is the diversity of the Gladiators, almost to a nauseatingly-stereotypical and gimmicky point. Some of the "new" events like Earthquake (or The Conquer ring to those of us who were fans previously) are not exactly innovative, but updates to the old. Others are simply modified versions of events from other challenge based game shows. All isn't lost though, the thing that made the show great the first time around remains, the hard-hitting competitive nature of the Gladiators and contenders and the re-tooled Eliminator is bigger and tougher than ever before. Despite the cheese, it's a likely favorite.

I have a very small problem with this show and it is what the other show had that this one lacked- No gender bias toward the events!!! When they had the old show you did not see that as much, but this one has that problem. You can have them do both. What is wrong with having both women and men do the same event? This is where we show how tough people are and there should be no bias to the games. Otherwise, the show is awesome and high paced as well as the events are great and everything flows well with the show. Even the referee reminds me of the older one they had, but this one is like some guy from the East Coast when he talks. In closing the show is great and I hope it becomes a classic for us to enjoy and when they referenced the older shows that were on was very touching to me and made me remember the show from before! Good luck to the show and I hope it becomes a success!

"Go back to bed, America, your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed America, your government is in control. Here, here's American Gladiators. Watch this, shut up, go back to bed America, here is American Gladiators, here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary retards bang their ... skulls together and congratulate you on the living in the land of freedom. Here you go America - you are free to do what well tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!" --Bill Hicks (1961-1994)



"This is better than paying writers!" --Jeffery Zucker, NBC Network Executive

This show is going to be better then the first one. For many reasons: First thing is that there updating some the events and going to be a little bit different. But that dose'nt matter to me. The second thing I think is a big difference is the gladators. I think most of them are bigger then the first ones were. What ever happen to all the old ones anyway. I think because there bigger it's going to be a little bit harder for people to beat them. but if I remember rite it was hard for people to beat the old ones. The last thing is that they got WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan to host it that so awsome. There for I think because of all these little or big differences, this show is going to outstanding and I think it will become a classic like the other one did. Hopefully it dose just as well as the first one did, or better. And if you have'nt seen the first one find away to see it and then you'll see why I think this show is great.

I am looking forward to this show. The original was before my time and I cant see reruns since they only air on ESPN classic. It sounds like they have got some good ideas for this shows future. Hulk Hogan is the perfect host for the show and he sure seems excited about hosting it too. I'm not exactly sure what the new shows format will be like but I have high hopes for this show, especially since many other shows have stopped airing due to the writers strike. Hopefully this will be another classic show and should be lots of fun too watch.

This show first premired in 1989. Back then no one thought that this show had a chance but after 7 seasons(and revival in 2008)people were wrong. The show is funny in its own way. If you take a person born after the show went off air and ask them to watch an episode they are probably going to watch it for the humer aspect. I mean how many gladiators did they have and the names come on, Laser, Blazer, Bronco. Dont get me wrong the show is brilliantly Portrayed and i'd say that its still in its "Prime". I definantly can't wait for the revival just to see what has changed. I suggest for someone who hasnt seen the show yet i recommend it for sure.