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American Gladiators (2008 TV series)
Encyclopedia
American Gladiators is an American competition
TV show
that aired on NBC
and Citytv
in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan
and Laila Ali
, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiator
s" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a remake
of the original series of the same name
which ran from 1989–1996, with elements of the UK version of the 1990s. The show is refereed by Al Kaplon, a former American League
umpire
, who can also be seen as the referee in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
. Play-by-play narration is handled by Van Earl Wright
.
Season 1 was taped at Sony Pictures Studios
in Culver City, California
. Beginning with Season 2, the show moved to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It is produced
by Reveille Productions
and MGM Television
.
American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008; an average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere. All other Season 1 episodes aired Mondays at 8:00 ET/PT, except for the finale, which aired Sunday February 17, 2008 at 7:00 ET/PT. Season 2 premiered May 12, 2008, on NBC, with a two-hour episode. The two-hour Season 2 finale aired on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 ET/PT. While the final two-hour episode of Season 1 was devoted entirely to the finals, the Season 2 finale consisted of the third semifinal round followed by the finals.
New episodes and new cast members were planned for a 3rd season in the summer of 2009, however, NBC canceled those plans in March. It may return at a later date on another network. It is currently being televised on WGN America and MTV2
.
In August 2008, Season 1 of American Gladiators began airing on WKAQ-TV
, Telemundo Puerto Rico every Sunday at 8 PM. In September 2008, Season 1 of American Gladiators began airing on Sky1 in the United Kingdom on Tuesday Afternoons. In April 2009, Season 2 of American Gladiators will begin broadcasting on Sky1 on Saturday Evenings.
In Australia American Gladiators started airing on Seven's
new free-to-air
digital channel 7Two
on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM from Nov. 4, 2009.
In Season 1, the four male contenders and the four female contenders who won their respective preliminary matches with the fastest Eliminator times advanced to the semifinals; the winners of the two semifinals matches competed in the finals. In Season 2, the top six contenders of each gender advanced to the semifinals; after three semifinal matches, the two winning contenders of each gender with the fastest Eliminator times advanced to the finals.
The grand prize in Season 1 was $100,000, a 2008 Toyota Sequoia
, and the right to become a Gladiator for Season 2. The cash prize and car remained the same in Season 2, but there was no explicit mention of the contenders becoming Gladiators.
and MGM Television
for a mid-season debut. Shortly thereafter, NBC announced a casting call on its website. The first ad for the revival aired during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
on November 22, 2007. Although some analysts believe that the show was revived in response to talks of an upcoming WGA strike
, which was ongoing at the time of AG's premier, evidence of this is inconclusive.
contain only the changes made in the revival and the season the event was introduced in is shown in brackets. Season 1 featured a total of ten events, including the Eliminator, where Season 2 featured seven additional events.
. The second station is a rotating turret that contenders must rotate into position and load themselves. The third station is a sand pit where an arrow is hidden for the crossbow waiting at station four (they complete the station by finding the arrow). Contenders are given a smokescreen at station three to assist in moving to station four. The fifth station consists of throwing three balls at the target. If the contenders hit any part of the target, they earn 10 points. Hitting the target or pushing the button at the end of the course triggers pyrotechnics at the Gladiator's platform, and the Gladiator is rapidly pulled off the platform by a pulley and harness fly system
across the arena and into the water tank. If time runs out, or contenders are hit by a ball fired by the Gladiator before hitting the target, they earn one point for each station completed. In Season 2, the turret no longer moves side to side, and a bazooka was added for the third station. Contenders no longer have to fish in the sand for an arrow or load any of the weapons with the exception of the slingshot. If a ball fired by the gladiator bounces off the floor before hitting the contender, the hit does not count.
In the Season 2 semifinals, the rules reverted to ones similar to those used in the original US version: contenders earn 10 points for completing the Gauntlet in under 20 seconds, or 5 for doing so within the 30-second limit.
" target, and colored balls attached to the base. The contenders have 60 seconds to pull a ball off one platform, race across the five platforms, and place the ball in the target at the other end; each ball placed in the target earns one point. As in Hit and Run, the Gladiators try to end the event early by knocking the contender into the water. In Sideswipe, though, the Gladiators themselves are the projectiles, swinging on ropes to try and hit the contender.
to a Gladiator, who stands on a platform behind a 50-foot-long lane. The contenders race toward red buttons at the end of their lanes while the Gladiators resist by pulling back on their bungee lines. Contenders can earn 2, 4, 6, or 8 points based on their progress down the lane when time expires. If they reach the red button at the end of their lane, they earn 10 points and launch their Gladiator into the air (but not into the pool, as in Assault); both contenders can earn 10 points.
The NBC website incorrectly refers to the revived event as "Altrasphere."Siren was disqualified for this facing Kim Marciniak. However Crush was not disqualified for going to her knees while facing Koya Webb.
In Season 2, the six men and six women with the fastest winning times in the Eliminator advanced to the semifinals, where matchups were determined by seeding based on the preliminary Eliminator results. After three semifinal rounds, the two men and two women with the fastest winning Eliminator times in the semifinals advanced to the finals.
All results are from the NBC official American Gladiators website.
Episode 2: Both competitions featured cops who work together: Melvin Davis and David Moore work in the Chicago Police Department, while Abbe Dorn and Vicki Ferrari are partners working in Denver.
Episode 4: This episode was dedicated to the movie The Incredible Hulk
. Special Hulk themed elements to the show included: green lighting in the rafters and the pool; the use of green scoring balls in Powerball (one contender used solid green balls, the other used green and black balls); Gauntlet power pads being replaced by "Hulk Hands
"; and Titan competing in Joust covered in green body paint.
Episode 5: Twin sisters Clinessa Burch and Lillian Thomassen competed against one another.
Episode 6: Two married couples—Jeff and Ally Davidson, and Aaron Simpson (fighter)
and Kendra Sirignano—competed (individually).
Episode 7: All four contestants had lost 50 or more pounds prior to competing on the show.
Episode 8: The female competition was called "The Battle of the Ages" as it pitted the youngest contender of the season, Annie Castellano, age 20, against the oldest contender ever on the show, Yoko Ohigashi, age 52.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
TV show
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and Citytv
Citytv
Citytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications under its Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. division...
in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Laila Ali
Laila Ali
Laila Amaria Ali is a retired American professional boxer. She is the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali from his third wife Veronica Porsche Ali.-Boxing career:...
, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
s" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the original series of the same name
American Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series 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 concept was created by...
which ran from 1989–1996, with elements of the UK version of the 1990s. The show is refereed by Al Kaplon, a former American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
, who can also be seen as the referee in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, commonly referred to as simply DodgeBall, is a 2004 American sports comedy film produced by 20th Century Fox and Red Hour Productions, written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and starring Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, and Rip Torn...
. Play-by-play narration is handled by Van Earl Wright
Van Earl Wright
Van Earl Wright is an American sportscaster with over 20 years of national and local experience.A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Wright is known for a homespun delivery which reflects his Southern roots. His signature greeting is "Hel-looooo, everybody."Until the summer of 2007, he...
.
Season 1 was taped at Sony Pictures Studios
Sony Pictures Studios
The Sony Pictures Studios are a television and film studio complex located in Culver City, California at 10202 West Washington Boulevard and bounded by Culver Boulevard , Washington Boulevard , Overland Avenue and Madison Avenue...
in Culver City, California
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
. Beginning with Season 2, the show moved to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It is produced
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
by Reveille Productions
Reveille Productions
Reveille Productions is an independently-owned television and motion picture studio and production company based in Los Angeles. The studio was founded by Ben Silverman in March 2002....
and MGM Television
MGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
.
American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008; an average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere. All other Season 1 episodes aired Mondays at 8:00 ET/PT, except for the finale, which aired Sunday February 17, 2008 at 7:00 ET/PT. Season 2 premiered May 12, 2008, on NBC, with a two-hour episode. The two-hour Season 2 finale aired on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 ET/PT. While the final two-hour episode of Season 1 was devoted entirely to the finals, the Season 2 finale consisted of the third semifinal round followed by the finals.
New episodes and new cast members were planned for a 3rd season in the summer of 2009, however, NBC canceled those plans in March. It may return at a later date on another network. It is currently being televised on WGN America and MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
.
In August 2008, Season 1 of American Gladiators began airing on WKAQ-TV
WKAQ-TV
WKAQ-TV is a full-power television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over digital 2.1. The station is owned and operated by NBCUniversal and is branded simply as Telemundo....
, Telemundo Puerto Rico every Sunday at 8 PM. In September 2008, Season 1 of American Gladiators began airing on Sky1 in the United Kingdom on Tuesday Afternoons. In April 2009, Season 2 of American Gladiators will begin broadcasting on Sky1 on Saturday Evenings.
In Australia American Gladiators started airing on Seven's
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
new free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
digital channel 7Two
7Two
7TWO is an Australian free-to-air standard definition digital television channel which was launched by the Seven Network on Sunday 1 November 2009 at 12pm....
on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM from Nov. 4, 2009.
Format
Season 1 of the revival featured 24 contenders (12 male, 12 female), while Season 2 had 40 contenders (20 male, 20 female). Men and women compete in separate tournaments, with two men and two women competing in each episode. In each episode, contenders take part in several events against the Gladiators, trying to earn as many points as possible before the final event, the Eliminator. Each point separating the contenders translates into a half-second advantage for the leader (or a half-second handicap for the trailing contender). For Season 1, preliminary round matches consisted of four events plus the Eliminator; semifinals and finals matches were extended to five events plus the Eliminator (by comparison, the original series had either six or seven events plus the Eliminator). The first two preliminary matches of Season 2 had four events plus the Eliminator. All other rounds had six events plus the Eliminator. For 90-minute episodes, all the events were shown in their entirety, but for 60-minute episodes, two events for each gender were shown only in brief "recap" segments; those events can be viewed in their entirety on the NBC website.In Season 1, the four male contenders and the four female contenders who won their respective preliminary matches with the fastest Eliminator times advanced to the semifinals; the winners of the two semifinals matches competed in the finals. In Season 2, the top six contenders of each gender advanced to the semifinals; after three semifinal matches, the two winning contenders of each gender with the fastest Eliminator times advanced to the finals.
The grand prize in Season 1 was $100,000, a 2008 Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. It is derived from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck but differs in its use of an independent rear suspension. It is priced between the mid-size 4Runner and Toyota's flagship Land Cruiser...
, and the right to become a Gladiator for Season 2. The cash prize and car remained the same in Season 2, but there was no explicit mention of the contenders becoming Gladiators.
History
After discussions with MGM, NBC confirmed in August 2007 that a revival would be produced by Reveille ProductionsReveille Productions
Reveille Productions is an independently-owned television and motion picture studio and production company based in Los Angeles. The studio was founded by Ben Silverman in March 2002....
and MGM Television
MGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
for a mid-season debut. Shortly thereafter, NBC announced a casting call on its website. The first ad for the revival aired during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
on November 22, 2007. Although some analysts believe that the show was revived in response to talks of an upcoming WGA strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
, which was ongoing at the time of AG's premier, evidence of this is inconclusive.
Female gladiators
| Gladiator Name | Seasons | Birth Name | Height and Weight | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Last | ||||
| Crush | 1 | present | Gina Carano Gina Carano Gina Joy Carano is an American model, actress, and mixed martial arts fighter. Carano appeared as the Gladiator "Crush" on American Gladiators... |
5'8", 150 lbs (1.70 m, 68 kg) |
|
| Fury | 1 | 1 | Jamie Reed Jamie Kovac Jamie Reed Kovac is an American actress, body builder and civil engineer. She is best known for playing 'Fury' on American Gladiators.Born Jamie Reed, she holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Management from Cornell's College of Engineering, and played varsity softball... |
5'8", 148 lbs (1.70 m, 67 kg) |
|
| Hellga | 1 | present | Robin Coleman Robin Coleman Robin Coleman is an American actress with backgrounds in figure competition, rowing, professional strongwoman, and former female bodybuilder.... |
6'1", 205 lbs (1.83 m, 93 kg) | |
| Jet | 2 | present | Monica Carlson | 5'7", 130 lbs (1.68 m, 59 kg) |
American Gladiators (2008 TV series) - Results This is the results page for completed seasons of the 2008 revival of American Gladiators.-Season 1 :Of the 12 winners in the preliminary round, the four men and four women with the fastest Eliminator times became the Final 8... women's champion |
| Panther | 2 | present | Corinne van Ryck de Groot | 5'5", 125 lbs (1.63m, 57 kg) | |
| Phoenix | 2 | present | Jennifer Widerstrom | 5'7", 153 lbs (1.67 m, 68 kg) | |
| Siren | 1 | present | Valerie Waugaman Valerie Waugaman Valerie Waugaman is an IFBB Figure Professional, Director of Marketing of Octane Café, a fitness-oriented restaurant concept in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and appeared as the Gladiator "Siren" on the 2008 American Gladiators revival.-Biography:... |
5'9", 145 lbs (1.73 m, 66 kg) | |
| Stealth | 1 | 1 | Tanji Johnson | 5'2", 100 lbs (1.55 m, 56 kg) | |
| Steel | 2 | present | Erin Toughill Erin Toughill Erin Young Toughill is a mixed martial artist and former boxer.She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu soon after.... |
5'10", 156 lbs (1.75 m, 73 kg) |
|
| Venom | 1 | present | Beth Horn | 5'8", 137 lbs (1.70 m, 62 kg) | |
Male gladiators
| Gladiator Name | Seasons | Birth Name | Height & Weight | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Last | ||||
| Beast | 2 | Present | Matt Morgan | 7'0", 310 lbs (2.10 m, 140 kg) |
|
| Hurricane | 2 | Present | Breaux Greer Breaux Greer Breaux Greer is a male American javelin thrower. He is an eight time American Champion and American record holder for the javelin with a throw of 91.29 meters, achieved on June 21, 2007 during the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis... |
6'2", 230 lbs (1.85 m, 104 kg) |
|
| Justice | 1 | Present | Jesse Justice Smith, Jr. | 6'8", 290 lbs (2.00 m, 131 kg) |
|
| Mayhem | 1 | 1 | Romeo Williams | 6'6", 230 lbs (1.95 m, 104 kg) |
|
| Militia | 1 | Present | Alex Castro | 6'3", 220 lbs (1.88 m, 99.7 kg) | |
| Rocket | 2 | Present | Evan Dollard | 5'10", 160 lbs (1.75 m, 72 kg) |
American Gladiators (2008 TV series) - Results This is the results page for completed seasons of the 2008 revival of American Gladiators.-Season 1 :Of the 12 winners in the preliminary round, the four men and four women with the fastest Eliminator times became the Final 8... Men's Champion |
| Titan | 1 | Present | Michael O'Hearn Michael O'Hearn Michael O'Hearn is an American bodybuilder, actor, powerlifter and fitness model. He has been featured on over 470 magazine covers, was Fitness Model of the Year seven times, was a champion in judo and tae kwon do, and was a four-time Mr. Natural Universe title holder... |
6'3", 263 lbs (1.87 m, 120 kg) |
American Gladiators American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series 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 concept was created by... – as "Thor") |
| Toa | 1 | Present | Tanoai Reed Tanoai Reed Tanoai Reed is a Hollywood stunt man.Reed was born in Honolulu, Hawaii of Samoan and Norwegian descent. He is the cousin and stand-in double of pro wrestler turned actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.... |
6'3", 240 lbs (1.87 m, 108 kg) |
|
| Wolf | 1 | Present | Don "Hollywood" Yates | 6'4", 225 lbs (1.90 m, 102 kg) | |
| Zen | 2 | Present | Xin Wuku | 5'9", 160 lbs (1.73m, 72 kg) |
YouTube YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos.... video. |
Events
The following is a list of events featured on American Gladiators. Descriptions of events that were played on the original version of American GladiatorsAmerican Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series 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 concept was created by...
contain only the changes made in the revival and the season the event was introduced in is shown in brackets. Season 1 featured a total of ten events, including the Eliminator, where Season 2 featured seven additional events.
Assault
In Assault (Season 1), the contenders begin the course holding the ball for use in the first weapon, a slingshotSlingshot
A slingshot, shanghai, flip, bean shooter or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame held in the off hand, with two rubber strips attached to the uprights. The other ends of the strips lead back to a pocket which holds the projectile...
. The second station is a rotating turret that contenders must rotate into position and load themselves. The third station is a sand pit where an arrow is hidden for the crossbow waiting at station four (they complete the station by finding the arrow). Contenders are given a smokescreen at station three to assist in moving to station four. The fifth station consists of throwing three balls at the target. If the contenders hit any part of the target, they earn 10 points. Hitting the target or pushing the button at the end of the course triggers pyrotechnics at the Gladiator's platform, and the Gladiator is rapidly pulled off the platform by a pulley and harness fly system
Fly system
A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...
across the arena and into the water tank. If time runs out, or contenders are hit by a ball fired by the Gladiator before hitting the target, they earn one point for each station completed. In Season 2, the turret no longer moves side to side, and a bazooka was added for the third station. Contenders no longer have to fish in the sand for an arrow or load any of the weapons with the exception of the slingshot. If a ball fired by the gladiator bounces off the floor before hitting the contender, the hit does not count.
Atlasphere
The return of Atlasphere (Season 2), last seen in Season 5 of the original series (1993–94), includes elements from the original series. The competitors begin on ramps, as in Seasons 3 and 4 of the original series, and each contender must roll his/her sphere directly over the sensors in the middle of the pod to release a blast of steam and score 2 points.Earthquake
In Earthquake, the contender and Gladiator wrestle on a 12 feet (3.7 m) platform that is suspended above the floor in Season 1, or the pool in Season 2, and is moved during the event. If the Contender takes the Gladiator off the platform, he or she is declared the winner, even if he or she also comes down in the process. A Contender gets 10 points if he or she pulls the Gladiator down, and 5 points if he or she lasts the entire 30 seconds. Holding on to the wires supporting the Earthquake ring is legal, but kicking or otherwise using the foot to remove the Contender from the ring is not. The event is similar in concept to "Conquer", the second part of "Breakthrough and Conquer".Gauntlet
In Gauntlet (Season 1), the contenders earn two points for each of four Gladiators they pass within the 30-second time limit and an additional two points if they can break through a foam wall 10 feet beyond the final Gladiator, for a maximum of 10 points. The rule change is similar to the seventh and eighth seasons of the UK Series. In addition, the Gauntlet is enclosed, so contenders cannot be pushed "out of bounds."In the Season 2 semifinals, the rules reverted to ones similar to those used in the original US version: contenders earn 10 points for completing the Gauntlet in under 20 seconds, or 5 for doing so within the 30-second limit.
Hang Tough
In Hang Tough (Season 1) the course is shorter, situated over a pool of water, and has much smaller platforms. Further, the Gladiator is allowed to use the contender's equipment (such as the straps holding the backpack) to pull the contender in. As in the original version, contenders receive 5 points if they are still on the course when the 60-second time limit expires. In Season 2, the course has been lengthened, and contenders must have at least one hand on a blue ring (all rings from the center row to the Gladiator's platform) when time expires in order to earn points for a draw.Hit & Run
In Hit & Run (Season 1), which was first introduced in the UK version, the contender traverses a 50-foot suspension bridge hanging above the water tank. Four Gladiators, two on each side of the bridge, attempt to knock the contender off using 100-pound demolition balls. Contenders receive two points for each successful trip across the bridge within the 60-second time limit, and must press a button on the platform to register the points (a difference from the UK version, which required contenders to touch the rail at the back of the platform). Furthermore, there is no penalty for crawling on the suspension bridge, as there was in the UK version, though the referee has instructed contenders to return to their feet in some instances after significant crawling.Joust
In Joust (Season 1), the platforms are situated over a pool of water. Gladiators, but not contenders, may be disqualified if both their knees touch the platform simultaneously. Both gladiators and contenders will be disqualified if they step on their opponents platform. If gladiator is knocked off by contender the contender will earn 10 points. If the contestant does not get hit off by 30 seconds then the contender will receive 5 points..Powerball
In Powerball (Season 1), the time limit is now 60 seconds. In addition, the playing field is lined with padded walls, which means there is no "out of bounds," and the scoring bins have much wider openings, making tossed balls more effective than the original. For Season 2, caps have been added to the scoring pods to narrow the opening and prevent the contenders from scoring by shooting the ball and the course has been enlarged.Pyramid
In Pyramid (Season 1), Modified UK Gladiators rules have been adopted. Contenders earn 5 points for getting their feet atop the Pyramid tier marked with a white dotted line. Pressing the button at the top within the 60-second time limit is worth 5 more points, for a total of 10, and immediately ends the event.Rocketball
In Rocketball (Season 2), which is a new event, two Gladiators and two contenders begin the match at the corners of the arena. When each competitor presses a button, they are launched via their harnesses into the air toward two goals at the center of the arena. The contenders try to score by throwing balls into the goals, while the Gladiators play defense. Goals in the lower basket are worth 1 point, while goals in the upper basket are worth 2. The event is similar to an inverted version of the original series event Swingshot.Sideswipe
Sideswipe (Season 2) features a series of five platforms, similar in size to those used in Joust. Each end platform has a "bullseyeBullseye (target)
The bullseye, or bull's-eye, is the centre of a target , and by extension the name given to any shot that hits the bullseye...
" target, and colored balls attached to the base. The contenders have 60 seconds to pull a ball off one platform, race across the five platforms, and place the ball in the target at the other end; each ball placed in the target earns one point. As in Hit and Run, the Gladiators try to end the event early by knocking the contender into the water. In Sideswipe, though, the Gladiators themselves are the projectiles, swinging on ropes to try and hit the contender.
Skytrack
The 2008 revival uses the UK rules of Skytrack (Season 2). The two contenders race around one lap suspended upside down from a figure 8 track hanging from the ceiling of the arena. They are chased by two Gladiators, whose goal is to pull a ripcord being trailed by the Contenders. If the Gladiator pulls the ripcord, the contender is released from their carriage and is eliminated from the race. The first contender to cross the finish line earns 10 points. If both contenders cross the finish line, the second place contender gets 5 points. The contenders also face a time limit of 60 seconds. The Gladiators start further away from the contenders so they can have a fair match.Snapback
The 2008 version of Snapback (Season 2) is very different from the event of the same name in the original series. In the new version, each contender is connected by a bungee cordBungee cord
A bungee cord , also known as a shock cord, is an elastic cord composed of one or more elastic strands forming a core, usually covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath...
to a Gladiator, who stands on a platform behind a 50-foot-long lane. The contenders race toward red buttons at the end of their lanes while the Gladiators resist by pulling back on their bungee lines. Contenders can earn 2, 4, 6, or 8 points based on their progress down the lane when time expires. If they reach the red button at the end of their lane, they earn 10 points and launch their Gladiator into the air (but not into the pool, as in Assault); both contenders can earn 10 points.
Tilt
The rules of Tilt (Season 2), which is originally from the UK version, are similar to Tug-O-War from the original run of American Gladiators. The Contender and Gladiator begin each match on a platform situated above the pool. The Gladiator's platform is higher than the contender's and is tilted forward. The Contender's platform is tilted backwards to start the match. 5 points are awarded if the Contender can remain on the platform for the entire 30 seconds. The Contender can earn 10 points if they can pull the Gladiator off the platform and into the water. The rope is attached to both Contender and Gladiator by a harness, which removes the possibility of losing by letting go of the rope.Vertigo
In Vertigo (Season 2), which was first introduced in the UK version, the contender and Gladiator race across a course of seven flexible poles with handholds and platforms. The game begins with both competitors racing up a laddered pole. Upon reaching the top, they must then sway their pole towards the next, crossing onto it. The winner is the first to complete the course, grabbing a large hoop at the end to return to the ground. Contenders earn 10 points if they beat the Gladiator, or 5 if they reach the scoring zone (the fifth pole or beyond) if the Gladiator wins.The Wall
The Wall (Season 1) uses the original format, with a three-section Wall, and contestants given a seven-second head start. The Wall was 40 feet high in Season 1 (an eight-foot increase over the Wall in the original American Gladiators). In Season 2, it was raised to 50 feet, and each contender raced up a separate wall. Contenders and Gladiators cross floating platforms to reach the Wall (the same platforms were used at the beginning of the Eliminator in Season 1). Once the Gladiators begin their pursuit, the platforms are retracted. Contenders that are pulled or fall from the Wall drop into the water. Unlike previous editions, however, contenders earn 5 points if they are still on the Wall when the 60-second time limit expires.The NBC website incorrectly refers to the revived event as "Altrasphere."Siren was disqualified for this facing Kim Marciniak. However Crush was not disqualified for going to her knees while facing Koya Webb.
The Eliminator
In both seasons, unlike the original series, contenders do not wear helmets. Also, like most episodes of Season 7 of the original series, no Gladiators are present on the course.Season 1
In Season 1, The Eliminator had these tasks:- Traverse the floating platforms used in the Wall
- Climb an 8-foot wall. (a rope is provided to help climb up)
- Swim under a fiery surface.
- Climb a 30-foot cargo net.
- Go downward on a inclined barrel roll (A rope is provided to help hold on)
- Use a hand bike to cross a pit
- Run down a balance beam inclined downward
- Run up the pyramid
- Travel down a zipline
- Run up the Travelator (a rope is provided to help climb up)
- Climb a short flight of stairs
- Then crash through the foam wall from gauntlet
Season 2
In season 2 the Eliminator had these tasks- Jump directly into the pool and swim under the fiery surface.
- Climb up a cargo net.
- Rope swing downward.
- Tightrope walk downward.
- Use a Hand bike to cross over a 6 ft deep ball pit.
- Run across a spinning barrel.
- Climb the Pyramid.
- Travel down a zipline.
- Cross a teeter-totter.
- Run up the Travelator.
- Climb a short flight of stairs.
- Rope swing through a banner into the pool.
Tournament
In Season 1, the four men and four women who had the fastest winning times in the Eliminator moved on to the semifinals. Matchups were determined by seeding based on the preliminary Eliminator results.In Season 2, the six men and six women with the fastest winning times in the Eliminator advanced to the semifinals, where matchups were determined by seeding based on the preliminary Eliminator results. After three semifinal rounds, the two men and two women with the fastest winning Eliminator times in the semifinals advanced to the finals.
All results are from the NBC official American Gladiators website.
Grand Champions
| Season | Male Champion | Female Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evan Dollard | Monica Carlson |
| 2 | Tim Oliphant | Ally Davidson |
Special episodes
Season 2 featured a number of "theme" episodes. These episodes were not stand-alone episodes.Episode 2: Both competitions featured cops who work together: Melvin Davis and David Moore work in the Chicago Police Department, while Abbe Dorn and Vicki Ferrari are partners working in Denver.
Episode 4: This episode was dedicated to the movie The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk (film)
The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero action film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
. Special Hulk themed elements to the show included: green lighting in the rafters and the pool; the use of green scoring balls in Powerball (one contender used solid green balls, the other used green and black balls); Gauntlet power pads being replaced by "Hulk Hands
Hulk Hands
Originally released as a part of the merchandise for 2003 Hulk film, Hulk Hands are a toy consisting of large foam-rubber clenched fists into which the wearer inserts his hands. When worn, they resemble green oversized boxing gloves that can be used to strike people or objects...
"; and Titan competing in Joust covered in green body paint.
Episode 5: Twin sisters Clinessa Burch and Lillian Thomassen competed against one another.
Episode 6: Two married couples—Jeff and Ally Davidson, and Aaron Simpson (fighter)
Aaron Simpson (fighter)
Aaron Michael Simpson is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Before starting his mixed martial arts career, Simpson was a standout wrestler. In high school, Simpson compiled a 142–1 record wrestling for Antelope Union High School...
and Kendra Sirignano—competed (individually).
Episode 7: All four contestants had lost 50 or more pounds prior to competing on the show.
Episode 8: The female competition was called "The Battle of the Ages" as it pitted the youngest contender of the season, Annie Castellano, age 20, against the oldest contender ever on the show, Yoko Ohigashi, age 52.