American Gladiators (2008 TV series)

For the original syndicated series, see [[:American Gladiators]].

American Gladiators
The 2008 American Gladiators logo.
Genre	Sports/Sports entertainment/Game Show
Developed by	John Ferraro and Dan Carr
Directed by	J. Rupert Thompson
Starring	Hulk Hogan Laila Ali List of Gladiators
Narrated by	Van Earl Wright (play-by-play)
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	14
Production
Executive producer	John Ferraro
Producers	MGM Television (inherited from Goldwyn) Reveille Productions
Production locations	Season 1: Sony Pictures Studios Season 2: Los Angeles Sports Arena
Camera setup	Multicamera setup
Running time	60, 90, or 120 minutes (includes commercials)
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	January 6, 2008 – present

American Gladiators is an American competition TV show airing 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 "gladiators" 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. An average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere.

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; 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 2-hour episode.

Format

Season 1 of the revival featured 24 contenders (12 male, 12 female), while Season 2 has 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 consist of four events plus the Eliminator; semifinals and finals matches are 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 were four events plus the Eliminator. All other rounds have been six events plus the Eliminator. For 90-minute episodes, all the events are shown in their entirety, but for 60-minute episodes, two events for each gender are 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 advance to the semifinals; it has not yet been established how the finalists will be chosen.

The grand prize in Season 1 was $100,000, a 2008 Toyota Sequoia, as well as the right to become a Gladiator for Season 2; the cash prize and car are still offered in Season 2, but there is no explicit mention of the contenders becoming Gladiators.

History

When ESPN Classic launched reruns of the original series, ESPN.com had an online chat session with Dan "Nitro" Clark, who is also the coordinating producer with the revival. During the chat, Clark noted MGM Television was planning a revival of the show. After discussions with MGM, NBC confirmed in August 2007 that a revival would be produced by Reveille Productions 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.

Gladiators

Female Gladiators

Alias	Seasons		Name	Stats	Notes
	First	Last
Blast	1	1	Jennifer Barry	Information unknown	Reserve (Season 1); not seen on TV
Crush	1	Present	Gina Carano	5'8", 144.5 lbs (1.73 m, 71 kg)
Fury	1	1	Jamie Reed	5'8", 148 lbs (1.73 m, 67 kg)	Reserve (Season 2)
Hellga	1	Present	Robin Coleman	6'1", 205 lbs (1.84 m, 93 kg)
Jet	2	Present	Monica Carlson	5'7", 130 lbs (1.70 m, 59 kg)	Women's Champion (Season 1)
Panther	2	Present	Information unknown	5'5", 125 lbs
Phoenix	2	Present	Jennifer Widerstrom	5'6", 155 lbs (1.68 m, 70 kg)
Siren	1	Present	Valerie Waugaman	5'9", 145 lbs (1.75 m, 66 kg)
Stealth	1	1	Tanji Johnson	5'2", 123 lbs (1.57 m, 56 kg)
Steel	2	Present	Erin Toughill	5'10", 155 lbs (1.77 m, 70kg)
Venom	1	Present	Beth Horn	5'8", 137 lbs (1.73 m, 62 kg)

Male Gladiators

Alias	Seasons		Name	Stats	Notes
	First	Last
Beast	2	Present	Matt Morgan	7'1' 330 lbs (2.16 m, 149 kg)
Hammer	1	1	Michael Briehler	Information Unknown	Reserve (Season 1); not seen on TV
Hurricane	2	Present	Breaux Greer	6'2", 230 lbs (1.88 m, 105 kg)
Justice	1	Present	Jesse Justice Smith Jr.	6'8", 290 lbs (2.03 m, 132 kg)
Mayhem	1	1	Romeo Williams	6'6", 230 lbs (1.96 m, 104 kg)	Reserve (Season 2)
Militia	1	Present	Alex Castro	6'3", 220 lbs (1.90 m, 100 kg)
Rocket	2	Present	Evan Dollard	5'10", 160 lbs (1.78 m, 73 kg)	Men's Champion (Season 1)
Titan	1	Present	Michael O'Hearn	6'3", 251 lbs (1.90 m, 114 kg)	Reserve (original version) Gladiator Captain
Toa	1	Present	Tanoai Reed	6'3", 240 lbs (1.90 m, 109 kg)
Wolf	1	Present	Don "Hollywood" Yates	6'4", 225 lbs (1.93 m, 102 kg)
Zen	2	Present	Xin Wuku	5'9", 160 lbs (1.75m, 73 kg)

Events

Main article: List of American Gladiators events

The following is a list of Events featured on American Gladiators. Descriptions of events that were played on the original version of American Gladiators 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 slingshot. 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.

Atlasphere

There are no gameplay changes to Atlasphere (Season 2), which was last seen in Season 5 of the Original Series (1993-94), meaning that each goal is worth 2 points. There has been one change, according to the NBC website: the name of the event is now Altrasphere.

Earthquake

A new event to American Gladiators is Earthquake (Season 1), the contender and Gladiator wrestle on a 12-foot diameter 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. Contenders get 10 points if they pull the Gladiator down, and 5 points if they last 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."

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, 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 and the course has been lengthened.

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^*.

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), each Gladiator can only defend against one selected contender. 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 "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.

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 cord 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).

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), and was raised to 50 feet in height for Season 2. 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.

Template:FnbSiren 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)
• Jump off the wall into the pool, and swim under a "fiery surface"
• Climb a 30-foot vertical cargo net
• Traverse a downward-inclined barrel roll (by grabbing onto the barrel and rolling with the barrel)
• Use a hand bike to cross a pit
  • Although no penalty was announced for falling off the hand bike, several contenders appeared to be delayed for several seconds upon falling; an assistant referee was seen in the pit holding a stopwatch.
• Traverse a balance beam inclined downward
• Climb the Pyramid
• Travel down a zipline
• Run up the Travelator (a reverse treadmill), with a rope provided about halfway up for assistance
• Climb a short flight of stairs
• Crash through a foam wall that marks the finish line

Season 2

In Season 2, the Eliminator was redesigned, with this layout:

• Jump directly into the pool and swim under the fiery surface
  • The swim is roughly twice as long as in Season 1.
• Climb the cargo net
  • The cargo net is now angled
• Rope swing downward
• Tightrope walk (similar to the "commando lines" in Season 1 of the original series) downward
• Use a hand bike to cross a pit
  • There is no explicit penalty for falling off the hand bike; instead, contenders must wade through a 6-foot-deep ball pit to reach a ladder.
• Run across a spinning barrel (unlike Seasons 3-6 of the original series, both contenders share one cylinder, which is inclined downward)
• Climb the Pyramid
• Travel down a zipline
• Cross a teeter-totter
  • Contenders need not stand while ascending to the midpoint (marked with a star), but must start again if they fall off before they tilt it
• Run up the Travelator
• Climb a short series of stairs
• Rope swing through a banner into the pool

Tournament

In Season 1, the Final 8 consisted of the four men and four women who had the fastest winning times in the Eliminator. 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 will advance to the semifinals. The exact format of the semifinals has not yet been announced.

All results are from the NBC official American Gladiators website.

Grand Champions

Season	Male Champion	Female Champion
1	Evan Dollard	Monica Carlson

Season 1

For Complete Season 1 tournament results, see [[:American Gladiators (2008 TV series) - Results]].

Season 2

Female bracket

Preliminaries

Semi-Finals

Championship

Elena Maskalik

10:57

Melissa Trinidad

9:42

Nikki Key / Nikki Smith†

6:20

Vanessa Warren

3:21

Abbe Dorn

2:58x

Vicki Ferarri

7:10

De Day

3:30

Tiffaney Florentine

2:57x

Rochelle Gilken

3:48

Chaunda Mason

6:17

Lillian Thomassen

3:08

Clinessa Burch

5:03

Ally Davidson

2:08x

Kendra Sirignano

2:58

Male bracket

Preliminaries

Semi-Finals

Championship

Randee Haynes

2:06x

Jay Martinez

4:27

John Siciliano

11:26

Gerry Garcia

3:03

Melvin Davis

10:301

David Moore

10:38

Brick Reilly

2:10

Toby Gordin

2:31

Landon Jones

6:24

Tony Tolbert

2:56

Adam Hill

2:05

Mike Gamble

1:58x

Jeff Davidson

1:34x

Aaron Simpson

2:54

Template:FnbReplaced the original Contender. Nikki Key suffered an ankle injury during Pyramid.
Template:FnbMelvin's time was incorrectly listed as 9:42 on the post-game chart after preliminary round 3, however the play-by-play page on the official website corrected the error. The scoreboard page on the official website also has the error, however since Melvin's time was announced on-air, the correct time is listed.
Template:FnbContender has clinched a spot in the Semi Finals

External links

• Official American Gladiators Site (NBC)
• Canadian Official Site (Citytv)
• American Gladiators at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com show
• MGM American Gladiators Site
• American Gladiators Zone
• American Gladiators Domain