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American Gladiators: Awesome.
Written By Bartoneus on Jan. 7, 2008.
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Last night the new version of American Gladiators premiered on NBC, in anticipation of the hilarity my wife and I gathered several friends and watched both episodes. It was probably the best two hours of television we've ever seen, and definitely a great start to 2008 despite the writer's strike.
Yea, sure, it can be considered stupid and mindless but my god is it hilarious. Within the first 20 minutes one contestant and one gladiator were out due to injury, and none of the contestants looked like they were even going to be able to finish the eliminator. The new gladiators they've gotten for the show are a riot, especially the aptly named Wolf (covered in hair), and The Rock's cousin nicknamed Toa had a great tiki dance to intimidate his opponents.
Hulk Hogan grew to be annoying, but Laila Ali was an excellent host and seemed to enjoy being there. They've definitely chosen some great people to compete, including a female marine sergeant and a NYC firefighter, but no matter how tough they are the gladiators seem to have a good chance of kicking some ass. The new set design seems to be a good blend of the classic show (1989-1996) and present day, and thankfully many of the best events are still in the show. In many places they have replaced a pit full of mats with a pool of water, which I imagine adds a lot more time between events but certianly adds an increased sense of excitement.
Overall the show was very entertaining, I imagine if you have no connection or interest in the original you probably won't care too much about the new show, but considering the popularity of shows like Ninja Warrior I can see this new version of American Gladiators gaining a huge fanbase.
Rich
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
I remember the British version of Gladiators. Every weekend, when I was somewhere between 9 and 11, if I remember accurately, I'd go to my Dad's flat for the weekend, and the evening TV schedule always included Baywatch, Superman, and Gladiators. Gladiators was always the highlight. Excellent show. That one had a Wolf too; not sure if it's the same one, but he was the "baddy" and the crowd despised that dude. We, of course, loved him, and referred to him as Wilf. Fond memories.
estarla
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
Oh man, I can't believe I missed the first episode. I was so excited to hear it was coming back!! I have mad nostalgia for that show. It's going on the TiVo, for sure. I'll report back once I've actually watched it.
chapstick
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
Yeah, I'm upset I missed the first episode as well. It looks like a riot.
I'm now sitting here at work, the next day, listening to my co-workers talk and laugh about it. It sounds hilarious!
themikehaynes
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
We don't have cable in my house so I'll have to start road-tripping it to my friend's place to watch this. I was a huge fan of the original so this is right up my alley.
Mike
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
I watched it last night and it was pretty good. I can't believe that contestant went down with the injury, she twisted her knee just walking back to the ball container! How lame! They played up how tough she was and all her inner strength crap and then she goes down cause she twists her knee on a flat surface. Doesn't sound too strong to me.
And for those that saw the show, didn't Titan look a little plastic-y? The dude looked like a Ken doll on crack lol.
jensized
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
It's on NBC.
I said the EXACT SAME THING! Ha!
I guess when the original series aired I was too young to realize how schlocky and contrived it was. It's fun to see it in a totally different light.
themikehaynes
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
Thanks for the heads up, jensized.
Bartoneus
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
@ Mike:
No, man! She totally tripped over Stealth!
(joke, don't go back and watch it looking for stealth)
thebeancounter
Written Jan. 7, 2008 / Report /
I totally loved it... but I think a new rule that should be implemented is "No Talking." The contestants, the gladiators, even the Hulk... no talking. It just sounds too cheesy and scripted. I don't remember the original being this scripted... even the contestants had these prepared speeches. More hitting... less talking!
lyteforce
Written Jan. 9, 2008 / Report /
Now here is a guy who's happier than a pig in excrement that the show came back. Must have been working in the Mattel factory when he got the call that the show was coming back.
Anywho, I'm not sure if I'm sold quite yet.
Bartoneus
Written Jan. 9, 2008 / Report /
That's actually funny lyteforce, because the guy who plays Titan was a reserve Gladiator for the last two seasons of the original show so he was definitely waiting for it to come back!
peroty
Written Jan. 9, 2008 / Report /
My roomy and I watched it too and loved it. LOL
Initial thoughts
Wow! Where did all the water come from? Did someone pitch the idea of an aquatic American Gladiators? And will this lead to other water-based shows?
Hulk Hogan. WTF. Make the man stop talking. Just no. No more.
Wolf is going to eat someone.
I love how they have the uphill treadmill at the end of the course with the rope though even the rope didn't help our male contestants.
Leaping into the water THEN spinning around and around and around attempting to hold on is my idea of fun.
I am really looking forward to more of it.
Bartoneus
Written Jan. 10, 2008 / Report /
Man, you're right, Waterworld was an awesome movie.
I like the water because for many of the events it makes it more epic when they fall, instead of just flopping onto some padded mats. By this logic, however, molten lava would probably work better in addition to being more true to the word "gladiator".
peroty
Written Jan. 10, 2008 / Report /
Oh hell yeah! Bring on the lava! :D
Well I guess that might lead to problems.
I do love the swim under the flaming inferno part of the obstacle course though.
Fire + Water = Entertainment!
Bartoneus
Written Jan. 10, 2008 / Report /
Except when the marine sergeant lady smashed her head into the metal bar blocking off the fire area, she was bleeding from the head the whole eliminator and STILL almost won. (she probably would have if she didn't swim right into the pole)
(-that's what she said.)