New American Gladiators Television Review

Back in the late 80's a little show called American Gladiators got the hearts pumping of ordinary Americans in search of live competition that they could have a chance to compete in. American Gladiators featured ordinary looking people taking on behemoth athletes with names like Nitro, Thunder, Turbo, and other intimidating monikers. They fought through various physical challenges against these guys twice their size and we rooted for them. The fanfare eventually died off in 1997, left only to reruns on ESPN Classic.

But 10 years later the gladiator has risen again. NBC Premiered it's revival of American Gladiators on 6 January with new hosts, new competitions, but same spirit. How would it hold up against the original? Just fine, if not better.

First off, the structure of the show is all about excitement, especially the hosts. NBC couldn't have picked better hosts than "real American" Hulk Hogan and champion boxer/daughter of champion boxer Layla Ali who could be a Gladiator herself. They are great quick interviewers and throw enough commentary throughout the competition to keep things moving.

The Gladiators are bigger, better, and even prettier than ever. A large, mohawked man named Justice stands 6'8", 290 lbs. Wolf, as hairy and loud as his name sounds, is not a little guy at 6'4", 250. The ladies come in all shapes and sizes, too, with the beautiful-yet-deadly Crush at 5'8" but is a former Muy-Thai boxing champ. And Hellga is a mere 6'0", 205 lbs and is listed as the third strongest woman in the world. These guys are much meaner, and with mics and cams on competitors and gladiators, you can hear all the trash talking and see bodies flying at every angle.

The competitors, this time, can fight for more than just pride. Although they do come from varied backgrounds- a male daycare provider, a rehab doctor, and an Ex-Marine mom were featured in the debut- there is $100,000, a new Toyota truck, and a chance to be a gladiator on the next season awaits the final champion. Definitely a lot of incentives to take on people twice your size!

They don't have it easy, considering the myriad of obstacles in their way. Some of the classics made it back like Power Ball, The Wall, and Joust. But there are new twists and turns to include the Pyramid, where competitors try to climb to the top of a pyramid while Gladiators toss them down 15 feet or more; and an update to Joust that takes away that nice, foam pad at the bottom and instead replaces it with a water hazard. The Eliminator has been stepped up, too. They added a swimming obstacle that involves going under a steel structure that's on fire. Yes, fire. The Marine Mom banged her head on the structure and drew blood but managed to finish the course.

The new American Gladiators is definitely worth watching like its predecessor. The production is awesome with all the mics and camera angles. The Gladiators are people you love to hate. And the competitors will draw you in like kids to candy. You'll find yourself cheering the little guy, like the audience did for a woman who was two minutes behind in the Eliminator. She didn't quit, never said die, and managed to overtake and overcome her competitor who ran out of gas at the end. That's what we loved about the original and that's what is to love about the update. The series airs on Monday nights at NBC.