American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired weekly 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 Dan Carr and John C. Ferraro, who held the original competition at Erie Tech High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. They sold the show to The Samuel Goldwyn Company (later MGM) where the concept was enhanced and became American Gladiators.
The first version of American Gladiators ran from 1989-96. An effort in 2004 to launch a live American Gladiators show on the Las Vegas Strip became mired in a securities fraud prosecution. And in 2008, a revived version air on NBC, but that lasted for about 8 months. In 2015, Tribune Broadcasting, working with MGM Television and Reveille Productions, announced plans to revive the series for the third time. J.D. Roth is the host, with Joe Theismann doing color commentary, and Van Earl Wright doing play-by-play narration. Wright did play-by-play narration for the NBC revival. The series is taped from The Forum Presented by Chase in Los Angeles, CA.
Format[]
The current version features 24 contenders (12 male, 12 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). Preliminary round matches consist 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 four male contenders and the four female contenders who won their respective preliminary matches with the fastest Eliminator times advance to the semifinals; the winners of the two semifinals matches competed in the finals.
The grand prize is $100,000 and the title of "Grand Champion."
Events[]
The following is a list of events featured on American Gladiators.
Assault[]
In Assault , 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.
Atlasphere[]
The return of Atlasphere, 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-foot-diameter (3.7 m) platform that is suspended above the floor in 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.
Gauntlet[]
In Gauntlet, 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 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.
Hit & Run[]
In Hit & Run, 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, 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, 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.
Pyramid[]
In Pyramid, 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, 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.
Sideswipe[]
Sideswipe 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 to hit the contender.
Tilt[]
The rules of Tilt 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, 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 uses the original format, with a three-section Wall, and contestants given a seven-second head start. The Wall is 50 feet, and each contender raced up a separate wall. Contenders and Gladiators cross floating platforms to reach the Wall. 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 Eliminator[]
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.
- 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 an 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
Stations airing American Gladiators[]
If your station wishes to air American Gladiators feel free to add your station to the table. Take note, however, that the list is in alphabetical order.
| Call Sign | Channel | CIty | State | Network | DMA | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBVO | 24.1 | Austin | TX | ABC | 39 | 11 AM CST |
| KCIT | 15.1 | Kansas City | MO | The CW | 31 | 12 PM CST |
| KKYY | 3.1 | Sioux City | IA | CBS | 149 | 6 PM CST |
| KMT-TV | 27.1 | San Antonio | TX | MyNetworkTV | 33 | 12 PM CST |
| KMYF | 53.1 | Fresno | CA | MyNetworkTV | 53 | 10 AM PST |
| KNUS | 29.1 | Denver | CO | MyNetworkTV | 17 | 6 PM CST |
| KODY | 36.1 | North Platte | NE | The CW | 209 | 5 PM CST |
| KTBL | 12.1 | San Diego | CA | The CW | 28 | 12 PM PST |
| KYLD | 12.1 | San Jose | CA | The CW | 6 | 12 PM PST |
| WAMQ | 8.1 | Columbus | GA | CBS | 126 | 7 PM EST |
| WAQZ | 58.1 | Panama City | FL | MyNetworkTV | 154 | 12 PM EST |
| WAWA | 36.1 | Milwaukee | WI | MyNetworkTV | 35 | 11 AM CST |
| WBUF | 1.1 | Buffalo | NY | Fox | 52 | 12 PM EST |
| WCDL | 18.1 | Cleveland | OH | MyNetworkTV | 19 | 12 PM CST |
| WCUU | 28.1 | Chicago | IL | Independent | 3 | 12 PM CST |
| WIIL | 44.1 | McLean | VA | Fox | N/A | 12 PM EST |
| WINW | 34.1 | Indianapolis | IN | The CW | 27 | 12 PM IND |
| WIST-TV | 25.1 | Toledo | OH | Fox | 76 | 12 PM EST |
| WKWD | 56.1 | Albany | NY | The CW | 58 | 12 PM EST |
| WMYA | 25.1 | Atlanta | GA | MyNetworkTV | 9 | 12 PM EST |
| WWOM | 26.1 | New Orleans | LA | ABC | 51 | 6 PM CST |
| WYYY | 33.1 | Syracuse | NY | MyNetworkTV | 84 | 12 PM EST |