Besides the fact that I am excited and all for the wrong the reasons…. Not what you think by the way. What I meant was that American Gladiators is one of those shows that offered a complete falsehood in that it is very much like WWE but extremely exaggerated yet practical in a way, just for the sheer entertainment of viewers. PS: I actually can stomach Gladiators better than WWE (I find it “WWE” to be gayest show on air). The series (Gladiators I mean) is one of those programs with a strong hold on its viewers. It makes everyone shake in their chairs and you end up laughing and shouting at your own television screen for no apparent reason.
There is an old lady I know who suffers from the same effect when she watches boxing, because she is a huge fan. So whenever she watched television she would ask for sports channels only to watch boxing matches and she ends up rolling her fists and punching thin air. When I ask her about it, she would say… this people (meaning fighters on screen) don’t know how to fight. Her concentration would be so intense, MONKS would envy her. Even thou hers is misdirected, it is intense nonetheless. You end up talking alone when you try to make conversation with her during one her matches.
I never thought this program would ever see the light of day on South African screens again, ever since it was cancelled on SABC3. At the time, the show provided what was truly an amazing Saturday evening addition. The good old “MTN GLADIATORS”, that was addictive entertainment. Kids loved it, women and man loved it.
It was an hour worth spending almost every Saturday with family. The MTN Gladiators created a breed of stars, and icons for kids. The program was on SABC3 from 1999 to 2001. All the MTN Gladiators tapings took place at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg (1999 - 2000) and Big Top Arena, Carnival City (2001) in South Africa.
This is one of those shows which really made you really want to have tickets to the taping because for some reason you really think that those audience members are having some serious fun. For the first time in weeks I actually mist the “Adventures of old Christine” and “Two and a Half Man”. I am still addict of SABC3 Monday Night Comedy and Drama Hour. Hannelie Bekker (former acting SABC3 General Manager) must be proud! I was so excited at the premier of this show. I wished I could have recorded the show and watch it over and over again. It is fast, funny and NOT BORING…… Ladies and gentleman this is a landmark moment for ETV. I know the fat attack series… “Biggest Looser” was a hit of sorts especially the local version, but American Gladiators is a run away winner. I just hope it does not run away without them commissioning a locals version.
I kept busting out some laughs because the show sets the contests up for failure in some of those challenges and you could actually see that they are DOG tired and they still fight to win.
Man that is cool and really fun. It was even better when it was our local contestants over at MTN Gladiators, PS: Guys, the show was not called MTN Gladiators, it is in fact just “Gladiators” but MTN was the sponsor then and hence the “MTN” in MTN Gladiators. Just thought I should make that clear for those who may be confused……
The new team of Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, I found them to be too much of a mis-match and although their individual careers warrant them being associated with the show. I did not think they were the best fit, but they did their jobs well. Although I can do without Hulk! The both of them look like sideline reporters, which are normally the worst part of any sports broadcast but producers probably thought that they may work out well for the show. I think not! Laila Ali has proved to be a walking box of clichés, and I personally think she would be better of as a resident Gladiator than asking questions. But again I guess its more glamorous being a host/presenter/reporter/star…..
wow so many slashes, its exhausting….. than being a contestant.
They’ve added a pool to the Joust event, which not only looks cooler than when contestant would fall onto cheesy gym mats, but doesn’t make you feel as bad when they get slammed on the side of the head. They also updated one of their events, which used to be a version of high-school wresting called “Conquer,” to be held on a painful looking plexiglass platform, which is suspended in mid-air. If any one saw the girls wrestle on the plexiglass platform only for the black contestant to be thrown off by the monster looking chick. I never laughed that hard in my life. That lady will mess you up.
I found Wolf (the Gladiator) very interesting as it seemed that he has thrown himself into his Gladiator “character” hardcore and he looks like a homeless person. When asked if he is ready, he actually howls. Then when he beats the contestant, he walks up to them and snarls in a creepy and hopefully, saliva-free way.
This is so cool, we are going to have so much fun the entire season.
I don’t why ETV did not premier the two hour special like NBC did. Its not anyone watches that thing called “Shooting Stars”, unless you have some issues with mental processing. Perhaps they thought they would hold back the second premier episode in lieu of the limited episodes available on season 1 (eight in total). Season 2 of American Gladiators returned with 12 episodes. ETV may want to place a preliminary order on that second season (if they haven’t already) by the looks of things it is going to be great showcase of sports entertainment, not to mentioned an exciting Monday night addition. The most revolting thing about it all is that it is followed by “Shooting Stars” that is miserable. ..
We should not forget that at its heart, the original American Gladiators was truly a shameless celebration of stereotyping, homosexuality and mullets, rather than a competition of any real substance or prestige. However, SABC3’s old localized version offered us a better stereotypical version than the one from America at the time. Although it should be mentioned that NBC lived to the programs prior reputation of playing to those stereotypes, what with the scandal that broke out about Alex Castro
or ‘Militia as he is better known in the gladiator world. He worked in the gay adult industry under the name Elian Cortez for gay porn studio but it appeared NBC did not give a fly fart.
GLADIATORS ARE YOU READY! As you watch the show a few times, you will start to have favorite Gladiators just as we did with MTN Gladiators. They have names like "Wolf", who howls, "Toa" who prances around like an Aztec god on the Pyramid, Hellga, a strong woman, Venom, Crush, Siren, and more.
The Gladiators look like they are enjoying themselves, and not just putting on a show. My most memorable moment made me launch hysterically, was during the "Pyramid of Power" event where the competitors just get tossed off, or they end up tumbling head over heels right back to the ground. One of the Gladiators kept on saying
“Where are you going” --- PUSH and down he falls…. Then up he climbs and all of sudden…..
“Where do you think you are going” – PUSH and THUD….down he goes again. Man that was cool.
I also enjoyed the "The Subway Replay" - slow-motion action, mostly of someone getting hurt. It's fun to pick your favorite competitor and then root for that person. The Eliminator event can really make or break your overall score.
As for the cliffhangers, I did not feel ETV took advantage of the excitment felt by most viewers. Where they could pull a "3 -2 -1- go!" and then fade to a commercial break, whilst you sit there and wait to see what happens.
American Gladiators airs Monday night at 8pm on ETV. Be sure to watch, you will at least laugh if not entertained.
The Observers ReviewsAn EXCITING addition to ETV’s Monday Night!
Always offers LAUGHTER!
By The Observer
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