New Season: American Gladiators comes to NBC!

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117970702.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

NBC is getting into the ring with "American Gladiators," which has been revived by the Peacock for midseason.

The competition skein -- which featured players with names like Nitro, Turbo and Laser in its campy, early '90s syndie incarnation -- will be updated for the 21st century with new technology and twists. MGM TV, which was behind the original hit, is producing along with Reveille.

Peacock's interest in the revival actually predates the arrival of NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman, who began developing the project while still in charge of Reveille. Net confirmed last month that "Gladiator" was a priority at the net (Daily Variety, July 16).

"We've been circling around this property for a long time now," said Craig Plestis, exec VP of alternative programming, development and specials at NBC Entertainment. "It's truly what's not in the TV landscape right now. While everyone's zigging, I'm attracted to doing a zag."

Net wouldn't confirm the episodic order, but at least six segs are believed to be in the works. NBC could opt to launch the show as a one-week strip -- similar to how it bowed "Deal or No Deal" -- or as a weekly skein.

Airing in syndication from 1989-96, "American Gladiators" focused on physically fit amateur athletes who competed against the show's regulars (action stars, stunt professionals and pro athletes) in various physical strength and endurance competitions.

The show hit it big by showcasing David vs. Goliath-style battles in events such as the Joust, the Wall, the Eliminator and Hang Tough. Coincidentally, the original "Gladiators" shot its first several seasons at Universal Studios.

Plestis said he was particularly interested in the original U.K. version of "Gladiators," which focused even more on the characters and the behind-the-scenes stories of common folk going up against the show's powerful stars. The new "Gladiators," he said, "will have the scale, scope, different characters and family drama that the U.K. version had."

"We're not going to completely reinvent the wheel here," he said. "But we're making it better, faster and stronger."

Show will follow eight gladiators -- four men and four women -- as they take on contestants both male and female. This time, in a new wrinkle, the players will be given the opportunity to train for their match -- and viewers will be given a glimpse of their personalities prior to the actual competish.

MGM Worldwide TV co-prexy Jim Packer said reviving "Gladiators" was part of a strategy to mine the company's library and revive franchises for a new generation of TV viewers. Repeats of the original show are currently posting decent ratings on ESPN Classic, he noted.

"The timing to bring the franchise back is perfect, and NBC is the ideal home," Packer said. "It's a very big, grandiose type of show."

In the 10 years after "Gladiators" went off the air, Reveille managing director Mark Koops said, shows like "Fear Factor" raised the bar for stunt-driven shows, and thus it's more important than ever to find contestants with compelling backstories. Producers are currently scouting for new gladiators and hosts in addition to contestants. Koops will serve as an exec producer.

"Gladiators" marks the first co-production between MGM TV and Reveille. Under their arrangement, MGM Worldwide will handle international sales of the show, while Reveille will be in charge (with MGM's assistance) of selling new locally produced editions around the world.

Koops said Reveille is close to making several international deals, including co-productions in Australia and the U.K.

Besides Koops, exec producers include Reveille's Howard Owens, as well as "Fear Factor" alum David Hurwitz and original series creator Johnny Ferraro.

Hell yeah!

[gokuDX7 2,871]

Can't wait!

[Myk JL 1,731]

I might watch. I remember watching it when I was a kid & I'm currently watch at times Ninja Warrior which is similar.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

As long as they keep Breakthrough & Conquer and Powerball pads-free like the original... I will be happy. If they wear football equipment.. I'll be pissed.

I hope they ditch atlasphere, the wall, skytrack, and cannonball.

I hope they still use: Assault, B&C, Powerball, Whiplash, The Maze, Joust, Hang Tough, and of course juice up the Eliminator.

[gokuDX7 2,871]

what was the one with the gun that fired the tennis balls? That was my favorite part of the show.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

what was the one with the gun that fired the tennis balls? That was my favorite part of the show.

Assault!

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Assault was awesome! That was my favorite event. I'm kind of leery about "contestants with compelling backstories." They do that with deal or no deal because the show is about choosing a number and they have to fill in all that dead air time with conversationish material. American Gladiators was constant action and I hope they don't take too much of that away just to delve into a contest's path, goals in life and future prospects when that person is only going to be in a single episode and they could have had another event in the time the guy talks about how much he chearishes the time he spends with his kids. That worked fine in the first season of Contender because you saw the same people throughout the entire season.. so unless these contestants are participating in some sort of ladder game matches that lead up to a season finale with contestants that have been competing on and off all season, I hope they just get to the action instead. *plans to watch regardless*

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

Just insert the backstory in place of the annoying Mike Adamle interviews and it should be fine.

[Sledgstone 8,672]

They're giving away free tickets for American Gladiators. If anyone is going to be in LA, you can see it before it ever makes it to tv.

http://www.americangladiatorstickets.com/

*laughs at the generic flash animation of joust on the page*

That took what, maybe 5 minutes to make? X'D

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

gCO_cC8SZnk

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Sweet! X'D

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

With the taping of the show already underway and a full studio audience on hand you knew some details were going to get out even though no cameras or phones are aloud into the studio. The Gladiators names were picked up by some of the audience members and posted across the net, it looks like we are going to have 12 Gladiators. The Gladiators names are Helga, Siren, Fury, Venom, Wolf, Justice, Toa, Titan, Stealth, Mayhem, Militia and Blast. It’s really just a matter of time before all the details come out on who the Gladiators are and what names go with each.

http://www.americangladiatorsblog.com/2007/american-gladiators-names-leaked.html

Some of the known gladiators

Jamie Reed

Beth Horn

Tanji Johnson

Valerie Waugaman

And the man you see in the commercial. Mike O'Hearn

[Gundam-Ranger-X 1,988]

Might watch it... if I cen ever remeber to watch.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

Photo leaked! Gauntlet is a returning event!

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Dahaha! Sweet.

[Dogmatix 735]

Ahaha, awesome! For some reason I was expecting the costumes to be more different. Oh well, it is gladiators after all.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

hVqQRPNP-xo

Joust now takes place over water, I see Hang Tough is back as well.

[Dogmatix 735]

Haha, niiiiiiiiiice! I think they did a good job at picking hosts too. They fit, for once.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

HANG TOUGH

[Sledgstone 8,672]

Nice! hang tough was always good.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

TADA!

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

oooo double post.

7hipUyqyg8U

[Sledgstone 8,672]

awesome. I'm so going to watch this.

[DeathscytheX 9,732]

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=217&task=videodirectlink&id=383

11 clips from the show!!!

[Strider Hiryu 2,704]

Man, I so wish I had cable back at my apartment now cause I so want to see this