Games - American Gladiators

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	Games - American Gladiators

American Gladiators was a TV show which ran between 1989 and 1996. It was a physical game show, in which the contestants (two male and two female) matched themselves against the program's stable of athletes in a variety of feats of strength and agility. The champions at the end of each season won a prize package, which varied from items that included a new car, a trip, and money (usually over $100,000 total). The contests were often quite extravagant and elaborate, with challenges featuring things such as highwires, steel cages, swinging ropes, and other obstacle course fare.

Rico Constantino, the 1990-91 season champion, went on to become well-known as a professional wrestler in the WWE, under the name of "Rico."

Most of the first 2 seasons were taped at Universal Studios in Hollywood. In 1991, they decided to move to CBS/MTM Studios. International episodes were taped in Birmingham, England, home of the British version.

The show was produced by Trans World International with Four Point Entertainment and was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television. If this program were still airing in repeats, it would be distributed by (much to the chagrin of some fans) Sony Pictures Television.

The theme music was composed by Bill Conti.

Nickelodeon GUTS
, a Nickelodeon kids game show that premiered in 1992, was compared to American Gladiators when it premiered due to being similarly physically demanding.

Hosts

Mike Adamle (1989–1996)
Joe Theismann (1989)
Todd Christensen (1990)
Larry Csonka (1990–1993)
Lisa Malosky (1993–1995)
Dan "Nitro" Clark (1995-1996)

List of Gladiators

Jim Starr (Laser) was the Gladiator with the longest run on the program. He appeared from 1990 to 1996, only missing the first half of season one (1989). The following Gladiators were with the show for the indicated years:

Erika Andersch .... Diamond (1990–1993)
Cheryl Barldinger .... Sunny (1989)
Salina Bartunek .... Elektra (1992–1993)
Shelley Beattie .... Siren (1992–1996)
Chuck Berlinger .... Viper (1992–1993)
Jonathan Byrne .... Steel (1996)
Danny Lee Clark .... Nitro (1989–1992, 1994-1995; became a co-host of the show in 1995, under the name of Dan Clark)
Debbie Clark .... Storm (1991–1993)
Shirley Eson .... Sky (1992–1996)
Lori Fetrick .... Ice (1990–1992, 1993–1996)
Victoria Gay .... Jazz (1993–1996)
Shannon Hall .... Dallas (1994, 1995)
Steve Henneberry .... Tower (1991–1994)
Raye Hollitt .... Zap (1989–1990, 1991–1995) (posed in Playboy)
Michael Horton .... Gemini (1989–1992) (years before was a contestant on the game show Press Your Luck
).
Tonya Knight .... Gold (1989–1992)
Natalie Lennox .... Lace (1992–1993)
Deron McBee .... Malibu (1989)
Bobby Moore .... Rage (posed in Playboy)
David Nelson .... Titan (1989–1990)
Marisa Pare .... Lace (1989–1992) (posed in Playboy)
Sha-Ri Pendleton .... Blaze (1989–1992)
Ed Radcliffe .... Tank (1995)
Lee Reherman .... Hawk (1993–1996)
Cathy Sassin .... Panther (1992–????) (alternate gladiatior)
Billy Smith .... Thunder (1990–1992)
Galen Tomlinson .... Turbo (1990–1996)
Mark Tucker .... Rebel (1993)
Barry Turner .... Cyclone (1992–1993)
Lynn 'Red' Williams .... Sabre (1992–1996)

Events

Most of the events tested the contenders' physical abilities against the superior size and strength of the Gladiators. Rarely did an event call for the contenders to actually match up against each other. Rather, in events where both contenders did compete simultaneously, success was determined by who fared better against the gladiators rather than overmatching the contender directly. All events prior to The Eliminator were played for points, the value of which often varied from season to season.

Only five events were used throughout the program's run on American television, all in the very first season. Other events were added and some discontinued for various reasons.

Assault (1989-1996): The two contenders competed separately against a single Gladiator. The object was to fire a series of five weapons to hit a target at one end of the playing field. Below the target, a Gladiator used a cannon to shoot tennis balls at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour at the contender. The weapons used by the contenders were located near protective barriers and varied from season to season. The weapons included a crossbow, pneumatic "rocket launcher" and "cannon", as well as softballs at the final station. Hitting the bullseye scored maximum points (usually 10) for the contender. In the most common version of the event the contender earned a point for each weapon fired as well as a bonus for crossing a finish line near the Gladiator's platform within 60 seconds. Getting struck by a tennis ball, either directly or by ricochet, ended the round.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for American Gladiators ]

Games - American Gladiators

Hosts

List of Gladiators

Events

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