American Gladiators

American Gladiators

American Gladiators is an American competition TV show that aired on NBC and Citytv in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiators" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a remake of the original series of the same name which ran from 1989–1996, with elements of the UK version of the 1990s. The show is refereed by Al Kaplon, a former American League umpire, who can also be seen as the referee in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Play-by-play narration is handled by Van Earl Wright. Season 1 was taped at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. Beginning with Season 2, the show moved to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It is produced by Reveille Productions and MGM Television. American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008; an average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere. All other Season 1 episodes aired Mondays at 8:00 ET/PT, except for the finale, which aired Sunday February 17, 2008 at 7:00 ET/PT. Season 2 premiered May 12, 2008, on NBC, with a two-hour episode. The two-hour Season 2 finale aired on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 ET/PT. While the final two-hour episode of Season 1 was devoted entirely to the finals, the Season 2 finale consisted of the third semifinal round followed by the finals.

Reality

Seasons

1. Season Premiere

Air Date: 2008-01-06

The return of American Gladiators features a special two-hour premiere. Male contenders are Molivann Duy vs Jeff Keller & Anthony Abbatemarco vs Chad Knight. Female contenders are Bonnie Blanco vs Shanay Norvell & Koya Webb vs Jessie Foster.

2. Grapple for Glory

Air Date: 2008-01-07

In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adonis Locket vs Jeff "Big Country" Chapman & Female contenders Christie Phillips vs Siene Silva

3. Preacher vs. Teacher

Air Date: 2008-01-14

In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adam Levin vs Sharaud Moore & Female contenders Monica Carlson vs Belinda Gavin

4. Fired Up

Air Date: 2008-01-21

In this preliminary round, Male contenders Son Nguyen vs Evan Dollard & Female contenders Jennifer Blum vs Christine Kim

5. Age Before Beauty

Air Date: 2008-01-28

Alex Rai goes up against Mark Baker in the night's competition. For the women competing Kim Marciniak tries to get past Toni Oppliger to make it to the finals.

6. Semi-Finals

Air Date: 2008-02-04

The first of the semifinals begins with winners from previous battles. The men's competition features a fireman and a rock climber. The female competitors features a fitness trainer versus a gymnastics instructor.

7. Last Chance

Air Date: 2008-02-11

In the last round of semifinals Venus Ramos goes up against Monica Carlson and Andy Konigsmark takes on Alex Rai.

8. The Last Stand

Air Date: 2008-02-17

In this live 2 hour season finale, we will find out which male and female contender will win the prize of $100,000 and have the opportunity to become an American Gladiator next season. Evan Dollard goes up against Alex Rai for the men and Monica Carlson goes up against ShaNay Norvell for the women.

1. Episode 109

Air Date: 2008-05-12

The women's side finds single mom and black belt Melissa Trinidad vs. firefighter and Chernobyl survivor Elena Maskalik, while the men's event pits grocery store owner Toby Gordin goes head to head with carpenter Randee Haynes. The second hour kicks off with Para-Olympian John Sciliano battles with teacher Gerry Garcia, and the female side finds Air Force Major Vanessa Warren takes on feisty bartender Nikki Key.

2. Episode 110

Air Date: 2008-05-19

A pair of Chicago police officers battle it out against the gladiators, as does a couple of female officers from Denver.

3. Episode 111

Air Date: 2008-05-26

A SWAT officer and a tree climber take on the Gladiators for the men's team and going up against the female Gladiator's is a business consultant versus and adventure junkie.

4. Episode 112

Air Date: 2008-06-09

The males matchup features a school teacher and a survivor from Columbine. The ladies features a military vet and crime reporter. A special appearance is made by actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

5. Episode 113

Air Date: 2008-06-16

Siblings battle in the arena against the gladiators.

6. Episode 114

Air Date: 2008-06-23

A special episode featuring two married couples, the ladies competition finds sales rep Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas and social worker Kendra Sirignano from Tempe, Arizona challenging each other, while their spouces financial advisor Jeff Davidson, Ally's husband battles Kendra's spouse wrestling coach Aaron Simpson in the men's competition.

7. Episode 115

Air Date: 2008-06-30

This round features four contestants who have had a successful weight loss. The men's round includes a teacher, James Ruggiero from Yucca Valley, California (dropped 65 pounds) takes on a waiter, Sean Hetherington from West Hollywood, California (lost over 100 pounds). The women's tilt features a cheerleading coach Jessie Garcia from Bronx, New York versus a mother of four Patricia Franklin from Leesburg, Virginia, who have both lost over 60 pounds.

8. Episode 116

Air Date: 2008-07-07

It's a battle between youth and wisdom as a 20 year old college student challenges a 52 year old investment manager in the female competition. The men's battle finds a dolphin trainer taking on a media director.

9. Episode 117

Air Date: 2008-07-14

The semifinals will be determined after a detective from New York City challenges an ex-marine in the men's competition. The ladies side finds a student in a duel against a figure skater.

10. Episode 118

Air Date: 2008-07-21

Returning contestants compete in the semifinals. Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas will challenge Vanessa Warren from Colorado Springs, Colorado, a mother of three in the female competition. The men's round finds Iraq War veteran Alexander Coates of Baltimore, Maryland, taking on Tim Oliphant from Branson, Missouri.

11. Episode 119

Air Date: 2008-07-28

Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas will challenge Vanessa Warren from Colorado Springs, Colorado in the female semi-final competition. The men's semi-final round finds Alexander Coates from Baltimore, Maryland vs.Tim Oliphant from Branson, Missouri.

12. Episode 120/121

Air Date: 2008-08-04

In this 2 hour season finale, the remaining two men and two women compete for a spot in the final round. The top two men and top two women then compete in the final round to become the next American Gladiator.

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Rating

4.3/10

Release Date

2008-01-06

Episodes

20 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan

Mike O'Hearn

Mike O'Hearn

Matt Morgan

Matt Morgan

Jamie Kovac

Jamie Kovac

Erin Toughill

Erin Toughill

Gina Carano

Gina Carano

Tanoai Reed

Tanoai Reed

Robin Coleman

Robin Coleman

Van Earl Wright

Van Earl Wright

William Romeo

William Romeo

Laila Ali

Laila Ali

Production Companies

Room 403 Productions

FLOR-JON Films

MGM Television

MGM Television

Reveille Productions

Reveille Productions