NBC is Bringing Back American Gladiators!

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NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,647
26
91
WOOT!? :Q :Q :p

I remember loving that show as a kid :D
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.
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Daishiki

Daishiki

Golden Member
Nov 9, 2001
1,943
36
91
I wouldn't mind seeing Hang Tough or people getting shot at with tennis balls again.
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,387
8,154
126
Complete with feathered 80's hair I hope?

SWEET!
 
Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,995
776
126
?Go back to bed, America, your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed America, your government is in control. Here, here's American Gladiators. Watch this, shut up, go back to bed America, here is American Gladiators, here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary retards bang their fucking skulls together and congratulate you on the living in the land of freedom. Here you go America - you are free to do what well tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!? - Bill Hicks

:p
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,856
4,974
126
AMEN! I was JUST talking about this on the radio the other night. I think the NBC execs heard me!
Isn't G4 already doing this with Ultimate Ninja or whatever its called.
Sweet jeebus NBC I love you!

Edit: I think ESPN2 has been airing reruns too late at night. I know I've been watching the reruns as of late on some channel....
 
Kaervak

Kaervak

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
8,460
2
81
ESPN classic has been airing reruns every night at 7pm EST. I remember always wanting to be on the show, except competing against the female gladiators. :D
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,413
1,570
126
God, I watched this on ESPN classic and thought it was horrendous. That said, I watched it religiously when I was younger.
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,404
0
71
Cool...these kinds of shows are fun to watch, and TV is so horrible lately. Japan has tons of shows like amercian gladitor and they're great.
 
DanTMWTMP

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,907
13
81
LOL hell yes!!!! I watched this every single time when I was younger! I loved the one where the contestant has to dodge the tennis ball.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,200
9
81
my friends and i have been talking about this all day...we're pretty sure they're going to fvck it up like a normal reality show and it'll be 7 minutes of action to every 20 minutes of talk talk talk.

and they'd better have awesome names like Laser, Blaze, Turbo, Nitro, Ice, etc.
 
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