Gladiators (2008 British TV series)
 | It has been suggested that Gladiators UK (The Legends Strike Back) be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2009. |
| It has been suggested that Gladiators UK (Legends Special) be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2009. |
| Gladiators | |
|---|---|
| File:Newg.jpg The New Gladiators logo. | |
| Created by | Dan Carr & John Ferraro |
| Starring | Ian Wright (Presenter: 2008 - present) Caroline Flack (Presenter: 2009 - present) Kirsty Gallacher (Presenter: 2008) Alan Parry (Commentator) John Anderson (Referee: 2008) John Coyle (Referee: 2009 - present) |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 15 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Shine Limited |
| Running time | 60mins (inc. adverts) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sky1 |
| Release | 11 May 2008 – present |
| Related | |
| Gladiators (1992-2000) | |
Gladiators is a British television series which is currently airing on Sky1. It was filmed in Shepperton Studios and is produced by Shine Limited. It is a revival of the earlier series of the same name and is based on the American version of the show which itself along with the Australian version of the show were both revived in 2008. The winners of the show will each earn £50,000. Commentary on the events is provided by Alan Parry.
For the first series, the show was hosted by Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallacher, however on 29 August 2008, it was announced that Kirsty quit the show by mutual decision. [1] For the second series Ian Wright is joined by Caroline Flack. John Anderson, who was the referee in the original series, returned for the first series but was replaced by John Coyle for series two.
In the US, the current UK revival shows on BBC America.[2]
Revival Format
Series 1 of the revival featured 32 contenders (16 male, 16 female). Men and women compete in separate tournaments, with two men and two women competing in each episode. In each episode, contenders take part in several events against the Gladiators, trying to earn as many points as possible before the final event, the Eliminator. Each point separating the contenders translates into a half-second advantage for the leader. Each show of the new series consists of four rotating events and the final event,Eliminator. The grand prize in Series 1 was £50,000.
Changes From Original Series
The show features a lineup of entirely new Gladiators with brand new costumes. Amazon, Panther, Siren and Warrior share names with a Gladiator from the original UK series although several share names with those from international series. The show has undergone many changes, mainly the new music and changes to the events. Whereas the original show featured five events and the Eliminator, the new series only features four. This is due to Sky1's greater advertising requirements, and contestant interviews prior to each of the events starting.
Gladiators Events
The Events
The new Gladiators arena meant that there was only room for 11 events, 9 events from the original series: Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pursuit, Pyramid, The Wall and Suspension Bridge. The two new events are Earthquake and Rocketball which originated in the first and second American Gladiators series respectively.
Notable changes from the original series include Duel, Hang Tough, Hit & Run and Suspension Bridge now being played over water. Pursuit also has a swimming element added to the event . The revied Eliminator now features a swimming section, a climb to the top of the Pyramid and two Travelators.
The Gladiators
Female Gladiators
| Alias | Series | Name | Stats | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Last | ||||
| Amazon | 2 | Present | Zoe Williams | 5,10", 10st 6Ibs | Regal and Amazonian, natures’ powerful force runs through her veins. |
| Battleaxe | 1 | Present | Shirley Webb | 5'9", 13st 12Ibs | A weapon of war; domineering, aggressive and indomitable - Battleaxe is a warrior Queen. |
| Cyclone | 1 (Temporary), 2 | Present | Donna Williams | 5'4", 9st 5Ibs | Fast and furious, Cyclone leaves destruction all around her. |
| Enigma | 1 | Present | Jenny Pacey | 5'11", 10st 4Ibs | Mysterious and beautiful, contradictory and unpredictable, Enigma is impossible to capture. |
| Ice | 1 | 1 | Caroline Pearce | 5'8", 9st 3Ibs | Ice is Cold, steely, frosty and beautiful. |
| Inferno | 1 | Present | Jemma Palmer | 5'6", 9st 10Ibs | Inferno is hot, fiery, dangerous and destructive. |
| Panther | 1 | Present | Kara Nwidobie Sharpe | 5'10”, 12st 6Ibs | Beautiful, sleek and prowling, fierce and aggressive - Panther is the most powerful of them all. |
| Siren | 2 | Present | Amy Guy | 5'9", 9st | The goddess of perilous seduction, expect no mercy. She will entice any contender into the waters and show how dangerous she can be. |
| Tempest | 1 | Present | Lucy Boggis | 5'9", 9st 9Ibs | Naturally beautiful, Tempest is a force of nature bringing furious agitation and commotion. |
Male Gladiators
| Alias | Series | Name | Stats | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Last | ||||
| Atlas | 1 | Present | Sam Bond | 6’0”, 16st 7Ibs | As strong as He-man, Atlas fights hard but with dignity. |
| Destroyer | 1 | 1 | Damar Martin | 5’11”, 17st | Determined and strong, angry and unstoppable – nothing gets in his way. |
| Doom | 2 | Present | Wayne Gordon | 6'3", 15st | Mere mortals beware, there’s a dark cloud that looms, judgment day is afoot and Doom is your worst nightmare. |
| Goliath | 2 | Present | Barri Griffiths | 6'6", 20st 0Ibs | A man-mountain with brute force. As frightening to look at as he is unstoppable. Contenders will always be in his shadow – because his shadow’s so big! |
| Oblivion | 1 | Present | Nick Aldis | 6'3", 16st | Oblivion leaves nothing in his path as he extinguishes the opposition. |
| Predator | 1 | Present | Du'aine Ladejo | 6'2", 13st 5Ibs | Volatile, quick and poisonous, Predator hunts down prey and takes no prisoners. |
| Spartan | 1 | Present | Roderick Bradley | 6'3", 15st | Handsome, disciplined and brave, Spartan is the perfect warrior. |
| Tornado | 1 | Present | David McIntosh | 6”0, 15st | Violently destructive and full of unstoppable energy - Tornado will leave you in a spin. |
| Warrior | 2 | Present | Daniel Singh | 6'3", 17st 8Ibs | A savage beast who takes no prisoner. A Warrior in name and nature with a fearful battle cry. |
Series
Male Winner: Simon Wray
Female Winner: Anna Miller
On 29 August 2008 it was officially announced that Sky had picked up the show for a second series. New events and new Gladiators will be added to the show, as well as a new female co-host. Original series Gladiator Wolf will also return as a coach to the Gladiators.
The Legends special, entitled "Gladiators: The Legends Strike Back", aired on 21 December 2008, as a prelude to Series 2.[3] This show featured Wolf "joining" the new breed of Gladiators, thus "leaving" the legends. Wolf played a presenting role of sorts in the second series as the team manager of the Gladiators. He discussed his role in this interview
There will also be five special episodes aired throughout 2009 consisting of a Sporting Hero special, an '08 and '09 Champions special, a second Armed Forces special and a third Legends special.
Series 2 started on Sky1 on 4 January 2009.
Music
All the music to the new series was specially composed by British composer Paul Farrer also known for his music for The Weakest Link and Dancing on Ice. Other artists' music has been used in certain events. These include:
- "Another One Bites The Dust", performed by Queen
- "Slam", performed by Pendulum
- "...Baby One More Time", performed by Britney Spears
- "Hysteria", performed by Muse
- "Tubthumping", performed by Chumbawamba
- "Take My Breath Away", performed by Berlin
- "SexyBack", performed by Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland
- "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", performed by Bananarama
- "Shine", performed by Take That
- "Splish Splash", performed by Bobby Darin
Injuries
Series One
It was reported[4] that there were many injuries involved in making the new Sky1 Revival of Gladiators. At least one contestant has had to withdraw from the opening episode, while one of the Gladiators is said to have slipped on a bridge and had to leave the set. Another Gladiator had a stomach bug and Enigma has suffered from an injured ankle. In addition, Enigma was involved in an incident on Gauntlet where a contender kicked a ram rod into her face, resulting in a confrontation and the contender being disqualified. Contestants have also suffered injuries including a broken toe, a damaged knee, a neck injury, as well as one contestant suffering a broken arm in the quarter finals. In the second episode of "Gladiators: The Legends Strike Back" female legend Scorpio suffered an ankle fracture while parcipitating in The Wall.
Sky1 has said that health and safety is their number one issue, and want to minimise the injuries, but point out that; "This is Gladiators - a tough physical show for athletes. It's not Family Fortunes!" [5]
Series Two
In the fourth episode the first contestant since the revival had to pull out.
Merchandise
Recently, Character Options began a line of Gladiators toys, including:
- Gladiators inflatable pugil sticks
- Gladiators Tat2Pen
- Gladiators announcer's set (Includes Microphone, Whistle & Armband)
- Gladiators Big Fists
- Gladiators 6" Action Figures (Spartan, Inferno, Atlas, Predator, Oblivion & John Anderson).
They Are Due To Expand With Event Playsets And Another Line Of Action Figures.
Notes and references
External links
- Gladiators at Sky.com
- Gladiators at Gladiators Zone
- Gladiators at UKGameshows.com
- BBC Wear Warrior feature - Gladiator (from Durham)... Ready!
- Gladiators at IMDb