Wednesday, March 3, 2010

American Gladiators: Ah Nostalgia!


I must admit- with all these boys in the horror community talking about Wrestling, I've been getting jealous. But not jealous enough to want to watch wrestling because it's the worst. However I decided that American Gladiators comes pretty darn close to professional wrestling, only it's not the worst....it's the greatest thing that was ever invented!

American Gladiators reminds me of the days when I would come home from school, turn on the TV and *pretend* the only thing on was American Gladiators. Little did the general public know, American Gladiators was the best thing on TV at that time. Although I suppose Supermarket Sweep
and Shop Till You Drop
came pretty close. Anywho, I will always have fond memories of tensing up while watching the eliminator- the part where the contestants had to bust through one of 3 doors- and 2 of those doors had a Gladiator waiting to maul them?? Or how about Assault- where the contestant dodged rapid fire tennis balls and hid behind the cover of a few twigs to try and shoot a rocket launcher at the target? Shit was crazy man! Plus nothing screams terror like 6 scary body builders ready to pulverize you...and women with veiny steroid muscles....bleck. Although I will admit there was a strange part of me that wanted to dress up as Zap for Halloween but we won't get into that.
While season 2 may have been American Gladiators peak- I will always a large spot in my heart for that first epically bad/amazing season.


My life only continued to get better in college when I realize that ESPN Classic was like a personal gift from Jesus to me. They played reruns of old American Gladiators! Everyday I would rush home from my 3:oo class, avoid my homework like the plague--all to get a taste of that old time Gladiator goodness. And now brace yourselves because I know many of you do not have fancy cable channels these days but you can still take part in the classic Gladiator madness because there is an AMERICAN GLADIATORS YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Where you can watch any classic American Gladiators show ever! Yes. YES!

Still not convinced American Gladiators is the best thing ever? Remember Malibu?


What about that epic smack down between Billy Wirth and Gemini!?


I know, I know I was just thinking the same thing. Why are you still reading this- go watch American Gladiators!!! Now!

10 comments:

William Malmborg said...

Wow, this brings back memories of raining summer days. My little brother and I and our friends would watch this like crazy, sometimes creating our own games in the house while the parents were at work. I think it was during one of those games were we discovered we could climb out a window onto the roof, climb down a tree, and sneak inside through the basement to catch the guy waiting for us on the stairs with a tennis ball by surprise.

B-Movie Becky said...

I freaking love American Gladiators!!! I should name my kids after them. Hahaha.

forestofthedead said...

Ah man, I gotta go with Supermarket Sweep. Thank you for reminding me of that show!

The Mike said...

As a man-person, I loved this show dearly. Especially when they brought in Lace, who was the hottest and worst female Gladiator of all-time. She fulfilled like 8 of the things I loved about the show at once. So awesome.

Andre Dumas said...

Haha no way The Mike- SUNNY was the worst Gladiator ever. At least Lace was somewhat fast...maybe not the strongest but she was OK. Sunny did nothing productive at all. I think she was replaced by Gold in season 2. Thank goodness.

The Vicar of VHS said...

I remember developing an unhealthy fascination with Raye "Zap" Hollitt after seeing her in SKIN DEEP (1989) with John Ritter, in a played-for-laughs sex scene that I found strangely and incredibly hawt.

As for GLADIATORS, it was definitely the American Remake of Japanese Game Shows, which is of course a very good thing.

Emily said...

Wow, I had completely forgotten about the awesomeness of Supermarket Sweep until this post....I think they need to bring back that show...hmmm, I wonder if it's available on DVD....

Andre said...

Emily- we should petition to get it on DVD since I don't think it is. It might be on youtube, or cool channels like "Classic Game Show Network" but you have to be rich to get cool channels like that.

I always yelled so loudly at the people in the final challenge when THEY COULDNT SEE THE THING WITH THE MONEY THAT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. Whoa I'm getting steamed just thinking about it!

Emily said...

Haha, yeah I'm all for starting a petition!! I would start a Supermarket Sweep Network if I had the funds!

So, I'm a dork and I tried to find some episodes. Youtube has a few, including the premiere episode from 1990!!

Here are the links if you want to relive the glory days of awesome game shows- it's in 4 parts.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcOzz8IDXIQ

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQtaJItIFo

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klO7xGBXHzU

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUqS1LAZpM

"Look at Debbie, getting her share of metamucil" hahahaha

Andre Dumas said...

Wow Emily you are the best! My night is officially ready to begin.