Another American Gladiators revival in the works
08-07-18 | 11:48 AM
#1
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Another American Gladiators revival in the works
EXCLUSIVE: A revival of the popular physical competition show American Gladiators, which pits everyday people against famous athletes through an obstacle course is being shopped around by MGM. John Ferraro, the producer of the original AG, is involved as are Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg who are expected to serve as executive producers.
The original American Gladiator was a hit and ran for almost seven years from 1989 to 1996 in syndication; that was produced and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television with Ferraro. American Gladiators then was revived again in 2008 with Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali as hosts.
The American Gladiators series was considered a syndication darling, repeatedly racking up ratings for its time slot and was so successful that other programs ended up spinning off from it to try to cash in on that momentum. We hear that MGM is currently talking to distributors who are interested in the revival.
MGM Television, under its group chairman Mark Burnett, has been pushing hard over the past few years and currently accounts for around 800 hours of programming a year. American Gladiators is the second revival of a well known reality format that Burnett and MGM TV are currently shopping, along with a new Eco-Challenge to be hosted by Bear Grylls. Additionally, Burnett recently set up a revival of the boxing series The Contender at MGM-owned Epix.
The division has been focusing on expanding the scope of its unscripted content development and production under Barry Poznick.
Rogen and Goldberg produce a number of TV series, including The Boys, Black Monday, Preacher and Future Man. Rogen is repped by UTA, Principal Entertainment and law firm Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.
The original American Gladiator was a hit and ran for almost seven years from 1989 to 1996 in syndication; that was produced and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Television with Ferraro. American Gladiators then was revived again in 2008 with Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali as hosts.
The American Gladiators series was considered a syndication darling, repeatedly racking up ratings for its time slot and was so successful that other programs ended up spinning off from it to try to cash in on that momentum. We hear that MGM is currently talking to distributors who are interested in the revival.
MGM Television, under its group chairman Mark Burnett, has been pushing hard over the past few years and currently accounts for around 800 hours of programming a year. American Gladiators is the second revival of a well known reality format that Burnett and MGM TV are currently shopping, along with a new Eco-Challenge to be hosted by Bear Grylls. Additionally, Burnett recently set up a revival of the boxing series The Contender at MGM-owned Epix.
The division has been focusing on expanding the scope of its unscripted content development and production under Barry Poznick.
Rogen and Goldberg produce a number of TV series, including The Boys, Black Monday, Preacher and Future Man. Rogen is repped by UTA, Principal Entertainment and law firm Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.
Bring back Gina Carano!
08-07-18 | 12:22 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Do we get to pick our own Otter Gladiator names?
http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/10777 gave me "Twikoff"
Nah, it actually gave me "Thwack" but it looked like "Twikoff"
http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/10777 gave me "Twikoff"
Nah, it actually gave me "Thwack" but it looked like "Twikoff"
06-03-24 | 01:42 PM
#5
DVD Talk God
re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Now being revived by Amazon
06-03-24 | 08:22 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
It would be great to see Gina Carano come back but she needs to get back into fighting shape.
06-03-24 | 10:09 PM
#7
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From: Not necessarily Formerly known as Solid Snake
re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
I am such a sucker for this show . . . BRING IT!
Also loved the old Super Nintendo game . . . BRING THAT BACK TOO!
Also loved the old Super Nintendo game . . . BRING THAT BACK TOO!
06-07-24 | 11:56 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
They've had a couple of the current Gladiators pop up on the MLB Network...and the guy wasn't physically impressive at all. If he's roiding, he's doing them wrong. Highly doubt we're going to get the physical monsters that were on the original run.
Highly doubt we're going to get the physical monsters that were on the original run.
06-15-24 | 08:46 PM
#9
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From: Not necessarily Formerly known as Solid Snake
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Is the BBC version available anywhere in US? It's not in the BBC section of . . . whichever app has the BBC section (Max? AMC? I forgot where already).
Finally watched the Netflix documentary and really liked it. The ESPN one was interesting, but not what I really wanted. I got a kick out of the fact that the Netflix one might mention the Elvis-impersonator creator by name once but still took jabs at him.
Finally watched the Netflix documentary and really liked it. The ESPN one was interesting, but not what I really wanted. I got a kick out of the fact that the Netflix one might mention the Elvis-impersonator creator by name once but still took jabs at him.
06-15-24 | 08:50 PM
#10
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From: Not necessarily Formerly known as Solid Snake
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Watch the Netflix documentary . . . I doubt we do.
06-15-24 | 09:47 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
The 30 for 30 was centered more around the creator while the Netflix documentary was more about the Gladiators. The Gladiators made well known they had horrible contracts throughout the run of the show. There's an American Gladiators YouTube channel and it has all the old episodes if you want to go back and watch them.
Last edited by Bluelitespecial; 06-17-24 at 09:26 PM.
06-16-24 | 09:15 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
VICE has run a few repeats of the original 1990s episodes. I completely forgot Redskins QB Joe Theismann hosted it for a season.
03-31-26 | 10:05 AM
#13
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From: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
The show you know and love is back! 24 contenders face 16 Gladiators in intense events like Joust, Powerball, Hang Tough, The Wall, The Ring, and Collision. Each episode's Eliminator determines who advances. One man and one woman win $100,000 and the title, proving their strength, speed, and determination through grueling physical challenges that test every athletic ability.
03-31-26 | 10:22 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
I feel like it'd have to basically be Running Man to hold an audience these days.
03-31-26 | 03:57 PM
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Dani Speegle is one of the Gladiators this time around. Last iteration Gina Carano was one of the gladiators.
03-31-26 | 04:39 PM
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
I never would have thought American Gladiators would've been revived by a successful run... in the UK.
04-01-26 | 07:00 AM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Another American Gladiators revival in the works
Is that the guy from Real World Boston?
