American Gladiators 2008 is the greatest and most necessary remake in the history of television. Not only because it allows Laila Ali to pretend sheÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s a woman, but because it gives common American folk a second chance to root for the everyman, the weekend warrior, the true American heroes like shark fisherman, Adam Levin. In order to fully comprehend the spectacle that is American Gladiators 2008, one must be familiar with the original version that aired twenty years ago. The show was more or less a culmination, no, wait, an explosion of the Reagan-inspired misogyny, racism, violence, and sweaty homoerotic fervency that saturated the movie and television industry throughout the 1980s.

 

 

 

LetÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s be realistic, nobody watched the show to see the women compete and nine times out of ten, a black contestant was pitted against a white contestant. Hell, the only original black gladiator was portrayed as an untrustworthy two-face named Gemini who happened to suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder. And remember Malibu? Kip WingerÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s gay surfer brother from California? At its heart, the original American Gladiators was truly a shameless celebration of stereotyping and mullets, rather than a competition of any real substance or prestige. Reruns air every weeknight on ESPN Classic.

 

 

 

Of course a lot of stuff had to be toned down for the more politically correct 21st century (although you wouldn't know it from looking at Toa, a Samoan gladiator complete with skirt and wishbone necklace), but it's still there if you're willing to look for it. A great moment was Hogan saying ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅOkay, now weÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re gettinÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢ serious because the men are up next.ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâÃ

*groans* Some things should just stay dead.

I actually really enjoyed it when it was on UK TV many years ago.

 

 

 

Jet was just soooo hot. Difficult not to enjoy it when she was jumping around, doing her thing ;)

 

 

 

Might download and check out the American version, for nostalgia's sake.

I'm with Harrington. I loved the UK show when i was a kid :D

Is it really that good? I didn't watch it because I thought it was stupid.

 

 

 

And Laila Ali is hawt, I don't know what you're talking about. :XD:

Jet was just soooo hot. Difficult not to enjoy it when she was jumping around, doing her thing ;)

 

This time around, Venon ftw :wink:

 

And powman: #-o

I always think of steve urkel almost beating carl in american gladiator. But it was a tie :lol:

 

The new show is pretty good. They don't have that big ball thing anymore, where its like a rat cage ball.

Actually saw Gladiators live when I was younger, it was so epic. hahah.

 

Never watched American Gladiators as I think it's different to the UK version.

 

Do remember wolf however...what a legend! We made a poster to take with us when we saw it live of a wolf being chased by 3 pigs, hahah. Good stuff.

 

Actually wanted to call my hamster Jet aswell, she was well fit.

 

Bring it back! It's awesome!