American Gladiators is an American competition TV show that aired on NBC and Citytv in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiators" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a remake of the original series of the same name which ran from 1989–1996, with elements of the UK version of the 1990s. The show is refereed by Al Kaplon, a former American League umpire, who can also be seen as the referee in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Play-by-play narration is handled by Van Earl Wright.
Season 1 was taped at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. Beginning with Season 2, the show moved to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It is produced by Reveille Productions and MGM Television.
American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008; an average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere. All other Season 1 episodes aired Mondays at 8:00 ET/PT, except for the finale, which aired Sunday February 17, 2008 at 7:00 ET/PT. Season 2 premiered May 12, 2008, on NBC, with a two-hour episode. The two-hour Season 2 finale aired on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 ET/PT. While the final two-hour episode of Season 1 was devoted entirely to the finals, the Season 2 finale consisted of the third semifinal round followed by the finals.
The return of American Gladiators features a special two-hour premiere. Male contenders are Molivann Duy vs Jeff Keller & Anthony Abbatemarco vs Chad Knight. Female contenders are Bonnie Blanco vs Shanay Norvell & Koya Webb vs Jessie Foster.
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Episode 2
Grapple for Glory
Episode 2 • Jan 07, 2008
In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adonis Locket vs Jeff "Big Country" Chapman & Female contenders Christie Phillips vs Siene Silva
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Episode 3
Preacher vs. Teacher
Episode 3 • Jan 14, 2008
In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adam Levin vs Sharaud Moore & Female contenders Monica Carlson vs Belinda Gavin
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Episode 4
Fired Up
Episode 4 • Jan 21, 2008
In this preliminary round, Male contenders Son Nguyen vs Evan Dollard & Female contenders Jennifer Blum vs Christine Kim
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Episode 5
Age Before Beauty
Episode 5 • Jan 28, 2008
Alex Rai goes up against Mark Baker in the night's competition. For the women competing Kim Marciniak tries to get past Toni Oppliger to make it to the finals.
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Episode 6
Semi-Finals
Episode 6 • Feb 04, 2008
The first of the semifinals begins with winners from previous battles. The men's competition features a fireman and a rock climber. The female competitors features a fitness trainer versus a gymnastics instructor.
The women's side finds single mom and black belt Melissa Trinidad vs. firefighter and Chernobyl survivor Elena Maskalik, while the men's event pits grocery store owner Toby Gordin goes head to head with carpenter Randee Haynes. The second hour kicks off with Para-Olympian John Sciliano battles with teacher Gerry Garcia, and the female side finds Air Force Major Vanessa Warren takes on feisty bartender Nikki Key.
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Episode 2
Episode 110
Episode 2 • May 19, 2008
A pair of Chicago police officers battle it out against the gladiators, as does a couple of female officers from Denver.
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Episode 3
Episode 111
Episode 3 • May 26, 2008
A SWAT officer and a tree climber take on the Gladiators for the men's team and going up against the female Gladiator's is a business consultant versus and adventure junkie.
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Episode 4
Episode 112
Episode 4 • Jun 09, 2008
The males matchup features a school teacher and a survivor from Columbine. The ladies features a military vet and crime reporter. A special appearance is made by actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.
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Episode 5
Episode 113
Episode 5 • Jun 16, 2008
Siblings battle in the arena against the gladiators.
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Episode 6
Episode 114
Episode 6 • Jun 23, 2008
A special episode featuring two married couples, the ladies competition finds sales rep Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas and social worker Kendra Sirignano from Tempe, Arizona challenging each other, while their spouces financial advisor Jeff Davidson, Ally's husband battles Kendra's spouse wrestling coach Aaron Simpson in the men's competition.
