So the Gladiators are back on our tv screens as of the 9th of May. Possibly by co-incidence, or possibly due to the show beginning again on SKY 1, reruns seem to be on Challenge TV permanently too. I’ve watched both episodes of the new series on SKY 1 and catch the old reruns when I can, heck, I’ve even created a Gladiators Bebo skin! I suppose you could say I’m a bit of a fan then.
I was a child when I watched the orignal Gladiators and watching it back now is a strange experience. I remember being actually frightened of Wolf, but when I watch it now, he just looks like one of my dad’s friends who is having a midlife crisis. Incidentally, he is now performing in Ultimate Fighting competitons in New Zealand, so presumably, he’s still a hard man. Jet was my favourite back then, I hear she’s now a psychologist! I didn’t hear that on the grapevine, we don’t move in the same social circles, but there was a sort of Gladiators: Where Are They Now show on SKY 1 a few weeks back. Part of the huge media build up they were giving the new show. With the new show being built up so much, and like any “comeback”series, the inevitable question will be asked. Which is better, old or new?
So what are the differences between the two shows?
Well for a start, we have a complete new set of 12 Gladiators. Not even Wolf is still there. There are, however, comparisons to be drawn between some of the Gladiators, old and new. Oblivion is the new Gladiator, designed to strike fear into the hearts of contestants (bit like Wolf then). But all he seems to do is mouth at the contestants and square up to them? Apparently he’s only 21, but he looks about 40. No more, “Well done, you put up a good fight” post event chats, it’s all “Losers don’t score points against the Gladiators!”. Physically there are some differences. The new Gladiators aren’t 100% body builder like they once appeared to be. Some of the new ones, for instance, Spartan, appear to be a lot less built, more toned than previous Gladiators. No prizes though for seeing the comparisons between old Gladiator ‘Flame’ and new girl ‘Inferno’. Oooh fiery.
Old Girl, Flame New Girl, Inferno
New Logo etc
Obviously, a show has to move with the times. We now have a new logo, new theme song and new outfits. Thankfully!
Retro Logo New Logo
New Events
Most of the new events involve water. Even the Eliminator begins with a dive into fire laden waters! Old favourites The Pyramid and Hang Tough are still there too. However, I don’t get The Earthquake. You have to knock your opponent off a swinging platform, which you are both standing on. And yet there is no wrestling allowed. Don’t get me start on Hit and Run. It’s just annoying when the contender gets told off 5 times in one game for stopping in the middle.
Presenters
AWOOGA!! Well, Fash is obviously gone, as is Ulrika sex scandal Jonsson. In their place we have the lads’ favourite, Kirsty Gallacher and ex-footballer Ian Wright. Fabulously, John Anderson is still there! He was 400 years old when he first refereed the show, now…I just don’t know. Now his main role seems to be separating the overly aggressive Gladiators from the contenders. *sigh
In Summary
The new Gladiators is no doubt a big budgeted, visual delight. But something is missing, it’s not the presenters, the outfits or even the theme song, letting the side down. It’s the bad attitudes of the new Gladiators that spoil the show. Don’t get me wrong, it is entertaining and something a bit different for your Sunday evening, but it could be so much better. The atmosphere is gone, possibly because of the change of venue to a smaller arena (actually I think it is filmed in two adjacent studios). But the acting and bravado are sick making. Watching Predator stare at the camera like a deaf-mute is unsettling and listening to Tornado slur out insults like a Blazin’ Squad reject, is just painful.
Maybe I just have a romantic idea of the old shows but for me the best bit of the new show is the break, when we get to see some of the old Gladiators! Retro Gladiators for the win.
Thought I would never get it done but JustNI is now running on all the ugraded versions of Wordpress and its plugins. I used SmartFTP as my webdisk doesn’t work with Vista.
