American Gladiators
2008·Show
·20Episodes in2Seasons·
5.7
American Gladiators fingerprint
High energy, emotionally cool.
Energy
Breakneck and thrilling
Fast from start to finish.
- Fast Pace9
- Adrenaline8
- Spectacle8
Heart
Nostalgic and hopeful
- Nostalgia8
- Hopefulness7
- Wholesome6
Humor
Serious throughout
- Wit & Wordplay2
- Physical Comedy2
- Situational Comedy1
World
Sports, everyday modern life, and pop culture
- World Immersion7
- Rewatchability7
- Dialogue Centrality4
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Direction6
- Narrative Structure6
- Intrigue5
Style
Standout editing
- Editing8
- Sound Centrality7
- Cinematography6
Energy
HighBreakneck and thrilling
Fast from start to finish.
American Gladiators is breakneck, thrilling, and spectacular.
All energy traits
- Fast Pace9Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline8High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Hopefulness7Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Pathos1Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance0Love stories and emotional connections.
- Melancholy0Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Humor
NoneSerious throughout
Expect almost no humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Related traits
- Pastiche7Playful imitation of styles.
- Camp & Irony6Stylized exaggeration and wink.
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.
World
LowSports, everyday modern life, and pop culture
Its world is built around sports, everyday modern life, and pop culture.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Dialogue Centrality4Stories driven by conversation.
- Novelty3Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity0Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Sports9Competition, training, and teamwork.
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Pop Culture8References and cultural commentary.
- Showbiz7Entertainment industry and performance.
All craft traits
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue5Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Acting4Performance craft and presence.
- Dialogue Quality4Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity3Layered plots and ideas.
- Character Depth2Rich, complex characterization.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace9Quick tempo and momentum.
- Homage & Reference8Allusions to other works.
All style traits
- Editing8Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Spectacle8Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Pastiche7Playful imitation of styles.
- Camp & Irony6Stylized exaggeration and wink.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
Episode ratings
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About
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.
Athletic CompetitionGame ShowHigh EnergyNostalgic RebootSpectacle-DrivenFamily EntertainmentPhysical ChallengesPop Culture IconArena Sport
Actors
Crew
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Shows
Movies
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about American Gladiators
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is American Gladiators worth watching?
33
BadGoodWatch scoreReviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 34/100 (IMDb 5.7). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
How many seasons does American Gladiators have?
2 seasons
It has 2 seasons with 20 episodes.
When did American Gladiators air?
S1S2
It ran from 2008 to 2008 and has ended.
What language is American Gladiators in?
English
It was made in English.
In how many countries can I watch American Gladiators?
51
+37
+37GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for American Gladiators in 51 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does American Gladiators use?
Demoted to ExtraColor-Coded for Your ConvenienceArt EvolutionRemember the New Guy?Foreign RemakeDown to the Last PlaySigil SpamFanserviceObvious Rule PatchDeath CourseBrawn HildaEye Screamand 48 more
TV Tropes lists 60 storytelling tropes for American Gladiators, including Demoted to Extra, Color-Coded for Your Convenience, Art Evolution.