American Gladiators 2008 (1 Viewer)

[Casey Trowbridg]

Episode 1 recap

As I indicate in the link, it seems to me like the show is better paced this season. We're not hearing from hosts/contenders before and after every event. We also got our first glimpse of how the season 1 winners will fair as Gladiators and the early review is they'll do just fine. No contender is getting away from Rocket (Evan) on the wall. Jet (Monica) was used more and held her own.

It also could just be my imagination not having seen the show since February but it seems like we got less of the hosts this time around.

They still do the silly thing where they count down to an event and then cut to break and not surprisingly I still hate it.

Should be a good season.

 

[Martino]

"I was thinking the same thing - then I though - If Evan wins - he could be called "Spider" and be used just for the wall climbing event....no one would get away from him."

From my earlier prediction - I was close - just got the name wrong - "Rocket" instead of "Spider"....and he will probably be used just as the wall specialist. At least the woman's winner got to compete more than once..

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

Rating for Season premier

The numbers weren't great but the competition was a lot tougher than it was during last season.

 

[Greg_S_H]

Great premiere. I like the new events and new gladiators. The camera didn't linger on her, but Phoenix looks hot. Monica did a good job and is very believable as a gladiator, and I would definitely pale if I drew Evan for the Wall. I never thought of using him in a specialized role, but it works. They could also put him on Assault. One thing that's funny is that the Gladiators typically put on their mean face, but Evan came out grinning and full of joy.

Wow. Those first two women needn't worry about coming back for the semifinals. Final time approaching ten minutes? Ouch. When they hit the travelator, the time was around 3:50--bad in and of itself--so they must have really edited out a lot of footage there. Too bad, because that Ukranian girl was pretty nice to look at.

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

From americangladiatorsblog.com
more on Gladiator Phoenix

 

[Scott_J]

Actually, the rating (4.52 million viewers, 1.9/5 in the 18-49 demo for people tired of Casey pimping his site here) was horrible. It was the lowest-rated show of the night on the big-four networks (excluding CW) in both viewers and the demo. It's lead-out (Medium) almost doubled its numbers (8.57 million, 2.9/8).

It goes to show that a.) people don't like the show and/or b.) it can't compete with real competition, which it didn't have during much of its first season. Either way, not a good sign for NBC. They better hope the ratings improve in two weeks since next week most Monday shows have their season finales.

Personally, I think last night may have been the last one I watch. They've turned it into a feel-good reality show. They had a contestant with a prosthetic leg - that's going a bit too far. There was no way he could win the Eliminator, which removes the competition aspect of the show entirely. The guy did great on the show, but he shouldn't have been on.

 

[Diallo B]

i totally agree. when they were introducing some of this season's competitors at the beginning of the show and they mentioned a man with one leg, a deaf person, and they kept harping on a single mom with two jobs i told my girlfriend right then that they are really trying to promote the 'people story' this time. kind of like the olympics......

i felt bad for the guy with one leg. he couldn't even get up the treadmill in the eliminator. that had to turn it off before he could negotiate it.

 

[JoshRas]

I didnt get a real good look at Phoenix, but I dont care about her. Jet/Monica has become ripped and with the new hair is a big time hottie!! Wow.

Then dont even get me going on Gina Carona/Crush...

 

[RyanAn]

Reality shows to me are made for one reason - to make you root for or against someone. I give AG props for not just going for the cookie-cutter contestants this season like in a lot of shows. And for the record, not only was there a hearing-impaired Gladiator previously, there were numerous deaf and hearing-impaired contestants in previous seasons.

It's not a perfect show, but it's fun. I have a great time watching it and as someone who has worked with people with imparements, it's awesome to see a show that regularly gives differently abled people a chance.

ry

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

I agree with RyanAn's post above.

Anyway, on tonight's episode we're supposed to see 2 sets of police officers compete against one another. The men are both from Chicago and the Women are from Denver.

Plus, a new Gladiator and a new event.

I'll be doing my usual thing...

 

[Greg_S_H]

More times in the ten minute range. If this keeps up, they need to rethink the new eliminator. Then again, Abbe blew through in under three minutes.

 

[TonyD]

what the bleep happened with the replay friday night.

in it's place, even with the guides all saying AG there was a show of loopers
on in it's place.

i couldn t record it on monday and had 2 dvrs record it friday night.
oh well.

 

[Scott_J]

During the week, NBC decided to pull the Friday night replays of the show throughout the summer, replacing them with their "Most Outrageous Moments" crap, obviously hoping it'll help AG's Monday ratings.

I was also planning on recording on the Friday episodes (which were only 60 mins. vs. 90 mins. on Monday, meaning less BS), so it looks like NBC made my decision for me to drop the show.

 

[Greg_S_H]

Did De's husband seem like kind of a dick to anyone else? I just hope when they get home . . . nah, better not say anything libelous.

Two big surprises in Tilt: first with Tiffany and then with Brick. When Brick finally kicked into high gear, it was like watching Evan again. Great competitor. Speaking of Evan, it's funny hearing him start with the trash talk. But, not funny in that it doesn't fit him. He's coming into his own as a Gladiator.

In two weeks, Titan goes green for Hulk. Oh, boy.

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

If you want to see Crush, AKA, Gina Carano in what should theoretically be a more competitive environment, you can watch her in the sport that made her famous in the CBS debut of EliteXC Saturday in Primetime. 9:00 PM ET is when the show starts.

Her opponent is Kaitlin Young who has a 4-1 record with 4 knockouts. Gina weighed in for the fight at 144.5 pounds 3.5 pounds over the agreed upon weight limit of 140. (Yes, I know that the difference is actually 4.5 pounds but for a fight at 140 you can weigh in at 141 and still be considered as having made the weight).

Also, I'm waiting with much anticipation for episode 6 and The Beast!

 

[TonyD]

yes, he looked very controlling and she was putting on a
good front of her own strength.

she did say she's doing this for him dindn't she?

he looked like a typical man who needs to be in charge.
i didn't like that they kept showing him with that look on his face.
like "wife, you better win or else"

i only made it about half way through the show, that guy just
kept me from wanting to keep watching.

 

[Steve_Tk]

I watched this last season, but the real reason why I refuse to watch it again is the way they produce the show. I can't stand how they cut to commercials right before they do anything. Even though I have it on DVR and never watched it live, it's just my way of getting back at the producers for the way they do it.

 

[Garrett Adams]

When the fight was called by a TKO Gina's face was undamaged while poor Kaitlin's was just shy of hamburger.

 

[Casey Trowbridg]

You all might want to take notice of this especially if you are DVRing the show. Starting with the episode airing June 9 the show will be trimmed back to an hour.

I think that's the right move in all honesty.

 

[Greg_S_H]

I was a big fan of the twins, and especially Lillian. I'm glad she won. Mike's record setting win was a shocker.

Last week, I was disappointed by the recapping of events. This week, I've come around to not minding so much. If keeping it to an hour will save the show, that's good.