Some are experimenting with new-fangled contraptions like the CBS survey show “Power of 10,” and Fox's on-air polygraph exam, “The Moment of Truth.”
Meanwhile NBC has returned to a timeless favorite, dusting off the singlets and jousting sticks to revive “American Gladiators.”
What is astonishing is that almost 20 years after the original series began inspiring a generation of kids to try to knock each other off the jungle gym, Americans are still tuning in in droves to watch it.
The first two episodes of the new “Gladiators,” have garnered around 10.6 million viewers each, according to Neilsen Media Research numbers. The viewership was more than enough to beat out the feeble Monday-night competition from CBS' “Dance Wars,” and in response NBC has already signed on for a second season, citing “Gladiators,” as the network's top new series since the debut of its hit “Heroes.”
All your favorite physical challenges (plus some upgrades) have returned for the show's second run and there is a whole new stable of baby oiled, fake-baked gladiators - each with his/her own professional wrestling-style gimmick and the bulk to let us assume there is no drug testing at Gladiator Arena.
The women have monikers like Blast, Crush, Siren and Hellga (with two Ls ... get it?). The men include Militia, Hammer, Justice and Wolf.
These are the best names you can come up with when you refuse to fairly compensate your writers for DVD sales, Internet broadcasts and other new media, I guess.
The “team captain,” of the gladiators is the blond-haired, chiseled-featured Titan - real name Michael O'Hearn - a four-time Mr. Universe and power lifting champion whose Web site describes him as “model, martial artist ... movie star.” It proudly advertises his appearances on the covers of several romance novels as well as his role as Superman in a popular short film distributed only on the Internet.
Where the first version of “Gladiators,” managed to come up with at least marginally respectable hosts like Joe Theismann, Larry Csonka and Todd Christensen, the new incarnation is quarterbacked by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali.
And make no mistake, they're bad. Really bad.
The Hulkster's hyperactive schtick is peppered with just as many “dudes,” and “brothers,” as we've come to expect from the big guy, but doesn't play as well here as it does in the wrestling ring or on his own reality show.
Ali just comes off gruff and unlikable. During the series premiere, she got a little huffy when one of the contestants stood too close to her while sweating.
Published reports say Hogan and Ali also flubbed their lines so badly during the taping of the pilot that the production went several hours over budget. Not good when the whole point of your show is to save money.
Of course there is a new crop of “average Joe,” contestants as well. According to NBC's Web site, the point of the show is to “celebrate everyday, true American heroes,” but I suspect most of the people who watch at home are hoping to see somebody get jacked up by the gladiators.
The contestants battle it out for a “grand championship,” of $100,000 and a new SUV, which frankly doesn't seem like much. It's enough to make you yearn for the the salad days of reality TV, when Regis Philbin handed out million dollar opportunities three-at-a-time on his game show.
As a special bonus, the grand Champion of “American Gladiators,” is also promised the chance to return as one of the show's gladiators during the second season.
Now that's worth fighting for.
Sportswriter Chad Dundas can be reached 523-5361 or at chad.dundas@missoulian.com.
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