In Praise of American Gladiators? by Denise Morris on 01/11/2008 at 3:31 PM

I don't know that I'll comment on the actual show, "American Gladiators." But I did find this Newsweek article to be quite interesting. While the author, Joshua Alston, acknowledges that the show is probably most well-known for the obsessively chiseled bodies and skin-tight uniforms of its participants, he admits that he admires that "American Gladiators" makes the participants work for the money they hope to earn:

[I]n watching the show, in which contestants compete in gonzo athletic events for a shot at $100,000, I couldn't help but think I was watching the triumphant return of actual effort on television. And despite the fact that the show met with criticism and snobbery, I'd argue that "Gladiators" is among television's most noble shows.

Alston is talking about the fact that most "competition-based" shows on television nowadays have nothing to do with actual talent or ... competition. He mentions shows like "Project Runway" and "Last Comic Standing" in which the judging is quite subjective and perhaps rigged. Contestants don't necessarily get to stay on the show because of their inventive designs or great sense of humor -- it just may have to do with how much drama and therefore "good television" they cause.

Winning money has become more about luck and ridiculous behavior than actual talent or worthiness:

The reason for resistance to meritocracy came immediately after Monday's episode of "Gladiators" -- an all-new "Deal or No Deal." You know, the show in which people who have invested absolutely nothing ponder how much of a windfall they'll deign to accept for having yelled out numbers. Television competition, it seems, is about wish fulfillment. Apparently, it's no fun to watch people who deserve to have things actually getting them; it's more fun to watch undeserving people being showered with cash and prizes. We cheer for the "Survivor" contestant who wins a cool million bucks for "flying under the radar," but mock the "Gladiator" contestant who pushes himself physically for a shot at a 10th of that amount.

Alston points out that in spite of spandex and Hulk Hogan, "American Gladiators" at least rewards people for "working hard and being the best in the competition."

He may have a point.

In Praise of American Gladiators? by Denise Morris on 01/11/2008 at 3:31 PM

I don't know that I'll comment on the actual show, "American Gladiators." But I did find this Newsweek article to be quite interesting. While the author, Joshua Alston, acknowledges that the show is probably most well-known for the obsessively chiseled bodies and skin-tight uniforms of its participants, he admits that he admires that "American Gladiators" makes the participants work for the money they hope to earn:

[I]n watching the show, in which contestants compete in gonzo athletic events for a shot at $100,000, I couldn't help but think I was watching the triumphant return of actual effort on television. And despite the fact that the show met with criticism and snobbery, I'd argue that "Gladiators" is among television's most noble shows.

Alston is talking about the fact that most "competition-based" shows on television nowadays have nothing to do with actual talent or ... competition. He mentions shows like "Project Runway" and "Last Comic Standing" in which the judging is quite subjective and perhaps rigged. Contestants don't necessarily get to stay on the show because of their inventive designs or great sense of humor -- it just may have to do with how much drama and therefore "good television" they cause.

Winning money has become more about luck and ridiculous behavior than actual talent or worthiness:

The reason for resistance to meritocracy came immediately after Monday's episode of "Gladiators" -- an all-new "Deal or No Deal." You know, the show in which people who have invested absolutely nothing ponder how much of a windfall they'll deign to accept for having yelled out numbers. Television competition, it seems, is about wish fulfillment. Apparently, it's no fun to watch people who deserve to have things actually getting them; it's more fun to watch undeserving people being showered with cash and prizes. We cheer for the "Survivor" contestant who wins a cool million bucks for "flying under the radar," but mock the "Gladiator" contestant who pushes himself physically for a shot at a 10th of that amount.

Alston points out that in spite of spandex and Hulk Hogan, "American Gladiators" at least rewards people for "working hard and being the best in the competition."

He may have a point.

Comments

[1. Andrew R. (aka Canadian Boy) said the following at 4:15 PM on Jan 11:]

1

I can see a point to the article, but AG has got to be the most mindless show on TV. At least with Deal or no Deal you can argue what the best move is (Deal or No Deal?). Watching steroid-and-ego-filled musclemen attack the tightly-clothed to the effects of fast-beat music and bright lights allows you to pretty much shut your brain off and duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[2. Adam D said the following at 5:11 PM on Jan 11:]

2

After hearing about the resurrection of this show, and some careful analysis of the gladiators I have come to a conclusion. Fury would be the reason I would watch the show, however I will try to forget about it and forgo a show to avoid lustful thoughts.

[3. Eldon Murray said the following at 5:58 PM on Jan 11:]

3

Mindless, eh? I have yet to see the new AG, but loved the original when I was younger. at least it's entertaining, and not based around lies, deception and backstabbing. When I first saw Deal or No Deal, I thought it was a joke - a show based entirely on how greedy the contestant is.

But TV is all about zoning out and getting lost in another world. the "duhhh" factor is a big part of what the producers are looking for: shut off the brain, become susceptible to the advertising =^)

[4. Chris said the following at 8:37 PM on Jan 11:]

4

I think Deal or No Deal is actually a cool show, or rather, could be much cooler if they would talk about the probability and statistics behind it. One could also make some interesting alterations, such as giving a contestant money (say $5k) and letting them spend some of that to see what a case holds w/o penalty. We decision model geeks would have a field day.

Of course, they'd have to get rid of the annoying contestants. Like that's gonna happen.

[5. Eric said the following at 11:38 PM on Jan 13:]

5

American Gladiators works on many levels. There are interesting -- and sometimes touching -- back-stories. The events are thrilling. The bodies are powerful if unbelievable. The one-liners are hilarious.

I enjoy AG because some of the contestants are actually very intelligent and you can see how they combine strategy with physical execution. I like watching them fake out gladiators on the swinging rings, getting gladiators off-balance on the platforms and working their tails off.

Naturally competitive people will love it because of the "I-could-do-that" factor.

[6. DannieA said the following at 12:04 PM on Jan 14:]

6

I went to Las Vegas once in my life after I turned 21....I did the slot machines and lost all my money. After that I had disdain for losing hard earned money.
While you don't lose anything on Deal or No Deal, there is that element of gambling that makes me sick. With the suspense I can't even watch it...
AG is a little cheesy in my opinion, but I do like that it's competition based. Another show I liked (I don't watch it anymore) was millionaire and jeapordy...because you actually have to know something and compete in the intellectual or knowledge area.

[7. Jason Ganzer said the following at 12:30 PM on Jan 14:]

7

He failed to mention the show is staged. Or at least it looks that way. At times it seems the Gladiators give up to easily or intentionally make mistakes so certain people win. Just an observation though. But either way the show is good for a laugh or two, but now that the Holidays are over and my lounging around has ceased I doubt I will ever watch it again.

[8. Randy said the following at 12:57 PM on Jan 14:]

8

This is the reason that my wife and I love to watch The Amazing Race. It is, in fact, the only TV show that I watch. Contestants travel some 30,000 miles in three weeks and have to earn every dollar of the million that they have a 1/11 chance of winning. It takes real brains and braun to win that race.

[9. Bradford said the following at 8:33 PM on Jan 14:]

9

I think it's a great show, because you have to work for the money, and there is not much of a personality aspect to it, and there isn't much time to cause drama anyway, and any 'drama' caused is 'sorted out' during the challenges.

[1. Andrew R. (aka Canadian Boy) said the following at 4:15 PM on Jan 11:]

1

I can see a point to the article, but AG has got to be the most mindless show on TV. At least with Deal or no Deal you can argue what the best move is (Deal or No Deal?). Watching steroid-and-ego-filled musclemen attack the tightly-clothed to the effects of fast-beat music and bright lights allows you to pretty much shut your brain off and duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[2. Adam D said the following at 5:11 PM on Jan 11:]

2

After hearing about the resurrection of this show, and some careful analysis of the gladiators I have come to a conclusion. Fury would be the reason I would watch the show, however I will try to forget about it and forgo a show to avoid lustful thoughts.

[3. Eldon Murray said the following at 5:58 PM on Jan 11:]

3

Mindless, eh? I have yet to see the new AG, but loved the original when I was younger. at least it's entertaining, and not based around lies, deception and backstabbing. When I first saw Deal or No Deal, I thought it was a joke - a show based entirely on how greedy the contestant is.

But TV is all about zoning out and getting lost in another world. the "duhhh" factor is a big part of what the producers are looking for: shut off the brain, become susceptible to the advertising =^)

[4. Chris said the following at 8:37 PM on Jan 11:]

4

I think Deal or No Deal is actually a cool show, or rather, could be much cooler if they would talk about the probability and statistics behind it. One could also make some interesting alterations, such as giving a contestant money (say $5k) and letting them spend some of that to see what a case holds w/o penalty. We decision model geeks would have a field day.

Of course, they'd have to get rid of the annoying contestants. Like that's gonna happen.

[5. Eric said the following at 11:38 PM on Jan 13:]

5

American Gladiators works on many levels. There are interesting -- and sometimes touching -- back-stories. The events are thrilling. The bodies are powerful if unbelievable. The one-liners are hilarious.

I enjoy AG because some of the contestants are actually very intelligent and you can see how they combine strategy with physical execution. I like watching them fake out gladiators on the swinging rings, getting gladiators off-balance on the platforms and working their tails off.

Naturally competitive people will love it because of the "I-could-do-that" factor.

[6. DannieA said the following at 12:04 PM on Jan 14:]

6

I went to Las Vegas once in my life after I turned 21....I did the slot machines and lost all my money. After that I had disdain for losing hard earned money.
While you don't lose anything on Deal or No Deal, there is that element of gambling that makes me sick. With the suspense I can't even watch it...
AG is a little cheesy in my opinion, but I do like that it's competition based. Another show I liked (I don't watch it anymore) was millionaire and jeapordy...because you actually have to know something and compete in the intellectual or knowledge area.

[7. Jason Ganzer said the following at 12:30 PM on Jan 14:]

7

He failed to mention the show is staged. Or at least it looks that way. At times it seems the Gladiators give up to easily or intentionally make mistakes so certain people win. Just an observation though. But either way the show is good for a laugh or two, but now that the Holidays are over and my lounging around has ceased I doubt I will ever watch it again.

[8. Randy said the following at 12:57 PM on Jan 14:]

8

This is the reason that my wife and I love to watch The Amazing Race. It is, in fact, the only TV show that I watch. Contestants travel some 30,000 miles in three weeks and have to earn every dollar of the million that they have a 1/11 chance of winning. It takes real brains and braun to win that race.

[9. Bradford said the following at 8:33 PM on Jan 14:]

9

I think it's a great show, because you have to work for the money, and there is not much of a personality aspect to it, and there isn't much time to cause drama anyway, and any 'drama' caused is 'sorted out' during the challenges.