by Rodney Southern

Created on: January 29, 2008

American Gladiators is one of the hottest new shows of 2008 and if you take the time to sit back and watch it you will quickly learn why. It is a fast paced, action packed, thrill ride of athleticism and competitive spirit all rolled into one big showcase of fireworks and muscle. The American Gladiators circa 1980 was very much like this years, but without the glitz. They really did a good job of jazzing up the set and bringing in two top sports entertainment stars to lead the show.

American Gladiators 2008 is hosted by professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali. The Hulkster is at his best on the mike as he sets the excitement and the competition levels up. Ali, the daughter of heavyweight boxing legend Muhammed Ali, also does a passable job as a fellow MC. Ali and Hogan are certainly an asset to the show, and Hogan seems like an absolute natural as a commentator. All those years on the microphone in arenas around the world must have taught him some verbal skills.

The show has been wildly popular so far this year as the competition between average athletes and the huge Gladiators are entertaining to say the least. The Gladiators are extremely large men and women that most anyone would be intimidated by, yet the contestants fight their way through. It is this struggle through a number of different physical challenges that give the show its allure.

Each show pits two men, and two women against one another through three gladiator challenges. The contestants are awarded points based on how well they do against the gladiators. Then at the end of the competition, they run an obstacle course to determine the winner. The obstacle course is timed, and only the top eight times for the season will make the final cut.

At the end of the season, the final eight will battle it out over the prize of one hundred thousand dollars, a truck, and a chance to become a gladiator themselves. The show is certainly one of the more entertaining ways to spend a Monday night.

Cheesy as it may be, it is great escapism television. It allows you to watch man struggle against greater odds, and sometimes come out on top. That is the epitome of competition, and why American Gladiators 2008 is going to be one of the top shows of this year.

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