Gladiators

Panthro

So Gladiators is back on our screens, first episode aired this evening on BBC1 at 5.50pm.

Just after watching it on the iplayer. My days the nostalgia! It was pretty decent to be fair. Bradley Walsh and his son are presenting, good bants between them.

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/meet-the-gladiators

gmisk

That was a terrifically enjoyable first episode.

One criticism....Bradley Walsh is terrific...his son...a literal charisma vacuum, awful.

expectationlost

contestants so much smaller then the gladiators

Mam of 4

Watched it too , loved it . As gmisk said , Bradley is a great presenter, good with the quips , the son not so much. Maybe he'll settle in as the series continues.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121614371#Comment_121614371

On the mens side definitely, but it isn't everything, some of the events like the ring and the bridge one not a bad thing being smaller.

I know my sister and her kids loved it too, perfect bit of Saturday night telly.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121614376#Comment_121614376

It seems a lot of people online not a fan of Barney either, he is just so bland, your right he might warm up.

Bradley Walsh and a fun female presenter would maybe work better if it is recommissioned...

cheese sandwich

Are the black gladiators still given names like Shadow??

expectationlost

the ring game isn't very good if they have to release them after 2 seconds from the same spot.

it seems very bruising for such a poor game

expectationlost

did they slow the travalator for the second guy

Mr.Nice Guy

I enjoyed it. It was fun to hear the old theme again, and I thought they did a good job recreating the feel of the original with the arena. It was a much better effort than what Sky managed when they attempted to revive it.

To play into the nostalgia a bit more, I would have liked to hear from some of the original Gladiators. Maybe have a 30 second feature of them introducing the events. Lightning introducing Hang Tough, and so on.

Biggest gripe as others mentioned was the hosts. Personally I've seen enough of Bradley Walsh, and I'm not keen on his son getting this gig either. Could they not have got a woman involved? Someone like Helen Skelton or Alex Scott would have been much better than Walsh Jnr.

Panthro

Anyone else almost instinctively sing "another one bites the dust" as soon as a contestant went to ground?!

I didn't mind the presenters, Bradley's a pro. Couldn't even tell you the sons name.

My one gripe was Mark Clattenberg, he has to be putting on that accent with the "Fwreee Tuuuu Wonnn!" He's from up Newcastle direction and has Geordie accent. Whys he sounding Scottish all of a sudden.

But yeah, I'll tune in again next Saturday.

Galwayguy35

Just came across it when flicking through the channels, hats off to yer man who busted his knee and powered through despite the obvious pain.

There doesn't seem to be as much agro between the contestants and the gladiators as was in the original show.

expectationlost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Hip78AvyU

Legend is funny,

but they make them do there signature move too often

expectationlost

they seem to have set up Giant as the new Hunter? the nice guy, even died his hair blonde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU_YzcekMao

The Golden Miller

Wasn't this rebooted only ten years ago? Haven't seen it, any difference from this reboot to that one that will make it successful?

fritzelly

Watched the first episode only as a nostalgia hit (don't remember the other reboot) - won't bother watching anymore, just doesn't peak my interest like it would have all those years ago.

As for Barney - terrible host, Bradley knows the showbiz game, he doesn't and is a real put off - should have had a women co presenter

Hippodrome Song Owl

I caught the end of this (just the Eliminator) last week by chance and it brought back fond memories of the original. Watched again tonight and loved it. Great Sat night TV.

CastorTroy

Had to support the Irish one tonight.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121645147#Comment_121645147

Jeepers I thought she had lost it at the travellator!

Another cracking episode.

Weakest game is gauntlet, I think pretty much everyone completes it? so kind of pointless.

Someone online said Barney had the look and personality of an AI generated estate agent...accurate... lol

CastorTroy

Yeah that Gauntlet is too easy unless get injured like the guy last week.

I'm not someone to get worked up watching things like this but surely I wasn't the only one telling her to keep going after she knocked the gladiator off.

So Viper trying to be the new Wolf, though Legend is obviously going for the heel persona as well.

Big question is who is the new Jet. 😁

Necro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121645569#Comment_121645569

That's because they're letting them push through on the sides, the original gauntlet was much more difficult as the contenders weren't allowed to use their hands on the sides to give them an extra bit of leverage to wriggle through. The second lad just stuck to the side and pushed himself through the four zones, nothing the gladiators could really do. The zones were a bit longer too. I like the update to the Edge though it's more entertaining than the older hand bicycle way.

callaway92

Agreed on above. Really enjoying it but Gauntlet far too easy.

callaway92

Ring annoys me.

If a Gladiator takes an opponent down they have to leave go after 3 seconds - It really should be if they can hold them for 3 seconds the Contender has to go back to the outer circle

Girly Gal

I think it's improved each week, the women's eliminator was very exciting tonight, very little in it. The Gladiators also seem to have settled in and improved since the first episode. It's actually quite entertaining and a change for all the talent shows that are usually on, on Saturday evenings.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121645701#Comment_121645701

Viper is definitely the worst Gladiator ever, doesn't even look the part, looks small and weak, plus his attempts at being the villain have been pathetic. Diamond is the worst of the female Gladiators, don't recall her beating any contenders yet when one on one, she's 6ft so size definitely not her problem, she just doesn't seem to know how to use her size to her advantage.

Sabre and Fury seem to be the two female Gladiators being pushed to be the new Jet, but, Comet is probably more similar to Jet, she's elegant and graceful like Jet, but she seems to have been used sparingly so far.

animalinside

I think a lot of people were hoping that the original woman presenter would return and handing it to Bradley Walsh was seen as a very controversial move, aside from his son turning out to be a flop. It makes sense to me the original woman or at least someone who is athletic should return to it again.

Hippodrome Song Owl

Yeah, Viper's villain act is silly. I enjoy Legends's narcissistic humour though. He's a funny guy.

Panthro

Good episode so far tonight

stargazer 68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751126#Comment_121751126

was just going to say hope she doesn't make a balls of it on the eliminator!!

Panthro

Is that Yorkshire guy 57?!

I need to get off the couch! 🤣

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751126#Comment_121751126

That girl from belfast no idea how she lost that one with that big advantage at start!

Nice to see some smaller fellas on this week though the ring event was odd they were getting carried about like babies lol yeah I would have guessed 30s!

stargazer 68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751218#Comment_121751218

Well my excuse is if we all got off the couch who would be there to watch the programme 🤔

Kauto0709

I don't get how that random Wesley guy got to just take Finley's place. Surely it should have gone to the next quickest runner up!

bookworms

I agree, quickest runner up should have gotten the place.

CastorTroy

I thought the same. So if someone else gets injured now another random person will get to the semis without having done the first 2 rounds? Not exactly fair.

Were they trying to confuse us this week by swapping the sides the gladiator and contender were on for Duel?

Girly Gal

I noticed this week on the eliminator that the contestant starting on the left hand side, ended up going up the travelator on the righthand side, which would mean that they are doing a slightly longer course than the other contestant. Maybe this has always been the case, but, hadn't noticed this before. Also can't understand how Wesley got in out of nowhere.

joebloggs32

It always seems to me that whoever gets to the balance beem first gets sent to the furthest one from the zip lines

Girly Gal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121782066#Comment_121782066

For it to be fair, whoever starts on the left should finish on the left, otherwise they are at a disadvantage as they are doing a slightly longer course, in close finishes like tonight it can make the difference, it was probably the difference in the women's race and almost cost Wesley in the men's race, although Finley not doing the Gauntlet cost him in the end.

Hippodrome Song Owl

So close tonight in both Eliminators - very entertaining. I also don't understand how a random person could jump straight to the quarter final, but fair play to Wesley he was an incredible contestant. Why was he only a back up in the first place and not in the original heats?

TheChrisD

They really need to tweak The Edge scoring for next year. 3 points per crossing is too much, especially if you can rack that up in 30 seconds even against a Gladiator. Australia made it only one point per crossing, with no limit.

Also, the Gauntlet really needs to be narrowed and lengthened, because it has been far too easy this year.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781437#Comment_121781437

Quickest runner-up is already in the next round. Unless you mean the second-fastest runner-up?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121782053#Comment_121782053

First contender down the zip-line always takes the furthest away beam/travelator. Has always been the case, even in the original series. Generally it's done to avoid a crossover clash.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121782269#Comment_121782269

There's always a set of reserve contestants who are on call as injury replacements. You should have seen this year's Australian series — they had four reserves come in during their six heats.

Comic Book Guy

Enjoying the series but one bug bear is that i know the pick of gladiators for each game is random and the luck of the draw but it must be a real bummer for male contestants to see their opponent draw Viper in the one on one games, he's really poor. On the female side Athena doesn't seem to be up to much either.

Comic Book Guy

Also what was the story with the gladiators during the second female contestants run in gauntlet? Had she slagged one of them off or something?!

gmisk

Another cracking episode this week, both eliminators were terrifically tight.

TheChrisD

So in the semis, they reduced Gauntlet's time limit to 20 seconds; and reduced The Edge to 2 points per crossing with a maximum of 10.

Still doesn't seem to have been enough though.

CastorTroy

At least now it seemed like it was possible to lose in the gauntlet, as one guy nearly did.

Shame about Sabre since she and Fury seem to be the ones they rely on the most. Apparently she's the second injury with Comet being injured before, though think only saw Comet once or maybe twice,

I have to laugh at the facts they give about the gladiators and some of the comparisons. Like Athena can squat 150kg which is the same weight as a male ostrich. Because that's the first thing I think of when trying to think what would weigh 150kg as a comparison.

TheChrisD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121896914#Comment_121896914

Comet had three appearances. Two Wall climbs, and one Hang Tough match. It was her dismount from Hang Tough where she had her injuries.

https://www.instagram.com/comet_thegladiator/p/C3LJE0foZbG/

TheChrisD

But yes, there's definitely been some Glads that have been used more than others:

Total events played: 9 Duel (2 glads), 8 Wall (2 glads), 7 Gauntlet (4 glads), 6 Edge (2 glads), 5 Ring (2 glads), 4 Powerball (3 glads), 3 Collision (4 glads), 3 Hang Tough (2 glads)

Men

• Apollo — 3 Ring, 3 Gauntlet, 3 Powerball, 3 Edge, 1 Collision, 3 Wall — 16 appearances
• Bionic — 4 Duel, 2 Gauntlet, 1 Collision — 7 appearances
• Giant — 5 Duel, 3 Collision, 5 Gauntlet, 2 Powerball — 15 appearances
• Legend — 3 Collision, 3 Hang Tough, 6 Edge, 2 Wall, 1 Powerball, 2 Gauntlet — 17 appearances
• Nitro — 3 Duel, 3 Hang Tough, 2 Powerball, 6 Wall, 1 Edge, 2 Gauntlet, 1 Ring — 18 appearances
• Phantom — 3 Ring, 4 Gauntlet, 1 Powerball, 4 Duel, 1 Collision — 13 appearances
• Steel — 1 Collision, 5 Gauntlet, 2 Powerball, 3 Wall, 2 Edge, 1 Duel, 2 Ring — 16 appearances
• Viper — 2 Collision, 5 Gauntlet, 1 Duel, 2 Wall, 1 Ring, 1 Powerball — 12 appearances

Women

• Athena — 3 Collision, 6 Gauntlet, 1 Powerball, 1 Duel — 11 appearances
• Comet — 2 Wall, 1 Hang Tough — 3 appearances
• Diamond — 5 Duel, 5 Gauntlet, 4 Wall, 2 Edge, 1 Ring, 1 Collision — 18 appearances
• Dynamite — 3 Collision, 1 Ring, 1 Powerball, 3 Duel, 3 Gauntlet, 2 Hang Tough, 3 Wall — 16 appearances
• Electro — 3 Collision, 6 Gauntlet, 3 Wall, 1 Ring, 2 Powerball — 15 appearances
• Fire — 4 Duel, 2 Collision, 5 Gauntlet, 3 Powerball, 1 Ring — 15 appearances
• Fury — 1 Gauntlet, 1 Hang Tough, 4 Powerball, 5 Edge, 4 Ring, 2 Duel — 17 appearances
• Sabre — 1 Ring, 2 Hang Tough, 1 Powerball, 5 Edge, 1 Ring, 4 Wall, 3 Duel, 2 Gauntlet — 19 appearances

CastorTroy

I assume Ring is there twice for Sabre when one should be Gauntlet?

I think the reason Sabre and Fury seem more prominent is the higher number of one on one events like Hang Tough, The Wall, Edge and Duel. Didn't realise Diamond had so many appearances. Thought Dynamite had more. Especially considering Diamond is kinda hard to miss. And then Fury makes an impact in the events like The Ring and Powerball with her tackles.

For the men, Legend is probably the most memorable as he puts on a good show, while Viper would be second for all the wrong reasons. The rest pretty much blur into one.

So while the women have more memorable gladiators, the men have the better character.

Hippodrome Song Owl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121908722#Comment_121908722

I don't think the male gladiators all blur into one at all! I think they stand out much more individually than the women. I'd say this is all very dependent on your own personal perspective. I wouldn't be sure who is who with any of the females except Fury, whereas Phantom is the only male I can't picture just reading through the names.

I agree that Legend is the best character though.

Definitely missed it this week. I think the series has been a great success.

CastorTroy

They have to be looking at doing a second season of it by now. This was filmed last June, so maybe season 2 will film this summer. Not sure why they have such a long gap then to airing. I'm no expert but it's not like there's loads of post production.

Not sure if they said yet, but what's the overall prize for the winners? More jeeps?

Kauto0709

Poor Chung. I really would have liked to see him win. Such a nice guy.

CastorTroy

Yeah it was a disappointment as he seemed likeable.

This must've been recorded before the other semi final since Sabre was in it.

Marie Louise did really well and Kerry was unlucky.