American Gladiators Television Program

"American Gladiators" was an instant hit with Rhonda Williams when the television series made its debut five years ago. Lynn Williams, however, never found the show quite as intriguing as his wife. "It looked kind of phony," said Lynn Williams, 30. "I always thought I could whup a gladiator." Then the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Williams got his chance. He answered a casting call for a gladiator in January, 1992.

Bring on the Power Ball! At the FitExpo event held mid-February in the Los Angeles Convention Center, I joined about 6,000 people from around the country who'd taken the four-minute "tryout," the first step in becoming a contestant on the newly resurrected NBC spectacle of strength, speed and coordination, "American Gladiators."

Bring on the Power Ball! At the FitExpo event held mid-February in the Los Angeles Convention Center, I joined about 6,000 people from around the country who'd taken the four-minute "tryout," the first step in becoming a contestant on the newly resurrected NBC spectacle of strength, speed and coordination, "American Gladiators."

A revival of the 1989-96 syndicated competition series "American Gladiators" will premiere at midseason on NBC, which is promising "splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology." As in the original, the new version of "American Gladiators" will pit contestants against eight gladiators in a series of competitions, with the Joust, the Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator returning.

A revival of the 1989-96 syndicated competition series "American Gladiators" will premiere at midseason on NBC, which is promising "splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology." As in the original, the new version of "American Gladiators" will pit contestants against eight gladiators in a series of competitions, with the Joust, the Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator returning.

I could never figure out what Todd Christensen was doing on the Raiders. He wasn't wanted by the police anywhere. He never busted up a bar in Tampa. He didn't even drink. He paid his bills, shaved every day. He didn't arrive at the line of scrimmage in a foul humor, he didn't particularly hate anybody in a different uniform, he smiled a lot. He loused up the team photo. Also its image. Call himself a Raider? What was he--chaplain?

Breaking into television wasn't the snap that it seemed it was going to be Saturday for Sue Farwell. She tore through the chin-ups, 40-yard dash, tug-of-war and obstacle course with fierce determination in hopes of becoming a contestant on a new TV series that calls itself the ultimate game show. Then she tore her left knee with a twisting snap as she threw herself into her last test: a one-on-one "power ball" game that turned out to be a blend of tackle football and pro wrestling.

Viewers of the "American Gladiators" television show probably look on Shelley Beattie with envy. As "Siren," one of the show's muscular competitors who battle contestants in feats of strength and skill, she seemingly has it all--the physique of a champion bodybuilder, the looks to attract an audience and the determination to be a success. Now Beattie, a Malibu resident, is turning heads on the sailing circuit.

The "American Gladiators," those muscle-bound warriors in red-white-and-blue spandex tights, have become a familiar sight on television. Maybe a little too familiar. Their successful syndicated TV show is 5 years old and their ratings last season dipped slightly for the second straight year. They need to recapture America's imagination. They need an exciting new challenge in their foam and Velcro arena. They need a familiar contender who viewers might relish seeing tossed around like a rag doll.

"American Gladiators" was an instant hit with Rhonda Williams when the television series made its debut five years ago. Lynn Williams, however, never found the show quite as intriguing as his wife. "It looked kind of phony," said Lynn Williams, 30. "I always thought I could whup a gladiator." Then the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Williams got his chance. He answered a casting call for a gladiator in January, 1992.

When Tracy Jernegan first watched "American Gladiators" on television, she figured the whole thing had to be a put-on, a show with all the credibility of pro wrestling. "I was always opposed to watching it," Jernegan said. "It looked phony to me. Then I realized it was the real thing. After I sat down and really watched it, I could see they weren't kidding around." Last week, Jernegan said the pulling, pushing and pummeling was no joke.

The "American Gladiators," those muscle-bound warriors in red-white-and-blue spandex tights, have become a familiar sight on television. Maybe a little too familiar. Their successful syndicated TV show is 5 years old and their ratings last season dipped slightly for the second straight year. They need to recapture America's imagination. They need an exciting new challenge in their foam and Velcro arena. They need a familiar contender who viewers might relish seeing tossed around like a rag doll.

Jonnie Jonckowski sat anxiously in a sterile training room, surrounded by weight equipment and massage tables, waiting for her next event. The sturdy woman, a 36-year-old bull rider from Billings, Mont., had spent years inside raucous, rowdy arenas--but never one quite like the one she was about to enter.

Jonnie Jonckowski sat anxiously in a sterile training room, surrounded by weight equipment and massage tables, waiting for her next event. The sturdy woman, a 36-year-old bull rider from Billings, Mont., had spent years inside raucous, rowdy arenas--but never one quite like the one she was about to enter.