REVIEW: 'American Gladiators' -- a balancing act
By: Brian Brady
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: The Buzz
NBC's revival of "American Gladiators" is a lot like a car crash in which nobody is seriously injured. No matter how tangled the wreckage, good luck trying to look away from this one.
The saying "so bad it's good" fits the bill when describing the program, which showcases physical competition between seemingly average Americans versus a cast of men and women who may warrant the same Congressional investigation that was assigned to Major League Baseball.
While not laughing at the physical mishaps the contestants (and sometimes the gladiators) endure, the viewer is treated to a belly laugh or two when the program becomes overtly sentimental, trying to bring family values and heartwarming tales of perseverance to a show that features Hulk Hogan as a reporter (you're doing great, brother!) and a couple of people whacking each other over the head with giant jousting sticks.
The bottom line, however, is that viewers will be entertained - if not by the competition, then at least by the hilariously corny dialogue.
The saying "so bad it's good" fits the bill when describing the program, which showcases physical competition between seemingly average Americans versus a cast of men and women who may warrant the same Congressional investigation that was assigned to Major League Baseball.
While not laughing at the physical mishaps the contestants (and sometimes the gladiators) endure, the viewer is treated to a belly laugh or two when the program becomes overtly sentimental, trying to bring family values and heartwarming tales of perseverance to a show that features Hulk Hogan as a reporter (you're doing great, brother!) and a couple of people whacking each other over the head with giant jousting sticks.
The bottom line, however, is that viewers will be entertained - if not by the competition, then at least by the hilariously corny dialogue.
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