Gladiators (UK series 2)

This series saw the Gladiator line up increase to 14 with Falcon (Bernadette Hunt), Hunter (James Crossley), Nightshade (Judy Simpson), Trojan (Mark Griffin) and Zodiac (Kate Staples) joining. Flame, Hawk and Phoenix were axed following the results from a fan poll, and this series sees the first appearance of assistant referee/timekeeper Andrew Norgate. All of the Gladiators received new outfits with the Gladiators appearing in more post event interviews and interviewing as themselves rather than attempting to adopt a persona.

The event pool was doubled to include events taken from the American Series as well as original events with six different events being played each week (as opposed to the same events each week) providing much more variety. This mixing of the events would be carried through other series.

The arena itself was slightly lighter than the previous year (as due to the series popularity), the National Indoor Arena was more fully occupied and contender outfits adopted the standard pink/ yellow for women and red/ blue for the men. The opening credits were changed completely and there were a number of other improvements in on screen titles and graphics.

Of the events of the first series, Danger Zone saw the biggest change with the stations being set equidistant apart and the weapon line up changing to Crossbow, Bazooka, Rocket Launcher and Mortar. Gladiators now longer wore a chest guard nor where they attached to a harness and lifted into the air should a contender hit their target. The events theme music was also changed. The pods used in Atlaspheres were given a new look from their original simple design.

The Eliminator also had several changes made. The first cargo net, slide and scramble sheet were removed and replaced by the high and low hurdles and rope climb which would remain in place until the end of the show. A balance beam was also added before the travelator.

New events

Six new events were introduced in this series, the highest number of new events to be added in throughout the series. Three of them had appeared in some form in live shows played in Wembley the preceding Easter.

Powerball

This event was taken from the American series. Two contenders and three Gladiators face off on a pitch containing five scoring pods. At each end are boxes containing red and blue balls with contenders being allocated a specific colour. Contenders have to place as many balls as they can in the scoring pods during 60 seconds, collecting balls from opposite ends each time whist Gladiators are tasked with trying to prevent them by tackling. 2 points were awarded for each outside scoring pod and 3 for the centre.

Skytrak

This event was adapted from the American series. Two contenders and two Gladiators are suspended from an upside down figure of eight course on the arena ceiling. Contenders have a short headstart over Gladiators and have a detonator button trailing them. On the whistle, players must scramble forward round the figure of eight with the Gladiators aiming to hit the detonator button which sets off a small shower of sparks from a backpack on the contender. 10 points are awarded for the first contender round the course and 5 for the second provided they are not caught by the Gladiator.

Suspension Bridge

This event had been played at the Wembley Live shows as an updated version of Duel before being named as a separate event. Contender and Gladiator battle out on a 24 foot suspension bridge using hammerhead weapons. Contenders receive 10 points for reaching the Gladiators platform (whether they knock the Gladiator off or not) and 5 points should they stay on the bridge for the full 60 seconds.

Tilt

This event had been road tested at the Wembley Live shows. Contender and Gladiators face off on a tug of war on two tilting platforms. Due to their weight advantage Gladiators are on a higher table that is initially tilted forward. Contenders have two 30 second pulls against the Gladiator, scoring 5 points each time they dislodge the Gladiator and 2 points for each draw. This event proved deeply unpopular with the Gladiators due to the disadvantage they were at on their tilt table and the event was quickly phased out of the series and training programmes in future series before being axed after the 1995 series.

Joust

This event had been roadtested at the Wembley live shows. Contender and Gladiators face each other on skybikes which twist, buck and rotate for 30 seconds. Armed with combat clubs, participants attempt to remove their opponent. Contenders get 10 points should they dislodge the Gladiator and 5 points for a draw.

Gauntlet

Contenders must run through an alleyway of Gladiators armed with ram rods to impede their progress. Contenders receive 3 points for each Gladiator they pass with the contender with the quickest time through scoring a bonus point. There was no time limit on this event, effectively meaning contenders automatically received 9 points for taking apart. The event would be modified the next year and would become one of the core events in later years.

Episodes

References