American Gladiators
Created by Dan Carr, Johnny C. Ferraro
On USA Network
A high-energy, good-natured athletic competition show built on spectacle, physical prowess, and the underdog appeal of amateurs facing off against costumed champions.
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired weekly in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility. The concept was created by Dan Carr and John C. Ferraro, who held the original competition at Erie Tech High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. They sold the show to The Samuel Goldwyn Company where the concept was enhanced and became American Gladiators. An effort in 2004 to launch a live American Gladiators show on the Las Vegas Strip became mired in a securities fraud prosecution. However, the television series was restarted in 2008. Episodes from the original series were played on ESPN Classic from 2007 to 2009. Several episodes are available for download on Apple's iTunes Service.
Essence
Ensemble
Like American Gladiators
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as American Gladiators
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like American Gladiators, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like American Gladiators, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like American Gladiators, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
