movie reviews, movie news, dvd, and movie discussion
Upcoming Forums Video

ESPN Classics Up Nitro, Storm, and Zap

By Mack Rawden: 2007-04-04 17:47:34
ESPN Classics Up Nitro, Storm, and Zap ‘American Gladiators’ is the best game show concept of all time. Let’s take four normal sized human beings and lure them into physical combat with Herculian brutes by offering them slightly above average prizes and gifts. It’s like a televised Odysseus versus Polyphemus with outrageous Madonna hair and more Larry Csonka commentary. Unfortunately, ‘American Gladiators’ died young along with Pogs and snap bracelets, unable to conform to the changing economic landscape.

Thankfully for hand to hand combat hungry nostalgia fans, ‘ESPN Classic’ has begun televising reruns of the long cancelled game show. Each weeknight, the sports network will deliver an episode at 7 PM, 9 AM on the weekends. What’s better than seven weekly showings of ‘American Gladiators?’ Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

There’s really only been two issues that I ever had with the Mike Adamle hosted program. Firstly, the joust is the most painful blue ball of all time. I would get so excited every time, waiting for Gemini to reach back and swing the foamy mallet at about eighty miles an hour. Sadly, this never happened. The gladiator and contestant would just poke and prod at each other like two teenagers fooling around for the first time. It was slow developing and painful to watch.

Secondly, and possibly the most infuriating was Malibu. Tiny Tim was probably faster and more coordinated than this oaf. Standing at about six foot four and capable of eating overweight babies, Malibu should have been more intimidating than a Yeti, but shockingly, he couldn’t tackle his way out of a jerk circle of emo kids. In a great stroke of luck, Malibu was injured during the first season after getting kicked in the face in an unfortunate ‘Human Cannonball’ injury. Who would have seen that one coming?

I know where I’ll be at seven tonight. After all, somebody needs to laugh at the poor schmucks blocking tennis balls off their throats in ‘Assault.’



Latest Headlines:

 

Comment on “ESPN Classics Up Nitro, Storm, and Zap”

Note: This website is not meant for use by minors. The views expressed in the comments section below are not our own. This section is intended for discussion of the topic in the post above. Disagreement is encouraged, however comments which attack, insult, or threaten the author in a personal manner won't be published. Similarly, comments that we deem to be poorly worded, or wildly off topic will also not be approved and may be mocked. For free, uncensored, unfettered, and possibly dangerous discussion visit our forum.

Subscribe to topic comments

  • Comments about Malibu are right on target. Nitro appeared in a marathon on ESPN Classic last Saturday and told the following story:
    Gladiator Malibu looked like a God. He had long flowing hair, and muscles that went on for days. A great guy too. While Gemini and I came from football backgrounds, Malibu played raquetball. He was built like Hercules but couldn't take a hit. Malibu blinked when he was hit in the face and ultimately, he blinked his way right off the show.

Subscribe to topic comments

Leave a Reply

Please login or sign up to post reply




Back to ESPN Classics Up Nitro, Storm, and Zap

MAIN SITE NAVIGATION
HOME l ABOUT US l l SEARCH l MOVIE NEWS l MOVIE REVIEWS l MOVIE PREVIEWS l DVD REVIEWS l DVD NEWS l SOUNDTRACKS l FEATURES DATABASE l TELEVISION l MUSIC l GAMES l CELEBRITY l TECHNOLOGY l RSS 2.0 FEEDS l MESSAGE BOARDS l LIVE CHAT l SYNDICATE US l LINKS | CB STORE | MUNCH MONSTER | GFR


This site is operated by Cinema Blend LLC. For advertising inquiries, contact Gorilla Nation. CinemaBlend.com is a private, independently owned website which is intended only as entertainment. The views expressed on this website may or may not reflect those of its owner. Don't take us too seriously.

Made in Webta Labs
SIGN IN


 
SITE FEEDS


 

MORE FROM CB