NBC PICKS UP HIGH-OCTANE HIT 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' TO CONTINUE COMPETING IN SECOND SEASON
Source: NBC Entertainment
Jan 15, 2008 - 5:38:38 AM
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BURBANK, Calif. - January 14, 2008 - NBC has picked up a second season of the
hit competition series "American Gladiators" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET) it was
announced today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative
Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.
" 'American
Gladiators' has delivered everything we were hoping for and has come out of the
gate as a top contender," said Plestis. "We couldn't be more pleased with the
audience reaction to this top-notch show all ages can enjoy."
"Reveille
and MGM are so thrilled that America has responded to our reinvention of
American Gladiators," said executive producer Howard T. Owens, managing director
of Reveille LLC. He adds, "The next cycle will allow us to tell more stories,
create bigger drama, introduce new challenges and further create the most
fun-filled, action-packed hour of television."
"MGM is pleased to bring
viewers a highly entertaining show that has sparked a chord with viewers all
over the country," said Jim Packer, Co-President, MGM Television. "We and our
partners at Reveille look forward to another action-packed season of 'American
Gladiators' on NBC."
The Sunday, January 6 debut of "American
Gladiators" (5.9 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall)
grabbed the season's highest adult 18-49 rating for any new-series premiere on
any network in the opening 15-weeks of the season. It was also NBC's top
new-series premiere since "Heroes" launched in September 2006. Monday's
regular-slot debut of "American Gladiators" (4.8/12 in 18-49, 10.9 million
viewers overall) was that night's #1 non-sports telecast in adults 18-49 and
NBC's top-scoring program in the time period since March 5, 2007, despite
exceptional competition for young male viewers that night from Fox' BCS
Championship football coverage.
In addition, "American Gladiators" has
quickly established itself as a ratings behemoth among young men and young
adults, with its January 6 premiere delivering the highest men 18-34 rating of
any non-sports program on any network in the last seven weeks. That telecast
also claimed NBC's highest non-sports rating among adults 18-49 in the time
period in nearly three years (since January 16, 2005).
Hulk Hogan
("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") host the iconic
competition series, which returned with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st
century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the
latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher
thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.
Celebrating the everyday, true
American heroes -- weekend warriors who excel and take pride in their physical
fitness -- 24 contenders go up against the show's Gladiators, charismatic and
eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. The male
Gladiators including Titan, Militia, Toa, Justice, Wolf and Mayhem and the
female Gladiators Fury, Venom, Stealth, Crush, Hellga and Siren, have emerged as
larger-than-life, break-out characters.
As in MGM's traditional
"American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the
Gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The series includes
such classic events as Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough, Powerball, Assault, Pyramid,
Gauntlet and the Eliminator along with two brand-new events including Earthquake
and Hit & Run.
The 24 male and female contenders compete in three
rounds of challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a
$100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All contenders have a
unique story to tell and a compelling reason why they need to win. These unsung
heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning
over the audience and turning them against the villainous Gladiators.
The series is currently casting for season two. For more information,
please go to www.nbc.com.
"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM
Television (the original producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office"
and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops,
Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers
alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.
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