List of Gladiators UK events

This is a list of Gladiators UK events. Gladiators is a British television entertainment series, produced by LWT for ITV, and broadcast between 10 October 1992 and 1 January 2000. It is an adaptation of the American format American Gladiators. The series was revived in 2008, before again being cancelled.

Original Gladiators events

The following events appeared during the original eight-year run of the UK series of Gladiators. In total there were 24 televised events with the eliminator being the only event to appear on all shows.

The event line-up changed from series to series, with new events being added every series, however over the years some events were dropped due to safety reasons (Joust, Pole-Axe, Pyramid and Tilt), some never made it onto screen (Breakthrough & Conquer and Cyclotron) and some just disappeared (Pursuit). Below is a detailed description of all events.

Atlaspheres

The first event ever shown on Gladiators in 1992. The two contenders and two Gladiators are caged in large Atlaspheres that they have to propel from within. The contenders' task is to roll the spheres onto any of four scoring pods. They were given 60 seconds to score as many points as they could in this fashion, whilst the Gladiator must block the contenders from scoring.

The event's signature tune was "We Will Rock You" by Queen. The event was sometimes modified for celebrity specials, in which either 2 Gladiators faced 3 contenders or 3 Gladiators faced 3 contenders from a standing start.

Contenders were not allowed to score on the same pod twice unless they had already made an attempt at another. Gladiators were not allowed to double-team a contender and could only keep them confined for ten seconds.

Catapult

Two contenders face two Gladiators. Each competitor is attached to a bungee cord. On the whistle they begin to bounce up and down. Situated above each contender is a ball tray. The contenders score by throwing the balls into hexagonal goals situated behind the Gladiators, whilst the Gladiators attempted to stop the contenders from scoring.

This event had heavy modification to its gameplay between its initial concept and first outing, with the 1998 programme mentioning a volleyball-style net situated between contenders and Gladiators. It was however modified into the event that made it onto screen as this was deemed more exciting.

Danger Zone

Contenders, one at a time, make their way across the arena whilst dodging tennis balls fired at high speed by the Gladiator. Between the start and finish are stations where the contender is shielded from the Gladiator's fire, and where they can attempt, using a provided weapon, to hit a target above the Gladiator. The contender must be quick, as each of their stations will explode every ten seconds and render that station's weapon unusable (a difference from the US version, which does not have the limit). Successful shots end the game earning them 10 points. However, contestants can still earn 5 points by simply reaching the end of the course without being hit. Reaching the end originally scored 10 points in series 1, and was reduced to 5 points in series 2 onwards. If the contender was hit directly by a tennis ball (ricochets off the floor, station or weapon did not count), they were eliminated.

The game was based on the American Gladiators Assault game.

Dogfight

This event is one on one as contender and Gladiator and strapped into an airship situated 30 feet above the arena floor. The aim is to hit the glowing chest plate on your opponent using a "Combat Club". 2 hits and you're out and despatched to the net below. One hit from the contender earns 5 points, while sending the Gladiator flying earns them 10. A hit is registered by a Pyro explosion.

Duel

A contender and a Gladiator are each placed atop an elevated platform a short distance apart. Armed with a pugil stick (which was usually mistaken for a huge cotton bud), they attempted to cause the other to fall from their platform. This could be achieved with either an offensive or a defensive strategy, although some contenders were disqualified if they made no attacking move towards the Gladiator and vice versa. Losing a pugil stick resulted in an automatic loss.

The event was known as Joust in the US series.

Gauntlet

A contender has to "run the Gauntlet" by passing Gladiators armed with ramrods. Gauntlet became one of the staple events after a revamp in the 1994 series in which the contenders had to run a narrower Gauntlet against five Gladiators, the second and fourth having power pads to slow the contenders down.

This appeared in the Sky One series of Gladiators in 2008-2009.

Hang Tough

A game of aerial chess. Contender and Gladiator begin on opposite sides of the arena, on raised platforms. Between them hangs a grid of suspended rings, similar to gymnastic rings. The contender's task is to reach the Gladiator's platform by swinging between the rings, scoring 10 points if successful. The Gladiator meanwhile, swinging in the opposite direction, would attempt to intercept the contender and pull them down. A contender scored five points if they remained on the rings for the duration, however they needed to either be in the scoring zone (denoted by colored rings) or in a direct confrontation with the Gladiator. Contenders and Gladiators were not allowed to use either headlocks or tickling against each other.

This is revamped with the water element, rather than a crash mat in the Heat One series.

Hit & Run

Known as Cannonball Run in its roadtest in the Wembley Live shows, the contender has 30 seconds to run back and forth across the suspension bridge, scoring two points for each crossing. Four Gladiators (two on each side of the bridge) attempt to knock the contender off using four four-foot demolition balls.

This game made it to the US revival in 2008.

Joust

Another adaptation of Duel in which contender and Gladiator are sat on skybikes that twist, buck and spin like a rocking rodeo. Both participants have combat clubs with which they attempt to knock each other off. In the Wembley Live shows, the bikes were large and only a few feet off the ground and contestants fought using pugil sticks. For the televised series, the bikes were made smaller, were further off the ground and combat clubs used.

This event was quickly phased out, making very few appearances before being axed after the 1995 series.

Not to be confused with the American Gladiators Joust, which is known as Duel in UK Gladiators and the International version.

Pendulum

The "Pendulum" was a ball 5 metres (23') in diameter, which hung from the roof of the arena, 40 feet (12.23m) above the ground. The event was contender versus Gladiator in a game of hide and seek. On the whistle, the ball would begin to swing from side to side. The aim of the contender is to avoid the Gladiator, who must track the contender down and remove the Velcro tag from their back. Once this is done, the game is over. If the contender or Gladiator falls off, the remaining participant wins. In 1998, the rules were changed: the contender must hit 4 lit sectors in different positions around the ball, while still avoiding being caught up by the Gladiator.

Pendulum was originally planned to debut in the Sheffield Live 1995 shows, but had to be dropped as the safety net was too big to fit in the arena. Instead Joust was played.

Pole-Axe

A contender and Gladiator each climb a 36-foot pole fitted with helically-arranged pegs. The first to the top presses a button, which retracts the pegs on the opponent's pole causing them to fall to the six-foot crash mat below.

This was another event that was removed in 1996 because of injuries to Gladiators and contenders. It was revived in 1997 with safety harnesses to stop the "freefall" aspect of the event. This also meant a run up to mount the pole and a higher climb.

Powerball

This original US series game debuted in the second British series (1993). This kind of cross between basketball and rugby was introduced in which 2 contenders faced 3 Gladiators on the Powerball pitch. Contenders had 60 seconds to place balls in the five scoring baskets on the pitch (2 points for a score in one of the four outer baskets and 3 points for the middle) whilst the Gladiators had to tackle the contenders, preventing them from scoring (though head-high tackles and similar moves were illegal for safety reasons, as in the US version, and would result in the gladiator being disqualified). This event became one of the most played events during Gladiators. From 1998 onwards, the rules were changed - there were only two Gladiators and each one targeted a specific contender.

The time difference (60 seconds vs 45 seconds for the original US version) was a major difference between the two versions; the 2008 US revival adopted the British version's 60 second clock.

Pursuit

Two contenders race against each other over an obstacle course, chased by two Gladiators. The course comprised a snake beam, wire bridge, hand ladder, two web traps, a high and low wall and a sprint finish. The course was rearranged for 1995 onwards and the rules were tightened up with penalty points being introduced for coming off the beam or missing rungs on the ladder. Any Gladiator who fails to complete the course before catching a contender or the finish line was disqualified.

Pyramid

Two contenders and two Gladiators face each other on a giant black and white pyramid. The contenders aim to reach the summit, whilst the Gladiators aim to stop them. This event was axed in 1996 after Jet was very badly injured in the live show. This caused her retirement from Gladiators.

It was reintroduced in 1997 with smaller steps and a red step which, once reached, the contender has free run to the top. However, it was very unpopular with viewers as it lacked the excitement of the original and consequently it was axed again. The "red step" rule formed the basis of the two-tiered scoring system in the 2008 US revival (five for crossing the dotted step, five more for pressing the buzzer), much of which is based on the UK series.

Skytrak

The most spectacular event of early series was brought in for Series 2 (1993), Two contenders and two Gladiators are suspended 40 feet in the air on the Skytrak course - an upside down Scalextric-style figure of eight. Contenders have a 10-yard head start over the Gladiators. Each contender has a trailing detonator button behind them, and fails if the Gladiator presses this button (thereby deemed to have caught up with the contender). Should this happen, a small shower of sparks is released from the contender's vest.

Sumo Ball

The only new game for Series 5 (1996) and first road-tested in the 1996 live shows, the contender and Gladiator are on a large circular platform in which a large red sumo ball hangs from the ceiling. Both participants have 30 seconds to push the opponent off the platform using the 75 kg Sumo Ball.

Suspension Bridge

An adaptation of the Duel event in which contender and Gladiator, armed with hammerheads (pugil sticks during its road-testing), faced each other on the Suspension Bridge. Unlike the other combat events Duel and Joust, Suspension Bridge only saw three draws over its entire run. The contender will also receive 10 points if the Gladiator falls off the bridge or is disqualified.

Swingshot

In this bungee-fest, contestants have to grab coloured balls from a central column then bounce back and put them in their scoring baskets. Gladiators would time their jumps to block the contenders' from doing so.

Tightrope

The only new event of 1997, a one-on-one race. The contender and Gladiator are harnessed up on the Tightrope 30 feet above the arena floor. On the whistle they race up the rope to the halfway platform. Once there they hit a button to activate the Zip Line, then hook up to this and slide back down to hit the "Impact Cushion" at the end, therefore winning the event and sending their opponent flying in a shower of sparks!

Tilt

An aerial tug of war in which both contender and Gladiator are on tilting platforms. The contender is placed on the lower platform, which is tilted back, and the Gladiator is placed on the higher platform tilted forwards. Because of their weight advantage, the Gladiators had the harder job of having to tilt their table back in order to get any leverage on the rope. Two 30-second bouts are played.

This event proved unpopular with the Gladiators and after serious injuries to both Panther and Nightshade, Tilt was axed after the 1995 series. This, however, became the basis for the American Gladiators event "Tug-O-War", which became a safer (due to the platforms being at the same height with each other) and more popular variation.

Vertigo

Another one-on-one race. Five 27-foot (8.3m) poles lie ahead of the competitors. On the whistle they must climb the first one to the top. Once there they swing their pole and must use this method to transfer to each of the remaining poles. They must complete a left-to-right swing before transferring. They do this until the end where a silver ring awaits, the first to grab this wins the event in a shower of sparks!

The Wall

Contenders attempt to climb up a 36 ft climbing wall covered with hand and foot holds while the Gladiators give chase, and attempt to pull them off.

In the first series the female contenders received a 20-second head-start falling to 15 seconds in the semi-finals and final; while the men received a 15-second head-start falling to 10 seconds in the semi-finals and final.

In later series the head-starts were standardised at 10 seconds for female contenders and 7 seconds for the male contenders.

If the contender fell off the wall before the Gladiator was released, they were allowed to try again. However after the Gladiator was released then if the contender fell (even accidentally) then this would be a loss. The Gladiator was allowed as many tries as necessary. A win was only counted if the contender got their entire body over the wall within the time limit.

Whiplash

A tug of war type game. Contender and Gladiator grip a "dog bone" and the contender must use this to pull the Gladiator out of the ring or to obtain the "dog bone," sometimes known as "own the bone". No wrenching or pulling is permitted on the Gladiator's part, their role is strictly defence. However, the contender can use any means to remove the Gladiator. The "dog bone" was changed in later seasons and was designed to keep both contender and gladiator from letting go and making for more exciting bouts.

Eliminator

The final event, and the only event seen in every episode. This was a contender against contender obstacle course. The first player to complete the Eliminator course would win the show and progress to the next round.

The whole show was set up for this. The points gathered throughout the show are used to determine a head start. For every point the contender with the higher score was ahead, a 0.5 second head start would be given.

The course consists of the following: High/Low Beams, Rope Climb, Hand Ladder (Women), Hand Bike (Men), Rolling Bridge, Cargo Net, Zipline, Balance Beam, Travelator and Rope Swing through Paper Burst.

Unused events

The two events in this section never made it to any televised series.

Breakthrough & Conquer

This two-part event (which had proved popular in the American series) was road-tested in the 1993 Wembley Live series, but it was never played in any televised series (although clips of it were shown in the 1993 opening show).

For the first part of the event, the contender, armed with a rugby ball, had to get past a Gladiator without being tackled, gaining 5 points if successful. Any foul by a gladiator (illegal strike to the head, not in the five-yard zone) also was an automatic win.

For the second part, the contender was placed in a small circle against a different Gladiator and had 30 seconds to remove the Gladiator from the circle, again receiving 5 points should they be successful.

Although it was never played in the series, elements of the gameplay were used for the Powerball, Whiplash and Earthquake events.

Cyclotron

This event was due to appear as a new event in the 1997 series along with Tightrope, even appearing (as a CGI image) in the opening credits.

Gameplay appeared to involve both contender and Gladiator on cycles on a rotating circular track. It appeared that the Gladiator was to chase the Contender with the aim of catching them.

The reason for Cyclotron's removal from the events roster is unknown, although it is rumoured that it was due to technical problems and certain gladiators commented on it being too difficult to play and very hard for the audience to follow.

Gladiators revival events

Duel

This event is now played above water, as opposed to a crash mat in the original series. The contender will also receive 10 points if the gladiator is disqualified.

Earthquake

The Contender and Gladiator must attempt to throw the other off a 12' platform freely suspended above crash mats. The platform is free to tilt slightly.

When the event was first shown, several warnings were issued by the referee to both Contenders and Gladiators for wrestling, not allowing the other to get up after being pushed down on the platform, and for holding onto the supporting wires. The event continues to be plagued by stop-start calls due to vague interpretations of the rules. In the 2nd series the platform is higher up in the studio and the fall is onto a net not crashmats. The prohibition on wrestling was removed, as it was leading to too many interruptions. if the gladiator is disqualified the contender will be awarded 10 points.

Gauntlet

The Contender must run through each Gladiator, each armed with padded weaponry, such as ramrods (cylindrical sticks) and power pads (large square gloves). In the revival there are now penalties for ducking and crawling under Gladiators, resulting in Disqualification. In the heats, contenders face four gladiators instead of five like in the original series, but from the quarter-finals onwards, the trend set by the original series is restored, and a new so-far-unnamed weapon is featured.

Hang Tough

For the revival, Hang Tough is now situated above water.

If the gladiator falls off the contender will receive 10 points and a free swing to the gladiator's platform.

Hit & Run

The Playing area is suspended above water, a contender must touch a buzzer that is located on each platform. From series 2 of the revival, contenders have a limited time after hitting each button to get to the other side. The time limit is eight seconds for female contenders and seven for male contenders. If the contender does not hit the button in time, a light goes out and the crossing does not count. Contenders are also liable to be disqualified if they do not keep running at all times.

Powerball

In the original series, the centre basket was worth 3 points.

Pursuit

Pyramid

from series 2 if the gladiator tackles below the second step the gladiator is disqualified

Rocketball

The Wall

Both men and women receive a 7-second head start.

Suspension Bridge

This event is now played above water, as opposed to a crash mat in the original series. the contender will also receive 10 points for knocking the gladiator off.

The Eliminator

The final event, the only event seen in every episode. This was a contender against contender obstacle course. The first player to complete the Eliminator course would win the show and progress to the next round.

The whole show was set up for this. The points gathered throughout the show are used to determine a head start. For every point the contender with the higher score was ahead, a 0.5 second head start would be given.

The course consists of the following:

In an episode first aired 22 June 2008, it was revealed that the referee has the option to slow down the travelator in order that the competitors would be able to complete the course and to determine a winner. In this particular episode the travelator had to be completely stopped for the first time ever. Surprisingly, this measure had to be taken for both the male and female contenders.

Penalties

In Heat 2, it was shown that falling off the men's Hand Bike incurs a 15-second penalty, where the contender must wait at the start of the Balance Beam until they are let continue by the referee.

In the women's Monkey Bars, a 10-second penalty was issued for falling off, and the Contender must go back to the start of the bars.

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