Gladiators (1995 Australian TV series)

Gladiators (Australian TV series)

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment, Television
Founded	1995
Defunct	1996 (original run)
Fate	Ended original run; revivals in 2008 and 2024 (discontinued)
Headquarters	Brisbane , Australia
Area served	Australia
Parent	Seven Network (original), Network Ten (2024 revival)

Gladiators was an Australian TV series broadcast on Saturday evenings via the Seven Network from April 1995 until October 1996. Adapted from the international franchise, it closely mirrored the format, events, and soundtrack of the 1990s British edition.

All three seasons were recorded at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre during 1995. The presenting team initially comprised Kimberley Joseph alongside Aaron Pedersen, with Mike Hammond stepping in for Pedersen after the inaugural season. Refereeing roles featured former tennis professional John Alexander in the first season, followed by Mike Whitney, supported by assistant referee John Forsythe.

A short-lived revival was broadcast in 2008. Later, in July 2023, after the BBC relaunched the British version, a second revival was announced, produced by Warner Bros. Television Studios. This new iteration debuted on Network Ten in January 2024 with hosts Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis, but it was discontinued in May due to insufficient viewer ratings.

Format

The program showcases a group of regular competitors known as Gladiators who face off against one-time "Challengers" in contests designed to challenge both physical prowess and mental agility. Generally, two male and two female challengers compete against Gladiators across four gender-segregated events. Subsequently, each pair participates in The Eliminator—an obstacle course—where their total points determine a corresponding head start. Victory in the episode crowns the champion who then progresses to the finals.

Events

Every episode features four events selected at random along with The Eliminator.

The initial season presented staple events such as Atlaspheres, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pyramid, Suspension Bridge, Tilt, and the Wall. Subsequent seasons introduced additional challenges like Pursuit, Swingshot, Whiplash, Joust, and Skytrak. Each episode concludes with The Eliminator.

Atlaspheres

Competitors and Gladiators are enclosed within large spherical cages called Atlaspheres. Challengers earn points by rolling onto any of four designated scoring pods (each worth 2 points) within a 60-second timeframe while Gladiators attempt to obstruct their progress.

Duel

A challenger and a Gladiator stand atop raised platforms equipped with pugil sticks. The objective is to dislodge the opponent within 30 seconds. Successfully knocking off the Gladiator awards 10 points; if neither is knocked off but the challenger maintains position for the full duration, they receive 5 points.

Gauntlet

The challenger must sprint through a corridor guarded by five Gladiators wielding ramrods; notably, the second and fourth Gladiators operate power pads that hinder the challenger’s speed. Completing this course within 25 seconds grants 5 points; finishing under 20 seconds yields 10 points.

Hang Tough

Starting from opposite platforms separated by a grid of suspended rings, challengers swing across aiming to reach the Gladiator’s platform for a 10-point reward. The Gladiator attempts to intercept and unseat the challenger. If the challenger reaches the fifth row of rings (marked red) or remains hanging for 60 seconds without reaching the platform, they earn 5 points.

Hit and Run

In this event, the contestant has half a minute to sprint across a suspension bridge, earning two points for each successful crossing. Four gladiators, positioned two on each side, attempt to dislodge the contestant using large swinging demolition balls.

Joust

Both the contestant and a gladiator mount skybikes that rotate and spin while wielding combat clubs, aiming to knock one another off. The contestant receives 10 points for unseating the gladiator and an additional 5 points for maintaining balance for a full 60 seconds. The Australian adaptation incorporated the UK’s Pole-Axe soundtrack and utilized authentic Joust equipment from the retired British version.

Powerball

On the Powerball arena, two contestants face off against three gladiators. Given either 45 or 60 seconds depending on the season, contestants try to score by depositing balls into five baskets—outer baskets yield 2 points each, while the central basket awards 3 points. Gladiators actively attempt to prevent scoring by blocking the challengers.

Pursuit

Two contestants compete in an obstacle course race while being chased by two gladiators who begin five seconds after them. The course features various challenges such as beams, ladders, bridges, walls, and traps. The first to finish receives 10 points, the runner-up earns 5 points; however, if caught by a gladiator, no points are awarded. Penalties of one or two points are imposed for rule violations during the course.

Pyramid

This challenge involves two contestants and two gladiators competing on a massive pyramid structure. Contestants strive to reach the summit and press a button within 60 seconds to gain 10 points; if a second contestant succeeds afterward, they earn 5 points. Should gladiators tackle contestants below the waist or on the lowest step, the contestants are awarded 10 points even if they fail to reach the top.

Skytrack

Two contestants and two gladiators race along an inverted figure-eight track suspended from above. Contestants receive a slight head start as gladiators attempt to eliminate them by striking buzzers trailing behind each contestant.

Suspension Bridge

In this head-to-head event, a contestant and a gladiator armed with hammerheads confront each other on a suspension bridge. The contestant is allotted either 30 or 60 seconds to cross for 10 points, or earns 5 points for surviving the entire duration without falling. The time allowed varied across different seasons.

Swingshot

Contestants and gladiators hang suspended on bungee cords facing the arena’s center where a basket filled with colored balls rests atop a tall column. Contestants drop down and bounce back up to grab a colored ball before returning to their stations to score. Gladiators attempt to time their jumps precisely to block these efforts. Points are awarded based on ball color: red balls are worth three points, blue balls two points, and white balls one point.

Tilt

This aerial tug-of-war takes place on tilting platforms: contestants stand on a lower platform angled backward while gladiators occupy a higher platform tilted forward. Gladiators must leverage their position by tilting their platform backward despite their weight advantage. Two rounds lasting 30 seconds each are contested; contestants receive five points for pulling gladiators off and two points for lasting the full duration. This event was discontinued after Series 2 due to difficulties faced by gladiators and an imbalance favoring contestants.

Wall

Contestants climb a wall equipped with handholds and footholds while gladiators start seven seconds later. The first competitor to reach the top gains 10 points; second place earns five points. Additionally, contestants can score five points by hanging onto the wall for an entire minute. Different walls are used for male and female contestants.

Whiplash

In this event, both competitors hold onto a "dog bone," with the challengers attempting to drag the gladiators out of the arena to score 10 points. Strategic maneuvers are employed to compel the adversary to let go, securing victory.

The Eliminator

Serving as the finale for each episode, this direct competition features female challengers competing against one another, as well as male challengers facing off separately. The contestant in the lead is given a head start, receiving an additional half-second for every point advantage held. The course challenges participants with various obstacles such as hurdles, rope climbs, monkey bars (replaced by a hand bike for men in Seasons 2 and 3), spinning logs, cargo net ascents, a zip-line, balance beams, and an inclined travelator. The finish is marked by a Tarzan rope swing passing through a banner. The competitor completing the course in the shortest time wins that episode.

Gladiators

Except where specified otherwise, all Gladiators participated across all three domestic seasons.

Male

• Commando – Geoff Barker (Series 2 & 3)
• Condor – Alistair Gibb
• Cougar – Ashley Buck (Series 1 and 2)
• Force – John Gergelifi (Series 1)*
• Hammer – Mark McGaw
• Predator – Tony Forrow (Series 2 and 3)
• Taipan – Michael Melksham
• Tornado – Tony Latina (Series 3)
• Tower – Ron Reeve
• Vulcan – John Seru

Note: *Force retired following an injury sustained during Atlasphere in the third quarter-final.

Female

• Blade – Bev Carter
• Cheeta – Nicky Davico
• Delta – Karyn Alley
• Electra – Roz Forsyth (Series 3 Reserve)
• Flame – Linda Byrnes
• Fury – Julie Saunders
• Glacier – Lourene Bevaart (Series 3)
• Rebel – Barbara Kendell (Series 1 and 2)
• Storm – Charlene Symonds

Champions

Series winners

Season		Female Champion	Male Champion
1	Winner	Bernadette Withers	Andrew Halliday
	Runner-Up	Teresa Brett	David Wallis
2	Winner	Lourene Bevaart	Shane Saltmarsh
	Runner-Up	Kathy McMorrow	Joe Lukowski
3	Winner	Marisa Huettner	Paul Reynolds
	Runner-Up	Catherine Arlove	Paul Stubbs

Domestic

Season		Number of Episodes		Original Broadcast Dates
				Premiere Date	Finale Date
	1	15		April 29, 1995 (1995-04-29)	August 5, 1995 (1995-08-05)
	2	15		September 2, 1995 (1995-09-02)	December 2, 1995 (1995-12-02)
	3	24		April 13, 1996 (1996-04-13)	September 21, 1996 (1996-09-21)

The Ashes

Series		Episodes		Original air dates
				Debut	Conclusion
	1	3		August 12, 1995 (1995-08-12)	August 26, 1995 (1995-08-26)
	2	3		September 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)	(help)

Australia vs Russia

Series		Episodes		Original air dates
				Debut	Conclusion
	1	3		1996 (1996)	1996 (1996)

International

Series		Episodes		Original air dates
				Debut	Conclusion
	2	7		17 February 1996 (1996-02-17)	6 April 1996 (1996-04-06)

Cheerleaders

• Choreography by: Davidia Lind, Simon Lind
• Cheerleading squad: Cintra Bedford, Jane Crichton, Jessica Emblen, Sarah Harlow, Tamra Lind, Tamara Raup, Emma Sieber, Leigh-Anne Vizer, Francene Vedelago, Kyle Watson

Post-show appearances

In early 2007, the program Where Are They Now? featured former Gladiators Flame, Storm, Commando, Predator, Glacier, Vulcan along with referee Mike Whitney. Viewer feedback gathered by the Seven Network contributed to market research concerning a potential series reboot.

On 9 August 2023, Gladiators was highlighted as a contestant theme on the television program “Hard Quiz.”

Initial revival

The Seven Network declared on 9 September 2007 that Gladiators would return in early 2008. Applications for gladiator roles closed on 16 October 2007 via email; challenger tryouts were held across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth from late October through early November. Filming sessions occurred between 6 January and 10 February 2008 at The Dome and Sydney Showground in New South Wales.

This rebooted season included 15 episodes and debuted on 30 March 2008.

Second revival

A subsequent revival was announced in 2023 with plans to broadcast in early 2024 on Network Ten.