So last night, the Gladiators revival aired on BBC One and iPlayer. It was easy for a lot of people to dismiss it before even watching it, after the 2008 Sky One revival failure.
However, the BBC have pulled off something magical. They've kept the same original feel of the show, arena layout, same theme music and classic games, alongside new ones.
It's very hard to replicate 1990s nostalgia on TV these days, but I think they did a superb job. The show flowed like the old series, even the "another one bites the dust" chants were back from the crowd, holding their pointy foam fingers.
It was great to see games like Duel back, alongside new ones, before seeing the impressive Eliminator round again. It was amazing to see it back, as if it never disappeared off our screens. The Gladiators and Contenders were a good mix of personalities and the new hosts were good.
I was impressed, and will be tuning in again for the other 10 episodes. However it is a slight shame that they didn't film it at its original home at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. This new series was filmed in Sheffield, but to viewers not noticeable I guess. I was at the NIA (Utilita) Arena in Birmingham recently for a concert, and it was so nostalgic to be standing where the original Gladiators was filmed.
90s Saturday Night TV was awesome. As a 90s kid, I have such a fond memory of sitting down on a Saturday Night, eating McCains Micro Chips and watching Gladiators as a little boy, followed by Noels House Party. It was appointment television, everyone tuned in and no one could miss it. Great times.
I feel that the new series was missing Ulrika Johnson and John Anderson, but they are both getting on a bit - I was shocked to read in a coffee shop this afternoon on my phone, that John Anderson is now 92! A few people grumbled online about the lack of Jet and Wolf, but they're also getting on. They should give them a Cameo appearance at least.
Former presenter Ulrika praised the revival series, but she did have one criticism- lack of cheerleaders. She was interviewed on Good Morning Britain on Friday. She said they were beautiful in the original and added "depth" to the show. Who knows, they might bring them back for a second series.
Quite a lot of people have commented on Social Media that they noticed that music was missing during the Duel game, and other events. That's the main take away I have noticed from feedback. It was also clear that Viper was trying to emulate the bad boy vibes of Wolf.
I'm not yet sure if the classic game "Atlaspheres" will be returning, but don't think it will. They don't have lights in the floor for this new series.
I couldn't help but think about The Crystal Maze, another 90s show whilst watching the new Gladiators. I kept thinking that it was a shame that Channel 4 didn't bring back the Maze with a bang, the same way that BBC have done with Gladiators. I feel that Channel 4 made a mistake in not promoting the new 2017 Crystal Maze revival series enough, trying to reinvent the wheel and not bringing back the classic original Crystal Maze theme. The Crystal Maze revival was acceptable to many, but not a hit like the new Gladiators has been.
Having celebrities ruined it, and having an already known TV personality host it (Richard Ayoade) left a sour taste for some vs the mysterious presenters Richard O'Brien and Edward Tudor Pole. The games were great, and set was great, but not joined together like the original. Sadly COVID finished off the Maze revival. A shame given that the Maze is still incredibly popular with the live experiences.
I'm not saying the Maze revival was bad, as I was excited to see it back and help on two series, which was amazing and I loved every second. What I'm saying is, it's a shame it was a victim of COVID and ended prematurely again. It deserves a second revival, just like Gladiators.
Let's hope that Channel 4 can learn from the Gladiators revival and bring back The Crystal Maze once again with a bang in the future. It deserves to be brought back all guns blazing, like BBC have done. The Crystal Maze is up there with Gladiators, and deserves to come back again with a high budget. Channel 4 have never promoted the Maze enough.
I'll be very surprised if the new Gladiator's isn't commissioned for at least another two or three more series. I'd also like to see merchandise for the new Gladiators, like the original.
90s shows still to revive? I can think of a few. Noel's House Party, Generation Game, YouBet!, Fun House, Don't Try this at Home, Big Break, Live and Kicking.
What are your views on the new BBC Gladiators? Please comment below, i'd love to hear them. Cheers.
