With no Sunday Night Football on NBC this weekend I decided to check out the new American Gladiators. The show follows a similar formula as the previous one but with a few new changes. The main changes are the new hosts Hulk Hogan and Lala Ali, and the addition of water to some of the events.

I know there’s a writers strike but this show could really use some. The lines they were force feeding the contestants were awful, especially when you mix it in with Hogan saying “brother” every third word. The entire show comes across very scripted, although I’m not sure anyone could have planned Bonnie smacking her head into that pole during the eliminator.

Even though the show seemed very fake at times, it was still entertaining. The character “Wolf” definitely likes his job a bit to much. It was fun watching the contestants trying to climb the vertical treadmill while completely exasperated. The refs “giving him the business” reference was a bit over the top but at least they tried.

I might consider watching the show again, but the need to show more of the Assault event – that one rocks. If they did that and tazed Hogan every time he said brother I think I’d be satisfied.