Gladiators returns!

[MadCatLady27]

On Saturday! Anyone else going to watch?

Sorry if there's already a thread please feel free to merge

I grew up watching it in the 90s on a Saturday night. I didn't see the sky(?) remake as I don't think we had sky at the time, however this time it looks like they are keeping some of the original events

My favourites used to be Lightning and Wolf. I also used to want to be on it and do the eliminator. No chance of my lardy self making it round it now!

Apollo is also very nice to look at

I know! It would have such equal male/female representation but then they picked two male presenters.

Loved it other than that though, watched it with my kids. The best thing about it was how little it changed.

I suppose, nepo accusations aside, they did the opposite with Strictly: almost an equal number of males and females taking part, but then two female presenters.

I loved it. Happy with the presenters too. I enjoyed watching it as a kid with my family and now enjoying it with my own kids.

I’m watching this on catchup and bloody loving it - I feel like one of those grannies at the wrestling
😂😂😂

Loved it! Nostalgia feelings were definitely feeling 😂

Loved it! 5yo DD got really into it, Giant is her favourite. Hang Tough still the best round imo

I do think the eliminator seemed easier than the previous series- I remember the travelator being bigger and they had to arm bicycle over part of it instead of just monkey bars?

Yes! We said that about the monkey bars! It was a whirly thing before.

On the whole, I enjoyed it.

Didn't it get harder when they got into the next round?

Yes I'm sure there was a hand bike (and a rolling log - before the climbing cargo rope?)

I thought the travelator might have been slower in this series?

I remember the hand bike thing on eliminator so no you're not imagining it

I love how the female gladiators had healthy looking bodies (obviously way more toned and fit than I'll ever be), far better than the love island types, they actually had thighs etc (albeit extremely toned ones that I'm extremely jealous of). Same for the contenders, not plastered in make up etc

I think I'd prefer to see the ladies do their event first, they were obviously great, but the men made them look slow, because they have that extra power and strength, I wouldn't notice it as much if it was the other way round. I think it was exaggerated because Finley absolutely flew round the eliminator, it hadn't been noticeable up til that point

Can't wait for next week although probably won't be able to watch live

He went to school locally to me!

Glad I’m not crazy and everyone else remembers the hand bike too!

Absolutely brilliant I loved it

Great fun! Good contestants too.

I was obliged to disappear down a YouTube gladiators rabbit hole do some research on the 1990s series.
In series 1 the first obstacle on the eliminator was another cargo net and then a slide! (I had completely forgotten about that) and the men had to do handbikes, women did monkey bars, also no balance beam in series 1.
Anyone else remember Eunice Huthart (sp?) She was my fave contestant I think in series 2 or 3.

Brilliant TV!! 👏

I can't get annoyed at the nepo hosting, as I get why they like the angle of their relationship. Like Richard and Judy or Eamon and Ruth.
Barney isn't the most natural presenter but he's harmless and seems a nice chap, which we need more of on TV. I didn't realise how much posher he sounded than Bradley until tonight

I thought it was brilliant entertainment. I was in awe of the contenders and the Gladiators, and I love that it took me back to my golden age of Saturday teatime TV. We just need Blind Date back in its original format, although I can't think who'd be Cilla.

I liked the choice of presenters too. I know Barney wouldn't be on the telly if it weren't for his dad, but he seems bright and he's an affable sort. Bradley adds a bit of safe, teatime humour and he's good at talking to people in a normal way.

I wasn't allowed to watch Gladiators in the 90's so felt positively brazen sticking it on the TV this evening. It was daft but fun to watch. Great to see ordinary contestants who are fit and strong. No celebs, no orange lollipops.

Oh I didn't see there was already a thread! Sorry OP!

Was so good!

I think Amanda Holden would be good on Blind Date, or Alison Hammond!

Watched it with my son earlier and it was brilliant! So entertaining and fun. I like Brad and Barney as presenters.

Remember the reboot of Blind Date with Paul O'Grady hosting? Lovely chap, but it just didn't work 😬

Someone who's really warm, and is invested in the couples is needed. Not someone who just plays for laughs.
If she wasn't on Love Island already, Maya Jama would be good.
Claudia Winkleman?
No doubt it would end up being Holly, though 😖

I had thought about AH too, esp as that's where her TV career started

Ooh Hannah Waddingham!