Please can we talk about Gladiators?

[musicalfrog]

And how bloody amazing they are at smashing female stereotypes on primetime television, to a mostly family audience?

I almost can't believe it's on the BBC!

We have gorgeous, feminine Gladiators who aren't afraid to flex their muscles and be dominant, a range of different personalities in how they present themselves.

And the female contenders are showcasing a range of presentations from feminine to more masculine but not a hint of "I should really be a man" among them. They sometimes work in traditionally more male dominated areas such as the prison PT.

These are incredible role models for our daughters!

Well done Gladiators 👏

Oh thank god that's what you were saying the headline made me fear the worst before I read your post! 😅

Yes it's good to see and also to clearly see despite all the muscles how obviously different males and females are.

Haha I also had a panic that there was something nefarious afoot with Gladiators as we love the show in this house.

And I agree, OP, the female gladiators are wonderful. My two dds are in awe of them, and my eldest is always commenting on how stunning Diamond is (I did have to tell my mother-in-law off for saying she is masculine 🙄)

😂😂 sorry for making you panic!

I do wonder if a TIM ever tried to get on Gladiators if they'd get through the application process... it really would peak the nation wouldn't it?

I bloody love Gladiators. My kids were little when the original series were on, and it makes me nostalgic for lovely Saturday night family telly. And yes, there are such wonderful, feisty, gorgeous women on there. And you can so clearly see the difference between men and women who are respectively amongst the strongest and fastest of their peer groups.

Rio from the original Gladiators series was in a panto at my local (at the time) theatre, and she popped into my children's primary school one assembly during the run. The kids were absolutely beside themselves about meeting her.

I thought it was going to be another scandal, too...

One thing I love is that all the female Gladiators are obviously wearing whatever they as individuals feel most comfortable in.

The original 90s female line up wore what amounted to sports bras and bikini bottoms or swimsuits, there was little variety which suggests it was a set uniform rather than a choice.

Oh thank goodness i thought you were going to say they all think they're men now

My dd is eighteen and an athlete. Gladiators is the only programme we watch together and she loves the female Gladiators and we always have a good old marvel at their stats.

My dd sprints and people quite often have things to say about the women and girls at competitions. About their hair most and their nails. There was a whole study before the Olympics about how the women should have more sensible hairstyles so they would be more streamlined.

My DD sprints with her mass of curly hair loose because she says it improves her time as she feels more confident.

Yep, never used to be bothered but bloody love it now.

My sons are watching.

Single sex competition, super strong healthy ppl.

Youngest has found a gladiators play tricks on each other thing on cbbc he likes. Bit like ant and dec

I too panicked and a relieved!

Me too!

We are a little behind on this series so I haven't seen the actual episode, but I saw a clip where Apollo pretended to answer his mobile and then made a remark to (I think) a contestant, something like "your mum says hello" (making out he is in some kind of relationship with her, and that this is an insult to the other man).

I found this disappointing in a family show as it sets a terrible example to young boys. But yes, all power to the female gladiators showing off their strong, healthy bodies and setting a great example to young girls 🙌🏻

Isn't it a sad state off affairs when we immediately fear the worst, only to find a positive story?

I totally and completely love Gladiators.

I love the incredible range of female contestants and variety of ways women can be strong. Have seen the whole range of feminity - butch, fake tan and fillers, petite, hijabi, I could go on and on. They are all awesome.

In Series 1 they hadn't really figured out what to do with the professionals except get them to swish their hair. Love that they realised this was an issue and have upped their game with the female pros.

We love Gladiators in our house too. I'd like them to reign in some of the bad tempered stuff a bit, for the little ones watching (eg Viper tore up a kid's poster last week).

The women - both contenders and pros - are fabulous role models, particularly for girls who don't fit into the 'delicate' physique bracket.

I don't watch it - I saw it years ago and it seemed to be people in lycra trying to knock other people in lycra off narrow ledges with what looked like giant cotton-buds.

I'm please to hear that the female contestants are a diverse lot, because looking at the pictures of the female Gladiators, none of them deviate from the long hair and make-up stereotype of how women 'should' look - it's OK to be strong and muscly, just as long as you have long hair and wear make-up😒

So it's great to know that all the stereotypes are being knocked off narrow ledges by a diverse range of women.. with giant cotton-buds?😄

That was Legend, and it's part of his schtick. It went over my kids head tbh and made me and DP laugh.

I'm even forgiving them for having two male presenters, which I was a bit miffed about at the start.

Because it's just so good overall.

Yes I agree.

I'm pleased the post is getting lots of engagement though, as I feel the show deserves recognition and celebration, and maybe those who previously thought it wasn't for them may give it a try!

@Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I must apologise you were right sorry it was Apollo! Not like him at all!

I love it. Watched it as a child. My kids love it (G&B) we love Fury! I do like Legend, he makes me laugh as he is just playing a character. The contestants are great too. A real positive family show.

I was only thinking along similar lines watching last weeks.

And that I'm pleasantly surprised that the format hasn't been changed from the original because 'times'. I just want my classic childhood gladiators please and thank you. Altho someone tell Viper he isn't a patch on Wolf!!

Maybe it goes over the heads of younger boys but older boys/teens would get it. I know Legend laughed but I was glad he was clearly trying not to and reigned himself in quickly. I actually really like Legend, he's hilarious without having to resort to sexism. I think he realised the joke was inappropriate after about 5 seconds.

Gladiators: Epic Pranks.

I've watched that with the kids too!

I loved it then and love it now. Although my 11 year old daughter asked why the women are always nice to the contestants and the men are always horrible....

Fury on this weeks one was brilliant with the sign from a kid in the audience.

I love that the female gladiators are regularly super supportive of the contestants too.

They seem a good bunch and are massive role models for the kids.