American Gladiators

Tonight, NBC is airing the one episode of Celebrity Family Feud that I've truly been waiting for. The casts of two great NBC comedies — plus a third show, which I suppose could be considered a comedy depending on how you feel about people in spandex racing against other people in spandex — will face off in an epic feud.

The episode will have several rounds, and of them, I'm most excited about the accountants of The Office taking on the American Gladiators (who are, naturally, in costume). There's something inherently funny about Al Roker crying out "Kate! Venom! Let's play the Feud!" Add in some whooping whistles from Wolf (still my favorite Gladiator) and a brave Phyllis challenging him to an arm-wrestling battle, and we've got quite the show on our hands.

NBC has a couple of preview clips for the episode; they give away the scores at different points — but not the winner — so if you'd like to remain pure and unspoiled, you might not want to watch them yet. On the other hand, if you really just want to see what answer Creed gives for things people practice doing in a sexy way, just read more

Good news, beefcakes! NBC has announced a casting call for potential contenders on the second season of American Gladiator. Apparently, Hulk Hogan officially stated, "To all those gladiator-maniacs out there we are looking for strong, determined individuals from all walks of life who have a lot of heart and soul. If you think you have what it takes we look forward to seeing you bring the heat, brother!"

So let's say you go to this casting call and get on AG. What would be your outrageous and aggressive stage name? Here are a few current Gladiator names to get the juices flowing:

• Fury
• Stealth
• Justice
• Venom
• Militia

My choices include Squeezy, Throttle, Ambition, Fossil Fuel and Tarantula (can be shortened to Tara). What would your American Gladiator name be?

For more details on the casting calls being held in various cities from Chicago to Austin to L.A., click here.

Photo courtesy of NBC

• USA Today reports that Paula Abdul's new video will premiere during the Super Bowl pregame show, and it's possible Abdul will also perform the song live.
• American Idol's major sponsors — Ford, Coke, and AT&T — are all back for this season, Variety reports.
• American Gladiators will fight on for NBC: The network has ordered an unspecified number of new episodes for another season of the show, TV Week reports.
• MTV is spinning off My Super Sweet 16 into a show called Exiled, following former party princesses as they live with indigenous tribes around the world, Broadcasting & Cable reports.




• Billboard has news that Amy Macdonald's debut album has bumped Radiohead's In Rainbows for the No. 1 spot on the U.K. album chart.
• Joyce Carol Oates has received two National Book Critics Circle Awards nominations, the Associated Press reports.
• The writers' strike goes on, but at least the Directors Guild of America and producers are negotiating in an effort to avert a directors' strike, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
• According to Variety, No Country for Old Men was the big winner at the Ohio Film Critics Association Awards, nabbing Best Picture, among others.

Photo courtesy of Fox

• Tube Talk has an interview with Moonlight's Jason Dohring.
• According to MTV Movies Blog, the Lance Armstrong biopic is still on the table, and Matt Damon is still the name being tossed around as the actor to play the athlete.
• Stereogum is announcing the results of the reader-submitted 2007 Gummy Awards, starting with Album of the Year: Radiohead's In Rainbows.
• LAist has seen the set of the new American Gladiators — and the gladiators themselves. Is it wrong that I'm jealous?
• Popwatch is rooting for the song "Falling Slowly" from indie musical Once to triumph at the Oscars over the tunes from Enchanted.
• TV Squad introduces us to the new, Will Arnett-voiced, Ford-manufactured KITT for the Knight Rider TV movie.
• Pop Candy rustles up a blog post about hidden jokes in Pixar movies.
• The Walrus has another new Magnetic Fields song, "California Girls." Let's just say it's not an ode to bikini-clad blondes.
• TV with MeeVee makes me wonder: Should I care about the new direct-to-Internet Jackass movie?

Photo courtesy of CBS

Amidst the reality-television dreck the networks have planned for us in the new year (really, My Dad is Better Than Your Dad?), there's one show that legitimately has me excited to tune in: the new American Gladiators. The old, syndicated show was such a big part of my childhood Saturday mornings that I simply can't resist the new version, hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali. Besides, I want to see how far foam weaponry has come in the past 20 years.

The show will kick off with a two-hour premiere Jan. 6, then move into its regular 8 p.m. Monday time slot the next day (regular occupant Chuck will have run out of episodes because of the writers' strike).

The cheesiness of the old show was a major part of its appeal, and from the first promo, it looks like the remake is staying true to that over-the-top spirit. The ad — which premiered during Heroes, aptly — features warriors running through the desert holding their jousting sticks high. I've watched this ad at least a half-dozen times now, and it still makes me giggle. Also making me giggle: this NBC promo picture of Hulk Hogan. Yeah, I'm pumped for this one.

Are you ready to see the next generation of Storms and Geminis take to the ring? To watch the promo, just read more

• Winona Ryder will play the mother to Zachary Quinto's Spock in the new Star Trek movie, Zap2it reports.
• It's looking like Jay-Z will have his 10th No. 1 album when sales are reported next week, according to Billboard.
• E! reports that Showtime wants a third season of Dexter.
• Mark Wahlberg will star in Max Payne, a big-screen adaptation of the video game, according to Variety.
• Laila Ali and Hulk Hogan will share hosting duties for the new American Gladiators, People reports.
• A&E is planning a reality show where celebrities throw garage sales, hosted by Illeana Douglas, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
• NME reports that satellite radio listeners can now tune into a channel completely devoted to Led Zeppelin.
• Fox is working on a new comedy starring Bernie Mac, Variety reports.

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• The totally awesome Dianne Wiest has joined the cast of "The Return of Jezebel James", playing the mother of Coco (Lauren Ambrose) and Sarah (Parker Posey). That's three awesome ladies on one screen, especially given Wiest's particular skill at playing the crazy mother. Here's hoping the show itself can match up.
• Speaking of awesome, multi-time Emmy winner Marlo Thomas — aka "That Girl" — will guest-star on "Ugly Betty" as a jewelry company owner with a weakness for younger men, including one Daniel Meade. Saucy!
• TV Guide says Alyssa Milano will play a love interest for Earl on the upcoming season of "My Name is Earl." Could it be a serious love match? She's reportedly on board for at least eight episodes.




• Also from TV Guide: Edie Falco has booked a three-episode run on "30 Rock," former ER doctor Michael Michelle has a guest spot on the upcoming season of "House" as a CIA doctor, and Jessalyn Gilsig of "Nip/Tuck" will play Tami Taylor's sassy sister on "Friday Night Lights," sticking around for at least six episodes.
• So you wanna be one of the new "American Gladiators"? Now's your chance. NBC is holding a cross-country search for gladiators and contenders, starting in Los Angeles on Saturday. Hmm, that's not much time to get in shape ...

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Paging Gemini, Turbo and Lace!
NBC is bringing "American Gladiators" back to television, aiming for a debut in the middle of the upcoming TV season. The show will follow four male and four female gladiators as they battle amateur athletes.

It's not just about physical prowess.
This show will take its cues from the original British version, which focused more on the back stories of the contestants and gladiators. An NBC executive told Variety that this show "will have the scale, scope, different characters and family drama that the U.K. version had." You know, I always did wonder what Ice was like when she wasn't whacking someone in the face with a giant foam jousting paddle.

So you wanna be a gladiator?
Lucky for you, NBC is already accepting applications. (One of the questions: "Do you work out?" Heh.)

No word yet on whether they'll still wear spandex.
Also, my fingers are crossed for the return of "assault," the awesome game with the tennis ball cannon.

Want to watch the original "Gladiators" intro?
Of course you do. Just read more

This American Gladiator is named Malibu and it's no wonder why. It's obvious that the guy spends a lot of time getting his brains (and skin) fried on the beach-- not only because he's got the surfer dude drawl down, but also cuz he appears very comfortable in that spandex tankini he's sporting. But at least he's keeping things consistent: nothing compliments an overly inflated body better than an overly inflated mullet. Okay, ladies: any takers?