American Gladiators watch online HD

To hide their lack of an audience, during the first season, the set designer had plywood set up around the arena. He would then have faces painted on them to appear as if people were in the audience. They also dimmed the lights to further the illusion.

During season two, when the show started becoming a hit, all ten Gladiators demanded a pay raise. When Samuel Goldwyn said no, they walked out on the production. They later reached an agreement and bumped them up, from the union minimum of $700 per episode, to $1,000 per episode.

Laser is the only Gladiator to appear in every season.

Former contestant, Rico Costantino, went on to become a professional wrestler; he even won two WWE Tag Team Titles.

Because of the steroid scandal that rocked Vince McMahon and the WWF, sponsors started demanding the Gladiators be drug tested. In his autobiography, Nitro, who now openly admits his steroid abuse problems, stated that they were given six weeks, advance notice, before the tests. While he didn't out anyone else, he explained that this allowed him to get the drugs out of his system, and then after the tests were over, get right back on them.

Two days, before production on season four began, Gemini, Nitro, Ice, and Zap held a secret meeting. According to Nitro, in his autobiography; they demanded that the producers give, the Gladiators, a portion of the merchandising revenue. Samuel Goldwyn said no. Gemini, Nitro, Ice, Zap, Lace #1, Blaze, Gold, and Thunder walked out. Zap changed her mind and went back right away; Ice sat out one season, but went back; and Nitro went back after two years, when they offered him a deal to compete one last season as a Gladiator and then co-host the final year with Mike Adamle. The rest never returned.

During a marathon, of the show on ESPN Classic, they featured several behind the scenes notes from Dan "Nitro" Clark. He said that "Human Cannonball" was the least favorite event of the Gladiators, due to the punishment they had taken.

Prior to become Gladiators, Laser and Nitro played football together for the Los Angeles Rams.

Tower was the only Gladiator that couldn't compete in the "Skytrack" event due to him not fitting in a harness.

John Ferraro's idea for "American Gladiators" was inspired by the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film "The Running Man"; although, Champion bodybuilder and Hollywood superstar, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was not offered to be on the show.

Mike Adamle was the only host to appear in every season. Originally, he was billed as the co-host with Joe Theismann being the main host. However, when Theismann left, after the first season, Adamle became the main host.

During the first season, producers made a deal with Universal Studios. The deal was to make American Gladiators (1989) part of the tour, in exchange for, free publicity on the show.

According to Nitro, season seven was supposed to be his last season, as an active Gladiator. He was later convinced into going overseas for a season of "International Gladiators." This version of the series was filmed in Manchester, England, and featured Gladiators and contenders from all over the world.

Laser, Sabre, Siren, Sky, Turbo, and Zap are the only Gladiators that competed in every single event, throughout the show's seven year run.

During the show's run, creator 'John Ferraro' sent the Gladiators on a ten month, 150 city tour of the country. The tour began at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Michael Horton, who was Gemini, was a former college football star at UCLA and played in the NFL for 10 seasons; he appeared on many game shows in the 1980s as a contestant, including Card Sharks and Press Your Luck.

Shortly after being elected President, Bill Clinton stated this was his favorite TV show.

Nitro was the first 'American Gladiators' action figure produced by Mattel.

Lisa Malosky was the only female host throughout the series run and was also the only one without NFL experience.

Cheryl Baldinger, who starred as Sunny, one of the original six American Gladiators, injured her ankle during "Breakthrough and Conquer". It aired as a semi-final episode in the first season. She never appeared on the show again and nothing was said about her absence nor her injury.

Sabre, Jazz, and Hawk started on the tour, and then were later added, as Gladiators to the TV show.

Craig Charles took part as a contestant.

Dylan Bruno was a contender.

Every female Caucasian gladiator were blonde.