Ex Gladiator Debbie Clark recommended I check that out and I'm glad I did! I remember the show well, and knew a few of the competitors, as they were well known in the bodybuilding world. Sadly, two of them passed away, one, Tonya Knight, just recently.
I didn't follow the show back in the day much, and didn't realize how popular it was. What's great about this documentary as it's so iconic to the time, a reflection of the late 80s/early 90s and will bring back memories for those who were alive then, or those who wanna see how fun and crazy that times was and the show captures it well. It was also just at the cusp of when steroid were no longer a poorly guarded secret, there was a cultural shift happening, and American Gladiators was caught in the transition. In these times of PC/woke nonsense, this is also a refreshingly honest show discussing sex, drug, and deeper examination of what drives us to "succeed." I put that in quotes because what is often viewed as "success" is a disaster for the individual, a facade to convince both the person and the world you "made it" and it's often BS.
One aspect of this show that does not get the credit it deserves; I can think of no show before it or after (sadly...) that really showed muscular athletic women in a good light, as role models to young women, as both feminine and powerful. Can you name another show that accomplished that? I can't.
Finally, It's also yet another cautionary tail that if you're an athlete, be it on a team or a show, etc. you're health and well being is very low on the list of concerns to those making the real $, and no matter how tough and bad ass you think you are, you're one injury away from being left with nadda, so think carefully about singing a chit contract!
Whether this blast from the past brings back memories for you (sure did for me!), or just gives insight into what the time was like, you will wanna view that one. Rating A.
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