Gladiators (Australian TV series) series 1 explained

Season Number:1
Starring:Kimberley Joseph
Aaron Pedersen
Num Episodes:15
Network:Seven Network

The first series of Gladiators began airing on Seven Network on 29 April 1995 following successful versions of the Gladiators format in United States, United Kingdom and Finland. The series closely resembled the UK series albeit with just four events and the Eliminator.

Fifteen episodes were filmed in a progressive competition at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre between 24 March and 2 April. Kimberley Joseph and Aaron Pedersen presented the show whilst play by play commentary was by Tony Schibeci. John Alexander acted as referee and John Forsyth as assistant referee. Cheerleaders performed in the background of the events.

Winners of the heats received a Sony music system and a selection of CD's valued to $2,000. The runners up received a set of gym apparatus. The winners of the final won a car (Hyundai Sonata).

Gladiators

Male

Force suffered an injury in Atlasphere in the third quarter final and had to retire from the show.

Female

Events

Atlasphere, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pyramid, Suspension Bridge, Tilt and Wall were played over Series 1.

The Eliminator featured as the final event in every show.

Shows

Fifteen shows along with an unaired pilot[1] were filmed with the televised shows taking the form of a progressive competition. Each show featured four events along with the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator would progress to the next round.

Winning challengers are in bold.[2]

EpisodeContestOriginal airdateChallengers (Female)Challengers (Male)Events
N/AUnaired Pilot1N/ALisa Vs JaneBrian Vs JamesPowerball, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel
01Heat 129 April 1995Heather Marychurch Vs Gina GoodClinton Barter Vs Howard ArbuthnotGauntlet, Pyramid, Powerball, Hit & Run
02Heat 26 May 1995Bernie Withers Vs Tracey NicholsonAndrew Halliday Vs Adam CooneySuspension Bridge, Hang Tough, Atlasphere, Tilt
03Heat 313 May 1995Sabrina Hooyman Vs Carol-Anne HorvathDavid Wallis Vs Paul VellaHit & Run, Wall, Duel, Powerball
04Heat 420 May 1995Karen Swansborough Vs Hillary OrdTony Langdon Vs Corey ParkerPyramid, Tilt, Gauntlet, Suspension Bridge
05Heat 527 May 1995Nellie Baker Vs Fernanda LaceyAshley Martin Vs Alex SanzAtlasphere, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel
06Heat 63 June 1995Teresa Brett Vs Alison JacksonRod McQueen Vs John PowellGauntlet, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
07Heat 710 June 1995Annie Alderson Vs Kerry WarmanMark Brine and Ian JacobsPowerball, Hang Tough, Wall, Duel
08Heat 817 June 1995Tania Logan Vs Donna Sutor/ Kathy Katzourakis2Rhett Foreman Vs Andrew StricklandPyramid, Gauntlet, Duel, Powerball
09Quarter Final 124 June 1995Sabrina Hooyman Vs Nellie BakerAshley Martin Vs David WallisPyramid, Tilt, Wall, Suspension Bridge
10Quarter Final 21 July 1995Kerry Warman Vs Bernie WithersAndrew Halliday Vs Ian JacobsPowerball, Duel, Hit & Run, Pyramid
11Quarter Final 38 July 1995Teresa Brett Vs Karen SwansboroughRod McQueen Vs Tony LangdonWall, Atlasphere3, Hang Tough, Gauntlet
12Quarter Final 415 July 1995Fernanda Lacey4 Vs Tania LoganHoward Arbuthnot Vs Rhett ForemanDuel, Pyramid, Hit & Run, Powerball
13Semi Final 122 July 1995Teresa Brett Vs Nellie BakerDave Wallis Vs Rod McQueenSuspension Bridge, Pyramid, Powerball, Hang Tough
14Semi Final 229 July 1995Fernanda Lacey Vs Bernie WithersAndrew Halliday Vs Rhett ForemanDuel, Wall, Tilt, Gauntlet
15Final5 August 1995Teresa Brett Vs Bernie WithersDave Wallis Vs Andrew HallidayGauntlet, Duel, Pyramid, Hang Tough

1 The challengers in this episode were actually members of the production crew and changed throughout the episode. The names given were just for filming purposes. The headstarts given in the Eliminator were not based on points scored in the events.
2Replaced Donna after she fell on her pugil stick and injured her leg.
3This would be the last ever appearance by Force after falling over in his Atlasphere and injuring his leg.
4Replaced Gina Goode who having won her heat was unable to continue in the Quarter finals due to an ankle injury sustained in Powerball in her heat.

Episode summary

Heat 1

Original airdate: 29 April 1995
Challengers: Heather Marychurch v Gina Good, Clinton Barter v Howard Arbuthnot

Female
EventHeatherGinaGladiators
Gauntlet05Rebel, Cheeta, Blade, Fury & Delta
Pyramid00Flame & Cheeta
Powerball22Delta, Flame & Storm
Hit and Run28Delta, Rebel, Fury & Cheeta
TOTAL415
Male
EventClintonHowardGladiators
Gauntlet00Vulcan, Condor, Cougar, Force & Tower
Pyramid100Taipan & Hammer
Powerball00Cougar, Hammer & Vulcan
Hit and Run00Taipan, Tower, Condor & Force
TOTAL100

Eliminator

Heat 2

Original airdate: 6 May 1995
Challengers: Bernadette Withers v Tracey Nicholson, Andrew Halliday v Adam Cooney

Female
EventBernadetteTraceyGladiators
Suspension Bridge00Flame & Storm
Hang Tough00Blade & Fury
Atlaspheres24Delta & Rebel
Tilt105Cheeta & Flame
TOTAL129
Male
EventAndrewAdamGladiators
Suspension Bridge00Tower & Condor
Hang Tough105Taipan & Cougar
Atlaspheres62Hammer & Condor
Tilt105Taipan & Tower
TOTAL2612

Eliminator

Heat 3

Original airdate: 13 May 1995
Challengers: Sabrina Hooyman v Carol-Anne Horvath, David Wallis v Paul Vella

Female
EventSabrinaCarol-AnneGladiators
Hit and Run66Blade, Delta, Cheeta & Rebel
Wall105Blade & Storm
Duel50Storm & Flame
Powerball04Delta, Flame & Rebel
TOTAL2115
Male
EventDavidPaulGladiators
Hit and Run40Hammer, Force, Cougar & Taipan
Wall00Cougar & Condor
Duel50Vulcan & Tower
Powerball73Cougar, Hammer & Taipan
TOTAL163

Eliminator

Heat 4

Original airdate: 20 May 1995
Challengers: Karen Swansborough v Hillary Ord, Corey Parker v Tony Langdon

Female
EventKaren HillaryGladiators
Pyramid00Fury & Cheeta
Tilt100Storm & Flame
Gauntlet105Fury, Delta, Rebel, Blade & Flame
Suspension Bridge100Rebel & Storm
TOTAL305
Male
EventCoreyTonyGladiators
Pyramid00Condor & Cougar
Tilt55Vulcan & Tower
Gauntlet105Condor, Vulcan, Hammer, Force & Tower
Suspension Bridge010Taipan & Force
TOTAL1020

Eliminator

Heat 5

Original airdate: 27 May 1995
Challengers: Nellie Baker v Fernanda Lacey, Ashley Martin v Alex Sanz

Female
EventNellieFernandaGladiators
Atlasphere22Cheeta & Rebel
Wall510Fury & Delta
Hang Tough1010Cheeta & Blade
Duel55Storm & Flame
TOTAL2227
Male
EventAshleyAlexGladiators
Atlasphere64Tower & Hammer
Wall105Taipan & Hammer
Hang Tough105Condor & Cougar
Duel50Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL3114

Eliminator

Heat 6

Original airdate: 3 June 1995
Challengers: Teresa Brett v Alison Jackson, Rod McQueen v John Powell

Female
EventTeresaAlisonGladiators
Gauntlet510Storm, Rebel, Delta, Cheeta & Blade
Atlasphere22Flame & Storm
Hang Tough00Blade & Cheeta
Suspension Bridge010Flame & Rebel
TOTAL722
Male
EventRodJohnGladiators
Gauntlet00Tower, Cougar, Vulcan, Condor & Hammer
Atlaspheres82Force & Condor
Hang Tough55Taipan & Hammer
Suspension Bridge010Tower & Hammer
TOTAL1317

Eliminator

Heat 7

Original airdate: 10 June 1995
Challengers: Annie Alderson v Kerry Warman, Mark Brine v Ian Jacobs

Female
EventAnnieKerryGladiators
Powerball66Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Hang Tough55Blade & Fury
Wall510Storm & Blade
Duel55Storm & Flame
TOTAL2126
Male
EventMarkIanGladiators
Powerball43Hammer, Taipan & Vulcan
Hang Tough05Cougar & Taipan
Wall105Condor & Cougar
Duel510Tower & Force
TOTAL1923

Eliminator

Heat 8

Original airdate: 17 June 1995
Challengers: Tania Logan v Donna Sutor/Kathy Katzourakis, Rhett Foreman v Andrew Strickland

Female
EventTaniaDonna/KathyGladiators
Pyramid00Delta & Blade
Gauntlet00Flame, Rebel, Cheeta, Blade & Delta
Duel50Flame & Storm
Powerball24Cheeta, Rebel & Storm
TOTAL74
Male
EventRhettAndrewGladiators
Pyramid010Condor & Vulcan
Gauntlet55Force, Cougar, Hammer, Condor & Tower
Duel00Cougar & Taipan
Powerball00Hammer, Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL515

Eliminator

1 Donna injured herself after landing on her pugil stick in Duel, therefore Kathy replaced her in Powerball.

Quarter-Final 1

Original airdate: 24 June 1995
Challengers: Nellie Baker v Sabrina Hooyman, Ashley Martin v David Wallis

Female
EventNellieSabrinaGladiators
Pyramid100Cheeta & Delta
Tilt02Flame & Cheeta
Wall105Storm & Blade
Suspension Bridge00Flame & Storm
TOTAL207
Male
EventAshleyDavidGladiators
Pyramid00Tower & Condor
Tilt27Tower & Vulcan
Wall100Cougar & Taipan
Suspension Bridge00Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL127

Eliminator

Quarter-Final 2

Original airdate: 1 July 1995
Challengers: Kerry Warman v Bernadette Withers, Ian Jacobs v Andrew Halliday

Female
EventKerryBernadetteGladiators
Powerball40Blade, Delta & Flame
Duel00Flame & Storm
Hit and Run1210Fury, Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Pyramid00Cheeta & Storm
TOTAL1610
Male
EventIanAndrewGladiators
Powerball08Hammer, Taipan & Tower
Duel55Vulcan & Tower
Hit and Run24Taipan, Force, Hammer & Vulcan
Pyramid010Cougar & Condor
TOTAL727

Eliminator

Quarter-Final 3

Original airdate: 8 July 1995
Challengers: Karen Swansborough v Teresa Brett, Tony Langdon v Rod McQueen

Female
EventKarenTeresaGladiators
Wall100Storm & Delta
Atlaspheres26Rebel & Flame
Hang Tough55Delta & Cheeta
Gauntlet1010Flame, Delta, Blade, Rebel & Fury
TOTAL2721
Male
EventTonyRodGladiators
Wall010Condor & Cougar
Atlaspheres104Force & Hammer
Hang Tough00Taipan & Cougar
Gauntlet00Vulcan, Taipan, Tower, Condor & Hammer
TOTAL1014

Eliminator

Quarter-Final 4

Original airdate: 15 July 1995
Challengers: Tania Logan v Fernanda Lacey, Howard Arbuthnot v Rhett Foreman

Female
EventTaniaFernandaGladiators
Duel55Flame & Storm
Pyramid00Delta & Cheeta
Hit and Run28Flame, Fury, Blade & Rebel
Powerball22Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
TOTAL915
Male
EventHowardRhettGladiators
Duel50Tower & Vulcan
Pyramid00Hammer & Condor
Hit and Run88Taipan, Tower, Cougar & Vulcan
Powerball02Cougar, Hammer & Taipan
TOTAL1310

Eliminator

Semi-final 1

Original airdate: 22 July 1995
Challengers: Teresa Brett v Nellie Baker, David Wallis v Rod McQueen

Female
EventTeresaNellieGladiators
Suspension Bridge50Storm & Flame
Pyramid00Delta & Cheeta
Powerball36Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Hang Tough00Fury & Blade
TOTAL86
Male
EventDavidRodGladiators
Suspension Bridge00Tower & Vulcan
Pyramid00Condor & Hammer
Powerball20Condor, Hammer & Taipan
Hang Tough00Taipan & Cougar
TOTAL20

Eliminator

Semi-final 2

Original airdate: 29 July 1995
Challengers: Bernadette Withers v Fernanda Lacey, Andrew Halliday v Rhett Foreman

Female
EventBernadetteFernandaGladiators
Duel55Storm & Flame
Wall105Blade & Storm
Tilt02Flame & Cheeta
Gauntlet05Rebel, Fury, Blade, Delta & Storm
TOTAL1517
Male
EventAndrewRhettGladiators
Duel50Tower & Vulcan
Wall100Condor & Cougar
Tilt50Tower & Taipan
Gauntlet1010Vulcan, Taipan, Cougar, Condor & Hammer
TOTAL3010

Eliminator

Grand Final

Original airdate: 5 August 1995
Challengers: Teresa Brett v Bernadette Withers, David Wallis v Andrew Halliday

Female
EventTeresaBernadetteGladiators
Gauntlet1010Rebel, Fury, Blade, Delta & Storm
Duel55Storm & Flame
Pyramid00Delta & Cheeta
Hang Tough05Blade & Fury
TOTAL1520
Male
EventDavidAndrewGladiators
Gauntlet010Tower, Vulcan, Cougar, Condor & Taipan
Duel50Vulcan & Tower
Pyramid00Hammer & Condor
Hang Tough010Cougar & Taipan
TOTAL520

Eliminator

Cheerleaders

Choreographer: Davidia Lind

Cheerleaders: Cintra Bedford, Jane Crichton, Jessica Emblen, Sarah Harlow, Tamra Lind, Tamara Raup, Emma Sieber, Leigh-Anne Vizer, Francene Vedelago, Kyle Watson[3]

Production

Production began in January 1995 when the producers began their search for Gladiators and challengers. The long list was cut to 100 people who attended tryouts in Brisbane (where it was decided the show would be filmed), Melbourne and Sydney. Fourteen Gladiators and a number of challengers were selected.[4]

The apparatus was delivered to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in March requiring 35 trucks and 100 riggers whilst the Gladiators filmed the opening credits at Dee Why. Challengers arrived at the BEC on 16 March to begin training.

An unaired pilot episode was filmed using the Gladiators and production crew as challengers. There was no audience and Force, Rebel and Cheeta did not compete in any events.

Filming commenced on 24 March and wrapped on 2 April. Initially audiences numbered 2,000 but grew to 5,000 as filming progressed. St John's Ambulance personnel were on site during filming.

The first episode aired on Seven Network on 29 April and immediately entered the top 10 most watch shows in Australia. A second series entered production in May.

Notes and References

  1. Original Australian Series Episode Write Ups http://forum.gladiatorszone.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1973
  2. Original Australian Series Episode Guide http://archive.gladiatorszone.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1087254252;start=all
  3. Web site: 5 April 2020. Australian Gladiators 1995 S01E01. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VObqD7tg5lY . 2021-12-21. live. 16 January 2021. YouTube.
  4. "A year in the life of Gladiators" Official Gladiators Magazine issue 3 Nov–Dec 1995

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