American Gladiator

No show on television encapsulates the physical aspect of war better than American Gladiators. Contestants go head to head with trained athletes in rounds that include mountain climbing, running, getting shot at with tennis balls, getting tackled, rope climbing, and of course the infamous obstacle course. Most of these are training exercises used by the army. American Gladiator is the classic underdog story. The average, everyday person battles with professional athletes. This is very similar to the original gladiators of Rome. Spectators watched men battle to their deaths. People are still very fascinated by violence. Whether it be American Gladiator on tv, or movies like Hostel in theaters, people are still as entertained by violence as the were back when public hangings were common.