"AMERICAN GLADIATORS"

"101"

01/06/2008 (09:00PM - 11:00PM) (Sunday) : Iconic series "American Gladiators" is back -- better then ever -- with a heart-pounding, action-packed, two-hour premiere. Helmed by hosts Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars"), each of the series' eight episodes features two male and two female contenders competing against each other for points -- all while the incredulous gladiators are lurking. The final two male and female contenders to make it to the end of this grueling competition will receive $100,000 each. The premiere event showcases females Bonnie Blanco, an ex-U.S. Marine, and Shanay Norvell, a fitness trainer who face-off while student Molivann Duy and lifelong gladiator hopeful Jeff Keller go head-to-head representing the men. In the second-hour, the anticipation builds with a classic East Coast-West Coast battle among the men when Brooklyn firefighter Anthony Abbatemarco enters the arena with California professional skater Chad Knight. Meanwhile, the drama heats up between the women when professional chef Koya Webb's face-off with saleswoman Jessie Foster threatens to be cut short by an injury.