Recently, my television viewing has been limited to Cashmere Mafia, my Season 1 box set of 30 Rock and (predominantly trashy) reality television. However, one new reality show has not let me down: NBC’s American Gladiators. The revived version has proven to be every bit as campy as the first, and almost all of the secrets to the show’s success are back – bigger than ever.
Last night was the first of two episodes that serve as the semifinals, and there are four women left. I know you have already met the gladiators, but in case you forgot, here’s a little reminder.
Heaven is right!
OK, onward. Now, let me introduce you to the remaining female contenders.
In last night’s competition, Shanay Norvell and Siene Silva battled for a place in the finals. Norvell is a 31-year old Life Wellness Trainer for adolescents, and was a self-proclaimed “pipsqueak” when she was younger. She weighs in with a 5’5″, 141-pound frame, and is shown here modeling for fitdreamteam.com. Silva rings in with a slightly smaller (5’4″, 127 pounds) build, yet just as much punch. She is currently a gymnastics instructor and life coach, but once was a high school power lifting champion and an arm wrestler. (Yikes!) Here she is at the 2007 National Physique Committee’s Southern States Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships (mouthful, isn’t it?). Oh, and P.S. – she was the Overall Winner of the Women’s Fitness Open competition.
While perusing the internet last night during the men’s competitions (what can I say? They bore me), I found a very thorough and fun site that focuses on just what I was interested in: AmericanGladiatorGirls.com. After scrolling down the page a little ways, I found a poll of site viewers on who they thought would “win it all” for the women. Siene Silva was showing as the strong favorite, with 59 percent of the overall vote. Compare that to the next highest, Monica Carlson (to appear in next week’s episode) who had 28 percent, or Silva’s head-to-head competitor, Norvell (who had a measly 5 percent of the vote), and you’d think Silva was a lock, right?
Wrong. Though Silva and Norvell remained neck-and-neck through the first three events (the Hit and Run, Hang Tough, and the Gauntlet, respectively), Silva started showing signs of fatigue in the Joust, and was disqualified for stepping onto Crush’s platform. Norvell then took a five-point lead and never looked back.
So Norvell will be one of the two women to compete for the $100,000 grand prize (along with the chance to come back as a gladiator in the next season of Gladiators). Who could she be up against? Let’s take a look.
Venus Ramos, 35, is a rehabilitation physician, a regular entrant into fitness competitions, and a reality television contestant, apparently. Carlson, 32, is a sports model, former dancer for the Portland Trailblazers and one of 11 children. Here she is, victorious, after the Joust. So, who do you think will win between Venus and Monica? What about the Whole Thing? To find out, tune in to NBC at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 14.
Viewers ready?! Heck, yes!
