Gladiators (Australian series 1)

Season of television series

Gladiators

Season 1
Starring| Kimberley Joseph
Aaron Pedersen
Country of origin| Australia
No. of episodes| 15
Release
Original network| Seven Network
Original release| 29 April (1995-04-29) –
5 August 1995 (1995-08-05)
Series chronology

Next →
Series 2

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[edit]

### Male[edit]

* Condor - Alistair Gibb
* Cougar - Ashley Buck
* Force - John Gergelifi
* Hammer - Mark McGaw
* Taipan - Michael Melksham
* Tower - Ron Reeve
* Vulcan - John Seru

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

### Female[edit]

* Blade - Bev Carter
* Cheeta - Nicky Davico
* Delta - Karen Alley
* Flame - Lynda Byrnes
* Fury - Julie Saunders
* Rebel - Barbara Kendell
* Storm - Charlene Machin

## Events[edit]

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[edit]

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]

Episode  | Contest  | Original airdate  | Challengers (Female)  | Challengers (Male)  | Events

|
|
|
|
|

N/A  | Unaired Pilot1 | N/A  | Lisa Vs Jane  | Brian Vs James  | Powerball, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel
01  | Heat 1  | 29 April 1995  | Heather Marychurch Vs Gina Good | Clinton Barter Vs Howard Arbuthnot | Gauntlet, Pyramid, Powerball, Hit & Run
02  | Heat 2  | 6 May 1995  | Bernie Withers Vs Tracey Nicholson  | Andrew Halliday Vs Adam Cooney  | Suspension Bridge, Hang Tough, Atlasphere, Tilt
03  | Heat 3  | 13 May 1995  | Sabrina Hooyman Vs Carol-Anne Horvath  | David Wallis Vs Paul Vella  | Hit & Run, Wall, Duel, Powerball
04  | Heat 4  | 20 May 1995  | Karen Swansborough Vs Hillary Ord  | Tony Langdon Vs Corey Parker  | Pyramid, Tilt, Gauntlet, Suspension Bridge
05  | Heat 5  | 27 May 1995  | Nellie Baker Vs Fernanda Lacey  | Ashley Martin Vs Alex Sanz  | Atlasphere, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel
06  | Heat 6  | 3 June 1995  | Teresa Brett Vs Alison Jackson  | Rod McQueen Vs John Powell  | Gauntlet, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge
07  | Heat 7  | 10 June 1995  | Annie Alderson Vs Kerry Warman | Mark Brine and Ian Jacobs | Powerball, Hang Tough, Wall, Duel
08  | Heat 8  | 17 June 1995  | Tania Logan Vs Donna Sutor/ Kathy Katzourakis2 | Rhett Foreman Vs Andrew Strickland  | Pyramid, Gauntlet, Duel, Powerball
09  | Quarter Final 1  | 24 June 1995  | Sabrina Hooyman Vs Nellie Baker | Ashley Martin Vs David Wallis | Pyramid, Tilt, Wall, Suspension Bridge
10  | Quarter Final 2  | 1 July 1995  | Kerry Warman Vs Bernie Withers | Andrew Halliday Vs Ian Jacobs  | Powerball, Duel, Hit & Run, Pyramid
11  | Quarter Final 3  | 8 July 1995  | Teresa Brett Vs Karen Swansborough  | Rod McQueen Vs Tony Langdon  | Wall, Atlasphere3, Hang Tough, Gauntlet
12  | Quarter Final 4  | 15 July 1995  | Fernanda Lacey4 Vs Tania Logan  | Howard Arbuthnot Vs Rhett Foreman | Duel, Pyramid, Hit & Run, Powerball
13  | Semi Final 1  | 22 July 1995  | Teresa Brett Vs Nellie Baker  | Dave Wallis Vs Rod McQueen  | Suspension Bridge, Pyramid, Powerball, Hang Tough
14  | Semi Final 2  | 29 July 1995  | Fernanda Lacey Vs Bernie Withers | Andrew Halliday Vs Rhett Foreman  | Duel, Wall, Tilt, Gauntlet
15  | Final  | 5 August 1995  | Teresa Brett Vs Bernie Withers | Dave Wallis Vs Andrew Halliday | Gauntlet, 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[edit]

### Heat 1[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Heather  | Gina  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 0  | 5  | Rebel, Cheeta, Blade, Fury & Delta
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Flame & Cheeta
Powerball  | 2  | 2  | Delta, Flame & Storm
Hit and Run  | 2  | 8  | Delta, Rebel, Fury & Cheeta
TOTAL  | 4  | 15
Male  Event  | Clinton  | Howard  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 0  | 0  | Vulcan, Condor, Cougar, Force & Tower
Pyramid  | 10  | 0  | Taipan & Hammer
Powerball  | 0  | 0  | Cougar, Hammer & Vulcan
Hit and Run  | 0  | 0  | Taipan, Tower, Condor & Force
TOTAL  | 10  | 0

Eliminator

* Female: 5.5 second head start for Gina
* Male: 5 second head start for Clinton
* Winners: Gina Good & Howard Arbuthnot

### Heat 2[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Bernadette  | Tracey  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 0  | Flame & Storm
Hang Tough  | 0  | 0  | Blade & Fury
Atlaspheres  | 2  | 4  | Delta & Rebel
Tilt  | 10  | 5  | Cheeta & Flame
TOTAL  | 12  | 9
Male  Event  | Andrew  | Adam  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 0  | Tower & Condor
Hang Tough  | 10  | 5  | Taipan & Cougar
Atlaspheres  | 6  | 2  | Hammer & Condor
Tilt  | 10  | 5  | Taipan & Tower
TOTAL  | 26  | 12

Eliminator

* Female: 1.5 second head start for Bernadette
* Male: 7 second head start for Andrew
* Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday

### Heat 3[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Sabrina  | Carol-Anne  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Hit and Run  | 6  | 6  | Blade, Delta, Cheeta & Rebel
Wall  | 10  | 5  | Blade & Storm
Duel  | 5  | 0  | Storm & Flame
Powerball  | 0  | 4  | Delta, Flame & Rebel
TOTAL  | 21  | 15
Male  Event  | David  | Paul  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Hit and Run  | 4  | 0  | Hammer, Force, Cougar & Taipan
Wall  | 0  | 0  | Cougar & Condor
Duel  | 5  | 0  | Vulcan & Tower
Powerball  | 7  | 3  | Cougar, Hammer & Taipan
TOTAL  | 16  | 3

Eliminator

* Female: 3 second head start for Sabrina
* Male: 6.5 second head start for David
* Winners: Sabrina Hooyman & David Wallis

### Heat 4[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Karen  | Hillary  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Fury & Cheeta
Tilt  | 10  | 0  | Storm & Flame
Gauntlet  | 10  | 5  | Fury, Delta, Rebel, Blade & Flame
Suspension Bridge  | 10  | 0  | Rebel & Storm
TOTAL  | 30  | 5
Male  Event  | Corey  | Tony  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Condor & Cougar
Tilt  | 5  | 5  | Vulcan & Tower
Gauntlet  | 10  | 5  | Condor, Vulcan, Hammer, Force & Tower
Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 10  | Taipan & Force
TOTAL  | 10  | 20

Eliminator

* Female: 12.5 second head start for Karen
* Male: 5 second head start for Tony
* Winners: Karen Swansborough & Tony Langdon

### Heat 5[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Nellie  | Fernanda  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Atlasphere  | 2  | 2  | Cheeta & Rebel
Wall  | 5  | 10  | Fury & Delta
Hang Tough  | 10  | 10  | Cheeta & Blade
Duel  | 5  | 5  | Storm & Flame
TOTAL  | 22  | 27
Male  Event  | Ashley  | Alex  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Atlasphere  | 6  | 4  | Tower & Hammer
Wall  | 10  | 5  | Taipan & Hammer
Hang Tough  | 10  | 5  | Condor & Cougar
Duel  | 5  | 0  | Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL  | 31  | 14

Eliminator

* Female: 2.5 second head start for Fernanda
* Male: 8.5 second head start for Ashley
* Winners: Nellie Baker & Ashley Martin

### Heat 6[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Teresa  | Alison  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 5  | 10  | Storm, Rebel, Delta, Cheeta & Blade
Atlasphere  | 2  | 2  | Flame & Storm
Hang Tough  | 0  | 0  | Blade & Cheeta
Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 10  | Flame & Rebel
TOTAL  | 7  | 22
Male  Event  | Rod  | John  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 0  | 0  | Tower, Cougar, Vulcan, Condor & Hammer
Atlaspheres  | 8  | 2  | Force & Condor
Hang Tough  | 5  | 5  | Taipan & Hammer
Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 10  | Tower & Hammer
TOTAL  | 13  | 17

Eliminator

* Female: 7.5 second head start for Alison
* Male: 2 second head start for John
* Winners: Teresa Brett & Rod McQueen

### Heat 7[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Annie  | Kerry  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Powerball  | 6  | 6  | Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Hang Tough  | 5  | 5  | Blade & Fury
Wall  | 5  | 10  | Storm & Blade
Duel  | 5  | 5  | Storm & Flame
TOTAL  | 21  | 26
Male  Event  | Mark  | Ian  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Powerball  | 4  | 3  | Hammer, Taipan & Vulcan
Hang Tough  | 0  | 5  | Cougar & Taipan
Wall  | 10  | 5  | Condor & Cougar
Duel  | 5  | 10  | Tower & Force
TOTAL  | 19  | 23

Eliminator

* Female: 2.5 second head start for Kerry
* Male: 2 second head start for Ian
* Winners: Kerry Warman & Ian Jacobs

### Heat 8[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Tania  | Donna/Kathy  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Delta & Blade
Gauntlet  | 0  | 0  | Flame, Rebel, Cheeta, Blade & Delta
Duel  | 5  | 0  | Flame & Storm
Powerball  | 2  | 4  | Cheeta, Rebel & Storm
TOTAL  | 7  | 4
Male  Event  | Rhett  | Andrew  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 0  | 10  | Condor & Vulcan
Gauntlet  | 5  | 5  | Force, Cougar, Hammer, Condor & Tower
Duel  | 0  | 0  | Cougar & Taipan
Powerball  | 0  | 0  | Hammer, Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL  | 5  | 15

Eliminator

* Female: 1.5 second head start for Tania
* Male: 5 second head start for Andrew
* Winners: Tania Logan & Rhett Foreman

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

### Quarter-Final 1[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Nellie  | Sabrina  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 10  | 0  | Cheeta & Delta
Tilt  | 0  | 2  | Flame & Cheeta
Wall  | 10  | 5  | Storm & Blade
Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 0  | Flame & Storm
TOTAL  | 20  | 7
Male  Event  | Ashley  | David  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Tower & Condor
Tilt  | 2  | 7  | Tower & Vulcan
Wall  | 10  | 0  | Cougar & Taipan
Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 0  | Tower & Vulcan
TOTAL  | 12  | 7

Eliminator

* Female: 6.5 second head start for Nellie
* Male: 2.5 second head start for Ashley
* Winners: Nellie Baker & David Wallis

### Quarter-Final 2[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Kerry  | Bernadette  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Powerball  | 4  | 0  | Blade, Delta & Flame
Duel  | 0  | 0  | Flame & Storm
Hit and Run  | 12  | 10  | Fury, Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Cheeta & Storm
TOTAL  | 16  | 10
Male  Event  | Ian  | Andrew  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Powerball  | 0  | 8  | Hammer, Taipan & Tower
Duel  | 5  | 5  | Vulcan & Tower
Hit and Run  | 2  | 4  | Taipan, Force, Hammer & Vulcan
Pyramid  | 0  | 10  | Cougar & Condor
TOTAL  | 7  | 27

Eliminator

* Female: 3 second head start for Kerry
* Male: 10 second head start for Andrew
* Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday

### Quarter-Final 3[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Karen  | Teresa  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Wall  | 10  | 0  | Storm & Delta
Atlaspheres  | 2  | 6  | Rebel & Flame
Hang Tough  | 5  | 5  | Delta & Cheeta
Gauntlet  | 10  | 10  | Flame, Delta, Blade, Rebel & Fury
TOTAL  | 27  | 21
Male  Event  | Tony  | Rod  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Wall  | 0  | 10  | Condor & Cougar
Atlaspheres  | 10  | 4  | Force & Hammer
Hang Tough  | 0  | 0  | Taipan & Cougar
Gauntlet  | 0  | 0  | Vulcan, Taipan, Tower, Condor & Hammer
TOTAL  | 10  | 14

Eliminator

* Female: 3 second head start for Karen
* Male: 2 second head start for Rod
* Winners: Teresa Brett & Rod McQueen

### Quarter-Final 4[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Tania  | Fernanda  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Duel  | 5  | 5  | Flame & Storm
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Delta & Cheeta
Hit and Run  | 2  | 8  | Flame, Fury, Blade & Rebel
Powerball  | 2  | 2  | Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
TOTAL  | 9  | 15
Male  Event  | Howard  | Rhett  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Duel  | 5  | 0  | Tower & Vulcan
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Hammer & Condor
Hit and Run  | 8  | 8  | Taipan, Tower, Cougar & Vulcan
Powerball  | 0  | 2  | Cougar, Hammer & Taipan
TOTAL  | 13  | 10

Eliminator

* Female: 3 second head start for Fernanda
* Male: 1.5 second head start for Howard
* Winners: Fernanda Lacey & Rhett Foreman

### Semi-final 1[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Teresa  | Nellie  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Suspension Bridge  | 5  | 0  | Storm & Flame
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Delta & Cheeta
Powerball  | 3  | 6  | Cheeta, Delta & Rebel
Hang Tough  | 0  | 0  | Fury & Blade
TOTAL  | 8  | 6
Male  Event  | David  | Rod  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Suspension Bridge  | 0  | 0  | Tower & Vulcan
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Condor & Hammer
Powerball  | 2  | 0  | Condor, Hammer & Taipan
Hang Tough  | 0  | 0  | Taipan & Cougar
TOTAL  | 2  | 0

Eliminator

* Female: Teresa walkover in to Grand Final due to Nellie's injury.
* Male: 1 second head start for David
* Winners: Teresa Brett & David Wallis

### Semi-final 2[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Bernadette  | Fernanda  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Duel  | 5  | 5  | Storm & Flame
Wall  | 10  | 5  | Blade & Storm
Tilt  | 0  | 2  | Flame & Cheeta
Gauntlet  | 0  | 5  | Rebel, Fury, Blade, Delta & Storm
TOTAL  | 15  | 17
Male  Event  | Andrew  | Rhett  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Duel  | 5  | 0  | Tower & Vulcan
Wall  | 10  | 0  | Condor & Cougar
Tilt  | 5  | 0  | Tower & Taipan
Gauntlet  | 10  | 10  | Vulcan, Taipan, Cougar, Condor & Hammer
TOTAL  | 30  | 10

Eliminator

* Female: 1 second head start for Fernanda
* Male: 10 second head start for Andrew
* Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday

### Grand Final[edit]

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

Female  Event  | Teresa  | Bernadette  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 10  | 10  | Rebel, Fury, Blade, Delta & Storm
Duel  | 5  | 5  | Storm & Flame
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Delta & Cheeta
Hang Tough  | 0  | 5  | Blade & Fury
TOTAL  | 15  | 20
Male  Event  | David  | Andrew  | Gladiators

|
|
|

Gauntlet  | 0  | 10  | Tower, Vulcan, Cougar, Condor & Taipan
Duel  | 5  | 0  | Vulcan & Tower
Pyramid  | 0  | 0  | Hammer & Condor
Hang Tough  | 0  | 10  | Cougar & Taipan
TOTAL  | 5  | 20

Eliminator

* Female: 2.5 second start for Bernadette
* Male: 7.5 second start for Andrew
* Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday

## Cheerleaders[edit]

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[edit]

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.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Original Australian Series Episode Write Ups http://forum.gladiatorszone.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1973 Archived 16 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ Original Australian Series Episode Guide http://archive.gladiatorszone.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1087254252;start=all Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ "Australian Gladiators 1995 S01E01". YouTube. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
4. ^ "A year in the life of Gladiators" Official Gladiators Magazine issue 3 Nov–Dec 1995

* v
* t
* e

Gladiators

Versions|

| Domestic|

* Australia
* Seven (1995)
* 1
* 2
* 3
* Seven (2008)
* Ten (2024)
* Finland
* South Africa
* United Kingdom
* ITV series
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* Sky series
* 1
* 2
* BBC series
* United States
* Original
* Revival
* 1
* 2

|

International|

* International
* 1
* 2
* The Ashes
* 1
* 2
* Battle of the Champions
* Springbok Challenge
* 1
* 2
* Australia vs Russia

Spin-offs|

* United Kingdom
* Train 2 Win
* United States
* 2000

Related|

* Events
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Video game

Category
*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template