'American Gladiator' Porn Controversy

[Brian Damage]

December 29, 2007 -- THE producers of NBC's new, supposedly family-friendly "American Gladiators," say they had no idea one of their spandex-clad warriors was a gay porn star.

"We were aware that the guy had a good physique and did some modeling and stuff like that," a show source says of Gladiator Alex Castro - who, on the show, goes by the more ominous moniker, "Militia."

"We were certainly unaware to the extent that he apparently exposed his body. It is an internal matter now and something we will be in discussions with the network about."

Naked pictures, and a film of Castro by himself, have turned up on gay porn sites, and were first reported last week by Internet gossip Perez Hilton.

A new version of "Gladiators" - call it a reimagining of the syndicated reality show (1989-1996) - has already been filmed.

Scenes with Castro will not be edited out.

On Jan. 6 (8 p.m./Ch. 4), Castro/Militia will join other beefy brawlers going by the names "Crush," "Hellga," "Venom," "Stealth," "Fury," "Titan" and "Justice," all trying to foil contestants vying for a $100,000 prize in various events including Pyramid, Gauntlet and Joust.

Like the original show, everyday Joes and Janes will compete against the muscle-bound Gladiators in a variety of physical competitions that usually involve someone falling off something - or getting hit with an object moving at high speed.

"We've got a new game called 'Hit & Run' that's never been seen before in the US," says executive producer Howard Owens, who declined to comment on Castro and, instead, focus more on the show itself.

He described "Hit & Run" as an event featuring a swaying bridge strung high over water. Contestants have to run back-and-forth on the bridge, grabbing buttons at each end and eluding 75-pound wrecking balls swung at them by the Gladiators.

On the old "Gladiators," one classic game involved contestants trying to shoot the Gladiators with a crossbow (flat-tipped arrows, of course) while dodging tennis balls shot out of a cannon.

The new version, hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, ups the ante - with updated weaponry that can fire tennis balls at more than 135 mph.

"We've redesigned the games, redesigned the set but the DNA of 'American Gladiators' remains intact," says Owens.

"The contestants are school teachers and single dads, everyday people who show true grit and determination.

"There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears," he says. "And they all have this absolute chutzpah to be able to stand across from someone twice their size and take them on."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12292007...cts_974474.htm

[JT]

I definitely don't see what one thing has to do with the other. You know, in the far reaches of my mind, I wouldn't be surprised if NBC knew full well that he did porn and is only raising a stink about it to get publicity. Hell, even if they didn't know ahead of time, I can still imagine them raising a stink just to get the headlines.

Did it work? Yes, because I absolutely loved the original Gladiators as a kid. It was totally a Saturday ritual for me and my brother. I just hope it's not crap like the new "Battle of the Network Stars" that they tried a few years ago.

[catlover79]

I remember Gladiators way back in the day...it seems so long ago now!!!

[Ireneparalegal]

The original Gladiators airs on some channel, can't remember which. I have seen it a few times.

I remember back when it originally aired how that show was the hottest thing on television.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

The original Gladiators airs on some channel, can't remember which. I have seen it a few times.

I remember back when it originally aired how that show was the hottest thing on television.

The orginal Gladiators airs on ESPN Classics I believe.