Gladiaattorit is a Finnish competition television program part of the international Gladiators franchise.
Original series The show originally ran for three seasons from 1993 to 1994; it was directed by Hollywood director Renny Harlin, produced by Markus Selin, and filmed at Planet FunFun. It was hosted by Juha-Pekka Jalo alongside Katariina Ebeling in 1993 and Minna Aaltonen in 1994.
It was rerun on the original MTV3 channel in 2002.
Participants Persons becoming famous from the show included Tony Halme (Viikinki—Gladiator Viking) who would become a member of the parliament and Virpi Butt (Timantti—Gladiator Diamond) who committed a murder in 2003.
Competitors Pirjo Litilia, Riikka Hartikainen, Jarmo Jousisto, and Tommi Vuoristo would later compete on International Gladiators 1. Gladiators Flash (Salama—Marjo Krishi) and Terminator (Terminaattori — Mikko Tukonen) would also appear on IG1.
Revivals On 6 April 2017, it was announced that the show, owned by MGM Television, will return to the airwaves in Finland for a revival on Nelonen. The new series will be hosted by Heikki Paasonen and recorded at Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre.
It was announced that in 2019 a new series of Gladiaattorit would return to its original television channel MTV3. The relaunched series was hosted by Viivi Pumpanen and Antero Mertaranta. Filming of the series began on 11 February 2019 and is produced by MTV Warner Bros. International Television Production Finland. There were seven new Gladiators joining the team, with six staying from the previous series in 2017. Legendary original Gladiator Mohikaani (Mika Ounaskari) joined the show as the Gladiators coach and event expert.
Events
+Event name(s) in FinnishEnglish translation(s) or Event nameIncluded in the original seriesIncluded in 2017 seriesIncluded in 2019 seriesDescription of eventLäpimurtoBreakthrough and ConquerBreakthrough and Conquer from the original American series (1989–96).KaksintaisteluDuel (UK) Joust (US)Duel (UK) or Joust (US).Viidakon valtias / Teräsrenkaat / IlmarenkaatHang ToughContestant tries to swing themselves to gladiator's platform with ringsIhmiskuulat / TaistelupalloAtlasphereContestants and gladiators score points by moving inside metal spheresKaupunkisota / Vaaran vyöhykeDanger Zone (UK) Assault (US)The game of Assault on the original US series.TaistelupalloPowerballContestants try to score balls on field, while gladiators tackle themLuotikuja / KouruGauntletContestant tries to pass gladiators in a narrow alleyCliffhanger / SeinäThe WallWall climbing contest with chasing gladiatorsPyramidiPyramidGladiators attempt to prevent contestants from reaching the topKaksintaisteluSuspension BridgeFrom the UK version, Suspension Bridge.SieppausSwingshotSwingshot (game on original US version)IlmapainiEarthquakeWrestling on a hanging sky platformHit and RunHit and RunContestants try to carry balls, while gladiators attempt to push them down with pendulumsNopeusrataSports track, where two fastest contestants advance to the finalsStunt-rata / Takaa-ajo / LoppurataThe EliminatorThe final stunt track, where winner will win the contest
Gladiators
SeasonFull nameGladiator nameSignature move or costume1990sVirpi ButtTimantti (Diamond)1990sTony HalmeViikinki (Viking)1990sTuija Elo (nee Hokkanen)Laser1990sPasi PaavistoRetu1990sMikko TukonenTerminaattori (Terminator)1990sLisbet HälikkäSkorpioni (Scorpion)1990sMarjo KrishiSalama (Flash)1990sMika OunaskariMohikaani (Mohican)Mohican's face was painted with war stripes1990sAgneta Honkala (nee Granfors)Cobra1990sTimo HonkalaTurboAlways happy and smiling1990sMerja RyyttyBarbi (Barbie)1990sKari PötrönenVääpeli (Feldwebel, a non-commissioned military officer rank)Feldwebel yelled about the greatness of the Finnish army after he won a battle.1990sKirsti TapiolaPantteri (Panther)1990sMinna RyynänenSafiiri (Sapphire)1990sIlkka KinnunenBarbaari (Barbarian)1990sHanssi FellLalli (Lalli, a Finnish historical figure)1990sAnnette SöderlingHurrikaani (Hurricane)1990sMatti LindholmTorpedo1990sJussi HokkanenTeräs (Steel)1990sTimo KangasluomaHaukka (Hawk)1990sMarianne KiukkonenAmazoni (Amazon)2017, 2019Minna PajulahtiBarbi (Barbie)Jump to the splits2017, 2019Oona TolppanenSafiiri (Sapphire)Big smile2017, 2019Milena AbbasMamodeSkorpioni (Scorpion)2017, 2019Juha MentulaViikinki (Viking)2017, 2019Vertti HarjuniemiTitaani (Titan)2017, 2019Terhi LummeCobra2017Martina AitolehtiPantteri (Panther)Has the manner of being bad girl2017Suski MantilaSalama (Flash)2017Laura SaarinenHurrikaani (Hurricane)2017Rita Niemi-ManninenLaser2017Jere TiihonenMohikaani (Mohican)Dressed in Native American imitation costume2017Hannes HyvönenHurja (Ferocious)2017Amin AsikainenKivinyrkki (Stone Fist)2017Rami HietaniemiHäjy (Mean Troublemaker)Dressed in Pohjanmaa area's traditional vest2017Jucci HellströmTerminaattori (Terminator)Flirted in show, e.g. by handing out roses2017Aki ManninenTurboSlapped contestants' bottoms2019Janica TimonenSeireeni (Siren)Calls with hand gesture2019Antti HalmoTankki (Tank)2019Piia PajunenTornadoTumbling and cartwheels2019Ivo Angel GonzalesMatadorMoves imaginary cloak like a matador2019Jouni ViitanenHaukka (Hawk)Moves hands as if they were flying like a Hawk2019Arja HalmoTiikeri (Tiger)2019Luukas LindemanSoturi (Soldier)Shoots with imaginary arrow; Warrior stripes painted on face.
References
External links
GladiatorsTV.com - Finland