Special Report: NBC’s American Gladiators Season 2 Taping

American Gladiators Season 2 Premieres May 12th on NBC

"Looks good for a 97-year old!"

Marmot: Hulk Hogan has chicken legs.

Manatee: Indeed he does. I'd like to know if he wears a wig.

Marmot: I was kind of disappointed that no one got body-slammed, but apparently, that's not what this show is about.

Manatee: I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in how the taping worked. It was a little slow and boring, like most tapings. I needed more action. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Hang Tough event which is the only one we got to see.

Marmot: I think the Hang Tough is exciting, but the angle that we viewed it from was kind of restrictive. You would think that they would have given VIP's like us better seats.

Manatee: I know! For anyone reading this blog, who does not know, tapings of TV shows can be really boring, even good shows. The audience is usual abused - made to sit around for hours without food or water while "actors" perform for the camera, mess up and redo it. The disappointing thing with this show for me was watching the taping is not watching a competition. It's only pieces of a competition. I used to watch this show (the original) and think, "wow, those people do all those events and then they do the eliminator - how do they have the energy?" Now I know, they don't. It's one competition per week or every few days! Seeing the show tape was a little bit of a disappointment from that standpoint. Though seeing the gladiators perform was a treat! I touched Siren's hand! Yeah!

Marmot: I would have liked to see a little more action packed event, that's for sure. Apparently they tape the Eliminator on different days. I guess the show only presents the illusion that its all done in one day, but never specifically states it. The Gladiators, Siren especially seemed really nice. It's kind of weird, their personas. They're sort of halfway between pro athletes and pro wrestlers.

Manatee: I think they crave the attention. You could see they cared about their fans, hence her coming into the audience to shake her booty in our faces!

Marmot: Well, the girls (Venom and Siren) did. Wolf and Justice didn't come anywhere near us. Which is probably partly due to the fact that they're 6'6" and 300 lbs.

Manatee: Yeah, I'm pretty glad they steered clear of the crowd. They are pretty scary. Though I am sure the woman could take me too.

Marmot: I'm pretty sure either of them could take me. And I'm a marmot. We're fierce warriors.

Manatee: Would you go back to see another taping?

Marmot: I would if it were the Eliminator. But in all honesty, I think it's just better on TV.

Manatee: A miracle happens in the editing room on this show

Marmot: Then another miracle happens with my DVR, and it's cut down even more.