Dan 'Nitro' Clark Talks 'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators'

Dan 'Nitro' Clark Talks 'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators' releasing today on Netflix.
In 1989, just prior to my 11th birthday a new series premiered that was part professional wrestling, part video game and pure athleticism. It was the 'American Gladiators.' However, the first half of season one looks nothing like what the phenomenon would become in the second half of the season or the following seven years.
Gone was the executioner, the trap door on the joust, the professional wrestling persona and a handful of the original Gladiators like Sunny (Cheryl Barldinger) and Malibu (Deron McBee), both departing the series due to severe injuries. In were now Laser (Jim Starr), Blaze (Shari E Pendleton Mitchell), Ice (Lori Fetrick), Sky (Shirley Eson-Korito), Tower (Steve Hennebery), Storm [Debbie Clark (no relation to Dan)], Siren (Shelley Beattie, Deceased 2008), joined original Gladiators Gemini (Michael Horton), Zap (Raye Olson) and Lace (Marisa Pare), along with a revolving door of other Gladiators throughout the years, trying to keep the series alive.
We were able to chat with Clark, who is also an executive producer on 'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators' as well as a consultant on the failed, NBC, 2008 revival of 'American Gladiators' and why that one did not work.
Clark and all of the Gladiators were candid in this Netflix five-part docuseries, that I surprisingly watched twice; both times in one sitting. This docuseries differs quite a bit from the ESPN 30 for 30 that focused on the creator or the series, its original concept and who had true ownership of the franchise, 'American Gladiators.'
They may have called it, "Crash TV" but without 'American Gladiators', we would never have had, 'Battle Dome', 'Ultimate Tag', 'Titan Games', 'Ninja Warrior' and it's counterpart, 'American Ninja Warrior.'
Synopsis
'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators' chronicles the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the '90s. Told firsthand from the stars who lived through it, this five part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame.
'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators' begins streaming today on Netflix.
Follow Dan Clark on Twitter @DanNitroClark.
#DanNitroClark #Netflix #AmericanGladiators #Interview #Docuseries

[@tony.demarco]

Too bad your video and audio are so poorly done, couldn’t get past 2 minutes 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@renehernandez2003]

Lazer and nitro remind me of a multiverse Zach and slater.

[@MotoGPMike2711]

Such a Great guy! Loved the show and all of the Gladiators! It was so much Fun to watch! I binged the Documentary and it was Great! So sad about the Gladiators that have passed on. They will all be missed. Definitely watch the Documentary if you were an American Gladiators Fan! Great Show...Great Fun...Great Memories!

[@r.williamcomm7693]

My baby boomer parents loved the show & even purchased tickets to watch it live. It was a more innocent time in that I believe ppl looked at the gladiators & others who worked in entertainment as being wealthy.

[@YcatsVlogs]

i watched to netflix show and i hated how they didn't talk about siren and the once who passed away

[@Fanboynation]

We're interviewing Ice soon. We'll make sure to talk about Siren, Gold, Thunder, Atlas and Hawk. Ice in her podcast mentions them as well.

[@YcatsVlogs]

@@Fanboynation ya she does and i saw that video on it

[@TheConcertCruizer]

@@FanboynationI know Malibu if you want to speak to him

[@Fanboynation]

@@TheConcertCruizer that would be rad. Thank you.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

@@Fanboynation This was a really good interview. “Nitro” is a smart man & it’s neat how pulling the curtain back revealed something we should’ve known but didn’t, that it wasn’t what it appeared to be & the stars weren’t being paid fairly. My baby boomer parents loved the show & bought tickets to see it live in PA. They came back with a good Nitro story & loved it.