Hey there, it's Kathy. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to History of the 90s

early and ad-free on Amazon music included with Prime.

Dressed in a red, white, and blue spandex suit, the muscular athlete built like a Roman warrior,

climbs to the top of a towering platform. He fluffs his shoulder-length, blonde, wavy hair,

waves to the cheering crowd,

and then braces himself for what's next.

About 30 meters away, another muscle-bound athlete

grabs a rope and hurls himself across the gap

separating the two men.

When their bodies meet, the collision sounds like a rolled-up

newspaper hitting a brick wall. Thwack. The crowd groans as one of the men sails through the air,

then thump as he hits the mat below. I'm Kathy Kanzora, and this is History of the 90s, a podcast

about a decade that changed the world. On this episode, I'm Kathy Kanzora, and this is History of the 90s, a podcast about a decade that changed the world.

On this episode, I'm joined by Jim Starr, better known as Laser, from a TV show that captivated viewers for seven seasons in the 90s,

as competitors put their bodies through punishing hits in a contest of strength and agility.

This is the story of American Gladiators.

The idea for a modern TV show that reimagined the Coliseum Spectacles of ancient Rome was born in Erie, Pennsylvania.

That's where iron worker Dan Carr and Elvis impersonator John Ferraro devised a fundraiser

event they called King of the County.

Local blue-collar men faced off in events like arm wrestling and tug-of-war for the chance

to win 500 bucks, and more importantly, the bragging

rights for being the strongest guy around.

...