Today's class discussion was interesting. Watching the American Gladiators combined with our talk on stereotypes, spectacle, WWF, etc., brought some intriguing thoughts to mind.
I believe that our society really does play up the stereotypes that most everyone can relate to. The Gladiator clip was interesting in that it made sure to tell you a backstory about its contestants, thus bringing forth an emotional, or ethos, that the audience can relate to. I thought it evident that the actual gladiators were given certain stereotypes. Ones that many, in our society, relate to. The archetypes displayed by the contestants and gladiators, (examples: badass biker, rebel skater, blonde bombshell, Greek God, innocent angel, etc.) are ideologies, a persona that expresses not only actions, but also morals, as you can see within their stories.
I thought it was also interesting how the stories differ slightly between the men and the women. As you look at the differences, you can see that the woman is totally simple and "selling toilet paper?!" while struggling to raise three kids after being married for 3 years. We all know that this happens, even with the actual Gladiators, who were also probably once just "selling toilet paper," as the average joe. Their portrayal is not so much a lie, but is obviously left out so that the audience sees this archetype they want to portray. (a "badass biker" cannot be seen doing menial tasks like laundry or the dishes... it just doesn't fit with his persona.)
The men, on the other hand, have a similar story, and fit the persona of 'courageous, risk-taker...' like in the position of a firefighter... a hero position, or a person that people respect and would want to win. Though the other guy was a skater, he appeared to be taking on a role of a single parent, which also plays with our ethos.
The gladiators are presented to us purely in an introduction. We are given their stage names, while they walk out in their 'costumes,' and we, the spectators, are to judge them for ourselves. From preconceived notions of stereotypes, as well as their physical appearances (they look intimidating, like they would more than likely kick our asses in the real world...) We are only there to see them as a stereotype (no existing story of how they struggled to become what they are) because of their lack of a life... I mean, they must do their laundry and their dishes too.... and some of them must have kids as well, right? All of this is omitted, though, to preserve that badass quality...
I think the show is successful in that it plays on our notions that we, 'normal shmoes' would never stand up to someone like a gladiator, but the show somehow brings both sides to an equal level to where a joe has the possibility to come out on top... Because, in the end, one of the joes would come to the level of the next, new, American Gladiator! *and god, wouldn't that be wonderful...