TWENTY-FOUR FEARLESS CONTENDERS -- TWELVE MEN AND TWELVE WOMEN --
WILL FACE-OFF AGAINST THE ULTIMATE GLADIATORS STARTING MONDAY,
JANUARY 6 WHEN NBC'S COMPETITION SERIES "AMERICAN GLADIATORS" RETURNS
TO TELEVISION

BURBANK - December 19, 2007, The updated return of the classic
competition series "American Gladiators" brings contenders of all
ages and from all walks of life into the gladiator arena starting
Sunday, January 6 (9-11p.m ET) when the series premieres on NBC.

Celebrating the everyday, true American heroes -- weekend warriors
who excel and take pride in their physical fitness -- 24 contenders
will go up against the show's Gladiators, charismatic and eclectic
warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. As in the
previous traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday
amateur athletes compete against the Gladiators in contests of
physical strength and endurance. The series will include such classic
events as Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator, along with
two brand-new events including Earthquake and Hit & Run. The 12 new
Gladiators (six men and six women) are action-adventure stars ready
to take down the everyday challengers with hard knocks and explosive
attitudes.

The 24 male and female contenders will compete in three rounds of
challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a
$100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All
contenders have a unique story to tell and a compelling reason why
they need to win. These unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in
their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and
turning them against the villainous Gladiators.

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the
Stars") host the iconic competition series, which returns with a
fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists
including special effects, water skills and the latest technology,
the classic games will be upgraded with even higher thrills, impact,
energy and spectacle!

Male Contenders Evan Dollard Evan Dollard is a 25-year-old retail
manager from Chicago, Illinois. Dollard is an avid rock climber and
very much an outdoor enthusiast (he teaches rock climbing as a
hobby). He lost his mom to brain cancer a few years ago and he is
especially close with his father and brother.

Son Nguyen Son Nguyen is a 36-year-old fireman and father of three.
Son's family fled from Vietnam when he was just 3 years old. He is
the youngest of four boys and now has three children of his own (all
boys). As a kid he volunteered with the fire department and fell in
love with it. He has been a fireman for 14 years currently resides in
Huntington Beach, California.

Chad Knight Chad Knight is a 31-year-old professional skateboarder
who thinks his balance and tenacity will serve him well in the
Gladiator arena. Four years ago, he shattered the bones in his left
leg, leaving his life spiraling out of control. Through his new
studies as a physiotherapist and a cautious return to skateboarding,
he is on top of his life again. He currently lives in Encinitas,
California.

Jeff Keller Jeff Keller is a 38-year-old father who currently works
in radio sales for Jack 93.1 FM. Keller was a contender on the
original "American Gladiators" in 1994, but when he got caught in
traffic his spot was given to someone else. Now, 13 years later, he
is prepared to make good on his promise to win "American Gladiator."
He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

Anthony Abbatemarco Anthony Abbatemarco is a 27-year-old New York
City firefighter. He is a classic all-American Brooklyn kid, with an
endearing smile and sense of humor. As a New York city firefighter he
wants to appear on "American Gladiators" to help remind people of
what America lost on 9/11. He currently lives in New York City.

Adonis Lockett Adonis Lockett is a 23-year-old satellite engineer for
Boeing. Adonis was a two sport high school athlete who believes he
owes all his success to his mom. As a child his family struggled
financially and he succeeded by working hard and being the first in
the family to go to college. He plans to use his winnings to help his
mom retire. Adonis is also a competitive "stepper." He plans on
showing off some of his steps on stage. He currently lives in
Gardena, California.

Jeff Chapman Jeff Chapman is a 26-year-old radiation control
technician. Chapman is a likable country boy with an "Aww shucks"
attitude. He is trained in mixed martial arts and is an amateur
fighter. He and his wife opened a karate studio to teach kids that
wouldn't normally be able to afford it. He currently lives in
Harriman, Tennessee.

Sharaud Moore Sharaud Moore is a 30-year-old high school algebra
teacher. Moore is one of the original "Freedom Writers." He is a
family man that knows he owes it all to his mom. His mom was very
young when she gave birth to him and although they struggled, Sharaud
always knew what was important, an education. He's now an algebra
teacher at Long Beach middle school. He lives in Long Beach,
California.

Mark Baker Mark Baker is a 35-year-old chiropractor and former Army
distance runner. Baker wanted to try out for "American Gladiators"
the first time around but was turned away because he was only 17. He
is now back and ready to go. Mark currently runs two chiropractor
offices in Chicago, Illinois.

Adam Levin Adam Levin is a 29-year-old shark fisherman who lost his
home in Hurricane Wilma. He's an outdoors type that found himself on
the docks fishing and then was offered a job on a fishing boat as
shark fisherman. After losing most of what he owned in the hurricane,
he moved to Texas to start to rebuild his life. He currently lives in
Bedford, Texas.

Alex Rai Alex Rai is a 25-year-old high school history teacher and
wrestling coach. Rai has been wrestling since he was 5-years-old and
received a full wrestling scholarship to California State University
Northridge. Hulk Hogan is his hero, and he keeps a wrestling belt in
his classroom in honor of "The Hulk." When he was just 15-years-old,
his father passed away just two weeks before wrestling season.
Teachers and wrestling coaches held him together. That's when he knew
he wanted to be a teacher. He currently lives in Rosemead, California.

Molivann Duy Molivann Duy is a 24-year-old daycare teacher by day and
student by night. His biggest idols are his parents who fled Cambodia
during the 1970s massacres and made a great life out of nothing. By
example of his parents, Molivann feels like he can accomplish
anything he puts his mind to. He currently lives in Lakewood,
California.

Female Contenders Toni Oppliger Toni Oppliger is a 46 year-old high
school teacher, athletic director and single mother of two. She is
also the 2005 national power-lifting champion. She firmly believes
that "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger." And as she is
the oldest contender, she figures she is plenty strong from all the
knocks she's received in life. Toni currently lives in Carrollton,
Texas.

ShaNay Norvell ShaNay Norvell is a 31-year-old life wellness trainer
who specializes in working with adolescent kids. Norvell teaches kids
to get into shape and runs a non-profit organization for adolescents.
She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Christie Philips Christie Philips is a 39-year-old karate instructor
and mother of two. She is currently the Female World Grapping
Champion. "Girl Power" is Christie's motto. "If you can do it, I can
do it too." Her mission in life is to empower women. She's graceful
and proud of her age. She lives in San Marcos, California.

Jessie Foster Jessie Foster is a 26-year-old single mother of three
and a toilet paper saleswoman. Foster has a great attitude and wants
to change her life for the better. She believes "American Gladiators"
is the first step to making that happen. She hopes to someday open a
retreat camp for single parents and their children to focus on body,
mind and soul. She currently lives in Donahue, Iowa.

Christine Kim Christine Kim is a 27-year-old self-proclaimed tom-boy
who grew up in a very traditional home with an old school Korean
father who didn't always approve of her choices. As a child her
father was upset that she was always outside being athletic and
tomboyish, then she didn't go to law and now she wants to kick some
Gladiator rear end. Will daddy approve? Kim is currently a mortgage
broker and lives in Redondo Beach, California.

Monica Carlson Monica Carlson is a 32-year-old mother of 8-year-old
twins and a former Portland Trailblazer dancer. Growing up "American
Gladiators" was her favorite show. Her husband is a football coach
and athletics plays a large part in the family. One of 11 kids
growing up, Monica is in great shape and loves competition. She
currently lives in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Koya Webb Koya Webb is a 26- year-old professional chef, author and
life coach. While in college she played multiple sports including
basketball and track and field. She also trained for the Olympics.
Webb currently lives in Beverly Hills, California.

Kim Marciniak Kim Marciniak is a 28-year-old medical sales rep and
former dancer for the New York Knicks. She is a bubbly "Jersey girl"
who grew up dancing and spent years doing so for the New York Knicks.
She wants to prove that she can handle anything, and "American
Gladiators" is just the way she wants to do it. She currently lives
in Avenel, New Jersey.

Bonnie Blanco Bonnie Blanco is a 25-year-old Marine sergeant and
mother of two. She currently lives in Arlington, Texas. Bonnie grew
up fast when she joined the military. She served a tour in Iraq
leading a team of soldiers. While in the military she competed and
won in the "Strongest Warrior" competition.

Belinda Gavin Belinda is a 36-year-old bull rider originally from
Australia. She grew up on ranches in Australia and was regularly
taunted and dared to do things even the boys wouldn't do. Her bravado
stayed with her when she immigrated to the United States 15 years
ago, leading her to become a bull rider. She currently lives in
Burbank, California.

Jennifer Blum Jennifer Blum is a women's football player who grew up
sleeping with a football in her bed. When she was 9-years-old, she
and her parents sued for her right to be on a boy's soccer team -- an
event that was covered in the media nationwide. Always a tom-boy,
never afraid to take a hit or hit back, she is ready to jump into the
ring with the Gladiators. Blum, a civil litigation lawyer, is 34
years old and currently lives in Franklin Park, New Jersey.

Siene Silva Siene Silva is a 34-year-old gymnastics Instructor and
life coach from Fairfax, Virginia. She was a powerlifting champ in
high school and owes all her success to her mom who taught her to
always keep pushing no matter how hard life gets.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (the original
producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The
Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark
Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the
executive producers.