It was so exciting to be a small part of the Jacked up Review Show Podcast's Brian De Palma Director Series! I talk about Domino and Sisters. A YouTube podcast version is available Here.
I'm very grateful to both longtime podcast friends and new-to-me shows who have invited me to contribute! Peruse past appearances with the Podcast tag including:
John Hughes at Binge Movies Home Video
Re-Watching American Gladiators is....Weird
by Kristin Battestella
I used to love the original American Gladiators. However, upon discovering the American Gladiators livestream channel in the middle of the 1997 seventh and final season, watching now is....weird.
The rah-rah Americana attitude is obnoxious with over the top, contrived macho dominating the supposedly competitive sportsmanship, leaving a very bitter aftertaste on the actual sporting events. Re-starting the livestream with Season 1, on the other hand, provides a much different viewing experience. This was 1989 with less polished event facilities and straightforward filming explaining the competition and the requirements on sports agility and skill. Difficulty is placed over entertainment ease, and the gladiators praise the impressive contestants between events. It's surprising how little protective equipment participants like actor Billy Wirth (“Death by stereo” of The Lost Boys) wear – leading to vicious, competitive moments. Sometimes the contestants are often better than the gladiators in what may be the best moments of the series. I can deal with the retro hokeyness and garish, poorly lit arena, but the mullets and Aquanet hair are out of control! Fortunately, Season 2 remains similarly focused on the events with a more streamlined production and only a small amount of gladiator turnover. The series premise hypes the competitors from across America, but as much as we root for recurring contestants through preliminary, quarterfinal, and championship rounds; viewers are here to see the gladiators. Although their numbers expand from eight to ten, the gladiators are quickly treated as interchangeable, some even wearing the same costumes like Sunny and Gold or reusing the same name like Lace. The athletes start in jackets and pants, but sexism slowly settles in with the women increasingly referred to as girls. Female competitors wear pink or yellow halter tops and tiny shorts while the men remain modestly clothed in gray and teal.
By Year 3, the early reality show vibes begin to takeover with more bulked up gladiators adding macho asides even as the events give them less to do. In the Assault event, contestants have the chance to showcase their aim and dodging abilities while the gladiators merely fire tennis balls that could have been done by a machine. In the NFL special episodes, they “let” the women gladiators fire as a way to “include” them. It makes viewers wonder why the opposite sex can't always compete in Assault. The football meets wrestling Powerball challenge also makes the gladiators look like top heavy, unskilled bodybuilders and slow on their feet former athletes, losing against better suited amateur contestants and Olympians. Thankfully the Joust and Hang Tough are fun because they are one on one competitions. There are likable gladiator moments where they answer questions or share something of their personalities. Longer interviews with gladiators detailing their training specifics, regimes, and calorie counts are quite interesting. However, these become few and far between as the female gladiator costumes become more and more skimpy. The men can be covered head to toe but the women must constantly adjust their bikini-style tops from near nip slips and pick the wedgies of their tiny thong-style bottoms during events. At some point, it doesn't matter which gladiator is doing what event. We don't get to know them beyond their hardcore shouts at the screen and trite sports platitudes while they're pumping iron in between contests. Instead of their real names with “Ice” or “Zap” as their middle name cool, anonymity becomes part of the gladiator model. Promotions to join the gladiator fan club or see them on tour are more important than whether you see Turbo, Tower, Thunder, or Titan. Siren is exploited for her hearing disability amid Baywatch crossovers and international spin-offs where the gladiators become more like caricatures. Why are all the women blonde? Why are the Black gladiators treated stereotypically as if they all look the same? The commentators increasingly intrude on the participants with silly interviews and nicknames while repeating the catchphrases of Black contestants with backhanded racist comments about how fast they run.
Sexist commentary also increases, with female athletes complimented for their beauty and grace rather than their athleticism. The gladiators themselves seem over it as if they don't want to be there, and the voiceovers become increasingly juvenile with redundant platitudes when not sticking the microphone in a competitor's face before a critical event or immediately after an upsetting loss. Some wrongs are corrected in Season 5 with a more colorful set and time once again for gladiator chats; but at this point, it's just easier to mute the television so we don't have to hear the fluff dialogue. Maybe American Gladiators should have been a half hour series with no attempt at personality and just focused on the events? American Gladiators really jumps the shark with the Season 6 NYPD vs LAPD special. Either the raging out gladiators really hate them or the police aren't that good, for most of the events score no points and the commentators have plenty of arresting or handcuffed quips. The Olympics special is equally cringe, favoring the gladiators instead of the athletes while the classic Bill Conti (Falcon Crest) theme is made unnecessarily edgy, losing the unique and triumphant fanfare. Initially I could leave the livestream on in the background like any other sport, but the constant iN yOUr FACE! projection becomes mind numbing, making it easy to tune out entirely. The contrived tension overtakes the sports intensity, and the gladiators come to reinforce the notion that the stronger you are, the more of an asshole you must be. They sneer and rip off players' helmets, put contestants out with concussions, and revel in firing at competitors – saying they are hunters going after their prey. But I guess it's okay when the contestants do back flips to rouse the crowd and get their shirts ripped off to show their muscles.
In the 1989 debut, audiences might have been able to believe the competition was real; that anyone in America could truly prove their mettle. American Gladiators is best when it focuses on the competitive challenges like Whiplash, Tug of War, or the Gauntlet where the gladiators are directly engaged in the action. Unfortunately, events seem increasingly rigged and contrived like this is the WWE. Silly events like Sky Deck and Swingshot overtake more athletic competitions. What is the point of The Maze? The editing of events is likewise apparent as some contests are merely told of rather than shown. Injuries increase and at the ready replacements step right in be it contestant or gladiator. New gladiators appear randomly with no explanation as if there is some Olympus stable where they all spring forth. There's no hugs or any respect. Viper seems downright menacing, and the commentators embellish actions as if this is Major League. Any interviews with gladiators are filled with enraged threats amid referee controversies and token female commentators. Carrying contestants off the mat and making the gladiators unlikable seems to go directly against the spirit of the series' premise. The seasons are also ridiculously long with twenty-six episodes for tournaments that should have been half that. Marathon viewing such as this illumes all the flaws and has little repeat value once you know who wins. Alas, we return to Season 7, where the full of itself macho is overwhelming and insufferable as angry gladiators growl at everyone. The final runner up is actually now a Georgia congressman who left his second wife over an affair with a fellow Texas congresswoman. Ironically, this sums up American Gladiators in many ways, for the extreme Americana hype on display then indicates to a viewer now where some of these gladiators' political leanings today surely lie.
Apparently everything that could go wrong did go wrong for American Gladiators with behind the scenes issues, compensation disputes, steroid rumors, and grueling international tours clearly taking their toll. The rah-rah of it all represents a specific time and place, when the nineties were good and we had reason to be so frivolous in sport. This nostalgia means I can't quite tear myself away from watching even as the horrendous hype holds the mirror up to our country now. I liked Turbo best then, but re-watching today I'm much more aware of the rainbow vibe. Will this proposed new version of American Gladiators on Amazon Prime properly address coed mix gender challenges and lean into that camp potential? Of course not. MGM's goal is to appeal to the white male sports viewer with the livestream's commercials promoting the Prime sports packages. Edgy graphics with split screens, angled photography and that espn2 cool will not fly today. Nor would seemingly insightful interviews with gladiators admitting they are aggressive and cocky because they can be. Who wants to watch that?
American Gladiators is a sociological train wreck to view today; a time capsule ironically capturing our country's current attitude that makes for a weird, uncomfortable re-watch.
I'm so grateful to have another virtual visit with Tom and Dana discussing my favorite film The Searchers! You can hear the episode on Greatest Movies of All Time Website and follow GMOAT on Instagram for much more.
Don't forget you can also read the complete Cinema Legacy Poll in which myself and many other podcasters took part thanks to GMOAT!
Follow the Podcast label for more audio appearance or listen to previous guest spots including:
2025 was a very long year but many times, recording with Amy, Zita, Jaylan, and Megan for the Women InSession Podcast at InSessionFilm.com was the shore amid too many turbulent waters. Thank you ladies for the insightful film conversations!
Here are a few of my favorite episodes, subjects, and spotlights.
Marilyn Monroe Dramas / Marilyn and Travilla
Craig as Bond / Women of Bond / Bond in the 80s / Roger Moore / 1960s Bond / Brosnan's Bond
Michael Fassbender / Fassbender Rebuttal
I was particularly proud to listen to several film critics and guests speaking about what rainbow films spoke to them and why we need to hold Hollywood accountable for its lack of onscreen representation.
Kristen Lopez and Popcorn Disabilities
Critic Spotlight Andrew Corns The Revisionist Almanac
Unlike the foolhardy majority, I am not interested in covering the ridiculously overlong and pathetically inaccurate awards season. Nor am I interested in following the cult crowd and chasing the latest new release each week because ~you aren't a ReAL fiLm CriTIc unless you get to see a new movie FiRsT neener neener haha. Focusing on the films that move us and stay with us long after the viewing ends is what is important to me.
I do not like the phrase "stepping back." I think it is an excuse when obligations become overwhelming and people would rather peace out than do what they have to do. However, now I must prioritize my health above podcasting, and thus I will be appearing on the Women InSession Podcast more infrequently.
Follow the Podcast tag for updates on more guest appearances including:
Vampire Videos - Kiss of the Vampire
After Hours Patreon Podcast - L.A. Confidential
2025 was a long confusing whirlwind that I slowly but surely checked off each month with a guest podcast appearance. Here's a look back at the reciprocating podcasts with whom I was privileged to chat about horror, classics, westerns, favorites, and more.
Friendship in Film – Women InSession podcast interview at Search Magazine
Revisionist Almanac – 1956 Awards
1999: The Podcast – The End of the Affair
Revisionist Almanac – Women's History Month Collaboration
Female Gaze Podcast – Hateship Loveship
Women InSession: Critic Spotlight Kristin Battestella
The Lone Acting Nominee – City Slickers
After Hours Patreon Podcast – L.A. Confidential
Binge Movies Home Video – JohnHughes Special
Adapt Me Podcast – Poe and Arthur Gordon Pym
Vampire Videos – The Kiss of the Vampire
Although I still have my messages open on Blue Sky for audio/visual possibilities, 2026 is already booked with dates into 2027! It's not always easy to find a few extra days a month to do additional podcast appearances – especially now that my health has taken priority over podcasting. I didn't get to record companion audio for The Greatest Movie of All Time Podcast's Cinema Legacy Poll in which I took part thanks to having finally caught Covid!
Unfortunately, it's also extremely disturbing to know that I previously participated in other podcast appearances with a longstanding film dude bro who turned out to be a recently arrested abuser and criminal. I have no control over that content, and as a woman it's incredibly frustrating and terribly upsetting that the podcasting community does not address these things when they happen. Now I am gunshy about recording with people I do not know because you should be able to trust someone when you are dialing in to have fun and talk about movies. No platform is worth making you feel so uncomfortable.
Nonetheless, I'm so continually grateful for the opportunity to speak on the films that mean something to me. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is listening or if my often contrary and unusual opinions matter to the masses? Many days in 2025, it was difficult to be presentable with a fully positive voice, and it's often easier to hide under the covers rather than record. However, the joy of the conversation about what makes our art worthwhile out weighs the increasing real world dread. Whatever else the current ill atmosphere may bring, I'm looking forward to revisiting with several 2024 in Podcasting friends again this year. More has already been recorded!
Browse all past Podcast and Video appearances including:
The technology held out and the video was rescued on this review for The Jay Days Channel, huzzah!
Last year I once again joined Jaylan to chat about two Guy Pearce films from director Drake Doremus - Breathe In featuring The Brutalist co-star Felicity Jones and the Kristen Stewart-led Equals.
Thank you for having me on The Jay Days, Jaylan!
Peruse past Videos and Podcasts or more with Jaylan including:
The Shrouds, Inside, and Killing Faith
Desert Hearts and When We Rise
It was such fun being invited to talk about Hammer Vampires with the Vampire Videos Podcast! We ranked the bloody good and bad of The Kiss of The Vampire!
Stay tuned for the latest guest appearances on Blue Sky or keep track of all my spots with the handy Podcast label including:
Psycho II - Making Tarantino Podcast
Hateship Loveship - The Female Gaze Podcast
1956 Oscars - The Revisionist Almanac
The Women InSession Podcast at InSessionFilm.com fulfills all your horror needs 365- not just October!
Here's a rundown of eerie episodes from Amy, Zita, Jaylan, Yours Truly, and company to brighten your autumn listening.
Ravenous & Underrated Guy Pearce
Huge thanks to the ISF team for making this podcast possible. It's been a privilege to bring diverse voices and unique opinions to the microphone! Keep track of more Podcast appearances or Videos including:
The Jay Days Video Reviews Rundown
L.A. Confidental - After Hours Podcast
It was such a delight to be invited to chat with Emily on the Adapt Me Podcast! In theme with the show, we discussed the often loose Edgar Allan Poe adaptions and why his lone novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket hasn't been brought to the screen!
L.A. Confidential - After Hours Podcast
John Hughes - Binge Home Movies
Psycho II - Making Tarantino Podcast
City Slickers - Lone Acting Nominees
