American Gladiators, the daytime action show that pitted regular Joes and Janes against the likes of Laser, Turbo, and Nitro in feats of strength and endurance is returning to NBC as a midseason replacement. Wow, I guess NBC has a lot of faith in its current fall TV line-up! That’s alright, I’m ready for a return of the series that went off the air in 1996. Variety reports:

Peacock’s interest in the revival actually predates the arrival of NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman, who began developing the project while still in charge of Reveille. Net confirmed last month that “Gladiator” was a priority at the net (Daily Variety, July 16).

“We’ve been circling around this property for a long time now,” said Craig Plestis, exec VP of alternative programming, development and specials at NBC Entertainment. “It’s truly what’s not in the TV landscape right now. While everyone’s zigging, I’m attracted to doing a zag.”

Net wouldn’t confirm the episodic order, but at least six segs are believed to be in the works. NBC could opt to launch the show as a one-week strip — similar to how it bowed “Deal or No Deal” — or as a weekly skein.

Just six episodes sounds a little weak, but I guess that’s pretty standard for testing the waters with a new or returning series. I hope they don’t change too much, but I’m looking forward to how they could modernize the games. I’m thinking maybe something like trying to dodge cigarettes, empty bottles of booze, and even babies heaved at you by a butch Britney Spears. That’d be sweet.