EV 'Gladiator' wannabes turn out in droves for auditions

Given the turnout at the "American Gladiators" casting call Saturday in Chandler, a lot of sporty East Valley folks think they have what it takes to make it on the show. A lot.

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Hundreds of athletic hopefuls stretched out the door - and all the way across the plaza and behind the building - at the Pure Fitness on Alma School and Elliot roads, looking for a contender spot on the second season of the program.

Buddies Don De Ojeda, 25, of Tempe, and Luke Knowlton, 24, of Scottsdale, showed up as early as possible.

"They said on the Web site not to get here until 8," De Ojeda said. "So we got here at 7."

The most common reason given for trying out? Simply being a fan of the show, both the original that ran in syndication from 1989 to 1996 and the recently resurrected version currently on NBC.

"I've watched 'Gladiators' since I was a younger," said Jodie Apostle, 25, of Gilbert. "We used to do 'Gladiators' in our backyard."

Apostle said the process was "a lot less strenuous" than she expected. If picked, she said she'd most want to do the "Joust" event - where a competitor and Gladiator battle with what appears to be giant cotton swabs.

Once inside the door, the potential future contenders had to do as many pull-ups as possible in 30 seconds (for some, that was zero), up-downs (run in place, drop down to a push-up position, get up, repeat), show off their agility by quickly taking alternating steps through a rope ladder on the floor and end with "suicide" sprints. After that, sweaty and tired, the wannabe contestants sat down for a short interview consisting of general personality questions, to determine if they'd be good on TV.

"It wasn't that bad," said a noticeably winded Virgil Chandler, 36, of Chandler. "I'm just out of shape. I can lift all the weights I want, but that cardio is just mean."

Dale Haines, 38, of Mesa, was just fine with the cardiovascular trials, but struggled with the strength-based part. "The pull-ups were the hardest," he said.

Haines was surprised the tryouts weren't anything like the show itself. "I want to do the 'Gauntlet.' I like to run people over."

One of the show's professional Gladiators, Valley resident Don "Wolf" Yates, attended, posing for photos, saying "hi" to folks in line, and doing his signature "wolf call."

"I've seen a lot of potential," said Yates, noticeably subdued compared with his "Their blood will run from my fangs!" TV persona. "I guarantee they're going to get more people out of here than in Venice," referring to a tryout two weeks ago in Venice Beach, Calif., an area known for producing bodybuilders.

Like any audition, the complicated casting process means that even those who impressed are still a long way away from actually making it on television. NBC hasn't announced yet when the second season will air.