Whiplash (Gladiators)
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Whiplash is an event played in several incarnations of the televsion series Gladiators. In this event, a contender and Gladiator stand within a 20 foot diameter circle, each holding the end of a 'dogbone'. The contender has the objective of trying to remove the Gladiator from the circle.
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[edit] Rules
One Gladiator faces one contender, and on the whistle the contender has 30 seconds to attempt to pull the Gladiator out of the circle.
The contender is allowed to run round the Gladiator in order to off balance them and leave the circle, provided they keep hold of their end of the dogbone. A contender may not run into a Gladiator or use their feet to trip them up.
10 points are awarded if the contender manages to completely remove the Gladiator from the circle within the time limit. Neither participant is allowed to pull using two hands. If a participant let's go of the dogbone then they are disqualified.
[edit] International differences
In the UK, the Gladiator was not allowed to jerk the dogbone out of the contenders hand. This was permitted in the American version.
The UK version of this event took place on the arena floor whereas the American version was on a slightly raised platform.
The event was played in South Africa on a platform above the ground. This made the event harder for Gladiators as should a contender deliberately remove themselves from the platform, then the pull of gravity would often bring the Gladiator down too.
The Australian Whiplash circle was slightly larger than the one used in other territories and was carpeted.
The event was also played in Sweden.
[edit] Event History
[edit] America
Years active: 1993-1996
During series seven (1996) five points would be awarded if the contender still had a grip on the dogbone. Thus the aim for the Gladiator was to both stay in the circle and wrech the dogbone out of the contenders hand.
Unlike the UK and Australian versions, Whiplash did not supersede a tug of war event. Notably, the event Tug-o-war debuted in the same season as Whiplash and both events lasted until the end of the series run.
Whiplash will not be currently be returning for the 2008 American revival.
[edit] UK
Years active: 1995-1999
Whiplash was first introduced in the fourth series (1995) and from 1996, proved to be a substitiute for the event Tilt which had been axed that year.
In 1995, the event was played on a red carpet with white border. This often led to the Gladiator tripping on the carpet and losing, From 1996, the playing circle was changed from a carpet to a white board with a red and blue border and the Gladiators 'G' symbol on it, one of the few times a Gladiators logo was emblazed onto an event's apparatus.
From series 7 (1998), the outer casing on the dogbone was removed.
Whiplash was the only event introduced after 1993 to appear in the 1999 final mini series.
Whiplash will not be returning for the first series of the 2008 revival.
[edit] Australia
Years active: 1996-1997, 2008-
Whiplash was introduced in the second series (1996) and like the UK, went on to replace Tilt which was axed early on in series two.
Whiplash returned in the 2008 revival during the quarter finals due to there being a need for an event with a quick set up. Despite, Australia, America and the UK all having the event in their original runs, Australia is the only country to have brought the event back for the 2008 revivals.
The dogbone was attached to both contenders hand to prevent the participants from letting go of the dogbone.
