Run the Gauntlet
Contents |
Host
1987: David Jensen and Suzanne Dando
1988 (series): Martin Shaw
1988 (special): Alison Holloway
1989: Ross Davidson and Alison Holloway
1990-1: Ross King and Alison Holloway
Broadcast
Creative Action/Thames for ITV, late 80s to mid 90s - mainly one-off programmes
Synopsis
Four teams from, say, GB, USA, Australia and Holland would fight to prove who was the best through a number of action-packed (and we mean action-packed) rounds. These were quite excellent, most of them involving races in huge expensive machines such as jet skis, buggies and the 'Supercats' (jeep things). And then there was The Hill, a race up a obstacle laden hill whilst opposing teams tried to irritate you using huge water cannons.
Into the big muddy puddle...A great format, although some of the races weren't as exciting as they perhaps could have been, so why try and change it by setting it on snow and getting Ross King to host it? We'll never know.
Inventor
Devised by Julian Grant. They must have been a bit short of celebrities for the 1988 christmas special, because he was roped in to be a contestant as well. Or maybe he just fancied a go.
Key moments
Martin Shaw always made his entrance via an action stunt, such as dangling from a helicopter or, as in the picture below, sitting nonchantly reading a newspaper while a motorcycle stunt team sped over the ridge behind him.
Seriously, do not try this at home.Music
Mcasso
Merchandise
A computer game was released. It was quite good, actually.
The 1988 christmas special was released on video. Despite what the sleeve says, the presenter is actually Alison Holloway, not Martin Shaw.
See also
Superchamps, effectively a junior version of the show.
