Knights And Warriors
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''Knights and Warriors'' is an American
competition Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, indiv ...
television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...
that premiered in
syndication Syndication may refer to: * Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system * Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips * Web syndication, ...
on September 19, 1992. The program aired on weekends for one season, with episodes airing until September 11, 1993. The show was a production of Welk Entertainment Group, and was distributed by Western International Syndication. ''Knights and Warriors'' was similar in format to '' American Gladiators'', with which it shared studio space at CBS Studio Center, but it employed a
medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
theme. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the group of "Warriors". The show was hosted by Joe Fowler and
Lisa Canning Lisa Canning (born November 7, 1966) is a Virgin Islander American television and radio hostess and correspondent. Career Her credits include '' Entertainment Tonight'' from 1996 to 1999,Lavin, Cheryl (9 March 1997)Fast Track - Lisa Canning ''C ...
.


The Setting

Bernard Erhard Bernard Erhard (February 6, 1934 – November 1, 2000) was an American actor. Career Early in his career, Erhard worked as a music teacher at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL), and directed numerous theater productions there. ...
portrayed the Lord of Rules and Discipline (L.O.R.D.) who also acted as the show's resident referee. In the first season's original opening scene, he narrates the story as follows: ''It is written in the Book of Good and Evil that in a time long ago, all was peace and harmony, Paradise on Earth. Then one fateful day, the universe shifted, all was dark, and for those born on that day, their evil destiny was sealed! Now, they have united to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world --- and forevermore will be known as WARRIORS!''Archived a
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This opening title sequence loosely resembles the legend of King Arthur and recalls how the world was a utopia until the day a dark force disrupted the balance that separated good from evil; and how, with that dark force, a barbarian horde known as the Warriors began to storm through the kingdoms. The L.O.R.D. has accordingly called for "modern-day knights" to battle the Warriors and restore honor. The "knights" are two teams of one man and one woman. The teams are colored purple and gold. The knights must go through eight challenges set forth by the Warriors to win the game. The L.O.R.D. hands out punishment to the Warriors for any cheating, but he can also punish the knights if they cheat during competition, which was very rare in this show's all-too-short history. The audience all wave and purple and gold triangular flags while cheering on the knights.


The Warriors

The Warriors are the show's antagonists. In reality, they're hired actors almost similar to the Gladiators. *PLAGUE: The leader of the Warriors and considerably the strongest. Portrayed by Jim Maniaci. *STEEL MAIDEN: A female Warrior, beautiful and powerful. Portrayed by Nancy Georges. *PYRO: The Warriors' hotheaded firestarter, some say the most popular of the Warriors. Portrayed by
Douglas Rogel Douglas may refer to: People * Douglas (given name) * Douglas (surname) Animals *Douglas (parrot), macaw that starred as the parrot ''Rosalinda'' in Pippi Longstocking * Douglas the camel, a camel in the Confederate Army in the American Civil ...
. *LADY BATTLEAXE: A large female Warrior with unparalleled strength. Portrayed by real-life armwrestling champion
Dot Jones Dorothy-Marie Jones (born January 4, 1964) is an American actress and retired athlete who has had multiple roles in television. She attended California State University, Fresno, where she set records for shot put. Jones is also a 15-time world ...
. *KNIGHTMARE: A tough Warrior known as the Duke of Doom. Portrayed by Rodney Mitchell. *PRINCESS MALICE: A so-called princess who turned to the dark side. Portrayed by fitness model and
Cory Everson Corinna "Cory" Everson (née Kneuer; born January 4, 1958) is an American female bodybuilding champion and actress. Everson won the Ms. Olympia contest six years in a row from 1984 to 1989. Education Corinna Kneuer was born in Racine, Wisconsin ...
's sister
Cameo Kneuer Cameo or CAMEO may refer to: * Cameo appearance, a brief appearance of a known figure in a film or television show * Cameo (carving), a method of carving, making use of layers of different colours, or an item made with such a method Music * ...
. *CHAOS: The most unstable and unpredictable of the Warriors, hence his name. Portrayed by Benny Graham. *VENOM: A devious, dangerous female Warrior. Portrayed by Jessica Long. *RAVEN: Replaced Steel Maiden in Season 2. Unknown performer. *SLASH: A male "alternate" Warrior. Unknown performer. *VANDAL: Another male "alternate" Warrior. Unknown performer. *EMPRESS VIXXEN: A female "alternate" Warrior. Unknown performer.


The Challenges

The start and end of each event are marked by the sound of a
gong A gongFrom Indonesian and ms, gong; jv, ꦒꦺꦴꦁ ; zh, c=鑼, p=luó; ja, , dora; km, គង ; th, ฆ้อง ; vi, cồng chiêng; as, কাঁহ is a percussion instrument originating in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Gongs ...
and
trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...
fanfare to begin the event, and only a gong sound to end the event.


Catapult

The knights must catch red dodgeballs being launched by a catapult while trying to evade yellow dodgeballs being fired by the Warriors using giant slingshots. Once the red balls are caught, the knights must throw them into the ring of fire to score. Points are scored based on which section of the playing mat the knight threw the red ball from. In Season 1, the mat was divided into three sections worth 5, 10 and 15 points, with 15 being the furthest away. In Season 2, only the front two sections of the mat were used, with the middle section scoring 25 points, and the front section scoring 50 (as the knight would have to brave harder hits from the dodgeballs). After 60 seconds, the challenge is over. Both the male and female knights took a turn competing in this event. Pyro was always the Warrior whose tricks would ignite the ring of fire to start the match.


Battle Swords

The knight and Warrior run across treadmills on an elevated platform trying to knock each other down with foam bats. The challenge is 30 seconds. A win or a Warrior disqualification earns the knight 50 points while a draw is worth 25 points. Grabbing an opponent's weapon or crossing over the small barrier between the treadmills automatically disqualifies the offender. Only one gender competes in this event.


Sorcerer's Wheel

The knight has 45 seconds to run across a spinning track with two hurdles. Every completed lap on the wheel is worth 10 points each. However, a lap doesn't count if both of the knight's feet touch the inside of the wheel. The Warriors stand on the outside of the wheel swinging a 75-pound spiked ball on a chain to knock the knight off the wheel and out of the game. Whichever gender did not participate in Battle Swords competes in this event.


Volcano

Two knights have 45 seconds (60 for the women) to climb up a giant 30-foot volcano-shaped net. Inside the net are 4 Warriors. One Warrior is strapped to a harness while the other three Warriors control the height and angle. The harnessed Warrior has pads to knock the knight down trying to prevent them from scoring. Scoring ranges from 3 sections of the net, each separated by a metal ring connected to the net. The bottom of the net is worth 25 points while the next section is worth 50 points and the top section is 75 points. If the knight manages to climb to the top of the Volcano and grab their team flag, he(she) will earn 100 points. Both genders compete in this event.


Roller Joust

Each knight has 45 seconds to skate around the perimeter of the jousting arena carrying a foam lance to capture rings on poles scattered around the arena. Red rings are worth 10 points while gold rings are worth 25. Inside the circle are four paths forming an X. For the first 15 seconds the X is a "Warrior-free zone"; the Warriors cannot enter or interfere. After the 15 seconds have elapsed, the Warriors are free to enter that zone as well. One gender competed in this event in Season 1, and both genders each took a turn in Season 2.


Tug O' Warriors

The knight and the Warrior are each standing on rotating platforms while each of them pulls on a rope. The knight has 30 seconds to pull the Warrior of their platform. Knight earn 100 points by winning. If 30 seconds expires or both go over, 50 points are awarded for a draw. Only one gender competes in this event. (In Season 1, the gender that did not participate in Roller Joust competed.)


The Pit

In this challenge, the knights are pitted against each other inside a bowl-like arena. The Warriors outside the bowl rock it back and forth with the knights inside it. The object in this game is for one knight to pin the other using a pad. Depending on where the pin was, the bowl has 4 scoring sections: two 25 points, one 50 point and one 75 point section. After 45 seconds, the total number of points are added up. Pins without using the pads won't count. Both genders took a turn competing in this event. A notable moment in the show's early round one episodes occurred when Knight Robert Pavell of the purple suffered a head injury while inside the Pit; he and his opponent, Michael West of the gold team, scored no points in the Pit. He was replaced by Jeff Joccum, who later went on to score in the finale and ensure a win of the purple team.


Target Onslaught

Similar to the '' American Gladiators'' final event, the Eliminator, Target Onslaught is the show's final event. Target Onslaught is a two-part challenge. One knight becomes the shooter, aiming a crossbow-like cannon and firing foam arrows at six targets from afar as the other knight loads the crossbow. The targets include a dragon, spinning flags, the Sun, the Moon, and two shields. The first knight has 30 seconds to shoot the targets. The first knight cannot move to the next target until the last one is shot down. Instead of points, the knight earns 5 additional seconds for his/her partner for every successful hit. After 30 seconds expires, the second half of Target Onslaught begins. The second knight now becomes the shooter and the first knight loads the crossbow as they attempt to shoot the Warriors which travel back and forth across the top of the arena on three rails using handrail slides. The closest rail is 50 points, the next rail is 100 points and the furthest rail is 150 points. After 30–60 seconds, the final scores are totaled.


The Final Results

The team with the most points at the end of the show wins and receive medals awarded to them by the L.O.R.D. and the servant girls beside him. Prizes are also awarded to the knights, indicated by hostess Lisa Canning as the show comes back from various commercial breaks. In a "Knights and Warriors Tournament", which was ultimately the series finale, the champions of the Tournament are crowned "Sir" and "Madam" by the Lord of Rules and Discipline, and receive gold trophies awarded by the show.


Episodes


References


External links

*{{IMDb title, 0281458 1990s American game shows 1990s American reality television series 1992 American television series debuts 1993 American television series endings First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Obstacle racing television game shows