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Documentarian Ben Berman joined me for a chat about his new two part series on ESPN's '30 for 30: The American Gladiators Documentary'.

The 'American Gladiators' was a fringe sport that was shunned by the mainstream media and embraced by the American people. Former professional athletes turned gladiators would face off weekly against contenders trying to upstage the larger than life behemoths with names like Zap, Laser, Dallas, Nitro, Gemini, Thunder, Viper, Siren, Ice and Malibu.

However, what we saw on TV was only the tip of the iceberg as behind the scenes, the 'American Gladiators' origin story was not the Hollywood fantasy that co-creator, Johnny Ferraro wanted everyone to believe. Ferraro was an Elvis impersonator hoping to the turn the 'American Gladiators' into a movie about the working man turned hero...or so he claimed.

Berman takes us through a two part in depth dive of who the actual creators were, why Ferraro is so secretive about his associates and co-creator, "Apache" Dan Carr was not originally allowed to speak with Berman and ESPN regarding the 30 for 30 documentary.

Follow Ben German on Instagram @horse_berman and Twitter @Horse_Berman.

ESPN's '30 for 30: The American Gladiators Documentary' airs May 30 and 31, 2023, on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+.

Synopsis:

From 1989 to 1996, American Gladiators was one of the most popular syndicated programs in television, a competition show that predated the reality TV era but used many of the same techniques to attract viewers. Every week, “amateur” contestants would go up against a cast of “professional” gladiators in a range of physical competitions, setting up David versus Goliath matchups that were popular with big television audiences but also earned considerable criticism for being “crash TV”. The show’s cast and crew look back on it all, with their memories complicated by regret over what it did to many of the gladiators’ lives. And as the behind-the-scenes story of the series is told, from the beginning of the film, the central, most compelling character of the story is clear: Johnny Ferraro, the creator of American Gladiators, a former Elvis impersonator from Erie, PA who came to Hollywood with a dream of putting the show on screen and ended up with a singular success.

“We’re very excited to finally get this story out into the world, and you can trust that it’ll take you to some weird places,” said Berman. “Come for the 90’s nostalgia, but stay for the Elvis impersonators, the burps, the mental torment, the murder plots, aliens, and of course the undeniable atrocity of America’s dark history. And sports. It’s got some sports too.”

The film features original interviews with Johnny Ferraro, Deron McBee (‘Malibu’), Michael Horton (‘Gemini’), Lynn ‘Red’ Williams (‘Sabre’), the late William Billy Smith (‘Thunder’) and Salina Bartunek (‘Elektra’). The documentary is executive produced by ESPN Films and VICE Studios and produced by Ben Berman, Kirk Johnson, Russell Wayne Groves, Danny Gabai and Andrew Freston. Advance press screeners, additional information, including film clips and director statements and bios, are available upon request. Follow 30 for 30 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In 2022, Dr. Petros Petrosyan and Brian Jones competed on behalf of Orange County Grappling (OCG) at the U.S. Open Wrestling tournament in Las Vegas. At that year's tournament, both Dr. Petrosyan took gold while Mr. Jones won bronze in their respective weight classes in the Masters Division for Freestyle Wrestling. 

Upon entering the World Championships, Mr. Jones had a horrible first round match in Freestyle, where he immediately switched to Greco-Roman Wrestling and became the new World's Heavyweight Champion in the Masters Division. Dr. Petrosyan won yet another world title in the 88 kilos weight class and brought home two championships to the United States.

This year, Dr. Petrosyan and Mr. Jones will be aging out of the their divisions allowing them to go one more run as both will be competing in Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling in Las Vegas, NV, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Dr. Petrosyan is the head coach for OCG, who hold their practices at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, CA. Mr. Jones, an assistant coach with Orange County Grappling has downplayed his wrestling skills claiming to be just an average wrestling, but being able to pivot from a loss at the world championships in Freestyle to comeback and bring home the gold to the good ol' U.S. of A. proves otherwise. 

Both men plan on repeating at the U.S. Open, with Dr. Petrosyan competing in both styles will put him at 10 U.S. Championships. 

If you live in the Southern California Area and wish to train with two world champions, visit www.oc-grappling.org for their full training schedule from youth wrestling to the masters division.

Follow Orange County Grappling on Instagram @orangecountygrappling. 

The U.S. Open begins in Las Vegas, NV, on Wednesday April 26, 2023 and runs through April 30, 2023.

'God's Not Dead' Filmmakers Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman Talk Their New Film 'Nefarious' in Theaters Friday, April 14, 2023.

'Nafarious' Tag Line:

On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own.

Known for their 'God's Not Dead' franchise, filmmakers Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman face off with the devil in their latest thriller, 'Nefarious' starring Jordan Belfi as psychiatrist Dr. James Martin and Sean Patrick Flannery as the serial killer who identifies himself by the name Nefarious.

Shot in a little over two weeks, the 'Nefarious' faced some supernatural events during the short shooting schedule. Belfi became a father 30-minutes before filming began, their exorcist priest who was to bless the set nearly died on set and a whole host of other demonic entities were trying to stop the production of this movie from being completed.

However, Solomon and Konzelman remained true to their faith and forced forward continuing with the movie based on the novels by Steve Deace, 'A Nefarious Plot', which was released in 2016, and 'A Nefarious Carol', released in 2020.

Playing out like a stage play, 'Nefarious' challenges the viewers own nihilistic ideologies as Dr. Martin must come to terms with the notion that evil may truly exist and that something can be the cause of it besides man's own human tendencies. 

Solomon and Konzelman discuss how 'Nefarious' could transition into a stage page after its initial theatrical run in nearly 1,000 theaters, opening on Friday, April 14, 2023 on the Julian Calendar Good Friday, still used by the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

'Nefarious' is a film that does not preach to the audience. What it does allow for is a dialogue on the topic of good and evil to be discusses between its viewers. 

Follow 'Nefarious' on Twitter @NefariousMovie_ and on Instagram @nefariousmovie.

Visit their official website at whoisnefarious.com and purchase tickets via the website nefarioustickets.com.

You know him as the voice of 'Ancient Aliens' on the runway smash hit airing for 19 seasons and 220 episodes on the History Channel, but Robert Clotworthy has been in the industry narrating and voice acting in some of your favorite games (StarCraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic: Onslaught, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) and animated features for awhile.

Clotworthy also voices the other History Channel series, 'The Curse of Oak Island,' which was also featured heavily at this year's AlienCon in Pasadena, CA. The two shows that were never intended to make it have become the foundation of History Channel programing and with that, Clotworthy is a legend within the ancient astronaut theorist communities as the questioning voice without directing anyone's opinion in any particular direction.

We caught up with Robert Clotworthy for the first time since AlienCon 2019 after finally being allowed to gather in person after such a long hiatus and seeing Mr. Clotworthy was worth the wait.

If you would like to revisit our pervious conversation with Mr. Clotworth, click the link:

We cannot wait to see Mr. Clotworthy again next year at AlienCon 2023 as it is always a pleasure to chat with him and to yet again find out, what ancient astronaut theorists will say yes to this time next year.

Visit www.thealiencon.com for more information about next year's event and see what you missed out on in Pasadena.

#RobertClotworthy #AlienCon #AlienCon2023 #AncientAliens #HistoryChannel #Interview

Giorgio Tsoukalos has embraced his life as, "The Aliens Guy." He has been turned into a meme that he often jokes about, because he faced ridicule his entire for his believes in aliens and extraterrestrials. No one would have ever guessed that a guest spot on the History Channel during a segment about 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skulls' would parlay into 19 seasons and 220 plus episodes of the series, 'Ancient Aliens'.

Tsoukalos is nobody's fool, as not only is he a polyglot (speaking Greek, English, German and several others), he graduated from Ithaca College in New York at age 20 and even promoted bodybuilding competitions!

His love of history, cultures and yes, the beyond, has earned him the right to travel the world and study these strange and interesting phenomena. In fact, Tsoukalos' first encounter was at Contact in the Desert in 2014 at Joshua Tree, CA. Just like his mentor, Erich von Däniken, I too left about 30 minutes before their experience in seeing two equidistant orbs floating in the center of the Big Dipper, then shooting off in the same direction.

Now at AlienCon 2023, I was able to reconnect with Tsoukalos on a day filled with panel discussions, fan meet and greets and autograph sessions. The fringe have become the rock stars! Every attendee had a story of encounters or a passion for 'Ancient Aliens' that allowed them to be apart of a community where 25 years ago they would have had to whisper in the shadows while being called, "tinfoil hat people."

In our conversation above, you can hear Tsoukalos discuss the launch of the series, the success his so rightfully earned and his take on Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) and whether they are benevolent or benevolent.

To find out more on Giorgio Tsoukalos follow him on Twitter @Tsoukalos. Visit his official website at www.thealiensguy.com.

'Ancient Aliens' air Friday nights on the History Channel and streams the next day on the History App.

#GiorgioTsoukalos #AlienCon #AlienCon2023 #AncientAliens #HistoryChannel #Interview

Zeno Robinson ('Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons', 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero', 'Transformers: Earthspark') returns to the DC Animated Universe as the Invisible Kid in ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘. 

In this go around the ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ is not quite as polished as we have been accustom to seeing in the comics and the Invisible Kid, along with Supergirl (voiced by Meg Donnelly) and Mon-El (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) are members of the ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ Academy. It takes awhile for Invisible Kid to also turn his clothes invisible but he eventually manages to do so as they fight off a time traveling terrorist organization hellbent on bringing order to the universe by any means necessary.  Robinson spoke with us about why the ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ is significant to modern storytelling even if we reach into the future and that the idea of dystopian or utopian are not will be so long as we remain hopeful. 

Official Synopsis: 

Supergirl ventures to the 31st century to find answers to her present-day dilemmas, only to encounter new problems and an old enemy in ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘, an all-new, feature-length DC Universe Movie coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray+Digital, Blu-ray (Canada only), and Digital starting February 7, 2023 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the action-packed ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (USA $39.99 SRP; Canada $44.98 SRP), Blu-ray+Digital (USA $29.98 SRP), Blu-ray (Canada $39.99 SRP) and Digital ($19.99). The Blu-ray+Digital features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition and a digital version of the movie. The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc featuring the film in hi-definition, and a digital version of the movie. Welcome to the 31st century and the Legion Academy, where a new generation hones their powers with hopes of joining the ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘. Devastated by tragedy, Supergirl struggles to adjust to her new life on Earth. Taking her cousin Superman’s advice, Supergirl leaves their space-time to attend the Academy. There, she quickly makes new friends, as well as a new enemy with old ties: Brainiac 5. But a nefarious plot lurks in the shadows – the mysterious group known as the Dark Circle seeks a powerful weapon held in the Academy’s vault. Find out if the budding heroes can rise to the challenge in this all-new DC Universe Movie! Follow Zeno Robinson on Twitter @childishgamzeno and on Instagram @childish_gamzeno. ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ is available on Blu-ray Combo, Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Zeno Robinson ('Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons', 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero', 'Transformers: Earthspark') returns to the DC Animated Universe as the Invisible Kid in ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘. 

Zeno Robinson Discusses Voicing The Invisible Kid in ‘Legion of Super-Heroes‘ Available on Blu-ray Combo, Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

#ZenoRobinson #DCComics #DCAU #Animation #LegionOfSuperHeroes #FanboyNation #VoiceOcer #VoiceActor

Voice acting legend and co-author of 'Voice-Over Voice Actor' Yuri Lowenthal, takes on the voice of another 'El' as Mon-El in the the new DC and Warner Bros. Animated feature, 'Legion of Super-Heroes' Available on Blu-ray Combo, Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Lowenthal, who has voiced Kal-El and Jor-El is now the ultimate Superman fanboy by taking on the name as Mon-El, a Daxamite who is gaga for the entire lineage of Krypton. Upon meeting Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El (voiced by Meg Donnelly) Mon-El has become the greatest student of the planet's history before it exploded sending Superman (voice by Darren Criss) and his older/younger cousin, Supergirl to Earth.

Now in the 31st Century, Mon-El helps get our superheroine acclimated to her surroundings and the educational system set up by the Legion of Super-Heroes, who modeled their ethos after the Man of Steel himself.

Nothing is as it seems, especially when Brainiac 5 is involved and now Supergirl and the rest of the training academy must stop a sinister group of villains from destroying the future.

Official Synopsis:

Supergirl ventures to the 31st century to find answers to her present-day dilemmas, only to encounter new problems and an old enemy in 'Legion of Super-Heroes', an all-new, feature-length DC Universe Movie coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray+Digital, Blu-ray (Canada only), and Digital starting February 7, 2023 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the action-packed 'Legion of Super-Heroes' will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (USA $39.99 SRP; Canada $44.98 SRP), Blu-ray+Digital (USA $29.98 SRP), Blu-ray (Canada $39.99 SRP) and Digital ($19.99). The Blu-ray+Digital features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition and a digital version of the movie. The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc featuring the film in hi-definition, and a digital version of the movie.

Welcome to the 31st century and the Legion Academy, where a new generation hones their powers with hopes of joining the 'Legion of Super-Heroes'. Devastated by tragedy, Supergirl struggles to adjust to her new life on Earth. Taking her cousin Superman’s advice, Supergirl leaves their space-time to attend the Academy. There, she quickly makes new friends, as well as a new enemy with old ties: Brainiac 5. But a nefarious plot lurks in the shadows – the mysterious group known as the Dark Circle seeks a powerful weapon held in the Academy’s vault. Find out if the budding heroes can rise to the challenge in this all-new DC Universe Movie!

Follow Yuri Lowenthal on Twitter @YuriLowenthal and on Instagram @yurilowenthal.

'Legion of Super-Heroes' is available on Blu-ray Combo, Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

#YuriLowenthal #LegionOfSuperHeroes #MonEl #VoiceOver #VoiceActor #DCComics #FanboyNation #Interview

WOW - Women Of Wrestling Super Villain Jessie Jones Wants to Recapture the Tag Titles even if she has go at it alone!

Earlier this years, David McLane, founder of WOW - Women Of Wrestling stripped Jessie Jones of her tag team titles do to her partner no longer being apart of the promotion. In that time Jones has tried to find numerous partners to either carry or stand on the ring apron and look pretty, but none have lived up to her standards.

Most recently, Jones teamed up with The Disciplinarian and Samantha Smart, who were not able to keep up with the soulful Southerner.

We caught up with Jones to discuss the situation with The Disciplinarian, why McLane is giving people she's beaten title shots over her and how as WOW - Women Of Wrestling's former tag team champion is willing to go it alone in order to try to win both silver belts.

Find out what's going on during this week's episode of WOW - Women Of Wrestling:

Official Synopsis: Episode 14: “The Night of Surprises” - The night of action kicks off with a tag team showdown between Coach Campanelli & Randi Rah Rah and Gigi Gianni & Adriana Gambino whose drama will surprise fans before the bell ever sounds! The Beast makes a surprise visit to the office of David McLane. Jessie Jones confronts Samantha Smart and sets up a match against The Disciplinarian. Sweet Heat, Penelope, and Lana Star have a mysterious new addition to their team.   And Leia Mokoa takes on newcomer Wrecking Ball in the night’s main event.

Follow WOW - Women Of Wrestling on Twitter @WOWSuperheroes and on Instagram @wowsuperheroes.

Follow Jessie Jones on Twitter @WOW_JessieJones and on Instagram @wow_jessiejones

Visit WOW - Women Of Wrestling's official website to check for local listings at www.wowe.com

WOW - Women Of Wrestling airs in Southern California on Saturday nights at 11 p.m. on KCAL 9.

#WOWSuperheroes #JessieJones #WOW #WomenOfWrestling #WomensWrestling #Interview #FanboyNation

WOW - Women Of Wrestling Founder, David McLane Talks About Crowning New World Tag Team Champions.

David McLane, the founder of GLOW - Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling and WOW - Women Of Wrestling has been one of the most brilliant minds in allowing professional wrestling to become family entertainment. McLane has always been a proponent of featuring female talent in the industry without sexualizing his athletes, while allowing them to be sexy and strong if that was their natural personality.

Now, as WOW continues to move forward and the Beast is recovering from a sever leg injury having broken her ankle and tibia (I mistaking thought he said femur), the rise of new talent including Kandi Krush, Robbie Rocket, Americana, Coach Campanelli and Foxxy Fierce already join the deep roster of women wrestlers.

Last week, in a Twins vs Twins match for the WOW World Tag Team Championship we saw Miami Sweet Heat, Laurie and Lindsey Carlson take on the TongA Twins, Kaoz and Kona. Unfortunately, the match was interrupted by Holidead and Siren the Voodoo Doll, leading a no contest and we will find out this week on WOW, who will be crowned the new WOW World Tag Team Champions.

In our interview above, McLane talked about the power that both the Tonga Twins and Miamia Sweet Heat have as he tried to pull them apart ring side, when all hell broke loose.

Highlighting tonight's card we also have Robbie Rocket Taking on Kandi Krush with a video preview and episode description:

EPISODE 13:  “The Crowning of the Champs” - Kandi Krush learns who destroyed her beloved grandmother’s boxing gloves and she wishes to settle the score – but David McLane has other ideas.  With Jessie Jones' interruptions finally eliminated, Ice Cold and Foxxy’s much anticipated match finally takes place. The Main Event will crown the new WOW World Tag Team Champions when The Tonga Twins: Kona and Kaoz, face off against Miami’s Sweet Heat: Laurie and Lindsey Carlson. Lana Star and Penelope Pink join the announcer’s table for the main event and have a mega-reveal for everyone at the conclusion of the match.

WOW airs in Southern California on KCAL 9 at 11 p.m. Saturday nights.

Visit WOW's official website at www.wowe.com for local listings on where you can find WOW in syndication.

Follow WOW on Twitter @WOWSuperheroes and on Instagram @wowsuperheroes. Follow David McLane on Twitter @WOW_Wrestling and on Instagram @wow_davidmclane.

#WOWSuperheroes #WOWWomenOfWrestling #WomensWrestling #ProfessionalWrestling #ProWrestling #DavidMcLane

Writer, Director Ramin Bahrani Talks about his new Documentary '2nd Chance' expanding into more theaters, Friday, December 9, 2022.

More known for his feature film work, Iranian-American writer and director Ramin Bahrani steps into the field of documentary film making with '2nd Chance', a film that follows the misadventures of failed pizzeria owner, Richard Davis, who in 1969 sets out to invent the modern day bullet proof vest.

To prove how effective his vest is, Davis sets out to shoot himself in the chest an incredible 192 times, that allows his company to become the largest manufacture of body armor in the United States and one of the top producers in the world. His creation has been used by police forces and the military the world over.

Davis’ downfall begins when a police officer loses his life while wearing a Second Chance vest, and reveals a man full of contradictions cultivated over decades of reckless behavior. Davis somehow manages to save lives while endangering countless more in the process.

In speaking with Bahrani, we discuss the loss of the Iranian national team to Team U.S.A. in the World Cup, what it was like to transitioning from what was originally going to be a narrative picture into a documentary, using countless hours of footage and interviewing people who knew David into a remarkable story of, "I wouldn't believe it if we didn't have proof that it existed."

Official Synposis:

In 1969 a bankrupt pizzeria owner, Richard Davis, invented the modern-day bulletproof vest. To prove that it worked, he shot himself — point blank — 192 times. Davis then launched Second Chance, which became one of the largest body armor companies in the world. Charming and brash, he directed sensational marketing films, earning him celebrity status among police and gun owners across the country. But the death of a police officer wearing a Second Chance vest catalyzes Davis’ fall, and reveals a man full of contradictions cultivated over decades of reckless behavior. Equally as questionable as he was captivating, Davis saved thousands of lives while endangering exponentially more.

'2nd Chance' expanding into more theaters, Friday, December 9, 2022.

#RaminBahrani #2ndChance #Interview #BulletProofVest #BulletProof #Documentary #FanboyNation