American Gladiators See Drop in Second Season Ratings

Perhaps American Gladiators needs to add a new challenge in season two: How to Improve Ratings.

When it returned to television in January - after a solid decade or so off the air - the show was watched by 12 million viewers. However, its second season debut drew less than half that number last week.

Monday's episode was watched by 4.9 million fans, earning "its lowest original rating and finishing a distant third in the 8-10 p.m. time period," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

As a point of comparison, the show's competition for the night included Dancing with the Stars, which was watched by 17.6 million people; and How I Met Your Mother - guest starring Britney Spears - which was watched by 9 million folks hoping for a crotch shot.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.