Celebrity Deathmatch
Encyclopedia
Celebrity Deathmatch is a claymation television show that depicts celebrities
against each other in a wrestling ring
, almost always ending in the loser's gruesome death. It was known for its excessive amount of blood used in every match and exaggerated physical injuries (e.g., one person cuts off a participant's foot, living through decapitations, impalement, etc.).
The series was created by Eric Fogel
; with the pilots airing on MTV
on January 1 & 25 1998. The initial series ran from May 14, 1998 to October 20, 2002, and lasted for a 75-episode run. There was one special that did not contribute to the final episode total, entitled "Celebrity Deathmatch Hits Germany", which aired on June 21, 2001. Professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin
gave voice to his animated form as the guest commentator. Early in 2003, a film based on the series was announced by MTV to be in the making, but the project was canceled by the end of that year.
In 2005, MTV2
announced the revival of the show as part of their "Sic 'Em Friday
" programming block. Originally set to return in November 2005, the premiere was pushed back to June 10, 2006 as part of a new "Sic'emation" block with two other animated shows, Where My Dogs At and The Adventures of Chico and Guapo
. The show's fifth season was produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios and the premiere drew over 2.5 million viewers, becoming MTV2's highest rated season premiere ever.
Celebrity Deathmatch started on MTV's Cartoon Sushi
as a short that featured convicted murderer Charles Manson
and shock rocker Marilyn Manson
fighting to the death. Deathmatch was brought back in 1998 for MTV
's Super Bowl XXXII
halftime special. Just three months later, Celebrity Deathmatch had entered MTV's main lineup. The show was popular enough for show creator Eric Fogel
to be named one of the most creative people in the TV industry by Entertainment Weekly
.
During the next four seasons, Celebrity Deathmatch became more popular in other countries and gained viewers from all over the world, but four seasons and 75 episodes later in 2002, MTV decided to cancel the show.
as opposed to MTV's now-defunct animation department. The show featured an all-new voice cast and a new look. Johnny, Nick, and Mills Lane
returned, albeit with new voices. Mills Lane, who used to be played by himself, was played by Chris Edgerly
due to the real Mills Lane's 2002 stroke
. Debbie Matenopoulos
was replaced by Tally Wong. Eric Fogel chose not to get very involved with the new seasons due to his involvement on his show Starveillance
for the E!
network. The show was directed by Jack Fletcher
and Dave "Canadian" Thomas. During the 2006 season, fans were able to vote on MTV2.com for future matches by choosing one of three matches and by sending a write-in request.
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
against each other in a wrestling ring
Wrestling ring
A wrestling ring is the ring stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle.-Configuration and construction:The configuration and construction of the "traditional" ring is very similar to that of a boxing ring, though the wrestling version has three ring ropes...
, almost always ending in the loser's gruesome death. It was known for its excessive amount of blood used in every match and exaggerated physical injuries (e.g., one person cuts off a participant's foot, living through decapitations, impalement, etc.).
The series was created by Eric Fogel
Eric Fogel
Eric Fogel is an American director, writer, producer and voice actor who is best known as the creator of the TV series Celebrity Deathmatch. He also created the cult series The Head and Starveillance and also directed several episodes of Daria....
; with the pilots airing on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
on January 1 & 25 1998. The initial series ran from May 14, 1998 to October 20, 2002, and lasted for a 75-episode run. There was one special that did not contribute to the final episode total, entitled "Celebrity Deathmatch Hits Germany", which aired on June 21, 2001. Professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
gave voice to his animated form as the guest commentator. Early in 2003, a film based on the series was announced by MTV to be in the making, but the project was canceled by the end of that year.
In 2005, MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
announced the revival of the show as part of their "Sic 'Em Friday
Sic 'Em Friday
Sic 'Em Friday and Sic'emation are blocks of programming on MTV2. Each block is dedicated to airing "outrageous" shows, either of the live-action or animated variety. They lasted from 2005 to 2006.-How it started:...
" programming block. Originally set to return in November 2005, the premiere was pushed back to June 10, 2006 as part of a new "Sic'emation" block with two other animated shows, Where My Dogs At and The Adventures of Chico and Guapo
The Adventures of Chico and Guapo
The Adventures of Chico and Guapo is a show that aired originally on MTV2's Sic 'Em Fridays, but currently it can be found on MTV Overdrive. Set in New York City, the show is about two interns trying to get ahead in the music business. Chico and Guapo work at Mr. Angelo's Recording Studio...
. The show's fifth season was produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios and the premiere drew over 2.5 million viewers, becoming MTV2's highest rated season premiere ever.
Main characters
- Johnny Gomez (Maurice Schlafer (1998-2002), Jim Thornton (2006)): Co-commentator on Celebrity Deathmatch, Johnny is the more professional one, and a loyal friend of Nick's despite his constant blunders. Johnny's hair has noticeably changed from black to brown in the new season. Judging by a comment made by interviewer Tally Wong during one episode, he may be wearing a hairpiece. He was born in Illinois.
- Nick Diamond (Len MaxwellLen MaxwellLen Maxwell was an American voice actor and announcer.-Career:Prior to his career in voice-overs, Len was a stand up comedian....
(1998-2002), Chris EdgerlyChris EdgerlyChristopher "Chris" Edgerly is an American actor and voice actor.Edgerly was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of two with his mother, and two brothers...
(2006)): Johnny's co-host, a perceived alcoholic and divorced father of one, he is always screwing up. He harbors an intense hatred for interviewer Debbie Matenopoulos and has also participated in and won several matches by himself. Nick is apparently so hopeless that when he mentions having an uneventful weekend, Johnny spends the show preparing for the inevitable disaster to befall his co-commentator. He was born in Virginia. - Mills LaneMills LaneMills Bee Lane III is a retired boxing referee, a former boxer, was a two term Washoe County District Court Judge, and television personality...
(himself (1998-2002), Chris EdgerlyChris EdgerlyChristopher "Chris" Edgerly is an American actor and voice actor.Edgerly was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of two with his mother, and two brothers...
(2006)): The official referee of the Deathmatch ring; he always starts matches by saying "Let's get it on!" and shows that this is one ref you can't knock down with one hit. Another catch phrase is when there is a disputable move by either fighter, like using foreign objects, and he says "I'll allow it!", implying that just about anything is legal in the ring. Biting and guns are his only reservation. Due to his suffering a strokeStrokeA stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 2002, the real Mills no longer voices his own character.
Minor regular characters
- "Stone Cold" Steve AustinStone Cold Steve AustinSteve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
(himself): World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) wrestler and guest commentator on Celebrity Deathmatch. Also the scientist, doctor and weapons expert on the show. He also fought and won a match against Vince McMahonVince McMahonVincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
(voiced by McMahon himself, and whom Austin would actually wrestle with on several WWF events in real life). Austin did not show up in the later seasons, for Nick has once stated that he was too expensive to bring back. - Stacey Cornbred, (Mz. L): The first interviewer on Celebrity Deathmatch, Stacey maintained a more professional air than Debbie. She kept her interviewing job until her untimely demise from spontaneous human combustionSpontaneous human combustionSpontaneous human combustion describes reported cases of the burning of a living human body without an apparent external source of ignition...
. Though she had exploded, she briefly returned in a Halloween episode as a demonDemoncall - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
to challenge Debbie in the ring only to be soundly (and messily) defeated. - Debbie MatenopoulosDebbie MatenopoulosThespina "Debbie" Matenopoulos is an American television personality and actress.- Early life :Matenopoulos was born in Richmond, Virginia, of Greek ancestry. Her birth name is Despina Matenopoulos, named after her grandmother...
(herself): The interviewer that succeeded Stacy Cornbred after her death. She hates Nick and doesn’t prepare for any interviews, usually just asking whatever she feels like. She often believes herself to be smarter than she really is. Left the show late in the last season on maternity leave. - Tally Wong (Masasa MoyoMasasa MoyoMasasa Moyo is a Canadian actress and voice actress mostly known for her voice over roles.-Biography:Masasa was born in Canada to a Zimbabwean Father and an American Irish/German Mother. Even though she aspired to become an actress since childhood, she only began acting in college doing local...
): The new interviewer from Season 5 onward. Before most of the matches, she interviews the combatants in a segment called "Tally's Korner". Tally is very self-centered, and usually spends most of her interviews insulting the celebrities rather than asking questions. She often makes rude remarks about the celebrities, and at times Nick and Johnny, during matches. Whenever Nick or Johnny gets mad at her for it, she taunts them by daring them to "bring back Stacey Cornbred." Tally harbors an intense hatred toward Johnny Gomez. Ironically though, this was the inverse in the previous show with Nick Diamond hating on Debbie Matenoupolis. - Marv AlbertMarv AlbertMarv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
(Buck Lee): CDM's first guest commentator. He only appeared in the pilot episode before being replaced with Stacey Cornbred. Best recognized for wasting one show watching the slow-motion replay of Pamela Anderson's implant-laden breasts jiggle repeatedly. - Phil the popcorn guy (Jim Conroy): A running gag; usually among the first victims in the audience when a Deathmatch gets too brutal to stay in the ring. Since his second season appearance, the vendor has been burned, chopped up, and even possessed by a demon at various points, only to come back again healthy in his next appearance.
- Nicky Diamond Jr., (Brendan Muller): Nick's son, who appeared in several episodes. In one episode he was possessedDemonic possessionDemonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the control of an individual by a malevolent supernatural being. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying...
by a demonDemoncall - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
called "Captain Doody", but was delivered when The Undertaker executed a Tombstone Piledriver on the possessed Nicky during their bout, causing the demon to leave Nicky and enter the hapless popcorn salesman.
History
Cartoon Sushi
Cartoon Sushi was an animation showcase program that aired on MTV from 1997 to 1998. It was produced by Nick Litwinko. As a collection of animation shorts, Cartoon Sushi was a spiritual successor to MTV's Liquid Television...
as a short that featured convicted murderer Charles Manson
Charles Manson
Charles Milles Manson is an American criminal who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in California in the late 1960s. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders carried out by members of the group at his instruction...
and shock rocker Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
fighting to the death. Deathmatch was brought back in 1998 for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII was an American football game played on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1997 regular season...
halftime special. Just three months later, Celebrity Deathmatch had entered MTV's main lineup. The show was popular enough for show creator Eric Fogel
Eric Fogel
Eric Fogel is an American director, writer, producer and voice actor who is best known as the creator of the TV series Celebrity Deathmatch. He also created the cult series The Head and Starveillance and also directed several episodes of Daria....
to be named one of the most creative people in the TV industry by Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
.
During the next four seasons, Celebrity Deathmatch became more popular in other countries and gained viewers from all over the world, but four seasons and 75 episodes later in 2002, MTV decided to cancel the show.
Revival
New episodes of the show, which began production in 2005, were produced by Cuppa Coffee StudioCuppa Coffee Studio
Cuppa Coffee Studio is a Canadian animation studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; it was founded by Adam Shaheen and Bruce Alcock in December 1990...
as opposed to MTV's now-defunct animation department. The show featured an all-new voice cast and a new look. Johnny, Nick, and Mills Lane
Mills Lane
Mills Bee Lane III is a retired boxing referee, a former boxer, was a two term Washoe County District Court Judge, and television personality...
returned, albeit with new voices. Mills Lane, who used to be played by himself, was played by Chris Edgerly
Chris Edgerly
Christopher "Chris" Edgerly is an American actor and voice actor.Edgerly was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of two with his mother, and two brothers...
due to the real Mills Lane's 2002 stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. Debbie Matenopoulos
Debbie Matenopoulos
Thespina "Debbie" Matenopoulos is an American television personality and actress.- Early life :Matenopoulos was born in Richmond, Virginia, of Greek ancestry. Her birth name is Despina Matenopoulos, named after her grandmother...
was replaced by Tally Wong. Eric Fogel chose not to get very involved with the new seasons due to his involvement on his show Starveillance
Starveillance
Starveillance was a claymation television series created by Celebrity Deathmatch creator Eric Fogel that debuted on January 5, 2007 on E!. The show is produced by Toronto-based Cuppa Coffee Studio...
for the E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
network. The show was directed by Jack Fletcher
Jack Fletcher
Jack Fletcher is a voice actor, casting director, and voice director. He has done voice casting and direction for many high-profile anime and video game projects. In addition, he is a well known and respected theatre director and teacher, having spent a number of years teaching and directing at the...
and Dave "Canadian" Thomas. During the 2006 season, fans were able to vote on MTV2.com for future matches by choosing one of three matches and by sending a write-in request.
See also
- List of Celebrity Deathmatch episodes
- Celebrity Deathmatch (video game)Celebrity Deathmatch (video game)Celebrity Deathmatch is a video game based on the Celebrity Deathmatch show. The game features celebrities and movie monsters as playable characters...