Celebrity Deathmatch

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. 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 (1998-2007) is a United States music-television animated comedy series created by Eric Fogel for MTV and MTV2. Its claymation cast of real celebrities is pitted against one another in a wrestling ring, with every match ending in a gruesome, blood-soaked defeat for the loser. Stone Cold Steve Austin lent his voice as guest commentator in one special, and the cast of celebrity figures is drawn from the pop culture of its era. Episodes are short, roughly twenty-one minutes each, and follow a case-free format in which each bout is its own self-contained spectacle, so viewers can dip in at any point. The show runs six seasons across an original MTV run and a later MTV2 revival, with a mix of standalone matches and special events. Its tone is irreverent, lurid and deliberately crude, with gleeful exaggeration of injury and blood that plays as parody of sports entertainment and celebrity worship. Fans of South Park, Robot Chicken and Space Ghost Coast to Coast will find the same adult satirical bite here, delivered through stop motion absurdity and mock-wrestling showmanship.

Audiences found the claymation celebrity wrestling parody irreverent and gleefully gory, though its crude humor and uneven execution divide opinion.

• Space Ghost Coast to Coastirreverent adult animation, pop culture satire, crude absurd humor
• South Parkadult animated satire of celebrity and media culture
• Aqua Teen Hunger Forcegross-out cartoon violence, parody sensibility, irreverent mood
• Robot Chickenstop motion claymation comedy with absurd violence

Created by

Eric Fogel

Release Date

1998-05-14

Episode runtime

21 min

Rating

6.9 / 10 (410)

What is Celebrity Deathmatch about?

Claymation celebrities brawl in a wrestling ring in a gory, satirical MTV parody of celebrity culture.

What is Celebrity Deathmatch like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Celebrity Deathmatch as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.

Is Celebrity Deathmatch violent?

Yes. Ember rates the violence in Celebrity Deathmatch as graphic.

What did critics think of Celebrity Deathmatch?

Audiences found the claymation celebrity wrestling parody irreverent and gleefully gory, though its crude humor and uneven execution divide opinion.

Which shows are like Celebrity Deathmatch?

Shows with a similar feel include Space Ghost Coast to Coast, South Park, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Robot Chicken.

How long is Celebrity Deathmatch?

Celebrity Deathmatch: 6 seasons, 95 episodes.

Is Celebrity Deathmatch still running?

No, Celebrity Deathmatch has ended.

Where can I watch Celebrity Deathmatch?

In United States, Celebrity Deathmatch streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.