Celebrity Deathmatch
1998
Original language: English
- comedy
- animation
The story
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.
What it’s like
Stop-motion clay figures jab, slam and body-slam under bright studio lights in a boxing-ring set, with a hard, glossy finish that keeps every smear of animated gore looking like candy-coloured slapstick. The palette is loud and primary: red blood against a white canvas ring, crowd cutaways in flat saturated colour, and the cheap, bouncy grace of plasticine faces with oversized heads. Sound is all punchy hits, crowd roars and a wrestling announcer's booming patter, with the goofy impact squelches doing most of the comedic work. Each episode runs short and fast, with rapid cuts between pre-fight jibes, the bout itself and gleefully grotesque finishes. The vibe is irreverent, loud and deliberately juvenile, the kind of thing for a late-night burst of mischief or a lazy weekend session with friends. Intensity is high in a cartoonish way: constant bloody violence and exaggerated injuries, though never realistic and rarely upsetting, and there is crude humour and adult references throughout. It suits viewers who want rowdy celebrity satire and gross-out slapstick, and it is not a fit for anyone seeking something gentle or calm.
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