Clay Classroom :-) So . . . You Wanna Try This? Clay 101: Getting Started In Detail: Tips & Tricks Clay Past, Present, and Future History Clay Today: Sections 1-4 1. Clay Kings: Will Vinton Studios 2. Current Clay: Wallace and Gromit 3. Clay Festival: Spike and Mike's 4. Clay Breakthrough: Celebrity Deathmatch Clay of the Future Reference Center Clay Careers Sites/Links About This Site Personal Citations and References             Clay Breakthrough: Celebrity Deathmatch So you've heard about it, you've talked about it, you've even plopped down in front of the television on Thursday night at 10:00 PM (EST) to watch it. You hear that all-to-familiar 'ring-announcer voice.' You know it's time for "Ceeeeelllleeeeeebrity Deeeeeaaaathmaaaatch-------." This scenario may be quite familiar to you, or at least the other million-or-so regular fans of this MTV show. Everyone first saw the show when they decided to flip over to MTV during half-time of the Superbowl. No one really expected those -kicking clay creatues to be so, well, downright funny. Of couse, we all wanted more. MTV's "Celebrity Deathmatch" is a new clay animated weekly series that redefines color commentary in sports and event coverage. Each episode features three fantasy fights that poke fun at the worlds of film, television, music, and politics. All of the joking is done through the use of clay imitations of today's hottest celebrities up against each other in a live arena. Created by Eric Fogel, the first "Celebrity Deathmatch" premiered in the fall of 1997 during an episode of "Cartoon Sushi," MTV's animated variety series. The singular fight was a fantasy fight between Charles Manson and Marilyn Manson. Both were competing for the title of "Most Evil Man in America." MTV went on to debut a Super Bowl Half-Time special, "Celebrity Deathmatch Deathbowl '98." This time, the show featured three bouts: Howard Stern vs. Kathie Lee Gifford, Pamela Anderson Lee vs. RuPaul, and Hanson vs. The Spice Girls. "'Celebrity Deathmatch' puts a new perspective on sports and event commentary in a way that only MTV can," said Abby Terkuhle, President, MTV Animation. "Following the overwhelming response to our 'Celebrity Deathmatch Deathbowl '98' special, we think our viewers will love tuning in each week to watch fantasy fights involving clay renderings of their favorite celebrities." Now is that quality television or what??? As in the tradition of most sports programs, "Celebrity Deathmatch" also features the play-by-play commentating for each fight. They have covered every aspect of a fight broadcast to make the show as realistic as possible. MTV even includes all the pre-game and post-game activity including locker room footage, press conferences, and one-on-one interviews. America's favorite clay reporter, Stacy Cornbread, neatly sums up all of the events. Meanwhile, as the icing on the cake, we get a clay Mills Lane (he officiated the famous Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson ear-biting scene) as the referee, two goofy announcers (Johnny Gomez and Neil Diamond), and an "analyst extraordinaire" in Marv Albert. Not to mention that everyone eventually gets what they deserve from writers Chris Kreski, Matt Harrigan, Michael Rubiner, and Eric Fogel. The celebrity voices are close enough (Mills is the only one that speaks for himself) and the humor, well, its unique. There is just something about this show that draws you to it. "Celebrity Deathmatch" will air regularly each Thursday night at 10:00 PM (EST). John Lynn produces the show. Eric Fogel is creator/co-executive producer, while Abby Terkuhle is executive producer.