January 13^th, 2003 (12:00am) - The stars are coming together for a great cause - TO BEAT THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER! Gotham Games, a subsidiary of Take Two Interactive, has released the list of sacrificial celebs who have signed on to lend their likeness to MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch, a new game coming later this year to the PlayStation2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. Based on the gore-filled, MTV claymation hit, MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch will feature digitally rendered versions of teeny-boppers, tabloid princesses and other notorious superstars including:

Lance Bass *NYSNC
Carrot Top
Joshua "JC" Chasez *NYSNC
Cleo
Shannon Doherty
Carmen Electra
Joey Fatone, Jr. *NYSNC
Ron Jeremy
Chris Kirkpatrick *NYSNC
Mills Lane
Tommy Lee
Marilyn Manson
Cindy Margolis
Debbie Matenopoulos
Busta Rhymes
Dennis Rodman
Anna Nicole Smith
Jerry Springer
Justin Timberlake *NYSNC

Mr. T "We are thrilled that so many stars have decided to become a part of what is sure to be a mind-blowing and truly unique gaming experience," said Jamie Leece, President of Gotham Games. "The inclusion of real-life celebrities will make MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch a game that all players, from hard-core gamers to casual fans, will enjoy." Added hip-hop superstar Busta Rhymes "The game is hot. I’m a big fan of the TV show, but the video game takes it to another level."

"I can’t wait for the game to come out," said Anna Nicole Smith, current E! TV star and former Playboy Playmate of the Year. "Catch me if you can, but watch yourself because I’ve got some secret weapons."

"I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of Celebrity Deathmatch" said cyber-babe Cindy Margolis. "This game has heart-pounding action from start to finish. My days of being a nice girl are over so you better watch your back!"

Ron Jeremy added, "MTV’s Celebrity Death Match is the most fun you can have in front of your television!"

MTV’s "Celebrity Deathmatch" lampooned popular sports and event coverage and featured all the pre-game and post-game activities of fights, such as one-on-one interviews, press conferences and hilarious moments in the locker room. The first "Celebrity Deathmatch" premiered in a fall 1997 episode of "Cartoon Sushi," MTV’s animated variety series. The singular bout was a fantasy fight between Charles Manson and Marilyn Manson who competed for the title of "Most Evil Man in America." MTV went on to debut a Super Bowl Half-Time special, "Celebrity Deathmatch Deathbowl ’98," featuring fantasy slugfests with Howard Stern vs. Kathie Lee Gifford, Pamela Anderson Lee vs. RuPaul and Hanson vs. The Spice Girls.