Recently, we brought you part one of our list of 15 facts about SpikeTV’s Lip Sync Battle. Now we bring you part two of the list, featuring eight more facts about the show that launched the channel’s rebranding and started a worldwide comedy phenomenon.
Number Eight: Lip Sync Battle Has Pitted Brother Against Sister
Many episodes of the show have had celebrities who have known each other in some way compete, but one show in particular had brother and sister celebs duke it out. Dancing with the Stars’ Derek and Julianne Hough competed against each other during the first season. Derek performed Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us” and Sia’s “Chandelier” while Julianne performed Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” and The Lonely Island’s “I Just Had Sex.”
Number Seven: It’s Also Pitted Husband Against Wife
Another memorable episode was when the show had husband and wife actors Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum in season two. Channing performed Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go” and Beyoncé’s “Run the World,” with a guest appearance from Queen Bey herself. Jenna performed Paula Abdul’s “Cold Hearted,” with a guest appearance from Abdul herself, and Ginuwine’s “Pony.”
Number Six: There Have Been Some A-List Cameos
Along with the show getting permission to use some pretty popular music, they have also been able to get some of these artists to appear with the celebrities competing. Besides the two mentioned in number seven, cameos have included Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Meghan Trainor and Johnny Galecki.
Number Five: It Has Generated Viral Video Clips
Similar to when segments of The Tonight Show go viral on YouTube, many of Lip Sync Battle’s battles have gone viral. The show’s YouTube channel has more than 1.6 million subscribers and many of their videos have millions of views. Anne Hathaway’s performance of “Wrecking Ball” has the most views with more than 18.3 million. The show’s YouTube channel also features exclusive content with some of the hottest YouTube stars providing commentary and performing songs themselves.
Number Four: They Did a Live Show for Central Park Summerstage
In July 2015, Lip Sync Battle went live in New York’s Central Park for a special, non-broadcast version of the show as part of Central Park Summerstage. Still hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, it featured two sets of match-ups: Derek versus Julianne Hough and Ilana Glazer versus Abbi Jacobson. It also featured Doug E. Fresh as guest DJ.
Number Three: It Has International Adaptations
The show was such a hit when it premiered that other countries decided to create their own versions of the show. Countries who have done this include the UK (with Mel B as host), Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Poland.
Number Two: It Shares a Director with SNL
Besides directing Lip Sync Battle, Beth McCarthy-Miller is best known as the director of Saturday Night Live, a position she held for 11 years. She has also directed 30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Community, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Parks and Recreation and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, among many other shows.
Number One: The Theme Song Is by T-Rex
The song is called “20th Century Boy,” and was a stand-alone single the band released in 1973. Also, if you look closely, you can see the cover of T-Rex’s album, The Slider, on the record wall behind Teigen. Thank you for reading our list of 15 facts about SpikeTV’s Lip Sync Battle. We hope you enjoyed it!