LL Cool J Hosts Spike TV's Original Series LIP SYNC BATTLE, Debuting Tonight

Entertainment icon and two-time GRAMMY Award-winner LL COOL J will host SPIKE TV's original series, "Lip Sync Battle," debuting tonight, April 2. Based on the pop culture phenomenon of lip sync battling, the new series will feature celebrities going head to head - lip-syncing the song of their choice - battling for the coolest bragging rights on the planet.

"Like the rest of the world, I'm a big fan of these battles, but this show is going to bring it to a whole new level. I'm thrilled to be working with Jimmy Fallon, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant, and the entire team to host the show and can't wait for the fans at home to join in!!" said LL COOL J

"Icon, Grammy Winner and one of the best hosts in the game, LL COOL J will bring a whole new fan base of music lovers to the show. We have the dream team in front of and behind the camera on LIP SYNC BATTLE and we're ready to BRING IT for our fans" said Casey Patterson Executive Producer/Executive Vice President Talent Development and Production, Viacom Entertainment Group.

Spike TV's "Lip Sync Battle" will be executive produced by Eight Million Plus Productions, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant, Casey Patterson, Jay Peterson of Matador and Rick Schwartz of Eight Million Plus. Emmy®-award nominee Beth McCarthy-Miller ("Saturday Night Live," "30-Rock," "The Sound of Music Live," "Modern Family") will serve as Director. LL COOL J will also serve as a Producer on the show.

The 10-episode series will tape in January in New York City.

About LL COOL J:

LL COOL J is an entertainment icon who has found great success crossing into multiple mediums. A two-time Grammy® Award winner, recording artist, talented actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur and philanthropist, LL continues to display his wide range of talents with every project. First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums.

The multi-platinum artist and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper. As an actor, LL COOL J has successfully transitioned to one of the consistently highest rated shows on television. He currently stars in the CBS hit primetime drama series, "NCIS: LOS ANGELES," and his performance on the show garnered him a NAACP Image Award four years in a row for his role of 'Special Agent Sam Hanna.' Continuing his musical expedition three decades after he first released music, LL most recently released his critically-acclaimed album AUTHENTIC, which scored him his 13th Top-10 Album on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart.

About SPIKE TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. SPIKE TV's Internet address iswww.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit SPIKE TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

For more information on "Lip Sync Battle": http://www.spike.com/shows/lip-sync-battle
Production Company Credits: Eight Million Plus Productions, John Krasinski's Sunday Night Productions, Stephen Merchant's Four Eyes Productions, and Jay Peterson's Matador.