‘Lip Sync Battle’ Returns With New Episodes, Coming to SummerStage (Updated)
Lip syncing has come a long way since Ashlee Simpson’s epic fail on Saturday Night Live 10 years ago. It’s now an accepted art form with its own hit tv show thanks to Jimmy Fallon. With the help of John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant, the late night host sold Spike on a 30-minute TV series based on the celebrity lip syncing duels he had been doing on his show. Lip Sync Battle premiered on Spike in April and has been a massive home run. After a brief hiatus, the show returns to the network this week and is also going live in Central Park as part of SummerStage on Monday, July 13.
Hosted by LL Cool J with commentary by Chrissy Teigen (aka Ms. John Legend), the show continues its first season with all new episodes starting Thursday, July 9. Rumored highlights include Justin Bieber lip syncing Ozzy Osbourne, and Taraji P. Henson doing her best Madonna. The upcoming match-ups include Alison Brie vs. Will Arnett (July 9), Justin Bieber vs. Deion Sanders (July 16), Andy Cohen vs. Willie Geist (July 23), Victoria Justice vs. Gregg Sulking (July 30), Abbi Jacobson vs. Ilana Glazer (August 6), Iggy Azalea vs. Nick Young (August 13), and Terrence Howard vs. Taraji P. Henson in a 2-part season finale (August 20).
As for the live battle at Central Park, LL Cool J and Teigen will again be at the helm. The competitors have not been announced yet, but true to the live show they will be hamming it up to a song of their choosing. The show will not be televised and it is free for all to attend. Gates open at 7pm.
See below for a preview of Alison Brie’s performance of “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa and Will Arnett doing “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie. Be sure to tune in Thursday at 10pm ET/PT for the outcome of their bout.
Update 7/13: According to SummerStage, the live Lip Sync Battle in Central Park will feature Derek Hough taking on his sister Julianne Hough. Plus, Broad City‘s Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer will be doing a halftime show.