Snoop Dogg to Host Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2004

2nd Annual Award Show Takes Place LIVE on Tuesday, December 14 From Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 -- Hip hop impresario and avid gamer Snoop Dogg brings the party to Spike TV as host of its second annual VIDEO GAME AWARDS to be telecast LIVE on Tuesday, December 14 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET) from Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA. The second annual awards celebrate the games, the designers, the animation, the music and the performances of the past year in video games, while also taking a look to the future of games in 2005 and beyond. Last year's inaugural Spike TV's VIDEO GAME AWARDS garnered more than one million viewers and was the #1 show that evening in cable among P12-24, and M12-34.

Snoop Dogg is well known for his love of video games. He even stars as himself in a number of popular games such as "True Crime: Streets of LA" (Activision) and "NBA Live 2003" (EA). His music, including several original tracks, are also featured on a number of game soundtracks including "True Crime," "NBA Live 2003," "Grand Turismo 3: A Spec" (Sony) and "MTV Music Generator 3: This Is The Remix" (Codmasters). Snoop will also play a lead character in the upcoming holiday season release "Def Jam: Fight For NY" (EA).

"Snoop is an icon and the perfect example of how Hollywood and the music industry have embraced the video game genre and catapulted it into pop culture," says Casey Patterson, Co-Executive Producer of Spike TV's VIDEO GAME AWARDS. "He's a platinum recording artist, a movie star and a true gamer. Snoop's an original and we're excited to have him as host of this year's show- he's hilarious and always brings the party with him."

The Spike TV 2004 VIDEO GAME AWARDS Advisory Board, consisting of gaming industry experts and media, will be announced in September with official categories and nominees to be announced later this fall.

Last year's show, hosted by David Spade and held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, handed out trophies in 16 wide ranging categories and featured electrifying performances by Kelis, DMX, P.O.D., Bubba Sparxx and Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huck Jam and included appearances by Pamela Anderson, Lil' Kim, Ray Liotta, Jaime Pressly and Orlando Jones.

Since his appearance on the 1992 classic "Deep Cover" single, Snoop Dogg has been one of hip-hop's most popular and charismatic players. This year, he quickly became Hollywood's hottest commodity bringing life and acclaimed performances to the hit films "Starsky & Hutch" and "Soul Plane." Having a flare for comedy, he starred in his very own sketch comedy show, MTV's "Doggy Fizzle," and had a successful stint as host of the ever-famous "Saturday Night Live." His triumphant and Grammy nominated solo LP Doggystyle (1993) became the first debut album to hit the charts at #1. This summer he reunited with childhood friends Nate Dogg and Warren G to produce the hit album 213. His highly anticipated solo album Snoop Dogg: Rhythm & Gangsta "The Masterpiece," in which he collaborated with Pharell Williams as well as other guest stars, hits stores this November. For the second straight year, Snoop Dogg was named to "The Blender 100" list.

Spike TV President Albie Hecht will serve as the Spike TV's 2004 VIDEO GAME AWARDS Executive Producer. Casey Patterson is Co-Executive Producer with Scott Fishman and Magda Liolis as Producers. Jim Burns is the Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV.

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks is a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com