Jesse James Takes on Death-Defying Events Each Week in Spike TV's 'Jesse James is a Dead Man'

New Series Featuring Automotive and Motorcycle Icon, Jesse James, Premieres Sunday, May 31

NEW YORK, May 13 -- Jesse James takes on the role of a modern-day daredevil in "Jesse James is a Dead Man," a new, original weekly series on Spike TV premiering on Sunday, May 31 (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT).

"Our goal was to create a new and distinctive series for Jesse that is unlike anything else on television," said Sharon Levy, senior vice president of original series for Spike TV. "In this series, viewers will get to experience one of the most fearless guys on the planet in an entirely new way, taking on death-defying physical challenges each week."

Each episode follows James as he readies himself for a different death-defying challenge he has always wanted to face and beat. Preparing for the risky challenge can often be as dangerous as the challenge itself as he endures a battery of tests to prepare. With CGI effects, viewers get a taste of the enormity of the challenges, revealing the incredible stresses that man and machine will endure.

"We match Jesse's high-octane enthusiasm with cutting-edge CGI techniques that take the audience behind the incredible danger he faces," said John Brenkus, Co-CEO of BASE Productions. "We have raised the bar by featuring extreme challenges that have never been seen before. The result is that viewers are going to be on the edge of their seats every week."

Some of the dangerous challenges Jesse will face include the harrowing, grueling and lawless off-road race better known as the Baja 500, hitting over 200 mph on a Nitro bike supercharged by ultra-combustible nitro-methane fuel and braving harsh Arctic weather conditions by riding a motorcycle in minus-60 degree temperature across the infamous Ice Highway that connects the small towns of Inuvik and Aklavik. Jesse even places his life in the hands of his fans in a featured episode where he asks his fans to come up with the craziest, most dangerous stunts imaginable for James to undertake.

Spike.com will be offering users sneak peek at the premiere of "Jesse James is a Dead Man." In addition to featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes, the site features and a free 3-D online racing game "Demolition Death Race." In this racing experience, gamers will try to endure a succession of deadly environments inspired by Spike TV's new series "Jesse James is a Dead Man" with two objectives in mind: to win the checkered flag and to take out Jesse James by smashing, crashing and exploding to the finish line. In succeeding, gamers will unlock not only new levels, but also acquire new virtual vehicles that have been customized by Jesse James himself to use in subsequent races, among them a custom Camaro and nitro bike. Users will also unlock new weapons to use on the road in smiting their opponents, such as rockets. Play the game at deathrace.spike.com.

"Jesse James is a Dead Man" will also take over Spike.com for premiere day, Sunday, May 31 with a site-wide stunt where users will get the chance to get inside the mind of Jesse James as he reveals his all time favorite "guy things," such as Top Music Videos and Favorite Movie Car Chases.

Ten weekly one-hour episodes of "Jesse James is a Dead Man" are being produced for Spike TV by executive producers Jesse James and Hildie Katibah through his production company, Payupsucker Productions, in conjunction with executive producers John Brenkus and Mickey Stern of BASE Productions ("Sport Science," "Crime 360"). Kevin Lee also serves as executive producer. Sharon Levy and Tim Duffy are executives in charge of production for Spike TV.

Jesse James is a custom bike and car builder, producer, publisher, television host and restaurateur. In 2000, James started his TV career with Discovery Channel's "Motorcycle Mania," and in 2002 produced and starred in the international television hit, "Monster Garage." Before his TV gigs, James started West Coast Choppers by doing what he loved, building motorcycles in his mom's garage. As an expert welder, James produces only 12-14 bikes a year, making a very long wait list for his coveted custom machines.

More recently, James established his own production company, Payupsucker Productions, and in 2004, he became publisher of Garage Magazine and launched Payupsucker Publications. In 2006 he opened an eco-friendly burger joint, Cisco Burger, in Long Beach, CA.

BASE Productions, Inc. is an eight-time Emmy Award and ten-time IDEA Award-winning production company that is breaking new ground for cutting-edge reality, documentary and unscripted infotainment programming. BASE Productions' use of cutting-edge motion-capture and CGI technology is unmatched and brings a signature look to all of their productions. BASE Productions is based in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The company was founded by John Brenkus and Mickey Stern. For more information, please visit www.BASEproductions.com.

Spike TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.