SPIKE TV TURNS DISASTER PIECES INTO MASTERPIECES WITH "TATTOO NIGHTMARES" STARTING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 11 PM, ET/PT

Series Joins Spike's #Tattoosday Night of Programming, Immediately Follows Premiere Episode of "Ink Master"

New Series from the Producers of "Jersey Shore" - SallyAnn Salsano & 495 Productions

New York, NY, October 09, 2012 - Real people with really bad tattoos seek the help of some of the best cover-up artists in the business to fix them in the new Spike original series, "Tattoo Nightmares," that debuts on Tuesday, October 16 at 11:00 PM, ET/PT.

With more than 40 million Americans having at least one tattoo somewhere on their body, you are bound to come across bad permanent ink, ranging from hilarious tattoos to ones that are just downright disturbing pieces. The stakes are high as regretful clients go under the tattoo gun a second time to see if one of the three expert artists at Tattoo Nightmares (Big Gus, Tommy Helm and Jasmine Rodriguez) can work a miracle and turn their disaster pieces into masterpieces. Through re-enactments, clients reveal the stories behind how their dreadful ink came to be.

"I always look at people and wonder how the hell they ended up with a certain crazy tattoo," said SallyAnn Salsano, executive producer of 'Tattoo Nightmares' and president, 495 Productions. "This show answers that question, and brings you the insane stories behind the screw-up, whether it was a lousy artist, a drunken night or a lost love. "

In the premiere episode, Big Gus tackles a horrible LA skyline tattoo that looks like it was done by a child, but the pain becomes too much for his client. Meanwhile, Tommy covers a giant pot leaf that's ruining a guy's job prospects, and Jasmine tries to give her client his swag back by attempting to transform his ex's portrait, that's ruining his game with the ladies, into a ferocious tiger.

Fans are invited to join in the conversation on social media by following @SPIKETV on Twitter and use the hashtags #tattoonightmares and #tattoosday.

"Tattoo Nightmares" is produced by 495 Productions ("Jersey Shore," "Friend Zone," "Nail Files," "Pauly D Project," "Repo Games," "Snooki & JWOWW"). SallyAnn Salsano serves as Executive Producer. Tim Duffy is Spike TV's Senior Vice President, Original Series and Chris Rantamaki and is Vice President of Original Programming for Spike TV and oversees production of "Tattoo Nightmares."

About 495 Productions

Since its launch in 2006, 495 Productions has emerged as one of the television industry's foremost production powerhouses. The company specializes in developing innovative, character driven non-fiction programming for network and cable. Veteran producer, SallyAnn Salsano is the founder and creative force behind 495 Productions. 495 became a globally recognized brand with the blockbuster hit series "Jersey Shore" - the highest rated series in MTV history. Additionally, the company currently produces "Friend Zone" (MTV), "Mamma Drama" (VH1), "Nail Files" (TV Guide Network), "Pauly D Project" (MTV), "Repo Games" (SPIKE TV), "Snooki & JWOWW" (MTV), and "Tanisha Getting Married" (Oxygen) among other projects.

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 is www.spike.com.