The series ran for five seasons between 2015 and 2019, with future seasons in Development Hell, while a spin-off, Lip Sync Battle Shorties, in which (non-famous) children were the contestants, aired on Nickelodeon, hosted by Nick Cannon and Jojo Siwa. It has also spawned more than 20 international versions, including a UK version hosted by Professor Green and Mel B of the Spice Girls.
This show provides examples of:
- Actor Allusion: Regularly invoked by the song choices, either alluding to the contestant's own work, their competitor, or to LL Cool J.
- Queen Latifah, Willie Geist and Caleb McLaughlin all performed LL Cool J songs while dressed as him (specifically, "Rock the Bells", "I Need Love" and "I'm Bad" respectively).
- Will Arnett performed "Everything Is Awesome" from The LEGO Movie, in which he voices Batman.
- While they competed on their episode, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson also performed "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" together, alluding to their roles as its (in-universe) creators in Hustle & Flow.
- Jenna Dewan performed "Pony" by Ginuwine in a routine based on the one her then-husband (and opponent) Channing Tatum performed in Magic Mike.
- A recursive one is Alicia Silverstone performing Iggy Azalea's "Fancy", since its original music video was an extensive Shout-Out to Clueless.
- The Cameo: Common, especially in the later seasons. Overlaps with Remake Cameo when the artists' whose songs are being lip-synced show up in the performance.
- Covered in Gunge: At the end of his performance of "Milkshake", Gregg Sulkin drinks from a milkshake before pouring it over his head.
- Muppet Cameo: Big Bird competed in one episode (against Jason Schwartzman), with Elmo and Cookie Monster joining him to lip-sync "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.
- Refuge in Audacity: Some of the performances go all-out to the point that they arguably land here - notable examples include Anne Hathaway literally swinging from a (replica) wrecking ball while lip-syncing Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" and Tom Holland's iconic performance of Rihanna's "Umbrella".
- Wholesome Crossdresser: Common in the lip-syncs, for both male and female contestants, especially if they're trying to dress like the artist of the song they're performing. Particular note goes to Channing Tatum dressing as Beyoncé for "Run The World (Girls)", Bryshere Gray dressing as Taylor Swift for "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", Milla Jovovich dressing as Billy Idol for "White Wedding" and Tom Holland's performance of "Umbrella" as Rihanna.
