‘Deathmatch’ redux

“Celebrity Deathmatch,” which aired on MTV from 1998-2002, is making a return on MTV2.

Eight new episodes of “Deathmatch” will begin airing in November, featuring claymation-type celebrities duking it out, losing limbs and spilling lots of blood.

Along with “Deathmatch,” MTV2 is introducing “The Chico & Guapo Show” (also in November) and “Stankervision,” a sketch-comedy show premiering July 8. The network also renewed “Sic ‘Em Friday” shows “Damage Control,” “Wildboyz” and “Team Sanchez.”

MTV2’s press release failed to mention anything about a second season of “Wonder Showzen,” also part of the “Sic ‘Em Friday” block-but a network spokesman said MTV2 is “in discussions” regarding that possibility.

Last, but not least:

* Rita Cosby, who recently joined MSNBC, interviews Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, today and tomorrow on the “Today” show.

* Dr. Michael Rosen has joined Ch. 11 as medical reporter. He previously worked at Ch. 2 (2001-03).

* Today: The first two “Queer Eye” DVDs, “Carson’s Style” and “Kyan and Jai . . . Looking Good.”

* Richard Belzer, Joy Behar and Jerry Stiller at The Friars Club to help Robert Klein celebrate his new book, “The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue.”

* Ernie Anastos joins Ch. 5’s 10 p.m. newscast July 5.

* Civil Rights crusader Morris Dees joins Court TV as a legal analyst for coverage of Edgar Ray Killen’s murder trial in Mississippi.

* Thursday’s “Oprah” (4 p.m./Ch. 7) repeats the infamous Tom Cruise episode from last month in which he maniacally declared his love for Katie Holmes.

* Now that’s a real Father’s Day: Ch. 5/9 account exec Cliff Paulson and wife Terri welcomed Carter Graham on Sunday.

* Congrats to TLC’s “Operation Homecoming” producer Andrew Scher and wife Michele on the birth of Emerson Grace.

* Regarding our story yesterday on big network “gets,” Daphne Barak said through a spokesman that she does not pay for celebrity interviews. Barak did not return several e-mail messages, sent to her Web site, seeking comment on this issue prior to the story’s publication.