That's an attention grabbing headline isn't it? And I wish it was a joke but alas, it's very very real. From Philly.com via AZ Sports Hub comes the terrifying news that Charles Barkley is preparing for a colonoscopy this Friday that will actually air as part of the multi-network show "Stand Up to Cancer" on September 5th.

GET READY to look deep inside Charles Barkley. The former Sixers superstar has been asked to undergo a televised colonoscopy as part of the "Stand Up to Cancer" special being aired Sept. 5 by NBC, CBS and ABC.

Barkley said yesterday he's flying to Alabama today to prepare for the procedure on Friday.

Sir Charles, 45, says he was surprised that the show approached him, but was happy to participate in promoting awareness for colonoscopies, which screen for prostate and other cancers.

Barkley said that when he told his friend Fred Lavner, of NB2 Apparel, about being asked to undergo the procedure on television, Lavner replied they were "probably just looking for the celebrity with the biggest ass."

The show is actually a historic and combined effort by NBC, CBS and ABC aimed at raising funds for Cancer research and Sir Charles will be one of many stars making an appearance. It's a great cause, and while I'm less than excited to view Barkley's colon, it's an admirable gesture by him and many others to help out. Here's a brief list of folks scheduled to appear on the September 5th program....

Casey Affleck, Dana Delany, America Ferrera, Danica Patrick, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Fran Drescher, Sally Field, Christina Ricci, Goran Visnjic, Christina Applegate, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charles Gibson, Robin Roberts, Forest Whitaker, Lance Armstrong, Kirsten Dunst, Neil Patrick Harris, Homer Simpson, Brian Williams, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Edwards, Salma Hayek, Marge Simpson, David Cook, Elle Fanning, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, Katie Couric, Jon Favreau, Masi Oka, Hilary Swank

Stand Up 2 Cancer Website (S↑2C)
Inside scoop on Charles Barkley (Philly.com)
Charles Barkley sure to be butt of many jokes (AZ Sports Hub)