Costello, Elton John: TV Spectacle
Musicians Collaborate to Create New Talk/Music Series
Elvis Costello will host in-depth discussions and performances with eclectic mix of music personalities
Sir Elton John and Elvis Costello. It's not an obvious pairing but it promises to be exciting. John and Costello, two of the world's most respected musicians are collaborating to create a Spectacle on television.
Rocket Man singer John and Costello are teaming up to produce a series of talk/music programs that showcase musicians.
Executive produced by John, the 13-part series, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... will feature everything from intimate one-on-ones with legendary performers and notable newcomers to thematic panel discussions, in a one-hour program. There will also be plenty of music with unique collaborations and impromptu jamming.
No Deep Secrets
Costello said viewers shouldn't expect gotcha interviews where the subject breaks down and reveals some deep secret.
“I'm not interested in extracting some dark secret. I'd rather hear about a bright secret, a deep love or a curiosity that might be otherwise obscured by fame," Costello said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to talk in complete thoughts about music, movies, art or even vaudeville, then frame it with unique and illustrative performances."
That approach may be disappointing to viewers accustomed to TMZ.com and People magazine style emotional exclusives; however, the talk TV format meets musicality promises to be exciting. It's designed to provide a forum for in-depth discussion and performance with the most interesting and influential artists and personalities of our time, the show fuses the best of talk and music television. Perhaps like an Inside the Actor's Studio but for musicians.
Popular Music
“Elvis Costello is the foremost expert on popular music,” John said in a press release issued by CTV Television. “I thought it would be sensational to use his knowledge and intelligence to explore the artistry of musicians and other fascinating people involved in making great music, as well as true music aficionados."
CTV has not yet released a guest line-up but considering that both Costello and John have fat Rolodexes, odds are it will be sweet.
Elvis Costello is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee; a Grammy and Ivor Novello Award-winning (and Oscar-nominated) songwriter and performer comfortable in almost every genre imaginable; a musicologist of formidable breadth and knowledge; a contributor to Vanity Fair magazine; and a noted wit whose stint as guest host on The Late Show with David Letterman won rave reviews.
Series in Canada, U.K. and U.S.
The new series was conceived in Canada and will air on Sundance Channel in the U.S. and Channel 4 in the U.K. The series producers have joined forces with (Product)RED to raise money and awareness for the Global Fund to fights AIDS in Africa.
