Series synopsis
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... is an American drama television series that premiered on SundanceTV on December 3, 2008. It ended on January 13, 2010. It stars Elvis Costello.
Intimate interviews between host Elvis Costello and various musical guests intertwined with performances by Costello, the guests, and duets between the two.
Premise
Intimate interviews between host Elvis Costello and various musical guests intertwined with performances by Costello, the guests, and duets between the two.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Elvis Costello as Self
Guest cast
- John Prine as Self
- Ray LaMontagne as Self
- Lyle Lovett as Self
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 20 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | December 3, 2008 | February 25, 2009 |
| Season 2 | 7 | December 13, 2009 | January 13, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot: Elton John Elvis interviewed/conversed with Elton John for most of the show. They reminisced about great singers, piano players and performers they knew or played with. Elton talked a great deal about his idols and influences. The conversation was remarkably informative. Musical highlights included Elvis Costello opening the show with the Elton John tune Border Song, Elton at the piano demonstrating various piano techniques (Leon Russell, Laura Nyro, etc.), and the two of them performing a duet of a David Ackles song called Down River. In addition there were various clips of musicians they discussed, Elvis, his band and Elton jamming on Working In The Coal Mine, a song co-written by the great Allen Toussaint, who currently is a keyboard player in Elvis's band. The end titles have Elvis and his band performing Elton John's Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun. |
December 3, 2008 |
| 2 |
Lou Reed + Julian Schnabel Lou Reed joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. Reed, the Velvet Underground legend, discusses music, creativity and all things New York : including music, art and the old days when he was known as the Prince of Darkness. During the show, Reed is joined by Julian Schnabel, an old working buddy. Schnabel reminisces and performs what the Sundance web site describes as "a riveting - and totally spontaneous - spoken-word performance." In addition, Reed joins Elvis and his band for two musical performances. |
December 10, 2008 |
| 3 |
Bill Clinton Former President Bill Clinton joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. The 42nd President comments on musicians who influenced his life and, according to the Sundance web site, helped shape him "as a man, a politician and a President". Clinton also talks about his early aspirations as a saxophonist, the importance of music in education, and the similar skill sets which distinguish both great musicians and great politicians. In addition, Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny join Elvis and his band for special, live musical performances. |
December 17, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bono & The Edge | December 13, 2009 |
| 2 | Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith and Jesse Winchester | December 16, 2009 |
| 3 | Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson and Allen Toussaint | December 23, 2009 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | SundanceTV |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 3, 2008 |
| Last aired | January 13, 2010 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |