SummarySpectacle: Elvis Costello With... fuses the best elements of talk radio and music television, inviting viewers to enjoy rare musical performances and intimate conversations between the award-winning host and his iconic guests - each of whom is an influential figure from the world of music, politics or film. Explaining his approach, Elvis said, "I... Read More
Season Premiere:
Dec 3, 2008
Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
User score
Generally Unfavorable
2.2
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Season Episodes
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
75
92% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
8% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
80
Interspersed with cover songs, Spectacle is an engaging showcase for a curious mind.
80
The best moments in Wednesday night's chat between Elvis Costello and Elton John, which are good enough to recommend the show for fans of both men, serve up small but sparkling musical pleasures.
80
Insightful, smart and lyrical, Spectacle soars when so much of cable TV seems intent on locating the most distressing nadir of human culture.
80
Costello (who has subbed for David Letterman) makes a fine host--a bit reverential at times, but never as pious as, say, James Lipton can become over at the similarly configured "Inside the Actors Studio."
80
All the performances are rough and under-rehearsed, which makes them appealing. Costello also keeps the atmosphere relaxed during the interviews, never seeming too eager to interject his own commentary or jokes.
70
While the unguarded moments and eclectic musical performances --typically Costello collaborating with a guest on one of his or her lesser-known hits--make Spectacle well worth a closer look, the show occasionally feels like a songwriter's version of "Inside the Actor's Studio," with all of the qualities and the faults that implies.
50
Alas, the program has little direction and almost no flow.
User score
Generally Unfavorable
2.2
20% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
80% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Sep 18, 2010
10
This series is a must see for music lovers. Elvis manages to capture the true essence and genius of every artist he interviews. The performances are amazing. Elvis has a rare ability as a musician to draw out fellow musicians and articulate their influences and the magic that is their art. The intimate connection he allows us to share with these incredibly talented artists is unrivaled in any other forum I have seen. Hopefully we will see many seasons that will open even more singers and songwriters to their appreciative fans.
