Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

Sundance | Sundance Channel | SundanceTV | Sundance TV | Season Premiere Date: December 3, 2008

Starring: Elvis Costello

Summary: The Sundance channel brings Costello to TV with a new talk show featuring mainly musicians as guests.

Creator: Stephen Warden

Genre(s): Talk & Interview, Documentary, Music

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Smokey Robinson
Air Date: February 25, 2009
tbd
S1:E12. Diana Krall Interviewed By Elton John
Air Date: February 18, 2009
tbd
S1:E11. She & Him, Jenny Lewis, Jakob Dylan
Air Date: February 11, 2009

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Ellen Gray

There are a few occasions when Clinton, a politician used to rolling right over interviewers to get his message out, finds himself speaking at the same time as Costello, but it's only noticeable because the host is for the most part the most self-effacing of interviewers. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Interspersed with cover songs, Spectacle is an engaging showcase for a curious mind. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

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. Read full review

David Hinckley

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. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

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." Read full review

Aaron Barnhart

I like the serious, gimmick-free approach of the show. Read full review

Randee Dawn

Alas, the program has little direction and almost no flow. Read full review

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User Score

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6.5

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Mixed:

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User Reviews

CharlesR

Dec 30, 2008

So much of television aims at that lowest common denominator. While Costello's program is certainly accessible to the masses, it does open doors to the deeper rooms within the minds of master musicians. I particularly enjoyed the discussion with James Taylor. Some of the critics cited So much of television aims at that lowest common denominator. While Costello's program is certainly accessible to the masses, it does open doors to the deeper rooms within the minds of master musicians. I particularly enjoyed the discussion with James Taylor. Some of the critics cited here complain that the show lacks direction or has a meandering feel to it. If you want to watch the Tonight Show or Good Morning America, that is always out there for you. But a show like this, rather than going a mile wide and an inch deep, does take the deeper dive into a topic. That is something that those who are passionate about music , or simply have inquisitive minds, ought to appreciate.… Expand

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MikeR

Nov 25, 2009

Elvis is a witty interviewer who, like us, is interested in more than just nonsense and self-promotion from his guests.

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TSpencer

Dec 30, 2009

It is not flawed enough to lower to 9. Mostly because I can't knock a show for not being longer. I love every minute of the show, but feel that there is a longer conversation happening that I only get the highlights. It is less like being at the table with Elvis and his guests and more It is not flawed enough to lower to 9. Mostly because I can't knock a show for not being longer. I love every minute of the show, but feel that there is a longer conversation happening that I only get the highlights. It is less like being at the table with Elvis and his guests and more like being in the booth next to him. Sometimes for the sake of time, the conversation shifts abruptly, but it always remains interesting. It may be true that Elvis loves his guests a bit too much, but I he is asking questions that always have interesting answers.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

StevenHuete

Sep 18, 2010

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.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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

75

Series Overview
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: December 3, 2008
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: December 9, 2009
Season 1

75
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: December 3, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E13. Smokey Robinson
  Air Date: February 25, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E12. Diana Krall Interviewed By Elton John
  Air Date: February 18, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E11. She & Him, Jenny Lewis, Jakob Dylan
  Air Date: February 11, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E10. Herbie Hancock
  Air Date: February 4, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E9. Renee Fleming
  Air Date: January 28, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E8. Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones, John Melle...
  Air Date: January 21, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E7. Rufus Wainwright
  Air Date: January 14, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Police
  Air Date: January 7, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E5. Tony Bennett
  Air Date: December 31, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E4. James Taylor
  Air Date: December 24, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E3. Bill Clinton
  Air Date: December 17, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E2. Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel
  Air Date: December 10, 2008
- tbd
  S1:E1. Elton John
  Air Date: December 3, 2008