BONO, ALLEN TOUSSAINT, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AMONG GUESTS IN SEASON TWO OF
SUNDANCE CHANNEL’S “SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…”

Elvis Costello

Sundance Channel will launch the second season of its critically acclaimed music/talk original series “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. et/pt with an episode featuring U2‘s Bono and The Edge. “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” combines the best elements of talk and music television and lets viewers in on intimate conversation and performances with host Costello and his guests, who range from legendary performers to promising new artists.

The series, executive produced by Sir Elton John, includes one-on-one interviews, unprecedented pairings and group discussions, as well as extraordinary performances, from impromptu “illustrative” moments to full band (and even multi-band) productions. Among the confirmed guests for the seven-part season are: Bono, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case, Jesse Winchester, Ray LaMontagne, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm, Richard Thompson, and Allen Toussaint.

“We’re thrilled to launch a second season of ‘Spectacle’ on Sundance Channel,” said Sundance Channel EVP and GM, Sarah Barnett. “The series offers viewers unusually close access to artists through its mix of candid conversations and exciting musical performances. This season’s A-list lineup is a testament to the tremendous respect that artists feel for Elvis Costello as a musician and entertainer.”

“I am delighted that we can continue where we left off–making intelligent, and informative music programming,” said Sir Elton John, one of the series’ executive producers. Elvis Costello commented: “In the words of the great Joe Strummer, ‘Let’s rock again!’”

The program’s eclecticism and depth reflect its uniquely qualified host. 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.

“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” is taped in front of a live audience at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater in New York City and The Masonic Temple in Toronto, Canada. The series will also air on CTV in Canada.

You can find more information on Spectacle, including video, here.