Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland to Appear with Elvis for Television Farewell
Motown Legend Smokey Robinson Also Confirmed for the Talk/Music Series
New York, NY – July 29, 2008 – Spectacle: Elvis Costello with… announces that The Police will tape a television appearance for the new talk/performance series. The episode will air as part of Spectacle’s debut season on Sundance Channel beginning December 3, 2008. It will also air on on CTV in Canada and Channel 4 in the U.K. Fremantle Media Enterprises is distributing the series internationally.
For this historic music television event, members of The Police-Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland-will perform and discuss with Elvis Costello their varied and respective interests in music as individuals, as well as the remarkable chemistry together that has made The Police one of the biggest bands in music history.
This exclusive engagement with Elvis follows an exciting spring and summer for the host who has been touring with The Police on their massively successful reunion tour, to widespread acclaim.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson will also tape an episode of Spectacle in August, exploring with Elvis his extraordinary 50 year career as a songwriter, singer and guiding light of soul/R&B.
As previously announced, the Canada/United Kingdom co-production will also feature Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, President Bill Clinton and Sir Elton John, who is also one of the program’s Executive Producers.
The remainder of Spectacle’s inaugural season line-up will be announced later this summer.
The series of 13 one-hour episodes will feature everything from intimate one-on-ones with legendary performers and notable newcomers to unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime musical performances and collaborations.
Consistent with Sir Elton John’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy and music, the series producers have struck an exciting association with the (Product) RED (www.joinred.com) campaign created to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund (www.theglobalfund.org) to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa. Select program excerpts and performances will be distributed in a variety of new media and conventional platforms, with a portion of the profits directed to the Global Fund.
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with… is produced by Rocket Pictures, SpyBox Pictures, Prospero Pictures and reinvention entertainment, in association with Sundance Channel, CTV, Channel 4 and FremantleMedia Enterprises. Executive Producers are Sir Elton John, Elvis Costello, David Furnish, Steve Hamilton-Shaw, Jordan Jacobs, Martin Katz and Stephen Warden. Co-Executive Producer is Alex Coletti.
About Sundance Channel:
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel’s website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.