Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Season 1
Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... Image
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Sundance channel brings Costello to TV with a new talk show featuring mainly musicians as guests.
  • Genre(s): Documentary, Music

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    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."
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    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.
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    80
    Insightful, smart and lyrical, Spectacle soars when so much of cable TV seems intent on locating the most distressing nadir of human culture.
  4. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    50
    Alas, the program has little direction and almost no flow.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. CharlesR
    10
    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
  2. MikeR
    10
    Elvis is a witty interviewer who, like us, is interested in more than just nonsense and self-promotion from his guests.
  3. TSpencer
    10
    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
  4. StevenHuete
    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.… Collapse

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