Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... Episode Guide, Season 1

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Elton John
Elvis and Elton explore Elton John's love and passion for many of the musicians who've had an impact on his life and career - from Leon Russell to Laura Nyro - with some candid and hilarious anecdotes along the way. Elton sheds light on his 40 year working relationship with lyricist Bernie Taupin, and the show also includes an amusing exchange about Elvis and Elton's real and stage names. Plus, Elton at the piano spontaneously demonstrating styles and influences; Elvis covering a couple of Elton John classics; special musical guests Allen Toussaint and James Burton joining Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher of Elvis Costello's band The Imposters; and Elton and Elvis's first ever televised performance together.

Lou Reed And Julian Schnabel
The normally guarded Lou Reed - widely regarded since his Velvet Underground days as music's Prince of Darkness - opens up with Elvis Costello, revealing himself to be a witty and literate raconteur. He speaks movingly, and funnily, about his love of R&B, New York, art and the mysteries of writing and creativity. Lou's close friend and collaborator (on the film "Berlin"), Julian Schnabel, joins the fray mid-show, to both heartbreaking and hilarious effect, contributing some disarmingly candid and personal remarks, as well as a riveting - and totally spontaneous - spoken-word performance. Lou breaks down one of his classic compositions on guitar, and then joins Elvis for two amazing performances.

Bill Clinton
Elvis Costello and the 42nd President of the United States in an unprecedented and revealing chat about President Bill Clinton's early career aspirations as a jazz saxophonist; the astonishing degree to which music shaped him as a man, a politician and a President; the challenges - and critical importance - of music education; the shared skills of musicians and politicians; with observations on Elvis (Presley), John Coltrane, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Nina Simone and N.W.A.

James Taylor
James Taylor epitomizes the term "singer-songwriter", and in this rare, in-depth interview, he sheds light on the various influences that have shaped his music over the past 40 years or so. With a guitar readily at hand throughout the hour, Taylor shifts easily and engagingly from conversation to performance mode, playing some of his best-known songs ("Fire and Rain", "Sweet Baby James") and some of his favorites by other writers, including Carole King and George Jones. Elvis joins James in song a couple of times, to charming effect. The intimate conversation includes the very personal (Taylor's upbringing, family and occasional struggles with personal demons) and, naturally, the very musical (influences, collaborations and inspirations). Throughout it all, the pure, sweet James Taylor voice that has seduced music fans for four decades now remains a thing of beauty and comfort.

Tony Bennett
Now in his ninth decade, the irrepressible Tony Bennett is not only the steward of the Great American Songbook, but one of the last living connections to it. In this seductive and utterly charming hour, Tony and Elvis discuss with warmth and affection many of the great songs and the colourful people responsible for them. Accompanied by (in TB's estimation) "the finest jazz pianist today", Bill Charlap, Tony sings several classics, and pulls a very special surprise guest from the audience for a spontaneous and irresistible duet.

The Police
Fresh off the concert trail together, Elvis and The Police team up for an action-packed hour that includes individual interviews with Sting, Andy and Stewart, as well as a raucous group session. It all provides a rare glimpse into the combustible chemistry that made The Police the biggest band in the world in the 1980s. In addition to the illuminating talk, there's plenty of amazing music: Sting illustrates the original incarnation of "Roxanne", the song which put The Police on the map; Sting and Elvis harmonize together on an Elvis gem; Andy and Elvis team up for a bit of jazz; and, for the finale, Elvis and his band, The Imposters, join forces with The Police for an unprecedented "mash-up" of a Costello classic and a Police essential, as well as a surprising cover of a time-tested hard rock anthem.

Rufus Wainright
Few new artists have made the powerful impression Rufus Wainwright has since bursting onto the music scene in the late '90s. With a singular voice, formidable songwriting skills and undeniably flamboyant stage presence - all of which are on generous display in this program - Rufus holds nothing back, demonstrating his musical chops at the piano and discussing freely his passion for music, his complicated family dynamics and his status as an icon of the gay community. His mother, the Canadian folk legend Kate McGarrigle, even turns up to join in on an unexpected performance, and Elvis covers a song by Rufus's father, Loudon Wainwright III.

Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones & John Mellencamp
The "guitar pull" is said to have started in Johnny Cash's living room in Tennessee, with writers and musicians like Kris Kristofferson, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan taking turns playing their songs for the Man in Black and his guests. Some years later, Elvis gathers a stellar group for a "guitar pull" of his own - and it includes a couple of people who were at the original gatherings in the Cash home, namely American songwriting royalty, Kris Kristofferson and Cash's daughter, Rosanne. Rounding out the group are the golden-voiced Norah Jones (who brings along a "new" song co-written by none other than Hank Williams) and American rock superstar John Mellencamp, who strips his music (old and new) down to the bare essentials. If not exactly a hootenanny, this star-studded edition of Spectacle is a showcase for - and an embarrassment of riches of - the craft of songwriting, from some of the best-known (and loved) tunes of the past 40 years to brand-new, previously-unheard compositions.

Renee Fleming
One of the truly exceptional voices in the world is front and centre when Elvis welcomes Renee Fleming to Spectacle for a compelling and eclectic program of conversation and music. Renowned internationally for her dynamic operatic and recital performances and recordings, the revered American soprano proves to be disarmingly funny and candid about life as a diva, telling hilarious inside-opera stories and providing detailed insight into the rigors, demands and sacrifices involved in taking the human voice to the unnatural (but exhilarating) levels required in opera. Ms. Fleming also generously demonstrates her range and versatility as a performer, singing one of Puccini's most gorgeous arias, a jazz piece with guitarist Bill Frisell and even an old Appalachian folk standard. And on top of all that, opera fan Rufus Wainwright turns up to pay his respects and sing something special for Renee!

Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is unquestionably a living legend, not only of jazz but of music, period. In this captivating program, he speaks eloquently, candidly and revealingly about his life, his music and the extraordinary people with whom he's worked, played and created over the past 50 years - from Miles Davis to Joni Mitchell. Jimi Hendrix. Seated at a grand piano, Hancock conducts a musical master class in between the animated conversation, with impromptu demonstrations and illustrations of at the keyboard. Karriem Riggins and Christian McBride add their considerable chops on drums and bass, respectively, joining Herbie on a couple of riveting performances; and in the end, Elvis and Herbie join forces to tackle a song from "River", the album of Joni Mitchell material for which Herbie won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

She & Him, Jenny Lewis, Jakob Dylan
Spectacle shines the spotlight on a talented and varied group of young singers and songwriters - Jenny Lewis (ex-Rilo Kiley); Jakob Dylan (ex-Wallflowers) and the acclaimed indie duo She & Him, comprised of singer-songwriter and actress Zooey Deschanel and guitarist/producer M. Ward. Coincidentally, they all come from show business families, some more famous than others. Elvis explores this theme, as well as their various talents and musical adventures, in revealing interview segments. A good deal of musical performance and collaboration transpires too, with Jenny Lewis and Elvis teaming up for a rousing version of a song from her new album (on which EC also appears); Jakob Dylan demonstrating a stripped-down version of one of his Wallflowers hits, before duet-ing with Elvis on a lovely new song; She & Him showing off their intriguing, timeless sound; and the entire group hooking up for a fitting finale on one of the host's signature hits.

Dianna Krall & Elton John
In this very special episode, Spectacle host Elvis Costello recuses himself from the proceedings when his wife, Diana Krall, turns up as the featured guest. Spectacle Executive Producer Sir Elton John (who also dabbles in music) steps into the breach to conduct his first-ever interview. Sharing their love of piano (where the interview takes place), jazz, sad songs and great singers, Diana and Elton engage in playful banter, explore some history and even team up for a duet on one of Elton's biggest hits. The very talented Christian McBride (bass) and Karriem Riggins (drums) join Diana on a couple of extraordinary performances, while Elvis starts the proceedings with the same exquisite rhythm section on his own song "Almost Blue", and then shows up at the end to join his wife and Elton for a funny and charming closing number.

Smokey Robinson
One of the true masters of American music opens up about his astonishing 50-year career as a singer, songwriter, producer and record executive. Arguably the lynchpin without whom the Motown sound would never have happened, Smokey Robinson has been responsible for many of the biggest and most influential R&B/pop songs of all time, and in this captivating program he sheds light on some of them - and sings a couple as well. Along the way, he shares inside stories about Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and many others. Smokey also sings a surprising cover made famous by Norah Jones. To conclude the show, Smokey and Elvis collaborate on a duet performance of Smokey's classic "You've Really Got a Hold on Me".