Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ...

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.

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.

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. Special guest musicians on the episode include Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny.

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.

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 (beautifully) several classics, and pulls a very special surprise guest from the audience for a spontaneous and irresistible duet.

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.