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‘Words + Music’ Series to Kick Off on MGM+ With Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Alanis Morissette (EXCLUSIVE)

This autumn, MGM+ will premiere a television adaptation of the celebrated "Words + Music" podcast. The series, a joint production between Gunpowder & Sky and Audible, will present intimate live performances and personal storytelling from acclaimed artists including Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, and Alanis Morissette. Each episode is filmed before a small audience at Amazon MGM Studios’ advanced volume stage in Culver City, using expansive LED screens to visually interpret the stories behind some of the performers’ most iconic songs. The series is set to debut on November 30. Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler—a former president of MTV Networks—revealed that the transition to television was not part of the original plan. “We never initially intended to create a TV series,” Toffler noted, “but breakthroughs in virtual production unlocked entirely new methods for visualizing these deeply personal narratives.” The creative team includes industry veterans such as Alex Coletti, who produced Costello’s “MTV Unplugged” more than three decades ago, and Bill Flanagan, co-creator of VH1’s “Storytellers.” Flanagan pointed out that while musicians have long shared anecdotes between songs, the integration of immersive LED technology brings a distinctly modern layer to the format. “As Elvis remarked,” Flanagan added, “the show may be called ‘Words + Music,’ but what we’re really offering is words, music, and imagery.” The production takes full advantage of cutting-edge virtual technology on Culver Studios’ Stage 15, where a massive LED volume wall—powered by motion-capture cameras and ROE BP2 panels—creates a custom visual environment for each performer. For example, Costello wove in his original paintings and archival photos, while Sheryl Crow incorporated childhood images originally gathered for a documentary project. Toffler stressed that the series is designed to reflect each artist’s unique aesthetic, describing musicians as “super humans” for their rare ability to translate universal emotions into song. This approach not only enhances storytelling but also offers viewers a richer, more cinematic experience that honors the artists’ creative visions. This television adaptation is part of a broader content partnership between Audible and Amazon MGM Studios, aimed at reimagining popular audio formats for visual media. Looking ahead, Toffler expressed enthusiasm for future seasons and mentioned an ambitious wish list of artists he hopes to include. In a related development, Audible and Gunpowder & Sky are also preparing “The Film Makers,” an upcoming podcast featuring directors like Ron Howard and Cameron Crowe discussing their cinematic influences. Although not yet approved for television, Toffler believes the visual potential of that series could be equally compelling. Amid these projects, Toffler is also returning to his roots by producing the upcoming Video Music Awards for MTV, scheduled to air on September 7. Reflecting on his nonstop schedule, he joked, “I didn’t plan on being in production constantly, even on weekends.” Yet he remains energized by the evolving opportunities to merge music, narrative, and immersive technology in innovative and engaging ways.

#John Legend #Mariah Carey

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