It seems like everyone in show business gets a talk show at some point in their career.

Some are great but too short lived (Sharon Osborne), some become institutions (Ellen DeGeneres), some start out fine and then take a wrong turn (Rosie O’Donnell) and a few are just plain awful and can’t go away quickly enough (Chevy Chase, Carnie Wilson).

We figure the problem is that not enough musicians have had their own talk shows. Oh sure, Dave Stewart flirted with the concept on HBO, but it hasn’t become a regular thing so far. Enter Elvis Costello.

“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” will provide an hour-long weekly forum on the Sundance Channel for the singer to conduct in-depth discussions about music and influences with guest artists and celebrities, beginning tonight with Elton John.

So what are Costello’s qualifications for this gig? Well, over the past few years, the singer has earned a reputation as a musicologist of formidable knowledge as a contributor to Vanity Fair and guest host on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Since “Spectacle” is being described as “Inside the Actor’s Studio” for musicians, that sounds like a pretty good resume to us.
 

Wednesday, December 3
Keane – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Elton John – “Spectacle: Elvis Costello With…”
Jenny Lewis & Elvis Costello – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Tom Jones – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
The Steeldrivers – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
Ice Cube – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Pendulum – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Thursday, December 4
Ludacris – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Common – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
The Airborne Toxic Event – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
Tom Jones – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
X – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
The Sounds – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Friday, December 5
Katy Perry – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Seal – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Taylor Swift – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Adele – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
Ludacris – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Little Jackie – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Yelle – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Saturday, December 6
Norah Jones – “Austin City Limits” – rerun
T.I. – “Saturday Night Live”