Costello, John launch talk show

Music giants Elvis Costello and Elton John are joining forces for a talk-and-tunes series to air on Sundance Channel.

“Spectacle: Elvis Costello With …” will be a 13-week series in which Costello plays host to artists and other personalities for an hour of discussion and performance.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to talk in complete thoughts about music, movies, art or even vaudeville, then frame it with unique and illustrative performances,” he said in a statement.

John, who also will appear, will be an executive producer of the series, which is scheduled to premiere in December. No guests have yet been announced.

“Spectacle” is one of a slate of upcoming programs unveiled Wednesday by Sundance Channel (cable channel 505 in Spokane, 164 in Coeur d’Alene).

Seven series are in development for 2009, including “Eco-Trip: The Real Cost of Living,” which will examine the carbon footprint of items such as toilet paper, roses or a cup of coffee, tracing the “eco-story” behind each item from its origination to disposal.

“Johnny Weir: Black Swan Rising” follows the three-time U.S. figure skating champion as he seeks to become the 2010 Olympic champ.

And “Toy Design” is a peek inside top-secret workshops where the next big toy is being invented.

“Live From Abbey Road” is back in June with a new 12-part season of performances and interviews filmed at London’s Abbey Road Studios, while “Iconoclasts” returns in October for a fourth season of pairing creative innovators from different fields as they explore each other’s world.

The first episode will feature British mogul-adventurer Richard Branson and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.