The backstory on the comeback special is fascinating. After devoting most of the 60s to profitable (but forgettable) movies, Elvis was looking to resurrect his career. NBC signed him for a TV special, and a network exec recruited a 36-year-old named Steve Binder to produce and direct it.
Binder immediately clashed with Elvis’s manager “Colonel” Tom Parker, who envisioned a standard Christmas special, with The King crooning 20 holiday hits before a live audience, with no chatter between the songs. After hearing Elvis jamming off-stage with his friends, Binder hit on the idea of making that concept the center of the special. Parker balked, but for once, Elvis told him to shove it. Unwilling to give up his meal ticket (the manager reportedly took a 50% cut of everything Elvis made), Parker caved. The special was just that, and it’s still worth a look 50 years later.
The upcoming special can’t come close to capturing the magic of the original, but NBC has assembled quite a line-up. Quite a testament to Elvis’s enduring appeal. Can’t think of another performer who can attract that kind of talent (and a prime time slot), 50 years after the special first aired, and almost 42 years after their death.
Great observation.
And then Steve Binder gave us the Star Wars Holiday Special. Stir whip stir whip whip whip stir.