Carpool Karaoke Producers: Apple's New Show is a 'Celebration of the Joy of Music'

[MacRumors]

Ahead of tomorrow's launch of "Carpool Karaoke: The Series" on Apple Music, producers Ben Winston and Eric Pankowski sat down for an interview with Billboard to share additional details on the creation Karaoke-based celebrity show that will mark Apple's second original series.

"Carpool Karaoke: The Series" is based on the Carpool Karaoke segment of "The Late Late Show with James Corden." According to Winston, the idea that it could be spun out into a series came after the Late Late Show segment became popular. At it's core, "it's just people having a conversation," said Winston. "If we find the right people, we thought it could be a great show."

When the show was pitched to Eddy Cue and Jimmy Iovine, the two decided to let the show's producers have free rein over its format and its length. Apple has an "obvious partner," said Winston, because the company "has always been at the forefront of music."

Winston: We met with [Apple's] Jimmy Iovine and Eddy Cue jimmy and they were so compelling in their vision for the show as a partner. And the greatest thing they said was, "make a show as long as you think it should be." So, some [episodes] are 12 minutes, some 16, some 20, whatever it takes to make it the best. That's the wonderful thing about working with Apple, they let us make the best show we can.

Apple's streaming music service was chosen as the platform for the new show because of its reach. "As a producer and someone who is responsible for entertaining people... there are 1.2 billion iOS devices in the world. That means our show is available for 1.2 billion people whenever they want it. It's incredible, it's inspiring and humbling," said Pankowski.

Because James Corden is busy with his own show, he'll host two of the episodes - the premiere with Will Smith and the finale with LeBron James. The other episodes will be hosted by a range of different celebrity partners, a concept that came about after it was decided that a replacement for James Corden wouldn't work.

"Rather than trying to find someone to replace him, we have 14-15 people," said Winston. As a result, Apple's new series has become "more of an environment where something can happen than a show James can host." According to Pankowski, the show is "a celebration of the joy of music."

You see people singing the hits you love, big stars singing other people's songs -- actors, comedians and athletes singing and rapping songs that mean something to them. You can tell [it's real] because you can't fake passion and when you see it it's infectious.

For the full interview, which also covers the producers' favorite episodes and more on the celebrity pairings, make sure to check out the full interview over at Billboard.

Last week, Variety also spoke to Winston, Pankowski, and James Corden about "Carpool Karaoke: The Series," with the trio sharing additional information on working with Apple and how some of the celebrity pairings were chosen.

"Carpool Karaoke: The Series" launches on Tuesday, August 8, which is tomorrow. We don't yet know what time the show will debut, but it will launch on Apple Music.

Article Link: Carpool Karaoke Producers: Apple's New Show is a 'Celebration of the Joy of Music'

 

[5105973]

The Cyrus family. Jimmy Iovine. Eddy Cue. Joy of Music. One of these things is not like the others.

(I'm joking. Don't get all cranky on me.)

 

[tylerthomas28]

I'm just here to see all the bitter comments how putting more original content on Apple Music is a bad thing.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

I never expected to see the day where Apple was so big that I could entirely ignore some of their products and even entire product categories. I have had far more interest in things they have made that I would never have a use for, like Logic Pro for example, than I have in this.

 

[BornAgainMac]

It will be interesting if 10 years from now, people will complain why one of Apple's TV shows have not had a new season update in years like we complain about with Mac hardware updates.

 

[5105973]

I'm just here to see all the bitter comments how putting more original content on Apple Music is a bad thing.

Eh Carpool Karaoke is fun. But it's still fun to poke fun of anything Jimmy Iovine and Eddy Cue get up to together. They're such an amusing pairing. I'd love to eavesdrop on them batting ideas back and forth. Now THAT is a reality program I'd watch at least a few episodes of!

 

[Born Again]

Haters going to hate but I'm going to watch this . Jk

 

[Orlandoech]

God.... vomit. I'm not an Apple hater, I just hate this and the Kardashians, and lots of other idiotic crap.

MAN IM ANGRY!

 

[Salty Pirate]

What is this crap? Seriously? This is what they are putting their energy into??

 

[Michael Scrip]

there are 1.2 billion iOS devices in the world. That means our show is available for 1.2 billion people whenever they want it.

Inaccuracies between devices and people aside...

Are they saying you don't need to be a paying subscriber of Apple Music to see Carpool Karaoke?

All you need is an iOS device?

 

[Stella]

It is a bad thing when the original content is garbage! So far, everything has been little more than product placements / self advertising.

I'm just here to see all the bitter comments how putting more original content on Apple Music is a bad thing.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Well what would give me "joy" is not having to see anymore Carpool Karoke articles on the main page anymore... except the one that says Apple has canceled it. Really, it's just a free ad for Apple. Make them pay up regular ad rates they want page one PR.

 

[69Mustang]

I'm just here to see all the bitter comments how putting more original content on Apple Music is a bad thing.

Putting original content on Apple Music isn't a bad thing. This isn't original content. As bad as it is, at least Planet of the Apps is original content. This is an attempt to capitalize on a skit that, in small doses, was mildly entertaining. A skit that has seen it's 15 minutes of fame and is now putting on a leather jacket and a pair of water skis.

 

[GenesisST]

Looks kinda fun, but my TV "bugdet" (time wise) is limited, so this would be cut...

 

[Lesser Evets]

Oh... I thought it was the "Illuminati Reach-Around Showcase". My mistake.

 

[bjet767]

Ok after the first one with our First Lady I found the whole concept a bit boring, but if it makes money so be it. Which brings up the question, who's paying for this show? Are there sponsors and I get to stream it for free or is it like "Prime" or "Netflicks" where I have to pay?

I might watch short segments if it is sponsor supported, but This kind of content will not get me to sign up for Apple's service. Maybe Apple will actually make some great dramas in the future, this is just sophomoric stuff.

 

[mickhyperion]

Incredibly stupid

 

[RamsayBolton]

I'm just here to see all the bitter comments how putting more original content on Apple Music is a bad thing.

LOL

The bitter comments are more entertaining than watchbands, politically correct emoji, and -- vomit -- carpool karaoke. So much is for sure.

 

[AngerDanger]

Well what would give me "joy" is not having to see anymore Carpool Karoke articles on the main page anymore... except the one that says Apple has canceled it. Really, it's just a free ad for Apple. Make them pay up regular ad rates they want page one PR.

Have some joy: [GUIDE] Removing Unwanted Articles From Front Page

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Have some joy: [GUIDE] Removing Unwanted Articles From Front Page

Yes, just some joy: "You'll still see blocked articles on mobile browsers." But half a loaf is better than none. Thanks.

 

[Michael Scrip]

So many comments about "why is this here?" and "here's how you block it!"

Can't you just take the extra millisecond to scroll by the article and NOT click on it? Seems simple enough.

When you read a magazine... do you have to like 100% of the content?

 

[EdT]

Putting original content on Apple Music isn't a bad thing. This isn't original content. As bad as it is, at least Planet of the Apps is original content. This is an attempt to capitalize on a skit that, in small doses, was mildly entertaining. A skit that has seen it's 15 minutes of fame and is now putting on a leather jacket and a pair of water skis.

The season 5 premier is when Fonzie jumped the shark.

The show continued for another 6 years, so it wasn't even half way through it's run at this point. It ranked 3rd in ratings that week with a 50 plus share. http://www.newsday.com/entertainmen...the-series-ratings-were-fin-tastic-1.10576940

 

[iRobby]

I watched an episode of this for the 1st time last week on YouTube.

 

[69Mustang]

The season 5 premier is when Fonzie jumped the shark.

The show continued for another 6 years, so it wasn't even half way through it's run at this point. It ranked 3rd in ratings that week with a 50 plus share. http://www.newsday.com/entertainmen...the-series-ratings-were-fin-tastic-1.10576940

Jumping the shark has nothing to do with a show's longevity. That episode was when some said the quality of the show went down. It's when something has gone beyond relevance or quality. Carpool Karaoke has gone beyond both. Quality and ratings aren't synonymous.

 

[EdT]

Jumping the shark has nothing to do with a show's longevity. That episode was when some said the quality of the show went down. It's when something has gone beyond relevance or quality. Carpool Karaoke has gone beyond both. Quality and ratings aren't synonymous.

In my opinion, Happy Days was never a quality show, it was a popular show. Have you ever heard anyone reminisce about it? I'm sure there's a fan club somewhere but the show has mostly faded from view. It got good ratings, but hasn't held up over time. But ABC had no trouble selling commercial spots, which is all they cared about. what metric are we supposed to judge shows by if you don't use ratings, especially over an extended period of time? I didn't watch Happy Days (and I could have) and I won't watch Carpool Karaoke, but I'm not a typical tv viewer. The show will either find an audience or fail. Since it's not aimed at me I m not going to bad mouth it, it just isn't what I am interested in. I don't think my views and tastes should dictate what people choose to watch. If it's unpopular-which isn't the same as being bad- it won't last.