PARAMOUNT+ ANNOUNCES "REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK" TO PREMIERE AUGUST 15
New Documentary Tells the Riveting Story of Elvis Presley, Legendary Director Steve Binder and the Creation of the 1968 Comeback Special
June 29, 2023 – Paramount+ today announced that the new feature-length documentary REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK will premiere exclusively on the service Tuesday, August 15 in the U.S. and Canada and internationally on Wednesday, August 16 in the U.K., Latin America, Brazil, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Premiering days before the anniversary of Presley’s death, REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK reveals what really happened behind the scenes of this mesmerizing hour of television. When it aired on the night of Dec. 3, 1968, the special became the most-watched television event of the year, and nearly half of the entire TV-watching audience tuned in to see Elvis Presley, clad in an iconic black leather suit, deliver some of the greatest performances of his life, reinvigorating his career and changing the pop-culture landscape forever.
Told from the unique perspective of Emmy® Award-winning television director Steve Binder, REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK features interviews with Elvis experts and recollections from those who attended the special in-person, as well as all-new versions of iconic Elvis hits interpreted by contemporary musicians, including superstar Darius Rucker, Latin GRAMMY® winner Maffio and America’s Got Talent finalist Drake Milligan, who previously starred in CMT’s hit series Sun Records, also streaming on Paramount+.
Prior to its streaming debut, REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK SPECIAL will also screen for a limited time in hundreds of movie theaters worldwide with more details to be announced soon.
“The world is filled with stories about Elvis and his historic 1968 Comeback Special, but no one has ever told this story the way only I can tell it — because I was there for every moment of it,” said Binder. “I’m so proud of this film, because it presents Elvis as he really was, and looks at a specific moment in time — when Elvis took control of his life, his career and his legacy. There’s never been a television moment quite like this one.”
“The 1960s was a decade marked by profound change,” said documentary director John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Who is Harry Nilsson …?, What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears). “No one was immune, including the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who had been driven from his throne by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and a host of younger, more vital artists. Against this provocative backdrop, Elvis and Steve Binder came together to create something extraordinary. It’s an amazing story, one that I’m honored to have been chosen to tell.”
“Steve Binder is one of the most innovative creators in entertainment,” said film producer Spencer Proffer. “To make electrifying paradigm shifts in television, Steve broke molds with his incredible vision. I'm proud to continue my decades-long association with Steve by creating this cinematic documentary, which does more than illuminate an hour of television — it also reveals an incredible buddy story between a pop-culture icon at a pivotal moment and a director who took risks and made history in the process."
REINVENTING ELVIS: THE ’68 COMEBACK is produced by Spencer Proffer’s Meteor 17 (The Day The Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’). Steve Binder and Bruce Gillmer are executive producers.
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About Paramount+
Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and a Mountain of Entertainment™. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME content including scripted hits, critically acclaimed nonfiction projects, SHOWTIME SPORTS® (including industry-leading SHOWTIME Boxing) and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf to basketball and more, plus streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.
For more information about Paramount+, please visit
www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.
About Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios
Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios is one of the preeminent media entities in the world that connects with global audiences through its nine iconic brands – MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Pop, Logo, The Smithsonian Channel, Paramount Network and TV Land – and its Studios arm which produces acclaimed series and movies as well as award-winning documentaries through MTV Documentary Films.
About Spencer Proffer and Meteor 17
Spencer Proffer is a highly regarded and innovative music, media producer, cinematic storyteller, and strategist with a long history of connecting with audiences. His productions and those he has been integrally involved with have garnered Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards and nominations. As a music producer, Proffer has sold millions of gold and platinum records. He has expanded his pedigree by architecting and executing original content for music documentaries, music anchored feature films, brands and distribution companies, to get their message across, utilizing music as an organic component. Proffer strives to make a difference in pop culture with projects that have meaning for people's lives, while entertaining them.
Meteor 17 is headquartered in Los Angeles. This convergence and production venture is producing and is developing an ambitious slate of projects across music, TV, film, documentaries, internet, live event, and other platforms, integrating music and brand marketing as organic components. M17 is a full-service organization that actively participates from conception and architecture through all phases of deal making, production, marketing and distribution. Meteor 17’s activities are highlighted on
www.meteor17.com.
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Originally published: June 30, 2023.
