by Corinne Bailey Rae
~ Hit singles and expensive TV shows ~
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip only lasted one season, in large part because the cast was really damn expensive. It’s still stands as one of the best seasons of prime time television in history. It was smart, and nuanced, and well-written, and well-acted, and not afraid to tackle thorny issues with maturity and class. It’s probably no wonder it didn’t survive in the era of Fear Factor & Who Wants to Date My Mother.
The show takes place at a fictional late night TV show similar to Saturday Night Live and as great as the show was, the “musical guests” were just as excellent. Gwen Stefani is only referenced in passing, but Sting appears on stage rehearsing with a lute, and Gran Bel Fisher also perform a track on the show (which might just show up here one day).
Corinne Bailey Rae got two songs on the show, which was “hosted” by Howie Mandel that night in a blatant network tie in to Deal or No Deal. This one was her ‘other’ song that was not the radio hit, but is actually a better tune. It fits well in jazz, pop, or R&B playlists, and really showcases her vocals well.