Storytellers
By Sierra Filucci,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tales behind the tunes are tailored to true fans.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
Music fans find a dream come true in the anthology series STORYTELLERS, in which top pop musicians perform and discuss the stories behind their songs. Bands like the Dixie Chicks, Coldplay, and Pearl Jam open up to adoring audiences, sharing the details and histories that enrich their music. Hearing musicians speak about their music gives viewers a different perspective on the performers; a glimpse behind the famous facades. Some musicians are charming, some inarticulate, some inspiring. Learning about the grandmother with Alzheimer's who inspired a Dixie Chicks song or watching Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa interact onstage, for example, gives viewers a more personal connection to the performers.
Is It Any Good?
The musicians' stories seem unrehearsed, which gives the show a refreshingly unpolished quality. But this can sometimes backfire, resulting in unfocused ramblings or incomplete thoughts. For viewers without a strong affinity for the featured performers, Storytellers can be downright dull.
While editing plays an important part in individual episodes' success, some seem picked dry of juicy details. For instance, in the Dixie Chicks installment, the Chicks spoke only vaguely about the controversy surrounding their political comments when they introduced their song "Not Ready to Make Nice." Perhaps the live performance included more detail about this major episode in their career history, but viewers were left wondering. Dedicated fans can look for additional footage on the VH1 Web site.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about favorite songs. What makes a song appealing to parents and kids? Kids, do you know the story behind your favorite songs? Has anyone in your family ever been surprised by the history of a song you enjoy? What life event would you like to write a song about?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 20, 1996
- Network: VH1
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
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