Nostalgia is a powerful drug. But can it fuel an entire cable TV series? AXS TV seems to think so, betting that viewers will tune in to watch musicians rummage through dusty crates of vinyl. This week’s Vinyl Obsession pairs 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons with 80s pop princess Debbie Gibson for a trip down memory lane – or should I say, the aisles of The Record Parlour.
Will they unearth forgotten gems? Probably not. Will they wax poetic about the “warmth” of analog sound? Undoubtedly. The real question is, can this odd couple find enough common musical ground to fill a half-hour time slot? Timmons, known for his boy band ballads, and Gibson, the queen of teen pop anthems, seem an unlikely pairing. Their combined musical expertise might span the breadth of a shopping mall record store, circa 1992.
While Gibson’s forays into Broadway might inject a touch of showtune sophistication, the prospect of Timmons reminiscing about his Chippendales stint doesn’t exactly scream “audiophile credibility.” Still, there’s a certain train-wreck fascination in watching celebrities justify their questionable musical tastes. Will Timmons confess a secret love for polka? Will Gibson reveal a hidden stash of thrash metal LPs? One can only hope.
Vinyl Obsession airs Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 10:30 PM on AXS TV.
