TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Fan Podcast

17/09/2025

Baz Luhrmann speaks to PEOPLE about his new film 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,' which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and uses unearthed footage of Presley's Las Vegas residency that began in 1969. It will win over even those who 'don’t like' the late Presley, Luhrmann says...

16/09/2025

Following the apparent roaring success of Baz Luhrmann's "EPiC" at the Toronto International Film Festival, Justin and Bec decided rather than merely recap reviews and discuss the hype (though there is a bit of that, too!), to look backwards toward the original 1970 and 1972 films "That's The Way It Is" and "Elvis On Tour," and the component elements that have made "EPiC" possible.

The duo ponder whether the voracious (and vocal) collector mindset that has taken over the fandom, demanding immediate access to every scrap of available content, has caused some fans to miss the narrative and artistic voices of the directors and creatives who sought to create genuinely artful and thematically resonant documentaries while capturing Elvis as a phenomenon and as an artist.

Going further - what to make of other fan-focused releases derived from the same components like "The Lost Performances" and "That's The Way It Is: Special Edition" that delivered on the promise of new footage but lost the sense of authorial voice and storytelling in favor of Colonel Parker's preferred, and more readily digestible, "personal appearance film" style?

Also... why is Baz Luhrmann on Justin's sh*tlist now?

For Song of the Week, Bec checks Girl Happy's ho-hum rock pastiche "I've Got To Find My Baby" off the list while Justin has "Words" with Elvis's cover of the Bee Gees' 1968 hit.

Following the apparent roaring success of Baz Luhrmann's "EPiC" at the Toronto International Film Festival, Justin and Bec decided rather than merely recap reviews and discuss the hype (though there is a bit of that, too!), to look backwards toward the original 1970 and 1972 films "That's The Way It...

13/09/2025

Rest in peace Edward Faulkner (Tickle Me as well as a bit part in G.I. Blues)! Though he passed in late August, it was only reported by the press just a couple days ago.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/edward-faulkner-dead-john-wayne-elvis-presley-films-1236365363/

(Thanks Darin E. for tipping us off)

09/09/2025

Our friends over at EAP Society going live with author Paul Sweeney, who attended the TIFF premiere of "EPiC" here in just a few minutes! Be sure to check it out:

Elvis Presley EPIC - Elvis Presley In Concert - MOVIE REVIEW and AFTER PARTY with info with Paul Sweeney at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)! TIF...

09/09/2025

Bec and Gurdip this week are setting themselves up for some fiery listener emails with their hottest takes yet as they pose the question: what are the biggest Elvis hits that they feel have become overrated?! (Or maybe just overexposed?)

For Song of the Week, it's an Elvis movie double feature as Gurdip sets his course and picks "Go East, Young Man" from 1965's "Harum Scarum" while Bec decides to head out to the World's Fair and selects the cutesy "How Would You Like to Be?"

Also discussed are last-minute teases by Baz Luhrmann that dropped just ahead of EPiC's Toronto premiere , including a new mash-up! This episode was recorded before the Toronto premiere and reviews began to release - check back for our reactions to all the excitement soon!

Bec and Gurdip this week are setting themselves up for some fiery listener emails with their hottest takes yet as they pose the question: what are the biggest Elvis hits that they feel have become overrated?! (Or maybe just overexposed?) For Song of the Week, it's an Elvis movie double feature as Gu...

07/09/2025

Been following and reading many of the initial reactions and reviews officially and across social media/Letterboxd today, but this one from Variety's Owen Gleiberman has been one of our favorites, especially these lines:

"Seven years ago, when “Bohemian Rhapsody” came out, I went back and watched a lot of footage of Queen in concert, because I wanted to key into Freddie Mercury, who is now universally thought of as one of the most electrifying performers in the history of rock. He deserves that reputation. But I’m here to testify that he’s about one-third as electrifying as Elvis was in the early ’70s."

We fans knew it was true, but it's nice to see that the film is evoking that in mainstream critics. A far cry from the shadow of pop culture's "fat Elvis in a jumpsuit" that was sadly still looming over TTWII's Special Edition back in 2001.

Luhrmann found boxes of never-before-seen concert footage in the archives, assembling it into a dazzling testament to Elvis's late-period greatness.

07/09/2025

The buzz out of the world premiere of EPiC is extremely positive! Here's the first official review from TheWrap:

(PS - yes, we've seen the videos all over TikTok/Twitter/IG so far - no need to send our way, we're on the lookout for them as well!)

TIFF 2025: The director's new film, which stands for "Elvis Presley in Concert," mixes live footage with rehearsals, backstage moments and Elvis' own voiceovers

05/09/2025

Baz Luhrman's interview with Deadline ahead of EPiC's premiere offers some of his thoughtful insights not just on the upcoming film, but the Elvis himself as well as Colonel Parker.

Why Baz Luhrmann Could Not Shake Elvis And Made TIFF Acquisition Documentary EPiC 'Elvis Presley In Concert

05/09/2025

Baz Luhrmann has now (via TikTok) confirmed the involvement of Peter Jackson's Park Road Post company helping out with the restoration for EPiC.

829 likes, 68 comments. “A little message on the road to Toronto - Grab your tickets to the world premiere here ➡️ https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1000630C02B25C0A”

05/09/2025

First reactions from TIFF premiere attendees should be coming in this weekend!

We’re one day away from the world premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert at TIFF 🎬✨ Get ready to experience the music, the man, and the moment like never before.

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1000630C02B25C0A

04/09/2025

John Heath joins Justin as they get any final thoughts they've had off their chests after having sat with Peter Guralnick's "The Colonel & The King" a bit longer, watching other fans' reactions start to stream in over the last month or so. Consider this a follow-up to both the TCBCast and EAP Society reviews, as well as John's excellent Atomic Wax breakdown (if you hadn't seen it - here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdxN0xeTT1o)

The guys also take a look at a number of things Peter has stated in public interviews surrounding the book's release and whether they stack up with what he writes in the book or go further.

For Song of the Week, John's got HIS mojo working as he walks us through the deep Memphis lore around "Got My Mojo Working" - the 1970 warm-up jam on an old blues number (perhaps most famously known from Muddy Waters but previously done by Ann Cole) which Elvis turned into a medley with Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann's R&B hit "Hands Off." Elvis's version surfaced with added overdubs on the Love Letters from Elvis album in '71 and the unedited version on "From Elvis in Nashville" remains a rocking treat.

Justin's Song of the Week is the underrated "Anyone (Could Fall in Love With You), written for inclusion in "Kissin' Cousins" but removed from the production - yet still left on the soundtrack album. However, its songwriters' most famous non-Elvis hit from the 1940s - which Elvis almost certainly knew - might inadvertently give us a small insight into Elvis's gentle, one might say even "Spot-y," vocal approach.

If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy. If you'd like to support us another way, please drop a positive review on your favorite podcast platform!

John Heath joins Justin as they get any final thoughts we've had off their chests after having sat with Peter Guralnick's "The Colonel & The King" a bit longer, watching other fans' reactions start to stream in over the last month or so. Consider this a follow-up to both the TCBCast and EAP Soci...

03/09/2025

Oh boy. The purists gonna riot - Baz Luhrmann has new mashups in the works! Dirty Dirty Feeling x Jailhouse Rock x Animal Instinct from what I can hear. Whew!

Thanks Kyle S. for tipping us off to this!

906 likes, 36 comments. “Thank you for all the ❤️! EPiC premieres this weekend, 6th of Sept at TIFF. Here’s a little taste of what’s to come!”