EXCLUSIVE: Stevie Van Zandt, a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, has had a long association with television, starring as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos and leading Netflix’s Lilyhammer.
The musician and actor is now looking to merge the two with a music television format, The Jam.
Van Zandt has teamed up with Apploff Entertainment, the company behind Fox game shows Don’t Forget The Lyrics and We Are Family, to develop the project.
A weekly live-to-tape event, the series is inspired by classic series such as American Bandstand and Soul Train as well as MTV Unplugged. It will bring together global pop stars and new artists with performances, story packages and interviews.
It is the latest music format for Jeff Apploff’s company; in addition to Don’t Forget The Lyrics, the company is behind Fox’s Beat Shazam. Elsewhere, it produces CBS’ Lotería Loca and NBC’s The Wheel.
Van Zandt and Apploff will exec produce the series.
“It’s been too long since there’s been a dance party with live bands on. We’ll be that plus a presentation of whatever is coolest in the news, products, and culture that week. The weekend starts here,” said Van Zandt.
“From rock to rap, K-pop to hip hop and indie to Hindi, The Jam is the ultimate ticket to the most sizzling acts around the world, introducing viewers to all the artists our social-media algorithm isn’t showing us,” added Apploff. “More than just a TV show, it’s a celebration of innovation, diversity and the unlimited ways music can unite generations of enthusiasts across space and time.”