EIN has often said that Elvis has become an integral part of our socio-cultural fabric. His name, image or likeness appears regularly in our daily lives in our conversations, in movies, in newspapers and magazines, as part of television and radio commercials and on television. Many fans may not realise that Elvis has been the narrative theme or secondary device for many television programs.
To date there have been few serious examinations of Elvis themes on television and most listings of Elvis on television have focused on US programming. What follows is arguably the most comprehensive listing of Elvis themes, reference points and motifs on the small screen, taking in programs from the US, UK, Europe and Australia.
This article does not cover Elvis’s own appearances on television – these are comprehensively covered in many other published works.
| Science Fiction Genre |
Parallax – Children’s program made in Australia and originally released in 2004. In the episode ‘Achey Breaky Heart’, a white jumpsuited Elvis (with silver hair!) has a prominent role as the headline act at a school rock ‘n’ roll dance. Whoever did the Elvis singing wasn’t half bad and it was good to see school kids dancing to and enjoying an Elvis act.
Quantum Leap – this science fiction show premiered in 1989 and enjoyed a prime time run until 1994. Starring Scott Bakula as Dr Sam Beckett and Dean Stockwell as his ever present comrade, Al Calavicci, the show was a 1990s equivalent of the 1960s cult classic Time Tunnel, albeit with a twist – the lead character travels through time and at each stop he inhabits the body and mind of a storyline character. In an episode called ‘Memphis Melody’ Sam inhabits the body of Elvis in July 1954. two days before he is signed by Sam Phillips. Sam’s goal is to ensure Elvis gets the contract and also that another aspiring singer, Sue Anne Winters, gets her chance at stardom. The episode was entertaining and showed Elvis in a positive light. Available on DVD from Amazon
Sliders – this science fiction show involved travel between parallel (Earth) worlds. Starring teen heartthrob, Jerry O’Connell as Quinn Mallory, Sliders was a fun show that raised interesting ideas about what might happen if you introduce ideas from one reality to another.
In the 1st episode of ‘Sliders’, the main character pulls up suddenly at a huge billboard. He gets out of the car and stares up at a very large picture of Elvis, in a Tuxedo. It is advertising Elvis’ latest show in Las Vegas.
In a 1995 season one episode, The King Is Back, Mallory and his companion, Rembrandt “Crying Man” Brown (Cleavant Derricks), arrive in a world where Rembrandt’s exact double is as popular as Elvis – but he’s been dead for eight years! Not surprisingly, Rembrandt’s appearance creates chaos. An interesting play on the Elvis is alive theme, made more interesting as the King in this story is an African-American. Available on DVD from Amazon
The Twilight Zone – One of the most popular science fiction shows ever made, The Twilight Zone enjoyed two prime time runs (1959-64 and new episodes made in 1985-86). Created by Rod Serling, it featured stories from the fifth dimension – imaginative fantasy stories depicting the diverse array of human hopes, desires, strengths, weaknesses, fears, prides and prejudices in ways never before done on commercial television. Apart from featuring many soon-to-be famous actors, The Twilight Zone boasted a fine group of story writers. In the opening episode to the 1986 series, Jeff Yagher played an Elvis impersonator transported back in time to 1954 where he meets the real Elvis preparing for an historic audition. A fight over Elvis’ music ensues and the real Elvis is killed, leaving the impersonator to assume the King’s mantle. The episode was aptly called “The Once and Future King”. Available on DVD from Amazon
The X-Files – It’s a clear case of “when your partner’s away, the Agent will play” in the X-Files episode “Never Again.” Mulder, forced to take some accrued vacation time, goes to Graceland for an Elvis experience while his partner Scully gets a tattoo.
In August 2005 this article was expanded to include feature films with an Elvis theme.
| Supernatural/Horror Genre |
Eerie, Indiana – another short-lived US TV show from 1991-92. This series had a supernatural theme and while odd, was quite an interesting comedy-drama. The central character was 13 year old Marshall Teller (Omri Katz of ‘Dallas’ fame) who decided his new home town was indeed eerie. Full of oddball characters and events the series included Elvis coming out of his suburban home in the morning to collect the daily paper. The scene formed part of the opening titles, and the inclusion of Elvis, complete with sunglasses, bathrobe and cadillac in the drive, symbolised the Elvis is alive/FBI conspiracy theme.Available on DVD from Amazon
Freddy’s Nightmares – the TV adaptation of the Nightmare on Elm Street character, Freddy Kruger, included an episode called Heartbreak Hotel. The storyline revolved around an Elvis sighting in the sleepy town of Springwood. Clever lines punctuated the show (“Nope, left this morning to do a concert with John Lennon”) which includes a dead Elvis with snarled upper lip and blue jumpsuit.
Nightmares & Dreamscapes – From The Stories of Stephen King – Horror maestro Stephen’s King book of the same name was turned into a shortlived TV series in 2006. The episode “You Know They Got A Hell Of A Band” features Joe Sagal as Elvis, the Mayor of Oregon. Available on DVD from Amazon
| Dramas/Action Adventure |
Civil Wars – this early 1990s US legal drama had as the major storyline in its pilot episode, a man, who on becoming an Elvis impersonator, faces divorce. In one sequence: Charlie: “He’s back.” Sydney: “Who’s back?” Charlie: “Elvis..Who do you think?” The show starred actress Mariel Hemingway.
Crossing Jordan: In a 2002 episode, Miracles & Wonders, we were treated to a clever plot involving not only the “Elvis faked his death” theory but also the much written about similarities between Elvis and Jesus Christ (in this episode Saint Francis of Assisi). In particular the power of Elvis as “healer” is nicely explored in the storyline. The story begins as Elvis tribute artist, Walter Aaron Gulick (remember Kid Galahad), turns up dead at the morgue, and suspicions are raised when it is revealed the deceased shared the same time, date and place of birth as Elvis. In addition, the deceased has had his fingerprints surgically removed! Featured throughout the episode are several Elvis songs (Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender and Are You Lonesome Tonight?) and there is a great exchange between two of the show’s regular stars:
Nigel: “The lynchpin of my entire belief system is based on the fact that Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977.”
Bug: “You’re all shook up about this, aren’t you.
Digimon Adventure – The character, Etemon, in this anime series is a parody of Elvis. He is given to saying “Thank you, thank you very much”; “Uh huh”; and “I’m the King”.
E Street – popular Australian drama series that saw 404 episodes telecast from 1989 to the mid 1990s. One of the central characters, publican Ernie Patchett (Vic Rooney), was a big Elvis fan and in one episode he and his bride (Chelsea Brown) were married by an Elvis impersonator.
Johnny Bago – this shortlived quirky, comedy-drama aired in 1993. The theme was similar to The Fugitive. In one episode,’Spotting Elvis’, a gun-happy Elvis with pink cadillac appears within an eco-political storyline. Ripe with references to his “disappearance”, Elvis tells the lead character, Johnny, “I just wanted to eat, I lost it!”. The Elvis character is portrayed sympathetically as vulnerable and Johnny works to repair his low self-esteem.
L.A. Law – one episode of the popular legal drama series centred around a defendant trying to have a real estate contract made void because the house he bought is haunted. The defendant claims that while the ghost does not rattle chains, he sings and the voice is that of the King!
Las Vegas – Catching a glimpse of Elvis in this popular TV show is not unusual. Colorfully attired ETAs often appear in the background in the casino and several episodes have involved an Elvis sub-plot. In the show’s 4th season one episode featured a travelling Elvis exhibit. Available on DVD from Amazon
The Miraculous Mellops: Litle known children’s adventure series from the early 1990s. TV.com lists it as having an episode featuring Elvis impersonators.
Renegade – An Elvis theme was featured in the 3rd season (1994) of Lorenzo Lamas’ ‘bounty hunter’ hit show. In the episode “The King and I” Reno gets into a bar fight where a polite stranger helps him out. Before Reno can say thanks the stranger drives away in an old pick-up (the tags say “KING”). A young woman watching it all (she turns out to be a tabloid reporter) then crosses horns with Reno in her attempt to get the “scoop”: Is Elvis really alive and well? Available on DVD from Amazon
Walker, Texas Ranger – one episode of Chuck Norris’ highly successful TV series involved a storyline involving an Elvis impersonators contest.
And we’ve saved the best (drama) for last:
Elvis – this critically acclaimed, but ratings devoid half-hour show faithfully recreated Elvis’ early years (before signing with Sun Records). Starring Michael St. Gerard as Elvis, the 10 episode program was co-produced by Priscilla Presley and aired originally between February and May 1990 in the US. While it was not successful in finding a large audience, the critics loved it and it had the distinction of being the first TV show to tell the true story of a real-life superstar.
The episodes focussed on ‘vignettes’ from Elvis’ life in 1954-55 before he became famous. While ‘Elvis’ was very authentic with the Memphis period carefully recreated, many viewers found it too slow as it lacked the glitz and drama fans were most familar with in the Elvis story. For trivia buffs, one of Elvis’s co-stars in Wild In The Country, Millie Perkins, played Gladys Presley in ‘Elvis’. Overdue for DVD release!
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Elvis came to be A Gift to the Human Race, A blessing,A Bell Sheep
A comforter,A miracle in someone’s Life,His Voice Had Biblical Power From GOD Himself,Almost Christ Like, In His Genous Heart That He Had, He Emptied Out all That He Could Give Us,I Miss My Brother,He Helped Me Thought Out My Life.
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