Elton John to team with ABC on rock-star sitcom

Elton John is making his first foray into series television by developing an ABC comedy about an aging rock superstar and the people around him, Daily Variety reported in its Thursday edition. The flamboyant musician told the Hollywood trade paper that the as-yet-untitled show would not be based on himself but rather a mix of other fellow pop icons like Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, and David Bowie. "It's not about me but about everybody we've encountered over the past 30 years," Variety quoted him as saying. "We've met every star and seen every misbehavior. And it's about the people around the star, who have to put up with them. It's an upmarket Spinal Tap." Variety said John's longtime business manager, Bob Halley, came up with the basic concept about three years ago, and his boss warmed to the idea. Songwriter Bruce Roberts, producer Michael Edelstein, and Sex and the City screenwriter Cindy Chupack eventually entered the mix. A full history is being developed for the rock star character--including music spanning the '70s, '80s, '90s, and today. John has already written a song for the project, "Him and Us," which will appear on his 43rd album, Peachtree Road, due in stores Tuesday. John, 57, as well-known for his luxury lifestyle and temper tantrums as for a 35-year string of hits, earlier this year kicked off a Las Vegas revue that will run periodically for three years.