Fred Armisen to Host CNN Series Exploring Universal Music Group’s Archives
CNN and Universal Music Group (UMG) are collaborating on a new docuseries that will offer a behind-the-scenes look into UMG’s extensive music archives. Actor and comedian Fred Armisen will host the as-yet-untitled CNN Original Series, which is slated to premiere later this year.
The series promises to spotlight iconic artists within the UMG catalog, including Nirvana and Guns N’ Roses, among others. According to a press release, the series will provide “an unprecedented…look into Universal Music Group’s vaults, which form the world’s largest music archives.”
These archives are housed in a highly secure facility located 220 feet underground in a former limestone mine in Boyers, Pennsylvania, operated by Iron Mountain. The series intends to unearth “priceless artifacts, encompassing original recordings, master tapes, rare photos and performances, alternative album art and music videos,” many of which have not been previously released to the public.
At UMG’s “Music Is Universal” showcase, Armisen expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “I’m honored and I can’t wait to get started with this project. I want to move into that vault! I hope we get to dive in, deeper and deeper, into these recordings,” he reportedly said.
Armisen also revealed his dedication to collecting UMG’s boxed sets, stating, “And I also want to say that to Universal Music Group that whenever you put out boxed sets with the demos and everything on them, I buy all of it! For real, I buy the LPs and CDs, because I want both collections.”
The series will explore “pivotal moments in pop culture” and the stories of the artists and songwriters who have shaped music history, with Armisen serving as a “dynamic and knowledgeable host.”
Further details, including a specific premiere date, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
