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Adele One Night Only
Adele One Night Only
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Adele One Night Only
A blonde woman with green eyes. Below her is the blue text "Adele One Night Only"
Promotional poster for the show
Written by
  • Lauren Greenberg
  • David Young
Directed byPaul Dugdale
Presented byOprah Winfrey
StarringAdele
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Ben Winston
  • Adele Adkins
  • Jonathan Dickins
  • Raj Kapoor
  • Tara Montgomery
  • Terry Wood[1]
Production locationGriffith Observatory[2]
Running time88 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
Release14 November 2021 (2021-11-14)

Adele One Night Only is a television special by English singer Adele. The 88-minute program aired on CBS, and simulcast on Paramount+, on 14 November 2021. It features Adele's performances of previously unreleased songs from her fourth studio album, 30 (2021), as well as material from her previous albums, interspersed with an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The special drew favourable reviews from critics, who praised Adele's voice and performing skills and the choice of the Griffith Observatory as the venue, but some criticised the interview segment. It became the most-viewed entertainment special in the United States since Oprah with Meghan and Harry (2021). The special won five awards from five nominations at the 74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, a Directors Guild of America Award, and it earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Music Film at the 65th ceremony.

Background

[edit]

On 13 October 2021, Adele announced that her fourth studio album, 30, would be released on 19 November 2021. On the day following the announcement, "Easy on Me" was released as the lead single from the album.[3] About the prospect of touring in support of 30, she stated: "This album? No, probably not. I'd love to. I was actually desperate to tour, which for me is wild because I don't like touring. [...] It doesn't sit right with me putting an album out this year and then touring it in 2023."[4]

On 18 October, Adele announced that she would star in a television special for CBS, titled Adele One Night Only, which would be filmed during her show in Los Angeles on 14 November and broadcast live on Paramount+. It would feature an interview with Oprah Winfrey and the premiere of unreleased songs from the album.[5][6] A trailer for the special was aired on 10 November, which featured her performing for an audience including Lizzo, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union. Adele described it: "It will look really elegant, then I'll tell a load of filthy jokes and stand-up. It will be real whip lash for 'em." Regarding her decision to be part of the special, Winfrey stated that "nobody's more compelling with truth than Adele" and went on to promise viewers a "very special night".[7][8]

Synopsis

[edit]

The special was divided into two parts: a live concert filmed at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and Adele's interview with Winfrey at the latter's home in Montecito, California. Afront a sunset and a view of the Hollywood Hills, Adele opened her show with a performance of "Hello" (2015). The camera frequently cut to celebrities in attendance, whom Adele described as "a mix of close friends and complete strangers".[9] She was dressed in a long and tight-fitting black outfit and dangly earrings. Adele frequently engaged in banter and interacted with the audience, occasionally using profanity which was censored using a three-second delay.[10] The show also included a male attendee proposing to his partner of seven years. Adele explained this to the audience and instructed them to be quiet, as the man walked the blindfolded woman to the front and tearfully proposed to her, after which Adele segued into a performance of "Make You Feel My Love". Adele also performed the then-unreleased tracks "I Drink Wine", "Hold On", and "Love Is a Game", along with the first performance of "Easy on Me".[11]

The interview was filmed in a garden reminiscent of the one where Winfrey had interviewed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex earlier in the year.[10][12] During this segment, Adele was asked about her upbringing, weight loss, as well as the current status of her love life.[9] She was clad in a white pantsuit, which was originally a skirt suit that Adele asked to be altered. Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times, who thought a white pantsuit was "the single garment most associated with women's liberation and empowerment on the public stage", interpreted this outfit as a political message.[13] Adele discussed her relationship with her estranged father, how it was important for her to heal her relationship with him before he died, the moment she knew her marriage was over, her relationship with Rich Paul, and other personal topics.[14][15]

Reception

[edit]

Ratings

[edit]

In the United States, the special drew 9.92 million viewers and a 1.5 rating in the adult age 18-49 demographic. Its Live+same day count added a viewership of 1.3 million, surpassing the 93rd Academy Awards in April 2021, and making it the most-viewed entertainment special since CBS's Oprah with Meghan and Harry (2021).[16] The viewership for the special's global broadcasts included 2.004 million from Canada,[17] 797.000 from the Netherlands,[18] 747.000 from Australia,[19] 738.000 from Spain,[20] 568.000 from France,[21] 140.387 from Hungary,[22] and 20.000 from Switzerland.[23]

Critical response

[edit]
Adele One Night Only
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic69/100[24]
Review scores
SourceRating
The TelegraphStarStarStar[25]

Adele One Night Only received rave reviews according to Variety's Cynthia Littleton.[12] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the special has an average score of 69 out of 100, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" based on five reviews.[24] Caroline Framke of Variety believed that though the views of the observatory were stunning, their impact was greatly enhanced by Adele's vocal performance: "She reminded the world why she's become such an icon, in a purer sense of the word than corporate Twitter accounts now use it. No amount of talking through or around her trials or process could quite equal the emotional punch of a clear-eyed Adele simply singing about it all".[26] Writing for Vulture, Jen Chaney thought it occupied a "rarefied air" due to its massive production value, but Adele's voice and performing ability powered through it and reminded listeners why they missed her.[27] Mary Siroky of Consequence believed the event was "gorgeously staged", and she was positive about the performances: "From the first notes of 'Hello,' it became very clear: Adele is not here to play".[9]

Los Angeles Times's Lorraine Ali described the interview as "uneventful and distinctly nonrevealing", but she was positive about the proposal during the show and thought Adele's interaction with her son onstage displayed the most vulnerability.[28] Ed Power of The Telegraph shared a similar opinion, and wrote that she was "an enigma who refused to be unlocked" and held back during the interview, but he praised the performances and the observatory as the location of choice.[25] Writing for The A.V. Club, Lily Moayeri believed the constant switching between the interview and performance demanded "too much of a mood swing from viewers", but she appreciated Adele's charisma and the musical segment.[10]

Set list

[edit]

Broadcasting

[edit]
Original airing date of Adele One Night Only by country
Country Broadcaster(s) Première Alternative name Viewership Ref(s)
United States CBS 14 November 2021 11.700.000 [29][16]
Paramount+
Canada Global 2.004.000 [30][17]
Australia Seven Network 21 November 2021 747.000 [31][19]
China KuGou TME Live [32]
Denmark TV 2 Charlie Adele Live Fra Los Angeles [33]
Greece Alpha TV [34]
Hong Kong Now Studio [35]
Indonesia Vidio [36]
Philippines Discovery+ [37]
Poland Polsat Box Go [38]
Singapore meWATCH [39]
Slovakia TV Doma [40]
Vietnam Galaxy Play [41]
New Zealand TVNZ 2 22 November 2021 [42][43]
Netherlands NPO 3 (NTR) 23 November 2021 797.000 [44][18]
Mexico Canal 5 26 November 2021 [45]
Norway NRK1 En Kveld Med Adele [46]
Belgium
Flanders
Eén 27 November 2021 Adele - One Night Only Met Oprah Winfrey [47]
Spain La 1 Una Noche Con Adele 738.000 [48][20]
 Switzerland SRF zwei 28 November 2021 20.000 [49][23]
South Korea Wavve 30 November 2021 원데이 위드 아델 [50]
MBC TV [51]
Belgium
Wallonia
Tipik 3 December 2021 [52]
France TMC One Night with Adele: Le Concert Événement 568.000 [53][21]
Monaco
Germany Das Erste (MDR)[a] 4 December 2021 Ein Abend mit Adele [54]
Hungary RTL Klub Adele - Az Interjú 140.387 [22]
Philippines Myx [55]
Russia Channel One 18 December 2021 Вечер с Адель [56]
Portugal RTP2 Adele - Uma Noite Única [57]
India SonyLIV 24 December 2021 [58]
Faroe Islands KvF 6 August 2022 Adele Live úr Los Angeles [59]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ MDR, the regional channel of ARD in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, broadcast the show on its own channel on 18 December 2021.[53]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
List of awards, showing date of ceremony, category, recipient(s), and results
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Directors Guild of America Awards 12 March 2022 Outstanding Directing – Variety Specials Paul Dugdale Won [60]
[61]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards 3 September 2022 Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) Ben Winston, Adele Adkins, Jonathan Dickins, Raj Kapoor,
Tara Montgomery and Terry Wood (executive producers); Rob Paine (co-executive producer)
Won [62]
[63]
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special Paul Dugdale Won
Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special Noah Mitz, Bryan Klunder, Patrick Boozer, Patrick Brazil
and Matthew Cotter
Won
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special Paul Wittman, Tom Elmhirst, Eric Schilling, Josh Morton,
Kristian Pedregon, Shane O'Connor and Christian Schrader
Won
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special Michael Anderson, Dan Winterburn, Danny Webb, Rob Palmer,
David Eastwood, Vincent Foeillet, Allen Merriweather, Bruce Green,
Robert Del Russo, Brian Lataille, Keith Dicker, Patrick Gleason,
Danny Bonilla, Rob Vuona, Dave Rudd, Keyan Safyari,
Freddy Frederick, Gabriel De La Perna, Jofre Rosero,
David Carline, Kosta Krstic, Terrance Ho and Joey Lopez
Won
Grammy Awards 5 February 2023 Best Music Film Adele (artist); Paul Dugdale (video director);
Raj Kapoor and Ben Winston (video producers)
Nominated [64]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Adele: One Night Only is a two-hour featuring English singer , which premiered on on November 14, 2021, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET, and was also streamed live and on demand via Paramount+. The program combines a pre-recorded concert performance at the in , where performed a selection of her chart-topping hits alongside debut songs from her fourth studio album, , with an in-depth interview conducted by discussing her personal life, divorce, weight loss journey, and experiences as a mother. Produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, Onward Productions, and , the special marked Adele's first major public appearance in six years and served as a promotional vehicle for 30, released the following day. The event drew significant viewership, attracting 9.92 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched entertainment special on broadcast television since the 2021 . Critically acclaimed for its intimate production and emotional depth, Adele: One Night Only earned five in 2022, including Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special. Directed by Paul Dugdale and executive produced by , Adele, and others, the special highlighted themes of resilience and reinvention central to Adele's career resurgence.

Development and Production

Announcement and Background

On October 18, 2021, Adele announced via her accounts that she would star in a titled Adele One Night Only, which was simultaneously detailed in an official press release from the network. The special was positioned as a promotional event for her fourth studio album, 30, scheduled for release on November 19, 2021, and marked her return to music after a six-year hiatus since her previous album, 25, in 2015. The album 30 drew inspiration from Adele's changes, including her from Simon Konecki, finalized earlier that year, which she described as a period of profound emotional upheaval influencing her songwriting. This special served as a high-profile platform to preview material from the album, blending intimate conversation with live performances to reconnect with fans amid her artistic evolution. Key figures involved included executive producer , a longtime collaborator known for producing music specials, and as the host for the interview segment, both announced at the outset to emphasize the event's prestige. The one-time event was set to be filmed at the in , an iconic venue selected for its scenic backdrop overlooking the city.

Filming and Direction

The filming of Adele: One Night Only took place on October 24, 2021, at the in , , configured as an intimate one-night event for a small of approximately 300 guests to create a personal atmosphere amid the venue's historic architecture. The production faced logistical challenges from a forecasted rainstorm, prompting a last-minute rescheduling from the original October 25 date, which required notifying all attendees and completing setup in just 48 hours. Directed by Paul Dugdale, a longtime collaborator of Adele, the special featured associate director Hayley Collett overseeing on-site coordination, while executive producer led the effort through his company , in association with Adele's Onward Productions and Oprah Winfrey's . The two-hour runtime integrated concert footage from the observatory with interview segments filmed separately at Winfrey's Montecito home, blending the two through seamless editing to maintain narrative flow. Technical elements emphasized the observatory's grandeur, with lighting designer Noah Mitz and lighting director Bryan Klunder employing 40 IP65-rated Ayrton Perseo fixtures to illuminate the structure's features and enhance the evening ambiance without overpowering the performances. Aerial drone shots, captured by Gabe de la Parra under Dugdale's direction, provided sweeping views of the skyline, including the , to frame the event's cinematic scope. A standout moment involved a surprise during the live filming, where audience member Brunson proposed to his unaware partner Ashleigh Mann after being selected by producers through local media advertisements for couples planning engagements; Adele herself had no prior knowledge of the event, allowing for an authentic on-stage reaction that was captured in real time. Coordinating this element added complexity, as producers revealed the plan to Brunson only the day before while keeping Mann and Adele in the dark to preserve spontaneity.

Content

Interview Segment

The interview segment of Adele One Night Only featured a candid conversation between and , filmed at Winfrey's , home in the rose garden under an archway, as part of a two-hour CBS primetime special aired on November 14, 2021. This segment tied into the promotion of Adele's album , serving as an intimate prelude to the subsequent concert performance, with the original interview pared down from a longer cut to fit the broadcast format. Winfrey prepared extensively by immersing herself in Adele's discography, creating an atmosphere of authenticity and emotional depth. The discussion centered on Adele's personal evolution following her 2019 divorce from Simon Konecki, emphasizing themes of motherhood to their son , her extended career hiatus, and recovery from vocal cord in that prompted a four-year break from music. Adele shared reflections on therapy's role in fostering and processing fame's isolating effects, recounting how sessions helped her navigate and rebuild emotional resilience. Specific anecdotes included her 100-pound , undertaken primarily to manage anxiety rather than for aesthetic reasons, and her amicable co-parenting arrangement with Konecki, noting they live nearby to prioritize 's stability despite the marriage's end. Emotionally charged moments underscored the interview's raw tone, particularly Adele's tears while discussing Angelo's influence on 30's creation and her fears of how the divorce might affect him, describing the album as a therapeutic outlet for her pain. Winfrey played a pivotal role as interviewer, posing probing questions about Adele's openness in 30, such as the courage required to expose personal turmoil publicly, which elicited reflections on self-acceptance and growth. The segment transitioned seamlessly to the concert through pre-recorded clips, bridging Adele's introspective revelations with her live performance at the Griffith Observatory.

Concert Segment

The concert portion of Adele One Night Only was staged outdoors at the in , creating an intimate yet grand atmosphere under the evening stars with the iconic building and as a backdrop. The setup featured a curved white stage positioned in front of the observatory, accommodating a full and band to accompany Adele's performances, blending stripped-down arrangements with fuller ensemble renditions that highlighted her and emotional depth. Adele performed in a curve-hugging , delivering songs with a focus on raw vocal prowess and heartfelt storytelling, alternating between piano-led intimacy and orchestral swells to evoke a sense of and triumph. The live , consisting of celebrities and invited guests seated in an open-air arrangement, responded with visible emotion, including tears and applause, enhancing the celebratory yet personal vibe of the filming on , 2021. A pivotal moment came with the live debut of "," the lead single from her album 30, which seamlessly integrated with reimagined versions of her earlier hits to bridge her past and present work. The staging incorporated dynamic aerial drone shots capturing the skyline and observatory lights, adding a cinematic grandeur to the proceedings. Another highlight occurred when paused the performance to facilitate a surprise from attendee Brunson to his partner Mann, momentarily shifting the focus to the couple amid the crowd's cheers. The musical performances occupied roughly half of the 88-minute special's runtime, providing a substantial showcase for Adele's return to live after a six-year hiatus.

The segment of Adele One Night Only featured a 10-song blending Adele's past hits with previews from her then-upcoming album 30, performed in a live setting at the . The performance order as aired included orchestral arrangements for ballads to emphasize emotional depth, while upbeat tracks incorporated fuller band energy with percussion and backing vocals. Three tracks from 30—"I Drink Wine," "Hold On," and "Love Is a Game"—received their world premieres during the special. The full set list, in order, was:
  1. "Hello" (from 25, 2015)
  2. "Easy on Me" (from 30, 2021; lead single released prior to the special)
  3. "Skyfall" (from the Skyfall soundtrack, 2012)
  4. "I Drink Wine" (from 30, 2021; world premiere) – orchestral ballad arrangement
  5. "Someone Like You" (from 21, 2011)
  6. "When We Were Young" (from 25, 2015) – orchestral version
  7. "Make You Feel My Love" (Bob Dylan cover, from 19, 2008) – intimate piano-led rendition with strings
  8. "Hold On" (from 30, 2021; world premiere)
  9. "Rolling in the Deep" (from 21, 2011) – upbeat with band emphasis
  10. "Love Is a Game" (from 30, 2021; world premiere) – closing orchestral ballad
No medleys were performed, with smooth transitions between songs facilitated by the live band's orchestration.

Broadcast and Release

United States Premiere

"Adele: One Night Only" premiered in the on on November 14, 2021, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, with a available on Paramount+. The two-hour special served as a key promotional event for Adele's fourth studio , 30, set for release the following week on November 19, 2021, building anticipation after the "" debuted on October 15, 2021. The broadcast drew strong initial viewership, attracting 9.92 million viewers in live + same-day measurements and earning a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielsen data. Including delayed viewing through Live+3 measurements, the total audience reached 11.7 million, marking it as one of the most-watched entertainment specials of the year. Following the airing, the special generated significant post-premiere buzz on , where it trended as the top topic for five consecutive hours and amassed over 7 billion potential impressions across platforms. More than 1.2 billion minutes of content related to were consumed in the first day, with fans and celebrities sharing reactions to Adele's performances and interview. The full special became immediately available for on-demand streaming on Paramount+, extending its reach beyond the live telecast.

International Distribution

In Canada, Adele One Night Only aired simultaneously with the U.S. premiere on November 14, 2021, via Global TV at 8:30 p.m. ET, drawing over 2 million viewers in the 2+ demographic, marking it as the most-watched television event of the week. The special was broadcast in the Netherlands on NPO 3 on November 23, 2021, achieving viewership of 797,000. In , it premiered on the Seven Network on November 21, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., with live and on-demand streaming available via . Following its U.S. launch, the program was distributed internationally through local broadcasters across and on varying dates, often delayed to align with regional schedules. Additionally, it became available for global streaming on Paramount+ in supported markets, including and select Latin American countries at the time, with expansions to . Some international versions featured minor edits to accommodate zones, broadcast durations, or content ratings, ensuring broader while preserving the core and elements.

Reception

Viewership Ratings

In the United States, "Adele: One Night Only" drew 9.92 million live viewers during its premiere on November 14, 2021, marking the network's most-watched entertainment special of the year to that point and earning a 1.5 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic, per Nielsen measurements. Including three days of delayed viewing (Live+3), the total audience grew to 11.7 million, surpassing the 2021 ' viewership in the same metric and outperforming recent music specials like Taylor Swift's "City of Lover Concert," which attracted 3.63 million viewers. This strong U.S. performance highlighted the special's appeal among adults 25-54, a for music programming, where it ranked as 's second-highest primetime rating of the season behind only coverage. Internationally, viewership was measured using local equivalents to Nielsen, such as in and KijkOnderzoek in the . In , the Global broadcast reached 2.004 million viewers, topping the week's English-language entertainment programs. The Dutch airing on NPO 3 garnered 797,000 viewers, representing a solid audience for imported music specials on public . While comprehensive global aggregates are unavailable, these figures underscore the special's broad reach, which fueled pre-sale momentum for Adele's album , released five days later and ultimately achieving over 839,000 first-week equivalent album units in the U.S., bolstered by the broadcast's promotional tie-in.

Critical Response

The special received generally favorable reviews from critics, earning a score of 69 out of 100 based on five reviews. Critics widely praised Adele's vocal power and emotional authenticity during the concert segment, particularly highlighting the debut performance of as a standout moment that showcased her renewed artistic vitality. The choice of the as the venue was also commended for its dramatic backdrop, enhancing the intimacy and spectacle of the live performances amid a star-studded audience. However, the interview portion with drew mixed to negative feedback, with several reviewers describing it as dull and overly scripted, failing to elicit deeper vulnerability from despite the host's probing. Some critics found the onstage surprise proposal to an audience couple gimmicky and disruptive to the emotional flow of the evening. In a positive take, Variety lauded the musical elements and Adele's commanding presence, noting how her performances overshadowed any interview shortcomings and affirmed her status as a premier vocalist. The Guardian's coverage, while not a formal , reflected on the special's blend of and personal revelation but implied a tension between its intimate aspirations and excess. Overall, the consensus positioned Adele: One Night Only as an effective comeback vehicle that successfully built anticipation for her album 30, prioritizing her musical strengths over narrative depth.

Awards and Nominations

Emmy Awards

"Adele: One Night Only" received five nominations at the 74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2022, held as part of the Television Academy's recognition for outstanding achievements in television, and won in all five categories, highlighting its technical and artistic excellence in the variety special format. The special was submitted in the variety category, earning acclaim for its innovative production elements in a concert special context, with wins announced during the Creative Arts ceremonies on September 3 and 4, 2022. The victories included:
  • Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): Awarded to executive producers Ben Winston, Adele, Jonathan Dickins, Raj Kapoor, Tara Montgomery, Terry Wood, and Rob Paine for the overall production.
  • Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: Paul Dugdale for his direction of the concert and interview segments.
  • Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special: Noah Mitz (lighting designer), Bryan Klunder, Patrick Boozer, Patrick Brazil, Matthew Cotter, and Christopher Landy (lighting directors).
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special: Paul Wittman, Tom Elmhirst, Eric Schilling, Josh Morton, Kristian Pedregon, Shane O'Connor, and Christian Schrader.
  • Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Special: Technical directors Michael Anderson and Dan Winterburn, along with camera operators and video control team members including Danny Webb, Rob Palmer, Bruce Green, Keith Dicker, Rob Vuona, Dave Rudd, Jofre Rosero, Kosta Krstic, Terrance Ho, and Joey Lopez.
These awards underscored the special's high production standards, particularly in live-performance capture and visual presentation for a pre-recorded variety event.

Other Awards

In addition to its Emmy successes, Adele: One Night Only received recognition from other industry organizations for its directorial and musical achievements. At the 74th in 2022, director Paul Dugdale won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk// – Specials category for his work on the special, highlighting the team's innovative staging and execution. The special also earned a at the in 2023 for Best Music Film, acknowledging its blend of concert performance and intimate interview elements, though it lost to Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story. These honors, particularly the DGA win, underscore the special's high production standards in variety programming, extending its acclaim beyond musical content to technical and creative excellence.

References

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