David Mallet

David Mallet’s name pops up whenever you start talking iconic music television and concert films. The guy’s fingerprints are all over some of the wildest, most memorable performances ever shot for TV. Back in the late ‘70s, he helped the world get a taste of absurd British humor and music with The Kenny Everett Video Show, and man, that show was like nothing else—off-the-wall sketches, bonkers costumes, and this infectious energy that just sort of radiated out of the screen. Mallet had a knack for making stuff feel alive, like you were in on the joke with the cast. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Fast forward to the ‘90s, and suddenly Mallet’s behind the camera for U2’s Zoo TV Live from Sydney. This thing wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-blown sensory overload. Lasers, giant screens, Bono strutting around like a rock-and-roll messiah, and Mallet capturing every chaotic, electric moment. He really knew how to bottle the energy of a live show and make it explode off your TV. And then there’s Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of 'The War of the Worlds' from 2006. Now, this one’s a trip. Sci-fi, rock opera, and stage spectacle all mashed together, and Mallet’s direction just ties it all up in a bow. He juggles crazy visuals, live performances, and that eerie War of the Worlds vibe without dropping the ball. Basically, if you’re into music, theater, or just want to see how a director can crank things up to eleven, Mallet’s work is worth a deep dive.