John Mellencamp to co-host TCM triple-feature

While most of you tonight will be watching the Colts take on the Broncos on Prime Video, Hoosier singer-songwriter John Mellencamp has a counter-offer for you.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will sit down with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz to introduce a trio of movies he cites as influences, with segments before and after each movie.

The lineup:

• 8 p.m.: 'Cool Hand Luke' (1957), with Paul Newman

• 10:15 p.m. : 'East of Eden' (1957), with James Dean

• 12:30 a.m.: 'Tortilla Flat' (1942), with Spencer Tracy

More:These 7 new movies have big Indiana connections you might not know about

The cable channel, which specializes in classic movies, is sponsoring Mellencamp's 2023 tour that includes eight shows across four Indiana cities. The tour starts with two shows at Indiana University Auditorium on Feb. 5-6.

The tour, as of now, isn't visiting Indianapolis, but Mellencamp is no stranger to the Circle City. He recently closed Jim Irsay's "garage band" of rock all-stars' concert at Lucas Oil Stadium with performances of "Pink Houses" and "Jack & Diane."

Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster's website at bit.ly/3RkUHsB. Presales for Citi cardholders began Tuesday, while members of Mellencamp's mailing list could purchase tickets Wednesday.

IndyStar's Rory Appleton contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar digital producer Channing King at channing.king@indystar.com or pronountrouble.com. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter: @ChanningKing.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: John Mellencamp to introduce Paul Newman, James Dean movies on TCM