Fred Armisen to Host CNN Series With Deep Dives Into Universal’s Vast Music Archive: Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Many More

CNN and Universal Music Group have announced that comedian-actor-musician Fred Armisen will host a new series that looks into Universal Music Group’s vaults — the world’s largest music archives — featuring original master recordings, rare photos and performances, alternative album art and music videos from Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses and many others. Produced by UMG’s film and television division Polygram Entertainment, Time Studios and Known Originals, the CNN Original Series will premiere later this year as part of CNN Originals’ anticipated 2026 programming slate.

The series was previewed at UMG’s “Music Is Universal” showcase during Grammy Weekend with a trailer that followed the hosts deep into the massive, climate-controlled vaults where much of the archive is stored, deep within the Iron Mountain facility in Boyers, Pennsylvania, located 220 feet underground in a former limestone mine. The trailer, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks, shows archivists speaking with awe at what they’re hearing on master tapes that haven’t been played in decades.

“I’m honored and I can’t wait to get started with this project,” Armisen said at the event. “I want to move into that vault! I hope we get to dive in, deeper and deeper, into these recordings. 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. I’m really honored, and thank you so much for having me — I can’t wait to get started.”

The series is a passion project for UMG EVP and chief administrative officer Will Tanous, who launched a similar project at Warner Music before he joined UMG in 2013. After noting that he’s known Armisen “for decades, starting back when he was the drummer in a punk band out of Chicago,” presumably referring to the group Trenchmouth. More seriously, he continued, “This series was born from a desire to show fans what it’s like to mine the greatest underground musical archive in the world — giving them a sense of the hunt, the challenge, the thrill of this work – as well as direct access to the dedicated experts who preserve and champion these incredible musical legacies. Fred’s singular blend of humor, fandom, and musical talent make him the ideal storyteller to reveal the intimate era-defining moments and unheard gems that form the foundation of popular culture.”

“This series opens the doors to one of the most extraordinary music archives in the world, and Fred Armisen is the perfect guide,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals and creative development for CNN Worldwide. “His deep connection to music and natural sense of wonder allow viewers a chance to experience music history up close, discovering the unexpected stories behind some of the most iconic sounds ever created.”

Executive producers for the series are Fred Armisen; Will Tanous and David Blackman for UMG; Amy Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Katie Hinman for CNN Original Series; Jeff Smith for Time Studios; Doug Pray. The series is produced by Nicole Avant and Brad Roth; co-producers are Bruce Resnikoff and Madeline Post for UMG. Executive Producer Ted Skillman will also serve as show runner.