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- NETFLIX
- Jan 12, 2018
- NETFLIX
- Jan 12, 2018
Summary David Letterman returns to the talk show world with a monthly series and the six-episode first season will include President Barack Obama, George Clooney, Tina Fey, Jay-Z, Malala Yousafzai, and Howard Stern.
- NETFLIX
- Jan 12, 2018
- NETFLIX
- Jan 12, 2018
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
Season 1
5 Seasons
Season Premiere: Jan 12, 2018
70
6.0
Where to Watch
Summary David Letterman returns to the talk show world with a monthly series and the six-episode first season will include President Barack Obama, George Clooney, Tina Fey, Jay-Z, Malala Yousafzai, and Howard Stern.
Where to Watch
Season Episodes
View All Seasons
5 Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
70
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
31% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
70
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
31% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Obama’s appearance will make some viewers feel nostalgic, and others indifferent, or less. But regardless of your take on the 44th president, it sure is good to have David Letterman back. And certainly because it’s Letterman asking the questions, we should feel nostalgic for a time when candid, insightful and civil interviews played a larger role in television news and the national conversation.
It’s unassuming, and uncompromisingly anti-showbiz, with the feel of Letterman holding court at his leisure (and on Netflix’s dime). It could just as easily be titled My Next Guest And I Need No Audience. As an interviewee, Obama is as smoothly engaging as ever.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 39 User Ratings
6.0
59% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
13% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
28% Negative
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 39 User Ratings
6.0
59% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
13% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
28% Negative
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
A more relaxed Letterman - as opposed to later years of his show. Both men comfortable with each other and lends to some personal moments. Letterman seemed a bit pandering. The show chooses to show out of studio interview with John Lewis in Selma, which is interesting on its own, but seems a bit like they are trying too hard to send a message, rather than giving the interview subject, President Obama, more credit to be able to be able to so in his own words.
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SEASON 1
These are really just live, in-depth, on-stage interviews that were taped for your enjoyment. That's it. Nothing revolutionary here. But reinventing the wheel isn't necessary if watching Letterman be allowed to be serious, to talk at length to people he's interested in, leads in turn to a little more insight into Letterman himself. That's worth both an investment of your time and Netflix's money.
The celebrity guests ensure that the interviews retain a bit of the fluffy sweetness of broadcast TV. It seems highly likely that there are thorny topics his high-profile guests rule out, and the fact that the episodes were taped last fall mean that the questions can feel a bit stale. ... But overall, Letterman’s new effort isn’t bad, and it’s great to see that beard getting the screentime it richly deserves.
That the episode takes its sweet time before returning in earnest to Letterman’s conversation with Obama suggests all manner of potentially fruitful avenues for future installments. Freed not only of commercial interruption but of the need to adhere to any particular structure, the show could go wherever Letterman’s mind decides to wander.
The new format is looser and less comedic than a traditional late-night interview. The jokes were fewer and further between, and Letterman doesn't egg Obama for a sound bite or anecdote at any particular moment. Besides the length, the biggest change is the repeat interruptions to the conversation. In addition to the Lewis interview, the episode was interrupted with production elements, including photos and videos. Sometimes they added value, other times they felt like filler. Overall, the conversation in the first episode is a bit lackluster.
It’s all pretty rote and familiar, and what’s worse is Letterman’s stage and interviewing manner, which is clearly rusty. He fawns over his guest more than he should, he makes awkward jokes about this new-fangled thing called Netflix, and he drives the conversation into a mutual children-appreciation session so that he can enthuse about his son and Obama can enthuse about his daughters.
If you like Obama you'll enjoy this interview. There's nothing earth-shaking here. It's like sitting around in someone's living room shooting the breeze. It's something to relax and take your time with. An antidote for these crazy times we're in.
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SEASON 1
Creators of My Next Guest were too careful handling this would-be slam-dunk, hoping that the A+ list celebrity guests coupled with the return of the iconic Late Show host would be everything needed. The empty stage is a stark backdrop for tired, old interviews in front of a two-mode crowd. We're not asking for the Late Show set but some effort is clearly missing. Letterman himself is still inquisitive but it seems that he quit interviewing celebs because he was tired of it and wanted to do something else. Putting him back up there on a barren stage with no side characters feels like a bad rerun. And a quick word about the supposedly most famous people on the planet: they're actually not all that interesting. They've been baked in the spotlight so long that you're not really in for any surprises - aside from the constant camera cuts.
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SEASON 1
I'll check out the next episode, but the Obama interview just felt very safe and unsurprising. I mean, it was fine. But just not that compelling. Also, I guess I was thinking that Letterman might take advantage of the structural flexibility offered by Netflix, but the show itself also just felt pretty safe and straight-forward. All in all, I'd be surprised if I watched many more eps. Oh well.
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SEASON 1
