X
- 2018
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2018
- TV-MA
- Netflix
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.
- 2018
- TV-MA
- Netflix
- 2018
- TV-MA
- Netflix
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman
5 Seasons
Season 1 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
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.
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.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 43 User Ratings
6.0
58% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
14% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
28% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 43 User Ratings
6.0
58% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
14% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
28% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company:
- Jax Media
- RadicalMedia
- Worldwide Pants
Initial Release Date: Jan 12, 2018
Number of seasons: 5 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Genres:
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 5 Nominations
The Webby Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
NAMM Technical Excellence and Creativity Awards
• 1 Nomination
