My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman

People have forgotten that David Letterman, behind the facade of the funny guy, always was a serious interviewer -perhaps not as punchy as Jon Stewart, but still pretty good. Always well prepared, knowing his facts, and having pointed questions. This new show is all about about having an in-depth conversation with the guest. Letterman did a pretty good job in the first episode. He was helped by the chart-topping quality of his first guest: Barack Obama. But if you listen carefully, the conversation was not random or free-flowing. It was carefully scripted, with civil rights and the Selma march -and the role of Congressman John Lewis- a central topic of discussion. Like a shadow commentary on current affairs -and the 45th President- without naming names or current events, only references to historical events that matter. This central piece was showcased within the context of pleasant and relaxed small talk and personal anecdotes, Letterman and Obama displayed a warm rapport, and the conversation was pleasant and interesting. This made the first episode very good viewing. I am concerned that guests in future episodes may not have equally compelling stories to tell. Hence the rating, as the interest of the show is dependent on the performance and personality of the guest, not Letterman. I anticipate I may watch some future episodes, but maybe not all.

Heart Warming interviews. Very interesting and surprising.

Maybe the best show Letterman have ever done. A rock solid start with Mr Obama. Well done Letterman and keep up the good work in the following episodes.

It seems too many are coming to this show expecting The Late Show part 2.

That is dumb. Yes, it's David Letterman. We all get that. But in no way has this show been promoted or promised anything of the sort. This is a serious, sit down interview with very important, very influential people on a variety of very important topics. Yeah, there are some funny things mixed throughout, but that's incidental.

This is not about you laughing or thinking it's the Netflix answer to late night. It isn't. This is astounding, honest interviews with people about inspirational and heartbreaking things. And it's utterly fantastic.

Quit thinking that Letterman is out for laughs here, he isn't. Watch it with no expectations, and I think you'll be in for a treat.

Sometimes Letterman had guests you wanted to see more of, rather than the 5 or 6 minutes they were allotted on his previous shows with CBS and NBC. Consider it done now with Dave's new Netflix show, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction".

Gone are (most) wise cracks and self deprecating humor Letterman was famous for on his late-night shows. There's no band, no lengthy witty monologue about current events, and really no set either. Filmed in a college auditorium in New York, the "set" is two leather chairs and a table sitting in the middle of a large stage. Lights, cameras and other technical equipment are sometimes seen in various shots throughout the program but that's the whole feel of the show; it's not an error and it fits nicely with the format.

We see a different Letterman here than the one we're used to. A white-bearded, easygoing fellow who appears to be a lot more chill and in his element. There's no pressure to keep people laughing and tuning in, and it shows on screen (that's not a bad thing). There's no hard-nosed journalism, thankfully. Consider it like this: two friends chatting about life, and you the viewer, are invited to listen in. Very personal questions, and very personal answers that are from the heart.

Letterman talks with the kind of guests you wish you saw more of when they were on his late-night shows. "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" (and yet he does introduce them) is nearly an hour long, broken up with brief produced segments to keep the flow going. You probably won't catch every episode; rather you'll want to see the ones with people you admire or those whom always have something interesting to say. And that's OK; that's just the kind of show it is. Personally, I tuned in to the first episode with Barack Obama (his first talk show appearance since leaving office), and I'll probably watch the next episode with George Clooney, where Letterman makes a surprise visit to the Clooney home. Unlike many Netflix shows the entire season has not been released all at once.