TV Review: 'My Next Guest' Reminds Us Why We Need Letterman

While the Late Night Wars have been over for some time, the impression they made on American pop culture is still undeniable. Stars were crowned, Jay Leno and David Letterman became icons, and late night television continues to be an essential part of television today. However, what might be more interesting than the Late Night Battles of the early nineties, is what the next step of their careers will be. While Leno has taken to the world of cars, Letterman has taken a decidedly different path. Last week, Letterman's new series "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" began releasing it's first of six episodes. The show will feature an extended interview between Letterman and a variety of celebrities. Scheduled guests include Barack Obama, Jay-Z, Malala Yousafzai and others. With the first episode in the books, the show paves an interesting path for the former late night host going forward.

One of the more interesting aspects of the new series is the stripped down nature of the show. There's no live band, no monologue, and no skits. This is a bare-bones version of the old late night series and it serves the show well. Instead of showy bits, we get straightforward interviews with President Obama and Congressman John Lewis. The two interviews are related as a through-line, though it does not appear to be the case at first.  Letterman's conversation with Obama doesn't break any boundaries with the President, and it's not meant to. Instead, the two discuss their lives after their "big job" and what the next step is moving forward.

Meanwhile, Lewis and Letterman walk through Selma, Alabama and cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. They discuss the environment of the Civil Rights movement, and what pushed Lewis to be a civil servant. It's an interesting conversation that provides context to what Letterman is looking for. As the episode progresses, Letterman keys in on important moments both Obama's and Lewis' lives, and begins to question his own privilege. As he admits late in the episode, he questions some of the choices he's made and why he wasn't more active. It is quickly telegraphed that there is something more at work for Letterman in this venture. It appears that he is not satisfied with status quo of his career, which should allow him to ride off into the sunset as an icon. Instead, he's wondering if it was all worth it and if he actually used his platform for something worthwhile.

It's an interesting question to ask, and it'll be even more exciting to see how this series evolves. Obama's charisma masks some issues with the show's production early on. It can be slow and might need to have its editing smoothed out. Letterman probably needs to ask tougher questions, even if it's not a news breaking show. However, late night or interview-based shows need time to develop and find what they want to be. Both Letterman and the production need to work out their funk, and with that much talent, it's a guarantee they will. That said, the first episode reminded me why Letterman should come back. Perhaps through the show, we can find what he is looking for.

What did you think? Do you enjoy Letterman's new gig? Is Netflix the right home for the show? Let us know in the comments below!

"My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman" is currently streaming on Netflix. It will release one new episode every Friday.

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