My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman

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Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 12, 2018
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 40
  3. Negative: 12 out of 40

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User Reviews

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  1. psyberdelic
    Jan 14, 2018
    7
    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.
  2. lmkas1
    Jan 17, 2018
    4
    Softball at it's worst, friendly and conversational at its best. Thought he could have done better especially given the current political climate. The type of interviewing style just isn't appealing when there are more important things going on.
  3. Tapchim
    Jan 14, 2018
    7
    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,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.… Expand
  4. rockwellmoon
    Jan 12, 2018
    2
    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.
  5. Scraper
    May 20, 2018
    3
    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 stillCreators 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.… Expand
  6. saundo
    Mar 4, 2018
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Being a long time fan of Letterman's work on Late Night, I looked forward to this series as... I don't know, a mix of his Late Night interview style, but also a chance for him to take on subjects to interview that were more of interest to him, as opposed to who was booked by their publicity that night.

    "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" doesn't disappoint, though it does sometimes feel as if it's standing in the door but never stepping through.

    The interview with Barack Obama, inter-spliced with the visit with John Lewis about Selma, felt relaxed, comfortable and engaging, but never quite got to what I had hoped it would be. It certainly seemed like a genuine conversation that could have gone on for hours, and one wonders whether we'll see what's on the cutting room floor at some point.

    The Clooney interview was of the same ilk: engaging, relaxed, warm, intimate, but it suffered again with that "... so close" feeling. The interview with Clooney's parents and Hazim Avdal is definitely of interest, but feels... a tangent to the Clooney interview in a way; it was very different than the John Lewis interview of the episode before.

    I'll keep watching, because I love to watch Letterman in conversation, but I doubt I'll shake the feeling that there's more to be had from this series.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best TV Season of 2018
23
#23 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Jan 12, 2018
    70
    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.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Jan 12, 2018
    83
    If there’s a bold idea with My Next Guest, it’s to be as un-bold as possible. I mean that as a compliment. ... My Next Guest is in no hurry, and the Clooney episode gives me a powerful foreboding. But there’s a corrective feeling to this show. The fine art of conversation has faded a bit from late night.
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 12, 2018
    80
    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.
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