Every Episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
Image Credit: jdoane229 on Deviant Art.
Witty, intelligent, genuine: that’s David Letterman in a nutshell. While you’re most likely familiar with him as the former host of The Late Show, some of Letterman’s most ingenious and thought-provoking work has been done nowhere near network television. Instead, you’ll find it on his Netflix Original series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. It’s quickly becoming one of the best tv shows and one of the best to Netflix show to stream as well!
This show is no mockumentary, the series follows Letterman as he conducts interviews with people he finds interesting and unique. Filmed in front of a live audience, the show has an intriguing twist: the audience is completely oblivious as to Letterman’s guest for that episode.
Here are all the episodes of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman:
Season One
Barack Obama – 44th President of the United States
Episode 1, Season 1
Starting your new show with an interview with the most recent former POTUS is certainly one of the easiest ways to make headlines.
Barack Obama starts off the series with a bang, sharing what he did after his presidency, and providing his insight on the future of the United States.
During this exhilarating interview, Letterman explores the different sides of Obama, including his influences and role models. The pair proceed to discuss John Lewis, and Letterman visits with the senator in Selma.
Overall, Obama, Lewis, and Letterman present a blueprint that they believe will lead to a hopeful and equal social landscape in the United States.
George Clooney – Decorated Actor, Director and Producer
Episode 2, Season 1
Following up and interview after former President Barack Obama would be no easy task, but almost no one could do it better than George Clooney.
In this interview, Clooney opens up about his humanitarian work, courting his wife Amal, and his failed baseball dreams. Plus, Letterman visits Clooney’s folks down in Kentucky. Letterman is from Indiana, after all, so these men grew up fairly close to each other only separated by the Ohio river.
This interview doesn’t touch much on Clooney’s acting career but more on who Clooney is as a person. They discuss the goodness of people and the need to help others.
Malala Yousafzai – Activist, Nobel Prize Recipient
Episode 3, Season 1
Often referred to mononymously as Malala, and by her married name Malala Yousafzai Malik is a Pakistani activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
In this interview with Letterman, Malala walks Dave through her amazing journey, her life’s mission and her new home.
Malala highlights the important to continue fighting against ideologies that counteract women equality.
JAY-Z – Rapper, Songwriter and Entrepreneur
Episode 4, Season 1
Hip-Hops first billionaire and one of the genre’s most influential artists in featured in this episode.
JAY-Z talks candidly about his past in the streets, family struggles, and racial injustice.
The interview with Letterman shined a lot of light on what we know about JAY-Z. From his relationship with Kanye West and the reasons to why certain rappers have success, to why he thinks the east vs. west coast rap battles were misguided.
Tina Fey – Actress and Comedian
Episode 5, Season 1
Best known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, creating comedy series 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey is in the spotlight for this episode with David Letterman.
Tina Fey opens up about her family, the changing culture at SNL and one moment she wishes that she could take back.
Fey and Letterman also discuss her new Tony-nominated Mean Girls musical and visit blues icon Buddy Guy.
Howard Stern – Radio and TV Personality, Comedian and Author
Episode 6, Season 1
Best known for his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from 1986 to 2005, Howard Stern is the feature for the ultimate episode of season one.
Howard Stern shares the stories behind his outsized radio persona, a heartfelt apology he issued to Dave, and his famous interviews with Donald Trump.
Howard Stern is normally somewhat of a wildcard when he appears in interviews, but this time, he seems calm and ready to answer questions seriously instead of asking them and making a big spectacle.
Bonus: You’re David Letterman, You Idiot
Bonus Episode, Season 1
In this bonus episode of season one, Jerry Seinfeld interviews Dave about comedy, family and life – and Dave can’t help interviewing back.
In this episode, Seinfeld, a Mets fan, and Letterman, a Reds fan, talk a lot of baseball. They end up sharing hilarious stories about the interaction they had with Red’s first baseman Joey Votto and the men end up donning Votto “the most interesting baseball player in the world”.
Letterman and Seinfeld also talk about controversy over Michelle Wolf’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner jokes and Letterman’s defense of her as well as Seinfeld’s raisins jokes. Yes – those raisins – the one’s by the Sun-Maid company.
All-in-all, this special behind-the-scenes Netflix special episode is one to check out.
Season Two
Kanye West – Recording Artist, 21-Time Grammy Award Winner
Episode 1, Season 2
It seems everywhere Kanye West goes, controversy follows. However, innovation, creativity, and a seemingly endless supply of energy also follow.
The most interesting part of his interview with Letterman? The long format and laidback setting allow West to present a thoughtful, nuanced perspective he’s not known for.
Where sound bites in the past have displayed West as a havoc-wreaking egomaniac, Letterman finds the humanity within West, and allows the creative to express himself fluidly across a diverse stream of topics.
The pair explore West’s “Yeezy” collection, the influence the media has on everyday people, and West’s fight with bipolar depression disorder.
The interview is certainly one of the best episodes of the series.
Ellen DeGeneres – Comedian and Television Host
Episode 2, Season 2
Just about anyone who’s stayed home sick from school or work has seen the Ellen DeGeneres show. If you haven’t seen her show, you’ll still likely recognize her anyway.
In this episode, Ellen reflects on some of the toughest and most gratifying moments of her life, and she and Dave make mischief on the set of her talk show.
But, on a more important note, Ellen opened up about details of her personal life, including on providing insight on the traumatic sexual assault experience she faced from her father when she came out as a gay woman.
She urged victims of sexual assault to speak up saying, “It’s time for us to have power.”
Tiffany Haddish – Actress, Stand-up Comedian
Episode 3, Season 2
From the “hood” to Hollywood, Haddish became the first female African American comedian to host Saturday Night Live and published a memoir titled The Last Black Unicorn.
Tiffany Haddish lights up the stage as she talks Dave through her journey from foster care to the bar mitzvah party circuit to big-time movie roles.
Haddish recollected the difficult childhood she had growing up from taking on a motherly role to her younger sisters to getting her very first suitcase and how important that was for her. Haddish’s story is a sad, but inspiring one. And definitely worth a watch.
Lewis Hamilton – Formula One Driver, 5-Time World Champion
Episode 4, Season 2
While Lewis Hamilton is far from a household name, within the racing world he is all some people talk about. Not only has Hamilton—who some refer to as the greatest race car driver of all time—won 95 Formula One races, but he’s also amassed five world championships, 53 fastest laps, and 3,763 career points.
Oh, yeah: and he did it all within just 265 career races.
During his appearance with Letterman, Hamilton discusses how he was introduced to racing and explores what keeps him motivated to continue racing. Along the way, Letterman asks questions pertaining to Hamilton’s early success, training regimen, and relationship with his father.
This episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction is adrenaline-packed and sure to inspire.
Melinda Gates – Philanthropist, Former Microsoft Computer Scientist
Episode 5, Season 2
Just about anyone would recognize her former husband’s name as a powerful man, but Melinda Gates is consistently ranked among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes as well.
Melinda Gates breaks down big global challenges and explains why it’s vital to get more women in tech. Dave makes sandwiches with her former husband, Bill.
Melinda shares her childhood and early career in hopes to inspire young women to get into tech and pave the way forward for gender equality.
Bonus: Zach Galifianakis – American Actor, Comedian
Bonus Episode, Season 2
Widely recognized by many for his role in the Hangover trilogy – Zach Galifianakis is the guest for this bonus episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.
Joining Dave at a special Netflix event, Zach Galifianakis pays tribute to childhood idols and shares juicy tidbits from the “Between Two Ferns” set.
Zach touches on his childhood and recalls memories of playing pranks on his brother for years.
Season Three
Kim Kardashian West – American Model, Media Personality
Episode 1, Season 3
Known virtually worldwide, Kim Kardashian West is featured as the season 3 opener.
Kim Kardashian West walks Dave through key moments from her life, including the O.J. trial, a Paris robbery, her law studies and a White House visit.
In this interview, Kim discusses her life and leaves no stone unturned as her family and then-husband Kanye West sit in the audience.
Robert Downey Jr. – American Actor, Producer
Episode 2, Season 3
From success in youth, to a troubled life, to being Iron Man on the big screen Robert Downey Jr. stars as a guest in this episode.
The “Iron Man” star opens up about his showbiz childhood, addictions and comeback, then introduces Dave to the animal menagerie at his Malibu home.
Letterman let’s his inner comic book nerd come out to discuss the complexities of Iron Man’s helmet and the two also talk to llamas.
Dave Chappelle – Stand Up Comedian
Episode 3, Season 3
Arguably, the best episode of My Next Guest is this one, featuring Dave Chappelle. It’s recorded in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where Chappelle lives.
They discuss what the comedian prefers about living in a small town, and why he left The Chappelle Show. They also delve into the States’ ugly history of police brutality against black individuals.
The comedian goes on to express his emotion towards George Floyd’s murder. He eventually states “nights like this, I think are important. Just talking about it. We’re countrymen, all of us. We live in America.”
This interview is diverse, thought-provoking, disheartening, and hilarious all in one.
Lizzo – Recording Artist, 3-Time Grammy Award Winner
Episode 4, Season 3
Believe it or not, Lizzo started her television performance career on The Late Show back when Letterman was the host. This previous meeting between the two personalities becomes the starting place for this interview.
It then follows Lizzo’s childhood move from Detroit to Houston, the musician’s early years, and her rise to her current platform and success.
The real greatness of this interview radiates from the immediate understanding and respect Letterman and Lizzo seem to have, despite radically different upbringings and backgrounds.
Frequently in the interview, Lizzo and Letterman discuss their mental health, and how maintaining it is the key to making the world a better place.
via GIPHY
About Post Author
