The biggest star of American talk shows will debut a new show in 2018. Netflix announced #David Letterman will host a new yet to be named talk show on the streaming platform. Letterman was the host of NBC’s "Late Night" and CBS’ "#Late Show" for 33 years, a record that still stands.
According to a company press statement, the new series will feature six one-hour episodes that will include one in-depth studio interview and segments produced on the street. The 70-year old host and comedian is very excited about his new venture. He also seems to have kept the same sharp humor that made him a success on TV.
"If you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first,” he quipped in an interview with #Netflix press staff.
Netflix’s executives are celebrating the incoming talent. Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandon seemed to have been influenced by Letterman’s sense of humor "We’ll have to see if he keeps the beard,” he joked. The new show will be produced by Radical Media, that has in its portfolio award-winning productions, such as Netflix’s "What Happened, Miss Simone?" and “Abstract: the Art of Design," as well as Letterman’s “Worldwide Pants”.
Remarkable numbers
David Letterman spent 33 years hosting talk shows on major TV networks. During his time on NBC’s "Late Night" and CBS’s "Late Show," he hosted 6,028 episodes.
That is a record almost unbeatable in the history of American late-night shows. He has also astonishing numbers in the Emmy Awards, having received 52 nominations, and 10 prizes.
A benchmark on politics
David Letterman hosted his last ‘Late Show’ on May 20, 2015, one year after announcing his intentions to retire. He was replaced by Stephen Colbert.
As the host of one of the most watched shows in America (his last episode stood an audience of 13.76 million people in the country), Letterman became a benchmark on American politics. According to a profile released by Netflix, he has interviewed nearly all presidential candidates in the last 20 years.
Stephen Colbert is doing well on 'Late Show'
Chosen to replace David Letterman in 2015, Stephen Colbert seems to be finally on track. According to Vulture, during his first two years hosting CBS' 'Late Show', the show’s audience ratings were way behind from the main rival NBC's 'Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon. However, since the inauguration of Donald Trump as President, Colbert has consistently beaten his competitor.
