David Letterman was and is a generational talent. As the era of the single late night host came to an end with Carson's retirement and Dave's subsequent departure from his network, he ushered in a change to the industry he was a leading voice of. Now, in the twilight of his career, Dave reveals what a singular talent he is by bringing something to entertainment that is simultaneously new and fresh and reminiscent of the past.
There have been, of course, numerous long-form deep dive interview shows throughout the years. And it's not uncommon for entertainers and newscasters who find themselves retired from their primary careers but with a lifetime of contacts and experience and the energy to use it, to start a slower-paced but more informative interview show. What's different here is that Dave conducts his interviews as almost a documentary that has been chopped down to something more condensed, something that is a representation of his mind and experiences from meeting people.
It isn't just about the subject of the interview or the interview itself. The show brings together cuts of Dave meeting people in their homes, in their parents homes, at their workplaces, etc., and splices it together with Dave exploring the environment around his guests, Dave warming his audience with teasers about the guest, and the interview itself. It's all mixed together with an internal logic that comes from his mind; a reflection of his personality, his sharp comedic wit, and how he sees his guest in a larger context.
Interview questions might seem bizarre and nonsensical, such as asking what his guest had for breakfast, only to lead to a deeper discussion about the medications that person takes and the conditions surrounding it. Or he might ask a young woman about school and going to classes and school games that sounds like a conversation you might have with your grandfather, only to have that merge with a discussion of a traumatic event on a school bus earlier in her life. And you begin to see this logic emerging about how Dave himself sees this person: as a young woman full of potential and intellect and passion who survived this horrific ordeal that he would almost rather not think about, but does because he's amazed at her perseverance and her resemblance to other young woman her age.
Interview questions can jump topics abruptly or include a short monologue about himself or seamlessly drift in and out of previous footage so that you have to pay attention to the broader logical thread, because you are inside his mind now. The logic is his logic and you are only along for the ride. It is an old master's prerogative: he isn't selling you anything, he is letting you tag along and he hopes you will enjoy the experience but he will not coddle you.
And the guests all seem to get this, even the truly powerful and successful ones. They let him steer the ship because they sense that being there is as much their privilege as having them is his. Dave sporting an insane Methuselah beard, wearing comfortable clothes, and asking inane and sometimes even lightly mocking questions is still Dave. Poor health and a different technological and entertainment landscape robbed the previous generation of Carson's graceful bow, but we are fortunate enough to get Letterman.
So yah, it's a rich and rewarding show and well worth watching. It won't spoon feed the interview the way late night television interviews have to, but you'll get an experience with one of televisions most complex, fascinating, and flawed personalities and a once in a generation talent.
There have been, of course, numerous long-form deep dive interview shows throughout the years. And it's not uncommon for entertainers and newscasters who find themselves retired from their primary careers but with a lifetime of contacts and experience and the energy to use it, to start a slower-paced but more informative interview show. What's different here is that Dave conducts his interviews as almost a documentary that has been chopped down to something more condensed, something that is a representation of his mind and experiences from meeting people.
It isn't just about the subject of the interview or the interview itself. The show brings together cuts of Dave meeting people in their homes, in their parents homes, at their workplaces, etc., and splices it together with Dave exploring the environment around his guests, Dave warming his audience with teasers about the guest, and the interview itself. It's all mixed together with an internal logic that comes from his mind; a reflection of his personality, his sharp comedic wit, and how he sees his guest in a larger context.
Interview questions might seem bizarre and nonsensical, such as asking what his guest had for breakfast, only to lead to a deeper discussion about the medications that person takes and the conditions surrounding it. Or he might ask a young woman about school and going to classes and school games that sounds like a conversation you might have with your grandfather, only to have that merge with a discussion of a traumatic event on a school bus earlier in her life. And you begin to see this logic emerging about how Dave himself sees this person: as a young woman full of potential and intellect and passion who survived this horrific ordeal that he would almost rather not think about, but does because he's amazed at her perseverance and her resemblance to other young woman her age.
Interview questions can jump topics abruptly or include a short monologue about himself or seamlessly drift in and out of previous footage so that you have to pay attention to the broader logical thread, because you are inside his mind now. The logic is his logic and you are only along for the ride. It is an old master's prerogative: he isn't selling you anything, he is letting you tag along and he hopes you will enjoy the experience but he will not coddle you.
And the guests all seem to get this, even the truly powerful and successful ones. They let him steer the ship because they sense that being there is as much their privilege as having them is his. Dave sporting an insane Methuselah beard, wearing comfortable clothes, and asking inane and sometimes even lightly mocking questions is still Dave. Poor health and a different technological and entertainment landscape robbed the previous generation of Carson's graceful bow, but we are fortunate enough to get Letterman.
So yah, it's a rich and rewarding show and well worth watching. It won't spoon feed the interview the way late night television interviews have to, but you'll get an experience with one of televisions most complex, fascinating, and flawed personalities and a once in a generation talent.