David Letterman returns to TV with Obama interview

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David Letterman has lined up former president Barack Obama to be his first guest when he returns to a TV talk show next week, streaming giant Netflix announced Friday.

Letterman, 70, who officially retired in 2015 after a 22-year run as the host of "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS – a very American melange of celebrity interviews, monologues and sketches – had said in August that he would be back in 2018 on Netflix.

Obama will join Letterman on January 12 for the launch of the new "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman."

Other guests slated to be on the show include actor George Clooney, Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, actress Tina Fey, shock jock Howard Stern and rap superstar Jay-Z.

David Letterman (L) – shown here with Barack Obama in May 2016 – will interview the former US president for the debut of his new Netflix show. /AFP Photo

This would be Obama's first televised interview since his departure from the White House a year ago.

He is certain to be asked about Donald Trump, even though the former Democratic president has been extremely reticent about his successor.

The new show will consist of six hour-long episodes built around Letterman's star guests. One will be released per month.

Nearly 14 million people watched Letterman's final show on CBS in May 2015.

Known for his acid wit, the 10-time Emmy winner has made only fleeting appearances on US television since retirement.

Source(s): AP ,AFP