Late Net Letterman to return with Netflix show

LATE-NIGHT legend David Letterman — and possibly his retirement beard — is returning to television with a new Netflix series.

The former “Late Show” host, who retired in 2015, will return to the spotlight with an as-yetuntitled, six-episode series on the streaming site in 2018.

Each hour-long episode will feature the 70-year-old comedian conducting an in-depth “longform conversation” with a guest, as well as segments in the field that express “his curiosity and humor,” according to a Netflix statement.

“I feel excited and lucky to be working on this project for Netflix,” Letterman said in the statement. “Here’s what I have learned: If you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first.”

The joke referenced Letterman’s wife Regina, whom he married in 2009, and their 13-year-old son, Harry. The comedian spent 33 years on latenight television, and remains the longest-serving late-night host, thanks to his long tenures at “The Late Show” on CBS and “Late Night” on NBC for 11 years before that. Since his retirement, Letterman has kept a low profile — and grown out a Santa Claus beard.

In 2015, he admitted that he was happy to spend time with his young son, but life out of the spotlight was a big adjustment.

“It’s stunning what you find out about yourself when everything you’ve done for 33 years changes,” he said. “It’s like ice melting out from under you. I know that regular, responsible people probably hear me whining like this and think, ‘Oh, brother.’ But I’m trying to rehabilitate myself, so keep me in your thoughts and prayers.”

Letterman is just the latest big name to join Netflix, an aggressive comedy powerhouse that recently inked deals for multiple standup specials from stars like Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Jerry Seinfeld, among others.

The terms of Letterman’s deal have yet to be announced, but he’s likely raking in some big bucks — Seinfeld’s deal to move “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” from Crackle to Netflix this year was reportedly worth $100 million, while Chappelle snagged a reported $60 million.