David Spade finds a post-Lights Out home at Netflix

David Spade returns with a new talk show coming to Netflix

David Spade is set to host The Netflix Afterparty, a brand new talk show coming in 2021. It marks a return to hosting for Spade after his late night show Lights Out with David Spade was not renewed by Comedy Central.

Lights Out with David Spade aired just over 100 episodes between July 2019 and March 2020. Following The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the late night show showcased Spade’s unique sense of humor on pop culture topics, offering an alternative to the politics-heavy programming found elsewhere.

When production halted in March due to the pandemic, it was the beginning of the end for Lights Out. Even as Spade continued to produce monologues from home, Comedy Central decided not to bring the show back. Reports indicated that the network was willing to offer Lights Out to other platforms but that never came to be.

Fans knew it was only a matter of time before Spade found a new outlet and now we know it will be at Netflix. According to Deadline, The Netflix Afterparty will be a weekly panel show dedicated to covering Netflix movies and shows. Spade will co-host with comedians Fortune Feimster and London Hughes. The trio will be joined by a rotating roster of comedians, similar to Lights Out‘s format, as well as the cast and creators of Netflix originals for discussions, interviews, and sketches.

The aftershow format has proven to be a success on other networks and on social media. Shows like Talking Dead on AMC may offer a hint of what The Netflix Afterparty and David Spade have planned. The difference is having Netflix’s library of content will ensure that Spade’s show has variety and appeals to a wide audience.

David Spade’s successful partnership with Netflix should continue with The Netflix Afterparty

Last Night On would be the first to argue that Lights Out didn’t get a fair shot at Comedy Central. It’s a decision the network may come to regret especially as the content and tone of late night television may drift back toward what Spade aimed for now that the election is over.

But Spade’s audience can now follow him to Netflix–even if it’s not in a traditional late night format. As Deadline’s report notes, Netflix has struggled to find its footing in the genre based on how the immediacy of late night comedy doesn’t gel with the viewing habits on streaming services.

The Netflix Afterparty should solve that problem and get a boost from a proven format as well as from Spade’s talent as a performer. Some of his best material has always been about the entertainment industry and celebrities so that should be the case on Netflix. Spade may even have an advantage over his former late night competitors as Netflix is likely to give Afterparty exclusive access to its stars.

Netflix and Spade already have a strong relationship. The actor has appeared in The Ridiculous 6, The Do-Over, Father of the Year, and most recently The Wrong Missy, which was among the service’s most popular titles over the summer. Expect more success from the partnership as Netflix develops a new way to market its content and Spade brings his comedy stylings and eye for talent to the streaming giant.

The Netflix Afterparty is set to debut in Jan. and release episodes on Sundays. Are you excited for David Spade’s return? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.