5 best talk shows streaming on Netflix right now

The talk show is historically tied to network television. NBC, ABC, CBS, all the initials that we know and love. Streaming has taken a big bite out of the talk show apple, though. Platforms like Netflix has done an excellent job of taking the standard talk show and fitting it to their binge-driven release model.

We generally cover the heavy network hitters on this site, like The Tonight Show and The Late Show, but we wanted to take a step back and look at some of the best talk shows that aren't on network TV. The ones that are waiting to be discovered (or rediscovered) on Netflix.

Norm MacDonald Has a Show

Norm MacDonald was a singular talent. He was one of the best Weekend Update hosts in the history of Saturday Night Live, and his glee in pushing buttons basically made him your favorite comedian's favorite comedian.

Read More: 5 Saturday Night Live alums we want to see back next season

Norm MacDonald Has a Show only ran for a single season in 2018, but it's a perfect showcase for the late comedian's bizarre approach. The conversations ramble, and MacDonald will force his guests to read bad jokes that he prepared. The guest list is also stacked, with appearances from David Spade, Micheal Keaton, and Chevy Chase to name a few.

Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj is an acquired taste. He can be a bit overbearing with his comedy at times, but Patriot Act was a surprisingly effective use of his talents.

The comedian leaned into political satire, as the title would suggest, but rather than copy The Daily Show template, he carved his own humorous voice and perspective. There are six seasons and 40 episodes of Patriot Act, so if you like it, you will be good on content for quite a while.

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction

David Letterman is the most revered talk show host alive. Everybody who does the job cites him as an influence, and it's easy to see why. He has total mastery of the format, and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction gives him a chance to expand things and push into a more freeform space.

Read More: All 4 late-night shows ranked from worst to best

Letterman's interviews are revelatory, and he manages to keep them light while delving into some serious topics. There's also lots of travel and different scenery involved, giving this show more of a travelogue feel at times. Five seasons and arguably the best lineup of guests you'll find on a show.

Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee

Jerry Seinfeld is not the most popular comedian these days, but it's hard not to watch Comedians In Cars and get hooked. The premise is simple, and laid out in the title, but the pleasure of the show lies in getting to see master comedians talk about the craft in a very casual manner.

Seinfeld is never starstruck by his guests, and each episode feels like a genuinely enjoyable hangout. It's not an easy feat to pull off, but he does it, and does it with legends like Jerry Lewis, Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappelle among others.

John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In L.A.

This is the most creative talk show on Netflix. John Mulaney was given free reign to be as strange and indulgent as he wanted, but his love for classic talk shows and tropes shines through, giving the show a uniquely sweet feel.

The memorable segments are too frequent to list, and Mulaney is best friends with a stellar roster of SNL veterans, so there's always someone fun rolling through to do a bit that feels like it started as an inside joke. Everybody's In L.A. is proof the talk show still has life as a format.