If you were hungry for more Michelle Obama dance-athons with the babies (or just more Michelle in general), you’re in luck: The Obamas are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Netflix to produce a series of high-profile shows, the New York Times reports. The paper notes that the original programming would “provide [the former president] a global platform after his departure from the White House.”
The proposed deal is not yet final, and it’s unclear at this point how much the Obamas would be paid or what format the shows could take. The Times reports that the deal involves both Barack and Michelle and would compensate them for the exclusive content (y’all better not be paying more for David Letterman, I swear tuh God).
The Times also reports that the Obamas don’t want to use their platform to challenge Trump or clap back at conservatives. Rather, they had talked to the streaming service, which currently has about 118 million subscribers, about producing shows that highlight inspirational stories.
As the Washington Post reports, there are several theories circulating about the shape an Obama series could take, and why they would get into such a venture in the first place.
The first is that Barack is looking to control the narrative on his legacy, particularly at a time when so many of his accomplishments, like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and the Affordable Care Act, have come under attack from Donald Trump and the GOP. A show where Barack focuses on his pet issues—like a program in which he moderates discussions on voting rights, immigration, health care and climate change—could help shape not only the current public discourse but also perceptions of his tenure as president.
The Post also speculates that Barack may just be fulfilling a “long-standing fascination” with the media industry and its issues by signing on to this Netflix deal.
Another possible format would see Michelle hosting a show on topics she championed as first lady, like nutrition and health initiatives. The Post suggests that such a show could keep her in the public eye should she ever choose to run for public office—which she has stressed time and time again that she’s not interested in.
I would personally opt for a show where the Obamas just dispel love and romantic advice, because who else would I trust with those matters but the couple that shares the gushiest, lovey-dovey-est, “dawwww”-inducing-est social media posts on Al Gore’s internet?
Or a show where Barack just tells dad jokes to the family as they collectively sigh and roll their eyes.
Or, honestly, just this video of the Obamas’ Christmas outtakes, on repeat, forever.
DISCUSSION
I love Michelle but want her to be petty just one damn time. Document their visit to the royal wedding in May (let’s hope they are invited), then turn around and ask innocently ‘where are Donald and Melania? I don’t see them’. But yeah it makes sense they just want to control their post WH narrative, and not have it shadowed by the hater in chief.