Barack Obama in Talks to Produce a Series for Netflix

It’s interesting to me to think about what a former president does after he leaves the White House.  Typically, their lives involve charity work, making speeches, attending events. When I say typically, I mean most presidents up until now.  Barack Obama might be adding a new job title to that list.  According to multiple news outlets, Obama is in talks to produce a series for Netflix that will “highlight inspirational stories”.  Personally, I think a Barack Obama story would be far more interesting, don’t you?

While we don’t know what the format is going to be, each show is expected to showcase something a little different.  This, to me, is essential Obama.  Some are speculating that it could be a talk show moderated by Obama, or a traditional type of non-fiction explainer show.  Further to that, we also don’t know if Netflix will be making the show, or if it will be Amazon or even Apple.  It’s anticipated that the show itself won’t be very political, as you can imagine given today’s political climate.  But that would be an extremely interesting show, don’t you think?

An advisor to Obama told the New York Times:

“President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire.  Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better.  As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories”.

Which, I think, sums up the Obamas quite nicely.  What is interesting is that this would be the first time that a former president made a TV deal like this.  Typically, former presidents (and those around them) tell their stories using a pen by way of book deals.

But honestly though – aren’t they the most adorable couple in the world?  They have #couplegoals written all over them.  Every time I see them depicted in the media, they just have love and adoration written all over their faces.  Which is why I would like to see an Obama-reality TV show.  Don’t get me wrong – I love what they’re proposing to do, but I think America (and I would argue the world) needs the Obamas right now.  And maybe this is our way of quenching that thirst?

I’ll give up on that pipe dream for a moment, to focus on what they are doing.  Which is finding a platform to showcase people and stories in a way that is inspirational and uplifting.  This is already being done by the Obama’s but in a less overt way.  If you follow Barack on Twitter, you will have seen him tweet during times when the world needed to hear from him.  But these TV shows will give us a whole new way of hearing from them and on a much larger scale.  While details of the deal are still a bit fuzzy, I am excited at the prospect.