Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by Count Dooku

There's no information currently available that would lead one to believe that any of these affairs took place since Letterman got married less than seven months ago.

Letterman has had a romantic relationship with (his now wife) Regina Lasko for over 20 years.
People wondered why he wouldn't get married, especially after the birth of their son, six years ago.
Maybe Letterman knew that he wasn't done pursuing other women, and so never subjected himself to having to be cheating, unfaithful husband.

If you believe in The Ten Commandments, then you believe that adultery is a sin. Letterman is not an adulterer, so I have no problem with his behavior.

I don't know the details of Letterman's relationship with his wife, and I'm not going to pretend to speak for her. But the fact is they've been together since the 80s. It's some mighty fine hair-splitting to say it's OK for him to sleep around on a 20-year relationship before a wedding vow, but not afterwards.

[wmansir]

Originally Posted by Double_Oh_7

Dave's always been a really private guy. I'm not only shocked that he would go public with it, but that he would do it DURING HIS SHOW!! That's just not the appropriate place. Call a press conference or something to address the issue, but don't break the news on a comedy show.

When he does it on his show he gets to half-ass it, crack a few jokes, and the media generally give him a pass. It worked for the Palin "apology" so why not try it again.

[Nefarious]

It was a pretty strategic move on his part. I think the presentation and handling of it went about as well as he could ever hope.

It's hard to blame the audience as they likely had no idea any of this was coming. It reminds me of the Michael Richards (Kramer) apology appearance when Dave had Seinfeld on. Seinfeld reprimanded the audience for chuckling but I don't think 98% in the audience knew anything about the Richards incident or that it wasn't part of some gag/schtick. Some of it is nervous laughter.

[cungar]

Oh the horror. A consenting adult had an affair with a co-worker before he was married. Hang him high.

[cungar]

Originally Posted by JasonF

I don't know the details of Letterman's relationship with his wife, and I'm not going to pretend to speak for her. But the fact is they've been together since the 80s. It's some mighty fine hair-splitting to say it's OK for him to sleep around on a 20-year relationship before a wedding vow, but not afterwards.

Jesus you people must be perfectly moral and upstanding adults. You do realize pre-marital relationships are just that. Relationships. They aren't bound by vows or legal papers. None of you know what the level of comittment Dave had with his girlfriend at the time of the affair so you really need to end your holier than though moralizing.

[wmansir]

The article I read said it happened with multiple women and did not say whether it did or did not happen when he was married.

[Shoveler]

Originally Posted by Brent L

That's really sticking it to the idiot trying to extort money from him though. Hey Dave, give me a bunch of money or I'll tell. Hmmm, I guess I'll just tell everyone, not pay you a dime, and have your ass arrested. It doesn't make him any better in all of this since he only came out after being threatened though, I'm certainly not saying that.

In a situation like this, there are no winners, only losers...especially his family.

Then again I guess the network wins for the ratings bump this is likely to deliver.

I agree about 95%. Big disrespect for Letterman for creating this mess, but approval of how he handled it once he was painted into the corner. But I can't help but think that there will be winners, as Dave has just flat out admitted to sexual harassment on national televion. With multiple women. Any one of whom can now file a lawsuit against him. It's just a matter of time, all he's done is transfer the payments from the blackmailer to the women involved. And if you think they'll be loyal to him, ask yourself, do you really think they knew about the other women on the staff he was screwing? Do you not think they will have some serious anger and questions about who he was doing when? I'm not suggesting that he should have paid the douchebag blackmailer, he did the right thing there, but the monetary aspect of this story is far from over.

Personally, I think the "cheating on his gf/spouse" factor is just "ewwww" worthy. It is the stupidity, audicity, and hubris involved with a boss (a pretty powerful and demanding boss, by reputation) sleeping with multiple female employees that really diminishes Letterman in my view. Regardless of whether he was single, married, straight, gay, old, or young. A LTR with a single subordinate employee is understandable. Multiple fuck buddies on the staff is wrong. And those of you who are trying to force the issue to be about fidelity know that to be true.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Shoveler

Any one of whom can now file a lawsuit against him. It's just a matter of time, all he's done is transfer the payments from the blackmailer to the women involved.

Not if the statute of limitations has tolled.


And while sex with a subordinate is 'sexual harrassment' under the law, if it's completely consensual, I don't (personally) see it as being harrassment.

[mphtrilogy]

I think Dave takes the slight ratings hit mainly because he has gained a lot of traction with being the old reliable guy on the tube left for 20+ years. He did a nice job on the campaign trail and has scored some coups this year with tremdenous guests.

That being said, His Palin Joke Hi-Wire Act coupled with this recent sexual shennanigans will begin to cross over into the conciousness of mainstream america with whom he has begun a pretty sizable warmup, its certainly taken long enough. But now they might have second thoughts making him there defacto late night guy. No one wants to be thinking of Dave's wiener, (or is it weiner) when they are watching him winding down from the day.

What Conan is missing is a killer instinct to jump on this scandal with some of his own Letterman jokes, I think he will take a high road on that. And the NBC schedule is brutal, Conan just gets no lead in.

Bottom line, Letterman ratings will take a mild hit, but the CBS show lineup leadins are much much stronger.

But over the next 6 months, this could affect Dave and it could be interesting to watch him come somewhat unglued in front of us.

Sad situation all around.

[Double_Oh_7]

Originally Posted by wmansir

When he does it on his show he gets to half-ass it, crack a few jokes, and the media generally give him a pass. It worked for the Palin "apology" so why not try it again.

That was different. He was apologizing for something he did on the show. This is his personal life. I didn't see last night's show, but it had to be a major buzz kill for the audience.

[spainlinx0]

Originally Posted by Count Dooku

There's no information currently available that would lead one to believe that any of these affairs took place since Letterman got married less than seven months ago.

Letterman has had a romantic relationship with (his now wife) Regina Lasko for over 20 years.
People wondered why he wouldn't get married, especially after the birth of their son, six years ago.
Maybe Letterman knew that he wasn't done pursuing other women, and so never subjected himself to having to be cheating, unfaithful husband.

If you believe in The Ten Commandments, then you believe that adultery is a sin. Letterman is not an adulterer, so I have no problem with his behavior.

The Ten Commandments? First of all premarital sex is a sin in Christianity so he has "sinned" here if you want to talk religiously. Also, people in a relationship have an understanding even before they walk down the aisle. I hope you tell your future wife that you plan on fucking someone the night before you're wedding, and it's OK because it's not adultery. I'm sure that would go over well for you.

Personally I don't know why a rich and powerful man would ever get into a relationship where outside women weren't accepted. It's just a matter of fact that it is going to happen. You need to have a wife who is OK with it, and maybe even is into it.

[Shoveler]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Not if the statute of limitations has tolled.


And while sex with a subordinate is 'sexual harrassment' under the law, if it's completely consensual, I don't (personally) see it as being harrassment.

Good point, but I'm just wondering... if they are still employed by him, then wouldn't that constitute an "ongoing situation" (i.e., they could say they were afraid to file the suit for fear of losing their jobs?). I'm not trying to make that case, just honestly curious about how it would work.

And I also agree with the "completely consensual" part, 100%, but you know that old saying about a woman scorned, and that's why I was making the point about what might happen when they start to question timelines, compare notes, and (possibly, if this is the case) realize that he was doing more than one at the same time and lying to them. My point isn't that they deserve to win a harrassment suit, just that he is now wide open to them.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Shoveler

Good point, but I'm just wondering... if they are still employed by him, then wouldn't that constitute an "ongoing situation" (i.e., they could say they were afraid to file the suit for fear of losing their jobs?). I'm not trying to make that case, just honestly curious about how it would work.

Not that I'm a harrassment/labor law expert......I suppose if there was a complaint filed by the harrassee (which I doubt there is) with management and nothing happened (or management initiated some adverse action against the harrassee), that could constitute an "ongoing situation." But even if that were the case, unless Letterman did something "ongoing" after the relationship was over, he would likely be off the hook, while CBS or WWP wouldn't.

[Nefarious]

I honestly don't know the answer to this but is Dave even technically their boss? I realize he probably has a lot of input & power related to the show but I just don't know that this is even technically a boss/subordinate situation.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Nefarious

I honestly don't know the answer to this but is Dave even technically their boss? I realize he probably has a lot of input & power related to the show but I just don't know that this is even technically a boss/subordinate situation.

Isn't he an executive producer?

[Bill Needle]

Originally Posted by Shoveler

Good point, but I'm just wondering... if they are still employed by him, then wouldn't that constitute an "ongoing situation" (i.e., they could say they were afraid to file the suit for fear of losing their jobs?). I'm not trying to make that case, just honestly curious about how it would work.

Or countless other woman working there even today, who may claim (merited or not) it was common knowledge that get anywhere within that organization you had to hook up with Dave, and since they refused they missed out on professional opportunities.

[Nefarious]

I honestly don't know. He may have creative control but zero to do with hiring/firing/evaluating employees. That's not to say if someone irks Dave that he doesn't have influence or power to see them gone. As well, I'm sure if you get on Dave's good side positive things can probably happen. I just would think without knowing the management/reporting structure and other such details that is hard to say whether anyone can assume that it is automatically grounds for sexual harassment.

[mphtrilogy]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dav...cbs-2009-10-02

[wmansir]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Isn't he an executive producer?

Exec Producer could mean anything these days, but Dave is more than that, he is THE producer. He owns the sole production company for the show, Wordwide Pants, inc.

[Shoveler]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Isn't he an executive producer?

Letterman owns Worldwide Pants, Inc., which produces the show.

[superfro]

Originally Posted by spainlinx0

I hope you tell your future wife that you plan on fucking someone the night before you're wedding, and it's OK because it's not adultery.

It worked out for me, but it was my father, and I was in a blackout, so there were other circumstances.

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by cungar

Jesus you people must be perfectly moral and upstanding adults. You do realize pre-marital relationships are just that. Relationships. They aren't bound by vows or legal papers. None of you know what the level of comittment Dave had with his girlfriend at the time of the affair so you really need to end your holier than though moralizing.

I didn't say I'm perfectly moral and upstanding (although I've never had a problem keeping it in my pants with women other than my wife). Regardless, I'm not judging Letterman, or anyone else. I'm just surprised that so many people are taking the position that it's horrifically wrong to cheat on one's wife, but cheating on one's girlfriend of 20 years is perfectly cool.

[The Bus]

Originally Posted by wmansir

Exec Producer could mean anything these days

In TV, unlike film, Exec Producer usually means that you're the boss or one of the bosses. I don't see Dave having a boss.

[FatTony]

Originally Posted by cungar

Jesus you people must be perfectly moral and upstanding adults. You do realize pre-marital relationships are just that. Relationships. They aren't bound by vows or legal papers. None of you know what the level of comittment Dave had with his girlfriend at the time of the affair so you really need to end your holier than though moralizing.

They were both adults capable of making their own decisions here, and it sounds like it was totally consensual. The only thing that I find a bit fishy about the whole thing is the boss/employee angle, and for whatever reason that doesn't really bother me. What he did isn't admirable by any means, but owning up to it on national television takes some balls.

As for how he revealed the info, I think doing it on his own show let him tell the story as he wanted to and put a humorous spin on it that probably wouldn't have gone over very well in a more formal press conference. The "scandal" was going to get out there anyway once the law got involved, so by revealing the info on his show mere hours after giving his deposition he pulled the rug out from under the tabloids (who will still have a field-day with this).

[Jack Straw]

Who was the PR person who (I assume) signed off on allowing Dave to say

"I had to go downtown to testify before the grand jury and tell them all of the creepy things that I've done".

That person s/b fired. There were countless ways to convey that piece of information in a less sinister sounding way. He made himself sound like a predator. While I did not see the broadcast (but plan to) of this confession, on paper it sounds really wrong.