It was a story of sex, lies, and extortion. A winning combination for Hollywood for a good many years. But this story wasn’t the imaginings of any screenwriter. For late night talk show host David Letterman this story is reality. CBS producer Robert Halderman allegedly tried to extort a large some of money from Letterman because he had evidence that the TV personality had, had sex with some of the women on his staff.
What Halderman wasn’t expecting was that Letterman decided to contact the police and assisted them by giving Halderman a fake check for 2 million dollars. Halderman was arrested and now faces some very serious criminal charges. But now Halderman’s lawyers are claiming that they have evidence that Letterman’s actions amounted to sexual harassment.
Letterman has taken the tact of openly talking about the scandal on his TV show. He freely admitted to having sex as accused and apologized to his wife and the women involved. Some commentators have suggested that this tact was taken in order to get out in front of the story. Others have criticized him for addressing the issue in a humorous manner.
As a comedian I can tell you that the notion that comedy comes from pain is absolutely true. To criticize a comedian for dealing with a painful situation with humor is like criticizing a bird for having feathers. And as far as the notion that Letterman is using his show to get in front of the story… Well, duh, wouldn’t you? Anyone in the business knows that if you wait for the media to tell the story, especially those who report on celebrities, you are not likely to be painted in a good way.
There is no doubt Letterman made some pretty stupid decisions. But this isn’t about cheating or even sexual harassment. This about an opportunistic creep trying to steal money. What happened between Letterman, the women he cheated with and his wife is their business and nobody else’s. If harassment did occur, I find it curious that it’s coming out only now. After just the fact he cheated didn’t seem to inflame the outrage they obviously hoped for.
My opinion is that David Letterman is being both brave and clever. But mostly I applaud the fact he’s not trying to cover up what has happened and the thing he seems most concerned about is how badly this has hurt his wife. What do you think?
*************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent
Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at LEFT OF THE RIGHT
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Comments: 52
Letterman knows he has some splannen to do!
I think Letterman made the best choice. Going to the police is not so much about right and wrong, or brave or clever, but his being willing to face his mistakes and not be bullied, or in this case blackmailed.
Even if they have records, or a journal, of when he did things, that shouldn't be opened up to the public. This is his personal business. Kelly Ripa said that on Regis & Kelly today and I agree with her. This is Dave's business, not ours. I hope that this gets cleared up soon. I feel bad for Dave, that he had to open up about this to the whole world. So embarrassing for him and his wife.
Now with the truth out, Letterman had to purge his soul on the air before anyone else (other than his lawyers) took a shot at his bank account over this history. He is a very private person and I am sure that ths experience was quite painful for him to discuss. Being a comedian, of sorts, he is dealing with it with comedy and the tears are all off screen--of that I am so sure.
Bopping the hired help is considered pretty low by many, Letterman doing so doesn't make it any better.
because didn't I hear the guy demanded 2 million from Letterman and
he received a check from someone? So, who writes a check for 2 million
dollars, and who tries to cash it?
This is something other than what it looks like I speculate!
Why should it be more than what it looks like? He could have paid the guy and the only ones who would have known were him and the blackmailer. He went to the DA not the DA coming to him.
:O\
Has this Country gone luny? Is there no sanity left?
I really can't believe you are so dense, but then again, looking at your logo ???
I do think going to the police was the right thing to do.
It will be interesting to see what happens!
The sexual part happened years back before he was married or from the way he put it before his son was born. What would you have done in his place? That is the question. If someone tried to blackmail you for something you did which was not a crime if the women came after Letterman and not him going after them. Do not assume anything until it is proved one way or the other. Just because the slime who tried to blackmail Letterman lawyer is trying to get the eyes off his client.
I've seen too many lawyers whose client was guilty use such tactics to try to get the popular opinion going against the victim way too many times.
:O\
Right now the one who did wrong is the blackmailer. Who by law is innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
Admitting to poor judgment in having sex is not a crime in most places and again is not unless someone brings charges of sexual harassment. So trying to say that murder and sexual misconduct are the same is wrong, and does not make Letterman guilty of any crime.
And again ... you dodge the issue ... answer the question:
> if someone found out that Letterman murdered
> someone, tried to blackmail him for it, but
> Dave admitted it, then he is not guilty of murder?
I did not dodge anything since what you stated is not true of Letterman he never murdered anyone therefore your question is not valid. As for it being illegal for him to have sex with a subordinate no it is not nor discriminatory. It is not the smartest thing to do but without anyone complaining nor any suite going forward against him he did nothing illegal.
You have made your mind up about him and there is no changing it so any further replies to you would be fruitless. Go buzz around some other comment as I will have nothing further to do with you.
Letterman is not my favorite celebrity, but I never had any feeling that Letterman should be off the air before this event, in fact in his last fiasco with Sarah Palin I thought it was much ado about nothing - so maybe you don't know any more about me than you know how to put two and two together logically.
You better run away fast before I clunk you with this comment - people who don't argue fairly bug me, go run away to mommy. ;-)
So I seriously doubt it was any big revelation to his wife...
And why would he apologize to the women who willingly had extra-marital sex with him?? Unless they were raped, they clearly got what they wanted! Probably was looked upon as a "career advancement opportunity" by many of them. I imagine they got some "perks" out of it, as well. Expensive gifts and what-not.
So what was the purpose of a "public confession", if all of the above is true? Perhaps just to avoid the "bad press", if the other guy did go public. (if he was charged over this incident, then that in itself, would quickly become public knowledge)
Where other celebrities probably WOULD have opted to PAY, to avoid the bad publicity, it appears Letterman decided to keep his money, and deal with the issue this way, instead.
He probably expects to get lots of sympathy and increased approval ratings, as a result of his "confession". Which will amount to yet MORE success and affluence, for him AND HIS WIFE. So why should she complain??
I really doubt it had anything to do with a genuine need to apologize to his wife. A person who is TRULY sorry, confesses BEFORE they are caught and exposed!
Gt
OK, celebs (and politicians), here's the playbook if you get this kind of demand: Make 2 phone calls. First, call the police and give them every single gory detail. Second, call the extortionist and tell them, "Publish -- and be damned!"
I think it would be funny if his wife divorced him and sued him.
Bottom line is I think he should not be on the air. There must be a thousand other guys would we be as good or better than Letterman that don't have this kind of baggage for the audience. He is not even funny either anyway. He would not know how to really interview someone if his life depended on it either.
Are those the only two choices we get??
It's called "damage control". He's trying to stay in front of the media stories of his bad behavior.
I wonder if it will hurt him getting prime guests for his show?
But, he did break the employment law, of "sexual relations with a subordinate", how would these folks all feel if the an Exxon V P was sleeping with your co worker?
Letterman's an entertainer, for cryin' out loud! It's not like he holds a position where he's accountable to Americans for his actions. He's already apologized to the only person he is accountable to: his wife.
All those who have jumped on the blame-Dave bandwagon re sexual harrassment need to take a deep breath. None of the women involved have come forward with any such charges. Plus - how do you know that it was Dave who instigated the trysts? It still takes two to tango.