CBS News Executives "Aggravated" By Letterman's Use Of Internal News Feed: Report

David Letterman vaulted himself into the headlines this week by mocking John McCain for canceling an appearance on his show only to show up on the CBS "Evening News" with Katie Couric. And in a classic stunt, Letterman showed the internal CBS News feed on his show to demonstrate McCain's hypocrisy.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The New York Post's Don Kaplan reports that trick didn't go over so well with CBS News executives:

Asked if CBS officials had a problem with Letterman using the internal news feed, a spokeswoman for "The Evening News" refused to address the issue.

But several CBS News executives - who asked not to be identified - said that the stunt did not go down well within the news division.

"If we had done something like that to him, someone around here would end up getting fired," one said.

News officials found out Letterman was using the internal feed shortly after it showed up on an internal CBS feed carrying the "Late Show" taping.

"They were pretty aggravated," a CBS News source told The Post.

"But they were not about to start a fight with Letterman," the source said. "We're in the middle of a heavy, heavy news cycle and Letterman is Letterman.

Story continues below

"He does whatever he wants and always has."

Read Kaplan's full article here or click below to watch video of the event in question.

WATCH: Letterman Mocks McCain For Canceling "Late Show" Only To Appear On "Evening News"

Letterman kept on McCain for a second night, saying Thursday, "I feel like an ugly date."

WATCH: Letterman Attacks McCain Day 2: "I Feel Like An Ugly Date"

Comments

[timmmahhhh]

I am sure these talk show hosts usually try to be non partisan but it is very clear that Letterman is fed up with the GOP. We can just hope that CBS doesn't try to treat him like the third Smothers Brother. Probably not but after the black eye from Dan Rather who knows.

I tihnk it's pretty funny they had Olberman step in. Olbermann showed unusual restraint. O'Reilly would had been more fun - anytime O'Reilly has been on it's been a blood bath, Letterman is not at all subtle for his disdain of him.

This was just one of the many stunts McCain has pulled this week, ridiculous. He is lucky he wised up and did an about face on attending this first debate.

As a fellow Ball State grad I personally cannot be prouder to have such an ambassador.

[obgynobgyn]

Thank you David Letterman.
You seem to have the guts needed to call someone out when they lie to you.
If he will tell an elaborate lie over something so small, just think of the lies
he will tell the American people about things we should know.
A McCain presidency means, another secret government who will stiffle the press unless they are fox,
pass secret laws, erode the constitution, and deny American citizens their rights.
Sounds like republicans are turning us into a communist country under the pretext of
protecting us. (can we say Bush-Cheney presidency) No way, No how, No McCain.

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

EVEN THE CLASS OF THE NEW GENERATION CANT STAND MCCAIN :) TSK TSK TSK :)

[applejedi1]

CBS is mad that Letterman complained that Katie Couric has more credibility at the network than they do with a presidential candidate? They should be overjoyed that anyone thinks that Katie Couric has crediblity in the chair that has been occupied by real television journalists like Cronkite and Rather.

[duggins]

applejedi1 ,This statement below of yours is funnier than anything Alphabetman has ever said.

in the chair that has been occupied by real television journalists like Cronkite and Rather.

[noamjunior]

go watch Rush Limbaugh, d-bag

[magginkat]

Letterman exposed McCain for the two-faced, back-stabbing liar that he is and always has been. McCain is indeed another George Bush... playboy, flyboy, riding on daddy's shirt tail, conniving liar, etc. The only visible difference: McCain can almost speak complete sentences without help...

[likeicare]

Why are they upset? B/C McSmirky's campaign is whining???!!!! Grow a pair and get over yourselves, CBS!

The MSM needs to do MORE of what Letterman did, not less. He exposed McSame for the phoney, lyin' asss sack of shiit that he is -- so-F-ing-what?

I was never a fan of David Letterman before, but I am now!

[Spaceboy]

Hey Dave, exactly how arrogant are you? Like or dislike McCain, he is a sitting senator who you he wasn't going to be on your show. Big deal. Why is this even a story? Why do famous people think Americans are concerned about their thoughts on world affairs? Or more importantly (and more scary), why do Americans care what famous people's opinions are? How did we get so lost? Anyone have an educated answer to that one?

Oh, and the reason I replied to this comment: trying to figure out why so many of you think making nasty words out of candidates names is so clever? An honest question. Nothing personal likeicare, my mouse just stopped on you.

[minerva117]

McCain didn't just cancel his appearance, he LIED!!!! If his position is so credible. why lie?

[somsoc]

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

[james4truth1066]

Spaceboy, I agree that the cursing is a little much, but come on, he calls David Letterman a few hours before a scheduled appearance and cancels. Okay, fair enough, but then lies about going immediately to the airport as he sits with Katie Couric to do an interview, (more viewers at 6:30 as opposed to 11:30?) and then spends the night in New York and then speaks at the Clinton global conference in NYC the next morning. Just be honest, don't lie about something, haven't we all had enough of politicians who lie?

[edgemo]

Because he booked in, then cancelled, lying about why. Lying...hmmmm.... sounds like a Republcan!

That's why Letterman has a right to complain.

And the 'Sitting Senator' argument? That commands more respect than someone who actually earned something? McCain lied his way into being a 'hero', and helped lie us into a war. That Letterman finally gets that McCain is a liar is a good thing. 50,000,000 (and falling fast) to go.

[edgarallenpoe]

McCain lied about getting on a plane to go to Washington to speed the passage of the bailout when he wanted to avoid admitting that he was just going to be interviewed by someone else no Letterman's own network. The old man is engaging in juvenile antics to avoid confrontation. That's not a president we can believe in.

[gamoonbat]

The owners of the station are aggravated, so the executives are expressing that for them. Letterman's politics are misunderstood by wingnuts. This was a very bad move on McCain's part.

[dutchess2]

Is CBS news equally shocked by John McCain's lies?

Will we hear that?

[mamadeus]

WOW, the execs are upset? They most likely won't be when they see Letterman's ratings are up because he had the nerve to chastise the almighty John McCain. People are with you Dave, keep on a bashing, it is American to vent when you get trashed.

[evagorman]

The news execs are "aggravated"? Letterman's show is filmed in the afternoon and aired hours later. If the network had a real problem with Letterman's actions they could have cut the show down. My guess is they are outwardly aggravated and inwardly delighted. David, don't stop. This is hilarious.

[mamacat]

Oh, come on Dave. You don't expect us to believe that McCain lied, do you?

[joceeco]

I love Lettermen. Since outting McCain on his hypocrisy, Lettermen's stock has gone up 100% for me. Conan will lose me when he takes over for Jay. Lettermen Rules!

[vanbasten]

dave was pissed off and anggry to somebody who lied and fooled him,it happen to be mccain,so he exposed the whole thing on air.wll done dave!the truth always comes out in a way or an other.

[Doofus]

It was a close one for Dave. They might have needed to put on
a full hour of 'Is It Anything?' and pay over-time to Grinder Girl!

[eajphd]

CBS News has part of the clip up at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4476829n#ccmm
and they have a comment section with only 17 posts. Does anyone want to add to it?

[joebaggadonuts]

Thanks for the link. The video here on HuffPo was much more accurate, streaming the comment by Letterman about the lie McCain told him while going to interview on Couric's show instead of showing up on Letterman. The fools commenting on the CBS site (mostly) did not even get the part of the lie and dis that McCain did to Letterman. They rail against the news media fawning over Obama as evidenced by the Letterman attack on McCain for lying to and skipping his commitment to Letterman.

It is truly amazing how led these people are that they cannot see and are not shown the unvarnished truth. It is so sad that they are so subject to manipulation. But realize this, if ti were not for these sheeple accepting subprime terms on their mortgages, we would not be in this financial crisis.

[DubiousAtBest]

God bless Letterman. He's been going through the motions for years but i still love the guy.

He's always funniest when he's pissed off at someone. I thought he was hysterical. McCain certainly deserved it.

GO DAVE!

[Suzique]

I agree. Go get him Dave. Right now the job of both of them is to show us who will be the best to lead us forward. Dodging appointments and barging in where a group of people who have been working on a problem and having no clue what is going is not presidential.