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.

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"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

[thatswhatshesaid83]

I can't see CBS executives truly being "aggravated", Letterman's ratings trounce Katie Couric's ratings on a nightly basis.

It is times like these that I respect Letterman much more as Leno seems to have no political backbone

[momforbetterworld]

dave is great ... agree that Leno has not backbone on political view

[Phalanxman]

Leno used to be funnier than Dave. Dave was just plain mean. But Dave has mellowed and developed a wry wit. Leno has run out of material. Paul is still weird, though.

[oliverchlothesofF]

great job dave keep up the good work

[oliverchlothesofF]

I dont blame McCain for not wanting to appear on lettermans lame show. he used to be funny on his daytime show but since he went to CBS and always gets beat by Leno he has become nothing but a bitter old man. He show is lame as lame can be.

[dwillisno1]

Thats easy, don't ask to be on, and don't agree to be on. Don't agree and then make up an excuse to cancel or worse yet cancel with a lie. this isn't about Letterman, its about McCain.

[oliverchlothesofF]

That doesnt change the fact that the show is lame. Letterman acts like a stupid jerk. how anyone finds him funny is beyond me. Jimmy Kimmel is much funnier. Dave is a has been and i respect any candidate that wont stoop to his adolescent behavior.
And since when does a late night talk show host have any weight on presidential elections. Anyone who gets their news from late night probably doesnt vote anyway.

[Yuma]

The key word is McLie .

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Daytime show? What Daytime show? David Letterman never had a Daytime show.

Do you mean Phil Donahue?

[quiscut]

LLIOF,of course DL had a morning show..
Back in 1980 on NBC Dave had a morning show that one needed to see to believe.
Google it. there are even bits of it on youtube.
You are so out of it.

[oliverchlothesofF]

No I did not mean Phil Donahue, you should check your facts before stating erroneous information, that could be construed as lying, you know.

The morning show was hilarious. His NBC late show was ok too, but his CBS show is just bad.
Speaking of bad TV, can anyone stomach SNL anymore? Man it has gotten so bad. MAdTV is way better.

[ssmitty]

I guess that makes me lame too. I don't mind being labeled as long as I can watch what I want to see. Leno bores the heck out of me except for his car collection.

[Josie763]

Good for Dave to blast him. I'm happy Dave's getting his digs in.

[mysterygirl18]

Letterman showed more guts than 99% than the mainstream media....

http://www.myspace.com/wakeupnowpeople

[michie62]

Time for Couric and the suits to go. Letterman has proven again that he is part of the real people's brigade. He "calls a spade a spade" or in this case shows McFart for the LYING, disengenuous person he has always been.

[blondecuban]

CBS, I for one am glad that David Letterman used the news feed. If you're going to lie, then you have to be prepared to get caught. The people deserve to see their politicians in a positive and negative light. How are we going to see the negative stuff if everyone is covering for the politicians. You should kiss David Letterman's ass. He catapulted CBS to the forefront of the news. Trust me. A lot of people are appreciating David Letterman's cojones, since the new media, in general, has been castrated!

[manndan]

"eff the news execs. CBS is a profit-making entity and Letterman is a profit center for that entity. The news execs need to do their part to help the corp. generate a profit.

[Aquarius]

David Letterman has the knack to find the humor in situations that could easily become awkward. What John McCain did was ditch Letterman's show and then about why he couldn't be there. How simple minded could he be? We've already had two terms of simple. We don't want a third. Thanks Dave.

[MichaelCanfield]

If this is true CBS News is being very foolish. The youtube clips of Letterman exposing McCain's lie about "rushing back to Washington" is the best publicity the Couric interview could have had.

On McCain's part, this is just another example of McCain lying so often that he even lies about stuff not worth lying about. He didn't need to tell Letterman he was rushing to catch a plane, he could have said he was canceling because he didn't think it appropriate to be on an entertainment show, and was doing Couric's newscast instead. Maybe Dave would still have had a bone to pick, but at least McCain could hav been straight with him. McCain is just so turned around between his various contradictory stances and statements and constant confusing blunders I really don't think he even knows what is coming out of his own mouth most of the time. Maybe we will get some more of that tonight.

[tgram]

"...he could have said he was canceling because he didn't think it appropriate to be on an entertainment show..."

McCain's campaing did mention something about not wanting to do a comedy show because of the bailout. Sadly, it was too late and long after Letterman exposed him.

You are right, CBS should not go after Letterman for showing the news clip. The evidence only supported Letterman's claims. Isn't this that what they do at Fact Check?

[Myshkin57]

Good job, Letterman! Journalists like Couric should think it important that a so-called 'straight-talker' lies to get out of an interview. THAT IS NEWS!

[sharksfansd]

CBS execs can shove it up there you know what. I wrote a letter of support last night in support of Dave. Glad I did after reading this. McCain is a liar. What is the big deal on proving that to America?

[rh654]

I wonder if McCain got lost and just sort of wandered into the CBS news building while he was trying to find Washington DC?

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Dave keep up the good work.

[LuckyBlessed]

Why don't these supposed "NEWS" organizations, report on this crisis without these stock market pundits begging on TV to save their proverbial a**!

I was in one of the board rooms in this country discussing risk of Bear, Lehman and others. The fact the the Repubs are balking at passing this the American public does not know. And the reason why?-- they don't know as well,----- Repub's Lobby Blood Money friends still want to get millions for bad performance while the Avg Joe citizen would be fired!!!!!!!

[BlueZoo]

Jon Stewart pointed out very well how McCain "rushed back to Washington...

McCain cancelled appearance on Letterman.
McCain rushed to interview w/Katie Couric.
McCain then rushed to a fund raising dinner in NYC.
McCain then rushed to the Waldorf in NYC to spend the night.
McCain then rushed to give speech at Clinton Global Initiative.
McCain then rushed - finally -back to Washington - a mere 22 hours after he told Letterman he had to rush back to D.C.

I guess, when you're 72 years old, your idea of "rushing" is a bit slower than the rest of us! I believe McCain's idea of "crisis" is also slower!

Tough buns, CBS! Letterman caught the old guy in a big lie and called him on it! Good for Dave!

[quiscut]

SNAP!