Which Letterman Should We Believe?

Tonight Dave Letterman goes back on the air after one hell of a weekend. And I'm already confused.

Thursday night — as I'm sure you know by now — he went on the air and told an extraordinary story, first about being blackmailed and then about what he'd been blackmailed for. "Creepy" things, that vague descriptor, was put into a little sharper focus like so: "I have had sex with women who work for me on this show."

You know, you can't un-hear that. And it's not because Dave is no spring chicken — whatever, you can't deny that he's a guy with charisma — it's because you feel you know him, watching him all these years, but suddenly that's knowing him a little too well. And at first it's a lot to take in — the blackmail; the $2 million demand; the screenplay weirdness; the revelations that the extortionist was a high-level Emmy-winning producer for CBS; the emergence of Stephanie Birkett, affable on-screen sidekick, as but one of the women; the surfacing of other names, too; claims of a Late Show love nest. Ew. Let's stop there.

Over the weekend, this all had time to marinate, along with the questions — was there pressure? Was that the way to get a promotion? What about if you weren't favored by Dave? Were there any legal issues brewing? Would CBS take disciplinary action? Meanwhile, they were removing YouTube clips of the host's mea culpa in an eyebrow-raising, attention-calling move that ratcheted up the curiosity about what Dave would say tonight.

Maybe that was the point.

Actually, I can't tell what the point was — because two narrative emerged from the taping of the Late Show this afternoon: (1) Dave apologized on air, to his staff — and his wife; and (2) Dave told jokes. About it.

As someone who writes about this for a living, this is the order in which I wrote up these stories: First, "David Letterman's On-Air Apology: "Terribly Sorry" To Staff, Wife." He said his wife had been "horribly hurt" by the revelations. I chose an accompanying image to match the tone of the apology — somber, rueful.

Then I figured I'd check CBS.com for clips, just in case. Lo and behold, there was a teaser for Dave's monologue. So I clicked on it. Out he walked at the top of the show, to huge applause. He said "Thank you," a few times; the applause got louder. Then he grinned, and the audience laughed in response. "Did your weekend just fly by?" he asked, tongue in cheek. So much contained in that sentence -- the subtext of all of the above, the punchline present only in the unsaid. "I'll be honest with you, folks, right now I'd give anything to be hiking on the Appalachian trail." Ba-dum-bum. "I got into the car this morning and even the navigation lady wasn't speaking to me." Rimshot! To accompany this second post, I took a screengrab from the monologue — Letterman smiling impishly.

Now I don't expect a morose, self-flagellating talk show host — that's no fun — but the contrast between these two moments is confusing. Which one am I supposed to identify with? Which one am I supposed to forgive? Which one am I less likely to imagine having sex with an intern? The release of both of these images prior to the show sends a mixed message. On the one hand, the apology is what everyone was waiting for. On the other, posting a monologue clip means a return to business as usual...business as usual, that is, with jokes essentially about his wife not talking to him. That's not to say he didn't mean his apology, but it does feel a little...disconnected from it.

Which one should we believe? One? The other? Both? Can't an apologetic Dave still be funny? Can't a wisecracking Dave still be sincere? Can't he address the giant elephant in the room and still get back to his routine, because if he's still there, what else is he gonna do?

Maybe that was the point.

Compare and contrast:
APOLOGY: "David Letterman's On-Air Apology: "Terribly Sorry" To Staff, Wife."
JOKES: Dave's Monologue: He Jokes About It

 

 

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Comments

[RuthHouston]

By poking fun at infidelity – his or anybody else’s, David Letterman is making light of a very serious matter. Directly or indirectly, infidelity is responsible for many of society’s problems. For more details about this, as well as an infidelity expert’s point of view on David Letterman’s sexual escapades, see Why David Letterman Should Realize That Infidelity is No Joke at http://bit.ly/peK64

Also, by having sex with female members of his staff, David Letterman broke at least 2 of the rules of engagement regarding workplace romances and office affairs. To see the complete list of the Rules of Engagement for Office Affairs and Workplace Romance. and find out which rules Letterman broke, and which rules he strictly observed, see David Letterman Broke 2 Cardinal Rules Governing Workplace Romance at http://bit.ly/yhTMo

You can also find this information on my Infidelity News and Views blog.

[SonnyBono]

Ms Sklar - David Letterman is a comedian - he is not a elected closeted gay politician who votes against gay rights while being gay in a public restroom at an airport - he is not a politician who wraps himself in the American flag, family values and Christian principles while lying us into a war in Iraq that depletes our treasure and kills our soldiers. He is a comedian who has done something that you obviously don't approve of - but which in the final analysis is really nobodies' business but the individuals involved - as long as he doesn't do it in the street and scare the horses.

[MikeG2008]

Dave's jokes last night were difficult to listen to, because they were so personal and raw. That's also what made them great, and what makes Letterman one of the great TV comics, imo. Lots of pain, people with hurt feelings, awkward situations, self-directed satire. Dave's job is to make us laugh, to entertain us, and he did that without being facile and dishonest.

Frankly I thought it was amazing television, as well as great comedy - right smack in the moment. We don't see a lot of that anymore. Remember Richard Pryor's routine about his drug-related burning accident? The one about his heart attack?

By the way, you said you don't know which Dave to "forgive". Huh? What exactly did he do to you that you need to forgive? Get blackmailed?

[Checquoline]

I can't help it, I've always loved the man. Call me, Dave.

[Mark Reilly]

The thing I find confusing is how people react to this like Letterman is their father or something. He doesn't owe everyone a personal apology. He is a comedian not the Pope. As a comedian, he is displaying a mature (although dark) sense of humor by being able to make fun of his own situation.

[tb92]

A man had consensual sex with adult women. A crime was committed against him, and the details of the affairs came out. He walked out on a stage, having no idea how he would be received, and admitted to his behavior. He didn't lie about it. He didn't blame anyone else. He apologized to those he harmed. He handled it as well as was possible. And he was funny, which is a good thing in a comedian.

The rest of it is between him and his wife.

[seattle music]

No. The POINT is that it's none of our business.

[FirstShirt]

I don't know which is more offensive, Letterman's joking about his affairs or the audience cheering them.

[makeshiftriot]

He's poking fun at him self and laughing at him self. Why is that such a horrible thing. Moreover, not to be rude, but who the F cares what you or any one else believes. His job isn't to convince you of anything, its to make you laugh. The rest of it is between his wife and his staff.

You are just making it something that its not.

[Charity]

it's very simple. here's what this is about: a media person tried to extort a couple million dollars from another media person - and got caught.

this is about extortion. this isn't about the sex life of a media person.

[GiannaX]

this is about extortion. this isn't about the sex life of a media person."

Thank you, Charity!!

Where Is all the s e l f -r i g h t e o u s o u t r a g e about the E X T O R T I O N I S T? ?

[396]

Lighten up.

He's a comedian and a wealthy man.

If I had Dave's money I probably wouldn't have survived my own excesses.

[whatzername]

"If I had Dave's money I probably wouldn't have survived my own excesses."

Fanned.

See this, about Letterman's body language. A good read, especially for those who can't identify signs of grief by themselves.

http://www.popeater.com/2009/10/06/david-letterman-body-language/

[tb92]

That's how I read him, as well. He handled the situation with as much grace as possible. It must have taken great courage to walk out on that stage that night. But he didn't hide or blame anyone else. Anything more is between him and his wife.

[Norm]

An honest man. Faved.

[GirlOutWest]

When our politicians make mistakes that may or may not be our business but if a comic has issues in his life it totally doesn't matter to me. He's got to deal with it. When did David Letterman promise me good behavior? Never. As long as he makes me laugh, and he does, then his life is his business.

[nomobull]

and did he ever set a moral standard for other that he expected others but not himself to live by like those politicians he's being compared to .

[MDayne]

I seem to remember going back some time that an actress who appeared on Letterman made some comments about his "creepy" advances. One thing you can be sure of is that his behavior was not isolated and that there will be more revelations, if you want to call them that, about his past. Also, what is up with rich, powerful guys having plain, homely girlfriends/ wives?

[NoSillyName]

Oh, come on. I can't remember who that was, but I know what you're referencing. That was said in JEST.

Those "plain, homely" women obviously have more going for them than simply the superficial appearance, which will FADE over time. Ever hear of "Personality" or any other qualities a human may possess?

Grow up.

[seattle music]

Gee, maybe they have intelligence, a quick wit. warmth, compassion, good character, a sensual nature, generosity in bed, an ability to not be "in awe" of him and to call him on his B.S., etc. etc.

Maybe they're not all about themselves? Maybe they're good listeners, give good advice, don't make ridiculous, narcissistic demands every ten minutes? Maybe they're good at entertaining themselves and don't expect to be fawned over and showered with stuff in order to feel alive and loved?

Maybe they have killer pheromones, sweet breath, silky skin and eyes that can look into your soul?

Little boys and men who focus 100% on finding "arm candy" are missing about 95% of what is possible in a relationship with a truly exceptional woman.

[cobaltbluedog]

That was a great post! I heard every word. Sorry I can't fan you again... Faved

[tb92]

Maybe rich, powerful guys got that way by having the ability to see beyond the surface.

[fnygy]

YOU are supposed to forgive nothing because he has nothing to apologize to you for. His JOB is to be funny - and he was funny. His apology was to his wife, who knows he's a comedian. Good grief - I cannot get over the strange fascination with other people's sex lives. We don't know what his wife knew or when she knew it. She might have known about all of it and was hurt by the publicity of it all. Who knows? It's NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.

The crime committed here was extortion. Sleeping with the boss is an age old human endeavor. The fact is, the boss is usually a man. If there is no coercion, there is no crime.

[wisewomcat]

Exactly.

[OswegoKayaker]

I can't imagine anyone being confused by his show, I think you are making more of it than was there -- he gave us the facts but then didn't make us want to change the channel because he was going to go morose on us. He is a comedian, we turn him on to relax at the end of the day, he always had a biting sense of humor -- and that is what most of like about him, and so he used it on himself. I think he made a mistake saying the word "creepy" because it gave everyone a handle to latch onto and whip him with it. He apologized twice already -- what do you people want -- to bring back the puritans and the theocracy of the early days. Public hangings and whippings in the square? What price do you want him to pay?

Should guys cheat, of course not. He smacked himself down for us, gave us permission to laugh at him and then tried to get us to laugh with him. I couldn't help but feel that his whole show was a bit somber, not the lighthearted smart aleck we know. He isn't running for office, he didn't use public funds to pay for these romances, he never put himself up as a religious model to follow -- I really don't see what everyone is foaming at the mouth about. He does a talk show he isn't making policy decisions that affect our lives.