Blackmailer Threatens to Publicly Discuss Private Sex Life of Old Man Who Enjoys Publicly Discussing the Sex Lives of Young Women
Remember David Letterman’s hilarious joke about Sarah Palin’s daughter?
One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.
See, it’s funny because the child had sex out of wedlock, and she’s famous. So it’s embarrassing for her — and therefore funny to the rest of us.
(Technically, the kid at the game — Willow, age 14 — didn’t have sex out of wedlock . . . she grew up in Alaska and never even met Roman Polanski. But Letterman later said he meant to refer to Bristol.)
As the lovely saying goes, karma’s a bitch:
In an uncharacteristically personal revelation for David Letterman, the host took to his “Late Show” stage Thursday to admit that he was the victim of an extortion attempt — and acknowledge that he has had sexual relations with more than one staff member.
According to a press release sent by Letterman’s PR reps, the host first received a package three weeks ago from someone who claimed to have information about alleged sexual relations he has had with female employees of the “Late Show.”
The individual threatened to go public with the allegations unless Letterman paid the person $2 million.
See, it’s funny because Letterman had sex out of wedlock, and he’s famous. So it’s embarrassing for him — and therefore funny to the rest of us.
Well, maybe a little funnier. Because, you know, Letterman is married, and Bristol is not. And Bristol and Willow didn’t really deserve to be ridiculed in public.
Ace says it well:
Blackmailers suck.
On the other hand, so does Letterman.
Well, at least Letterman apologized. And hey, maybe the blackmailer will too.
Another nasty old man. What a creep !
Mike K (2cf494) — 10/1/2009 @ 8:59 pmI have mixed emotions. Letterman is nasty. But no one deserves to be blackmailed.
aunursa (0e5924) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:03 pmI’m not able to muster any sympathy for Letterman. I’ve never found him funny but even if I did his cheap attacks on Palin would have turned me off him.
Terry Gain (4045b4) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:06 pmI like Letterman. Lighten up, guys.
Anita Busch (fc416d) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:08 pmLetterman is a nasty man, and always has been. Bitter and jealous of others, despite his success and money.
Maybe he can do a Ten 10 Things that David Letterman Had Happen During the Last Week.
It might include “Getting knocked up by A-Rod.”
Except he is too old.
My old consolation is that I doubt his home life has been improved by all this, and I doubt the public will say he is still boss cool.
Because we all know that men soliciting sex from employees is tantamount to sexual assault, given the power structure.
Or so the Left used to say.
Unless there is a “D” associated with the name.
Eric Blair (184ac1) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:09 pmF’ Letterman.
Schadenfreude forever!
HeavenSent (01a566) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:11 pmDid someone say that our aristocracy likes to project?
That all the attacks on Palin were paranoid projections of things that applied more accurately to Obama or the crazed critics?
Hmmm.
I think this is damn hilarious. I am pleased that David Letterman is a real man and simply did not play ball with the blackmailer. Of course, he knows damn well that he can admit to living the ‘playa’ lifestyle and probably gain ratings and mystique for screwing around. I mean, it’s apparent celebs can dog fight or rape kids or worse, so this kind of thing is small potatoes.
But still, this is how you handle a blackmailer.
Dustin (bb61e3) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:11 pmAnita Busch, I seem to suck at detecting sarcasm, but hopefully you’re showing it.
If anyone can be expected to handle jokes about their personal life, David is one. He’s a self righteous jerk to those he doesn’t like. He makes off color jokes all the time. He is a totally legit target for ridicule. I think the lightening up is more appropriate for anyone who would have a problem with him being a punchline.
Dustin (bb61e3) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:15 pmAnita,
I used to like Letterman a lot when I watched him in college, but I don’t watch him anymore — and whenever he surfaces on my radar screen nowadays, it is for unfunny political hack jokes, or for the kind of insensitive crap towards Sarah Palin’s daughter(s) for which he rightly apologized.
Patterico (64318f) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:17 pmwhat’s with CBS and lecherous ugly people anyway?
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:41 pmfeets – Is Katie Couric lecherous? With those big girl serious glasses?
daleyrocks (718861) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:45 pmhell yes – she’s the one what got busted boinking some guy like half her age. Like even younger than Anderson Cooper like them.
I think. Maybe I’m thinking of the wrong old CBS lady. brb.
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:51 pmhere’s the sick sick story
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:53 pmoh. even younger than Anderson Cooper *likes* them I mean. Anderson likes them young and well-shod.
And that’s your Hollywood minute.
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:54 pmIt’s not Katie in a thong, but…
http://keaggy.com/desktops/other/flipoffKatieCouric-1024.jpg
carlitos (85dcaa) — 10/1/2009 @ 9:59 pmfeets – Katie has needs.
daleyrocks (718861) — 10/1/2009 @ 10:01 pmShe makes me uncomfortable just the same. Her and her needs.
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/1/2009 @ 10:35 pmCome on, people, Hollywood and Hollywood, East Sub-Division are the moral elites. And, since Letterman is part of the East Sub-Division, his morals are necessarily better than all others.
Heck, even Barker’s Beauties had to sometimes only show their heads above the whirlpool bath in the Showcase Showdown because Hollywood Bob had been visiting.
They are the most moral people on the planet, just ask them. Quit picking on Munster for advancing women’s careers in wholly moral ways.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/1/2009 @ 10:45 pmIts going to be really tough to get a blackmail conviction – any story of infidelity is cash money if the person is a celebrity – this story was indeed worth a “pile” of cash
Its just a bidding process – thats all the jury has to hear – and with Letterman’s behavior which will be dragged out in court – its going to cost him his job, his career, his reputation, his family, his future earning power – yes extortion is a bad bad thing – or is it
Did the person involved force Letterman into this Behavior?
no
Did the person involve participate in this behavior – who cares?
EricPWJohnson (f0d96e) — 10/1/2009 @ 11:53 pmI used to like Letterman a lot when I watched him in college, but I don’t watch him anymore — and whenever he surfaces on my radar screen nowadays, it is for unfunny political hack jokes, or for the kind of insensitive crap towards Sarah Palin’s daughter(s) for which he rightly apologized.
Yeah, exactly P. Does anyone think Letterman has been consistently funny since about 1989? Once upon a time he was supposedly “edgy” and “envelope-pushing” but in the age of South Park and the a**hole Bill Maher, Letterman comes across like the cranky old fart that he has turned into. He still throws out the old bits — Top 10 lists, Stupid Human Tricks, etc. — but it is like going to see Andy Williams in Branson, you do it more for nostalgia rather than for true entertainment.
JVW (d1215a) — 10/2/2009 @ 12:01 amDear Dave,
They call it Karma…
fmfnavydoc (1628be) — 10/2/2009 @ 1:11 am“Top Ten reasons to sleep with your boss, David Letterman” should score well in the ratings as he’s apparently already tried them out on staffers.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 10/2/2009 @ 1:37 amThe accused is an Emmy nominated producer. C’mon people – Emmy nominated!!!!! He is an artist, a man for whom we should all be grateful that he allows us to witness his skills.
He’s Emmy nominated!!!! What are we – a bunch of Philistines wanting to lock this guy up? I expect all of you to support a petition demanding his release as these artists have a superior moral compass. Why I bet Halderman donated $10 to the Katrina effort. Or maybe he set up the snack tray for the telethon. Either way, lets get behind an effort to free him.
HE’S EMMY NOMINATED!!!!!!!
MU789 (3f9d29) — 10/2/2009 @ 4:20 amAnything Palin related is going to run a constant risk of being a punchline.
imdw (490521) — 10/2/2009 @ 4:59 amLevi’s actions weren’t far from blackmail. How much airtime did he get?
Amphipolis (b120ce) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:19 am“Top Ten Reasons To Accept That Job Offer From David Letterman.”
b (df882e) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:29 amI haven’t found Letterman particularly funny in years, but you know, bluntly, this doesn’t make me any less likely to watch him. of course i am “boycotting him” for the same reason i am boycotting woody allen: they aren’t actually funny, insightful or anything useful. But i am just saying that if it was someone i did like, like Conan O’Brien, it wouldn’t stop me from watching.
Which is not saying i approve of him cheating, but well, if i am going to start demanding good moral behavior 24/7 from our celebs, i am not going to be left with very little. its all a cesspool.
But on the other hand, i wouldn’t spit on Polanski if he was on fire.
A.W. (e7d72e) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:40 amLetterman says that he’s worried that CBS will can him. He needn’t be. Look how long CBS held on to Dan Rather.
Even Letterman knows he ought to be canned. Now where are all those NAGs like Boxer, Feinstein, etc. who marched on the capitol to get rid of Sen. Bob Packwood for doing what Letterman did?
HYPOCRITES!!!
PCD (1d8b6d) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:42 amBtw, Patterico, if it seems like most of my posts are critical, you have to understand that most of the time when i agree, i don’t bother to comment. i mostly agree with you on most things, but you only hear me speak when i disagree. so don’t take me as generally thinking you are wrong on everything or somethinglike that.
A.W. (e7d72e) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:51 amLetterman is married
Yeah, but we don’t know if he was married at the time.
It’s now being reported that the relationships were from before Letterman was married. I have no idea if this is true, and it certainly does not absolve him.
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/10/exclusive-man-arrested-extortion-lived-woman-who-slept-letterman
Letterman is an easy target, and a richly deserving one. Let’s just be very careful we don’t extrapolate. It’s not as though there isn’t enough dirt already known.
Amphipolis (b120ce) — 10/2/2009 @ 5:53 amLifestyles of The Rich and Famous.
Richard Aubrey (a9ba34) — 10/2/2009 @ 6:28 amI believe I’ll pass.
I salute David Letterman for his behavior in this issue.
When people are blackmailed, stepping up and cooperating with law enforcement is the best thing a person can do to prevent future blackmailers.
When there’s embarrassing behavior, admit the embarrassing behavior to defang the blackmailer.
Letterman could have capitulated and avoided the embarrassment. He didn’t. Today, he should receive nothing but praise for his actions. He stepped up.
–JRM
JRM (355c21) — 10/2/2009 @ 6:58 ambut in the age of South Park and the a**hole Bill Maher,
I hope you’re not confusing the two; say what you will about Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s use of potty – mouth language, their parody – meter of idiotic lefty and politically – correct is still on high alert. Their last movie was also hilarious, btw.
Dmac (5ddc52) — 10/2/2009 @ 6:59 amToday, he should receive nothing but praise for his actions. He stepped up.
Thank you, Mr. Polanski.
Dmac (5ddc52) — 10/2/2009 @ 7:00 amFirst, the cheating was reprehensible. he might not have been married, but he was in a long term relationship with the mother of his children. not quite as bad as cheating on a wife, but not a whole lot different either.
But there is an ambivalence here, because if we go and say “well, then i am never watching the show again” then in a weird way, the blackmailer will win. maybe he doesn’t get his money but at least he harms letterman. and indeed, if Letterman pays a price for this, then the next time someone wants to blackmail someone this way, they can say, “remember what happened to letterman.”
So yes, his cheating was reprehensible. but there are good policy reasons to look the other way, to defang the blackmailers of the world. Letterman may have sinned, but when faced with the blackmailer, he did exactly the right thing.
A.W. (e7d72e) — 10/2/2009 @ 7:12 amin a weird way, the blackmailer will win
Looks like the blackmailer is in a heap of trouble. He will not win.
But neither will Letterman. He made his bed.
Amphipolis (b120ce) — 10/2/2009 @ 8:27 amNow I am SURE that comedians will lambaste Letterman endlessly. I mean, his saying he wanted to no longer discuss this – as a celebrity he must know that such a statement must NOT be respected – not when they are jokes to be made at someone’s expense. Hell, that is Letterman’s stock in trade – snickering at other’s dirty laundry. Get out the clothesline Dave, time to give your personal life a public airing. (You would do no less to yourself.)
Californio (08da63) — 10/2/2009 @ 11:30 amSo now we await Dave’s revelation that he was the boy-toy of a higher-up CBS male executive – Dave got to give it to his staff, him gettin’ it was just respecting the (daisy) chain of command.
Ow, that was a JOKE – come on, isn’t everything grist for comedy in the Letterman world?
Californio (08da63) — 10/2/2009 @ 11:33 amLet’s see if I understand this:
AD - RtR/OS! (3d0577) — 10/2/2009 @ 12:29 pmLetterman admits to having sex with female employees…
And this did not create a “hostile work environment” how?
Would our “Emmy Nominated Producer” have had more effect if he had dropped this on the EEOC?
@happyfeet That joke is getting tired. Cooper is dating a french guy his age, and before that had an on-off relation with a guy in his late 30’s.
Good for Letterman for not budging into the blackmailer, but even if this was before he was married, he still cheated on his longtime partner. Unless they are/were in an open relationship?
chris (f067f8) — 10/2/2009 @ 3:55 pmIt does my heart good to see the morally superior working this subject like vultures pulling at gobbets of rotting flesh. Makes me glad to know there are laws and institutions that keep such people from having their way upon humanity.
Alan Kellogg (c3aa1e) — 10/2/2009 @ 7:36 pmEric Blair, #5
And all those who wish one a Merry Christmas, how do they taste boiled in their own pudding?
Alan Kellogg (c3aa1e) — 10/2/2009 @ 7:41 pmRachel Maddow spent her entire show yesterday mocking Ensign for his being blackmailed for an illicit affair. Now she wakes up and finds that the new leftie meme is that one must sympathize with the victim of such blackmail efforts.
Have Blue (854a6e) — 10/2/2009 @ 7:56 pmQuit passing judgment on Letterman. Can’t you see that he is just a person. Where do you morally superior sanctimonious people get off on trying to tell people how to live their life in an honorable manner? You should be shunned. And denounced. And condemned.
JD (848a9f) — 10/2/2009 @ 8:00 pmI agree with JD. Letterman is a
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/2/2009 @ 8:50 pmgrossly overpaidhighly paid TV personality and has been highly praised for a long time for his TV personality work. That, alone, is enough to let him do his “casting couch” work on the down-low. Get over it, people. Since he’s special, he gets free passes (and completions).Letterman shouldn’t be allowed to skate, ever, at all. “You’ll never work in these two towns again” comes to mind. And if the alleged blackmailer turns out to be a blackmailer, he should do time.
Just because one person is a worthless piece of garbage (Letterman), doesn’t give anyone else the right to blackmail him.
John Hitchcock (3fd153) — 10/2/2009 @ 8:52 pmHas anyone researched this journalist to see what kind of stories he did. This certainly is a reflection of the type of people working in the mainstream media. I wouldn’t be surprised if he created the phony Dan Rather documents. Okay, maybe I am getting a little carried away.
Alta Bob (e8af2b) — 10/3/2009 @ 2:01 pmIt seems to me that Letterman and his blackmailer (Remember LA Story ?) deserve each other. It’s a bit like Polanski got drunk at a party and got raped by some big guy. He is a scrawny little twit. Maybe that why he likes little girls. About his size, in more ways than one.
Mike K (2cf494) — 10/3/2009 @ 2:34 pm36.in a weird way, the blackmailer will win
Or maybe Letterman will win. I wouldn’t be surprised if Regina continues married to him and he continues with the other women on the side. He could continue cracking jokes about all of them and the audience would laugh as they are programmed to do so. He is certainly not going to change as a man at this age and this amount of money.
They would all win, and society would lose big time.
John Sinclair (ef2c46) — 10/13/2009 @ 7:47 am