David Letterman Extortion Scandal
Late Night Talk Show Host Admits To Sexual Indiscretions on TV
Oct 2, 2009
CBS television’s late night talk show host, David Letterman, seized the opportunity during the taping of his opening monologue on Thursday, October 2, 2009 to reveal to his studio audience – and to the world – that he had been the target of a failed $2 million dollar extortion attempt. Allegedly, the blackmailer had evidence that Mr. Letterman, 62, had engaged in sexual dalliances with women on his staff.
The blackmailer, identified as Robert J. Halderman, a former producer for the CBS crime investigation show, 48 Hours, threatened to go public with the proof if he was not paid. Law officials subsequently arrested Halderman on charges of attempted grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty in a New York City court and was released on $200,000 bail.
David Letterman Monologue Confession
Talking about sexual indiscretions, and getting a laugh out of them, is nothing new for the Late Show with David Letterman host. Letterman has been host of the high-rated and hugely popular Late Show with David Letterman on CBS television since 1982. The sex scandals of politicians and Hollywood celebrities alike have been mercilessly used by Letterman for years as fodder for punch lines. Now, the proverbial shoe is on the other foot.
Sitting behind his stage desk, Letterman began his monologue innocently enough with the phrase, "I have a little story I have to tell you." The comedian then went on, for all of 10 minutes, to methodically and casually explain selective details about his recent ordeal, telling how it had all started with finding a package and a letter in his car alluding to the “terrible things” he was said to have done.
Letterman's Sexual Indiscretions Gets Laughs
Letterman pushed on with his public confession despite several outbreaks of laughter from the audience, leading many to question if his sordid tale was meant as a joke. It all seemed like typical ‘Dave humor,’ until the host declared that he had, just that morning, testified before a grand jury where he admitted to the sexual relationships and to “creepy things” he had done.
Continuing, David Letterman said he felt guilt, and that the creepy thing was that he had sex with women who worked for him. He also said that coming forward and cooperating with the police was all in an attempt to protect his family and his job.
The spectre of being privy to what could be interpreted as an occurrence of sexual misconduct, or a confession of workplace sexual harassment, finally seemed to sink in. The accepting and friendly audience’s supportive laughter began to gradually quiet down. But, Letterman managed to get one more laugh out of the crowd with the self mocking comment, “I know what you’re all thinking. Dave had sex?”
Details Not Yet Fully Disclosed
As of this writing, details were still being disclosed. Letterman did not say exactly when the encounters occurred, whether they happened before he became married, or sometime since. Letterman married long-term girlfriend Regina Lasko in March 2009. The couple’s son was born six years prior. He did not say how long the affairs lasted, nor did he mention the specific nature of the relationships, beyond the sexual.
News sources reveal that Halderman once lived with Stephanie Birkitt, a former assistant to David Letterman. Yet, it is not confirmed if she is one of the women with whom Letterman had a physical relationship, and whether or not she had anything directly or indirectly to do with the proof which compelled Letterman to go public.
Consensual Workplace Sex or Workplace Sexual Harassment
A spokesman for David Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, has stated that the so-called affairs took place before the talk show host was married. It has also been said that the women in question worked for Worldwide Pants, and not for CBS television, and therefore Letterman will, in all likelihood, not be affected by CBS’s harassment policy. That is, if the liaisons turn out not be consensual, workplace sex and instead prove to fall under the distinction of workplace sexual harassment.
Whether David Letterman will, or will not be considered in violation of his own production company’s policies remains unclear at this time.
Smart Public Relations Move
What is clear, however, is that public relations professionals have been lauding the host for effectively ‘outing’ himself and trying to take control of the story. Instead of letting the story dictate his actions, Letterman took ownership of the story and told his in-studio and television viewing audience himself. Handling it in an apparent act of transparency and honesty is a good PR move, they say.
It is still yet to be seen if the public will continue to support Letterman if it turns out that his behavior constituted sexual harassment. To date, none of the women involved have come forward to make any such claims or complaints.
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