STUPID ‘SEX’ TRICKS

Well, it seems it really was a LATE NIGHT with DAVID LETTERMAN.  In fact, it was many, many LATE NIGHT’S.  That, according to the dry witted comic, who revealed last week that he has been the victim of a shakedown.

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On Thursday, the long time CBS host and creator of “Stupid Pet Tricks” and “Stupid Human Tricks” took to the airwaves to announce that a CBS employee tried to extort $2 million dollars from him, to keep quiet about several sexual affairs Letterman had over the years with various female employees from his staff.  51 year old Robert J. Halderman, a Producer for the CBS crime show 48 HOURS MYSTERY has been charged with extortion by the Manhattan District Attorney, after a sting operation involving Letterman and police nabbed Halderman accepting a phony check meant to buy Halderman’s silence.  Halderman faces a charge of 1st degree Larceny, which could land him in jail for up to 15 years. Letterman mixed humor with reality in his true confession to his live and television audience last Thursday, who at times weren’t sure if the comedian was being serious or acting out a comedic sketch.

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Many conservatives were quick to denounce Letterman for the affairs, probably as payback for his liberal views over the years, as well as some disparaging comments he made regarding Sarah Palin and her young daughter.  But aside from some expected ribbing from other late night hosts, many in the entertainment world called it a “non-issue.”  Most thought it was a brilliant move for Letterman to expose the story himself first, on his own terms.  And since consensual sex between two adults is not a crime, perhaps the biggest shock of this story was (according to Letterman) the revelation that he had sex at all.  With the District Attorney involved, this will likely go to trial.  And depending on what specific details are revealed that Letterman himself refers to as “creepy stuff,” this may prove embarrassing for the comic and the women named in the case, but nothing more.  Still, some questions remain: How many women were involved?  Did the relationships end well? Did women feel pressured by the boss’ advances, or were they happily consensual? Did any other staffers feel the way to get ahead was through Letterman’s bed? Are women who did not have intimate relations with Letterman upset that those who did may have gotten special treatment or career advances? Is anyone talking to lawyers?  After seeing a sizable increase in ratings following the host change at THE TONIGHT SHOW, some wonder if Letterman will lose viewers (particularly women) or suffer short or longterm setbacks to his ratings and career?  What do you think?

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