David Letterman extorted over affairs w co workers

[@james5460]

What a strange moment in TV history.

[@jasonbrady1464]

Agreed 100%… I can’t believe this isn’t more talked about when historic TV moments are mentioned.. (or maybe it is, I don’t know lol)

[@everyonelovesmajima]

@@jasonbrady1464Nothing at all came of this. They were consensual relationships, one of them just happened to be the guy’s wife.

[@hutch1197]

@@everyonelovesmajima Nothing came of it because he was brutally honest about his mistakes. A scandal drags on when the accused denies, deflects or avoids confronting the truth. It causes more speculation and questions. Dave did the smart thing by putting it out there.

[@roddydykes7053]

Yeah no doubt. I don’t even remember it! And I was a fan of the show!

[@FasterthanSpeed414]

The Kramer apology was worse

[@ClifftonCrowder-yt2gt]

Paul's "oh no" was so sincere...He figured out this wasn't a bit way before the audience. I have never seen someone take the power away from someone like this. This an extremely unique moment in tv.

[@Feandromar]

Was just musing on this. Regardless of what you think of his behaviour, he handled this like a king.

[@GjpgrD]

I would be very surprised if Dave didn't give his staff a heads-up that this was coming. I'm sure it wasn't a surprise to Paul. But I'd love to know what Dave was thinking when the audience continued to laugh about it. I actually laughed at home when he said, "Yes, I have" because duh... both his wife Regina & ex Merrill were his co-workers. I thought he was referring to them at the time.

[@dyates6380]

I'm quite sure the entire crew knew this was coming and especially the on air people. These shows are rehearsed daily and this was no surprise to twinkle toes off to the side behind the keyboard.

[@JFDoria79]

Paul obviously knew the jist of what David was going to say before the show. This is all rehersed beforehand.

[@ytsucksnowwiththisrealname1096]

01:40

[@faisal1066]

I have cheated on my wife with multiple women The audience clap TF???

[@jacobhoffman2553]

honesty is a strange thing - even when your a bad person - it redeems you - this is something in life most will never grasp even after hearing seeing results like these - its like holy water to vampires for the vast majority of human beings - they will lie even when there is no reason to lie - its a hard coded anti god thing.... that shit runs deeper and older than recorded history ... make what you want of it but theres something solid there.... real magic...

[@paolodechiara6400]

I think they still thought it was a bit

[@justdaffy]

Yeah I'll be honest I think Letterman's delivery with this was...weird. Not saying he should've gone full KZbinr apology but his dry sarcastic tone does make it seem like he's just joking the entire time and none of this is true

[@fooglies]

@@justdaffy Yeah the way he kept repeating "terrible things", made it seem like he was mocking what was in the package. He even said "embarrassing terrible things" to clarify at one point. As if they were blackmailing him over singing in the shower or something...

[@fooglies]

@RandomComments-s4e It doesn't matter if he cheated before, during, or after engagement. It's still cheating dude lol

[@Bradonthe333]

His impression of the blackmailer sounds just like his Jay Lenno impression.

[@enstigatorofficial]

it was Leno who tried to blackmail him.

[@sleepoversnackies5663]

@@enstigatorofficial Any proof of this? Edit: It wasn't Jay, it was a CBS producer.

[@enstigatorofficial]

@@sleepoversnackies5663 a joke. they caught the guy and arrested for blackmail.

[@lesliemacmillan6483]

​@@enstigatorofficial😢

[@averyetvspecial1487]

The plot thickens

[@OSW]

The convicted extortionist was Robert "Joe" Halderman, who was roomates with a woman having an affair with Letterman. He read her diary without permission learning about it. Even though the sentence for Grand Larceny could've been up to 15y in jail, he plead guilty, and got 6m in jail, plus probation. He served 4 months and was released. The funny part is, he was nominated for an Emmy whilst serving in prison! He didnt win. Shockingly this didnt blackball him from the industry as he was able to find work afterwards

[@Xylot]

CRAZY running into an OSW comment in the wild like this

[@shanestephens4728]

Thanks for the AXCLOOSIVE!! I’m finding this comment on Christmas Eve, so have a lovely Christmas to whomever oversees the channel ❤️❤️

[@nwgverified]

I'm not sure who was worse, him or letterman.

[@MrTeff999]

@@nwgverified Not sure? Really?

[@nwgverified]

@MrTeff999 Yeah, I guess the multiplicity of lettermans infidelity is probably worse.

[@TomD0131]

I remember hearing this on the radio when commuting to college. This was discussed maybe for a week and then everyone stopped caring and moved on. Why? Because he owned it. That's all you have to do. I like how he handled it. He did not try to side-step or anything.

[@jakegraham3758]

Tom131 I mean and he didn’t rape anybody

[@smuckingfart]

I know you posted your comment a long while ago but you (and he, for that matter) could not have used better words - for a celebrity of his caliber to come out, so very eloquently, and admit on public television that he was unfaithful to his wife took tremendous courage - somewhat self-serving - but courageous nonetheless

[@jamesshelley7432]

This would not have been nearly as well received post Luar/Weinstein

[@rkoistheman]

I don’t buy it. His entire tone, body language, and how often he cracked jokes shows he didn’t really care. He’s legit cracking jokes about cheating on his wife after he admitted it hurt her... didn’t even apologize bro lol

[@StormDatIsApproaching]

@@rkoistheman You care about Dave's wife because? Oh right, you must be a close friend of him and that's why his mistake changed how you view it, right? Otherwise it'd make no sense to care abou this

[@DaveLindbergh]

A simple rule for life: If you screw up, apologize sincerely. If you're accused of doing something wrong and are innocent, DO NOT apologize a bit.

[@Onigirli]

No no no you have to apologize either way. But if you're innocent, you have carte blanche to do the deed you're accused of. Fair?

[@DaveLindbergh]

@@Onigirli Not fair and not good advice. Nobody should have "carte blanch" to harm others. And far too many innocents make the mistake of apologizing, which often results in ruined reputations.

[@jardbinkley3144]

Well, Dave screwed up but I didn't hear any apology in there.

[@santiagoferrari1973]

@@jardbinkley3144 that might had happened in private

[@jardbinkley3144]

@@santiagoferrari1973 I was referring to a public one, of course.

[@johnmurphy2619]

I was in the audience at a Letterman show once. They tell you a thousand times before you go in to laugh out loud at every joke. People are so grilled to laugh that they start bursting out laughing everytime there is a pause. I doubt this audience knew what to do nor were they expecting such a serious announcement.

[@michaeldowney24]

I bet they prepared the audience the exact same way for this episode.

[@moccalou]

Dave's just naturally funny in his delivery since he's been doing it for so many years. Him saying "all the creepy things I had done" made me chuckle too.

[@fstrgray82]

Lotta shows do this with their audiences and it's so annoying. Let the moments happen naturally.

[@rinnypink]

​@@moccalouHe chose his words carefully. "Creepy" is a funny word and it is hyperbolic given the context.

[@77-ty7gb]

I was at a Letterman show. The literally NEVER said laugh out loud. EVER, not once. They laughed here because the audience was used to Dave joking, and never had he ever done something like this particular event. So that's why..not because they are told to laugh. They were not told to laugh. Maybe you confused a Rosie tapping with a Dave tapping??? Dave's audiences just laughed.

[@Wileylikethehawk]

I read a book a while ago called “So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed” and the conclusion the author came to was exactly what Dave did here: If you simply stand up and say “Yeah, I did that, and I’m sorry” that’s really the only course that works every time.

[@lippy22]

Imagine being Woody Harrelson backstage, knowing that you had to follow that.

[@Sharpstoned]

I remember watching this on tv when i was like 15 or something. Weird memory.

[@alistairproductions]

He was probably watching that thinking this was the most surreal thing ever

[@yourcommentisbad]

maybe this is where woody first got the idea to cheat on his wife - in a threesome with a paparazzi, no less. maybe thought "hey i can do it and get some applause and laughs too!"

[@adamr8628]

Probably nobody better than woody to handle something like that. He's a wild personality himself.

[@ross7948]

@@Sharpstonedo😂oo😂poowlr

[@alessandroscuderi7300]

"i am a towering mass of Lutherin midwestern guilt" *crowd applauds* ... ?

[@ThePlastocene]

Alessandro Scuderi Lutheran. Crowd applauds because they knew he misspelled it.

[@JazGalaxy]

Pleistocene The audience comes off as insane during this. It's really a matter of context, though. When you tell someone that a person is a comedian, their expectation that the person is funny really does most of the work for the comedian. If people are in a mood to laugh, they will laugh. For most of the story they didn't know it was a serious thing that Dave was confessing and by the time it happened I think they didn't know how to process what just happened. But, yeah, they come off as obtuse and insane.

[@chrisvanegmond3157]

​@@JazGalaxy It's like you say. The fact that his delivery is masterful and full of quips right up to the serious point also sets the tone for the audience, and like you say, his actual reveal is met by probably shock and confusion by an audience that doesn't know how to react.

[@AB-bu9go]

I laughed because, as a Pentecostal/non denomination Christian who grew up around a heavy dose of sanctimonious sycophancy and hypocrisy the likes of which would make Jesus sweat blood, I could heavily relate.

[@thetylerfish9089]

Ya.. sometimes it’s funny when people exaggerate things, shocker.

[@snshull]

Only man to get a round of applause for explaining an extra marital relationship (or two).

[@kevinsteel7875]

They're just doing their jobs, and Dave knows it but he's uncomfortable because they're laughing at a serious topic and he's not the only one affected by it.

[@ShadyLurker16]

NPC audience.

[@bum2chair]

Was he married at the time he slept with coworkers?

[@elputas]

So what do you think he should get? I mean, women who have an extra marital relationship with men usually get to destroy their families, alimony, victimization, the house, the car, the children and condolences...

[@elputas]

@mlouhig1536 He was NOT married. Check it out.

[@randypalmer2331]

Man... that crowd went through the whole thing thinking 'ah this is probably a bit' combined with 'this is a hilarious man who says hilarious things and therefore we must laugh at all he says'... they had no idea how to react.

[@seph_f]

Its so painful to watch

[@teebreezy]

Could see the frustration when he is putting all this out there and they treated it like a skit

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Like a less serious version of when Redd Foxx had an actual heart attack and died in front of an audience who thought it was just a joke.

[@BH_Nate]

Probably an applause and laugh sign was used. The laughing was completely inappropriate though

[@davidgalvez1786]

I mean he was being purposefully funny throughout the whole story

[@Ixnatifual]

The audience keep thinking it's all an elaborate joke because that's what they expect.

[@keaton718]

It was an elaborate joke really, on Dave. Two million dollars to keep the joke to himself, who was he kidding. Not mention it can't exactly have been top secret that Dave was sleeping with female staffers, even if the blackmailer kept quiet it wouldn't have plugged all the holes. Coming out with it on TV was the best move. The smart play.

[@notoriouseagle1074]

He admitted it right away, and this entire thing disappeared quicker than a bad cold.

[@johngalt60]

Didn't hurt that he was a known liberal. The industry protects its own.

[@scootermcgoot]

​@@johngalt60LMAO what? Please explain your conspiracy concerns

[@seanflierl2715]

@@johngalt60yes, it’s the liberals who are usually the ones with the scandals… *cough*

[@connorolson1712]

What?

[@kalebanth8323]

@@johngalt60it’s so bizarre and cringeworthy to see these robots try to use this as an example of what regular people should do when faced with the same obstacle. Like they can’t understand the simpleness of having an insane power dynamic over everybody around you and a laugh track to follow you around after everything you say. “See guys! This is all you have to do!”..😂 grown adults by the way are the ones trying to use this as an example of how to do the right thing. The world is really insane and it’s so weird/interesting to see how influence/fame can make grown adults (who will really swear that they are intelligent!) act like little sheep robots.

[@OSW]

This is a masterclass on how important is to break a scandal yourself. Instead of the headlines being "Letterman allegedly coerces multiple employees into sex" it's "poor ol' Dave is being blackmailed, he almost lost $2M...but the perp got arrested!" - the focus is completely past him cheating on his wife of 20+ years. He handled this so excellently, being sincere but softening the blow, while unreservedly stating he allegations were true - whilst being self-depreciating and charming. It could not have gone any better. By the end, everyone's informed AND on his side. What a gangster!

[@fuckoff5893]

He was never married for more than 20 years

[@fuckoff5893]

Hell he’s never been married close to 20 years

[@RandyHughes-gk2rk]

Yes ! You are a sophisticated individual !! Thank you !

[@Spamlett]

Would never have guessed that our algorithms were so aligned Jay. Was a good apology but needed more Paaauuull

[@jcoxy1057]

Nothing to do with how he handled it, media just wasn’t near as big back then and culture was a lot closer to when “hitting women” was a lot more acceptable on tv.

[@jamesstuart3346]

"Embarrassing...especially for the women." Like a boss

[@TonyEnglandUK]

Amazing how fame allows creepy behaviour a free pass

[@Assimandeli]

@@TonyEnglandUK Having sex is creepy?

[@TonyEnglandUK]

@TheGreatHorseradish and you're defending creepy behaviou, I wonder why

[@snvcchs]

If you have morals, fame would have no impact on sleeping with some old dude. Bring back people having principles. If it's that easy to break your moral code you didn't really have one to begin with!!!! Bunch of degenerates...@TonyEnglandUK

[@TomTKK]

​@@TonyEnglandUK women not to blame?

[@chrisvenditti9122]

Being truthful was best move he made.

[@MoHi-cx8py]

How amazing

[@michaelhope8899]

What a strange audience

[@smscandy]

Haha they prb made the audience laugh so the situation wouldnt be akward haha

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

smscandy Like a laugh sign that faces the audience and lights up.

[@mulletforyou]

they came expecting comedy so heard what he was saying through that filter.

[@m.j.8226]

I mean he was being pretty lighthearted about it at first so it’s pretty clear the audience thought it was a bit of some kind. Really not that deep

[@TooChakalypse]

they are told when to laugh and applaud dumbfk

[@colwilliamnoydb4134]

Just Imagine sitting in the audience thinking it's a funny bit, or joke, and Dave is telling you the truth about his affair and a crime committed live on air.

[@ryansbaby79]

they were laughing because 1 they prob didn't expect it to be serious...and 2 he has this deadpan humor ALLLLL the time, everything he says always sounds as if he serious when hes talks BUT its funny

[@chrisvanegmond3157]

That's kind of how he'd need it to go, as well. It seems like he's handled this in the best way possible with this response (and he delivers it incredibly well in what must be very very hard to say in front of an audience and the nation, when he drops the bomb). I always liked Letterman but this has really impressed me. I only learnt about this today through stories on Jeff Bezos' stand against AMI's blackmailing practices, glad I saw this!

[@midnightmover2329]

A Man can make a mistake,he can become attracted to a colleague,infatuated even, It can happen,but there was more than one or two women involved with Dave.If he was married to my sister,I would want to stick his head down a dirty toilet bowl. I have wondered,what if that despicable Blackmailer had asked for $20,000,what would Dave have done? Letterman was a super talk show host,but he betrayed his wife,his family more than once.

[@jkz8565]

I think they thought the whole time that he was fucking with them and there'd be some funny punchline or something at the end

[@RandyHughes-gk2rk]

Yes !!! Brilliant!!!!

[@Verbal_Kent]

Like everything in the world

[@johnking5174]

5:22 - I love this moment when Dave tells the audience how much the blackmailer wanted, $2 million - Dave's reaction to the audience shocked reaction is brilliant "was that the foreigners?" - as most Americans would think Dave got a cheap deal, as most blackmailers would ask for a lot more. A lot of foreigners come to see Dave's show.

[@TonyEnglandUK]

It's amazing how fame gives creepy, sexual predators a pass.

[@check2000]

@@TonyEnglandUK people sleep around, it happens. get over it.

[@TonyEnglandUK]

@@check2000 Even strangrer how creeps defend sexual predators. He wasn't just "sleeping around" you obviously haven't seen newer videos. Well, you probably have but will defend the behviour anyway. Get some dignity and stop defending these creeps.

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

@@check2000 Groping female co-workers without their permission isn't just sleeping around. You proved his point. \you will defend such behavior if its a celebrity guilty of it but explode when its happening in your daughter's workplace.

[@check2000]

@@upturnedblousecollar5811 cool story mate, now stick to the facts

[@chadbrooks5602]

This man should be a PR specialist

[@Eric_In_SF]

You realize this is the result of PR crisis management. He had nothing to do with it. NBC took care of it and he read the script.

[@campbellzachc]

A crisis communicator.

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

I’m glad he admitted it etc and the blackmailer was arrested. But it’s still really awful that he abused his power and hurt his family.

[@robinhooduk8255]

oh shut up for gods sake, people are grown adults and when you spend 8to12 hours a day with people relationships can happen. i flirted with my manager, just because its fun and i ended up having 9 year relationship and moving in together. women dont have affairs and keep their mouths shut about them if they dont feel it was a totally mutual relationship.

[@curtisholmes9988]

@@robinhooduk8255he cheated on his wife

[@elputas]

Well, now that you're talking about abusing power, do you know what's really awful? That when women have an extra marital relationship, they completely destroy their families, they get alimony, they're awarded with the victim status, they get the house, the car, the children and the condolences and sympathies from friends and relatives because her bastard husband left her all alone while he was out working for her...

[@elputas]

@@curtisholmes9988 It'd be interesting to see if his wife was also cheating on him...

[@elputas]

@@wzxr7722 Exactly.

[@hew195050]

Politicians should be half as transparent!!!

[@ddianetilli]

He only told it because he was caught and it would cost him either way

[@daithiocinnsealach1982]

Great insight 🙄

[@JR-zi9vj]

Obviously but i dont care if a talkshoe host is cheating on his wife im not his wife, his friend, or his family im a viewer snd this does not matter to me

[@theAxehound]

He's a sack of shiii and a shill

[@campbellzachc]

Yeah, and it was the right thing to do for All the reasons he stated here. 😂 what’s your fuckin point

[@mattwalker5129]

This reminds me of when Jerry Seinfeld, as Dave's guest, brought out Kramer after the whole racial episode that blew up on TMZ. Kramer came out and sat down and was visibly upset, and the first reaction of the audience was to start laughing, because they thought it was a sketch, and Seinfeld said, "Don't laugh, don't laugh."

[@lukejap11]

That video is what brought me here actually

[@Studentofgosset]

@@lukejap11 This comment is going to take me there now

[@thisisnotachannel]

"Stop laughing, it's not funny"...

[@gunkanjima3408]

Jerry is also a pedophile, so…

[@cybercop0083]

@@thisisnotachannelTook the words outta my mouth 😂😂😂

[@wisdomlab-db]

Unbelievable how the crowd applauds.

[@elputas]

Well, why not. When you refer to CONSENSUAL SEX AMONG ADULTS as "terrible" or "nasty" that is very funny.

[@SkyscannerGuy]

@@elputaswhy are you commenting at every single response similar to this? Chill

[@elputas]

@@SkyscannerGuy Cause if feel like it. SO? What is it to you?

[@midnightrider2342]

@@elputas Uh, not cool when the boss wants sex from the subordinates. The subordinates feel obligated to provide sex to the boss out of fear of losing their jobs. Isn't right, my friend.

[@kaseymomier3715]

@@SkyscannerGuywhy are you reading every comment ? Chill

[@stevenfarnesi9126]

Dave handled this the best way possible for someone in his position.

[@blockchainshark1392]

No not really. He clearly should of opened with a statement saying this is not a joke in anyway. The audience was laughing over and over. At no time did he mention this is serious . He knew if he said it the blackmailer would stop, but he clearly played up to the audience laughing so he could downplay It

[@Rimrock300]

@@blockchainshark1392 There is not much different he could do regarding the audience even if he would try his best. They are there to laugh. Most of them will take whatever he says as to be something more or less funny

[@NoctuaOlivae]

@@blockchainshark1392 I don't think you understand the job of a late night host. His job is to entertain people. Ofc he peppered in jokes in a 9 min monolouge. Why would he tell people not to laugh when that's the entire point? He's try to keep them entertained while also explaining what happened, otherwise it would drag down the entire mood of the show. You can approach serious topics with some degree of levity without it being "downplayed." The two aren't mutually exclusive

[@Bloockv8]

Lucky he missed the #metoo

[@theAxehound]

Nahh, his job was to shill.

[@birmania5754]

If he thought, he had to explain anything to the viewers, he could have made it short, straight to the point n serious rather than comic. How humiliating for his wife.

[@campbellzachc]

You’re projecting.

[@vera39440]

If you think, husbands don't speak to their wives about these things beforehand, your brain is small, rotted n cynical rather than being useful in any capactity. How humiliating for you.

[@stevowilliams8279]

@@campbellzachcprojecting what? Do you know what projecting means?

[@dannywainwrightq7828]

Sad that he never once mentioned cheating on his wife multiple times. Never apologized , played everyone for a sucker and got to be the victim.....And he was cheered for it. Anyone else in the world would be a cheating piece of crap! If you would cheat and lie to your wife , your one partner in life , you will do it to anyone. I do not feel sorry for that person. Everyone makes mistakes and does bad things , but to cheered for it on national television just shows how upside down this world really is..

[@johngalt60]

But he's Dave and he's funny and lovable... How many times do you suppose he's lambasted people who have done lesser things, if not the same thing as him? He's a creep, he always has been.

[@can72287]

To be fair he doesn’t have to apologize to you for cheating on his wife. You do understand that. He doesn’t have to apologize to us for cheating on his wife. He has to apologize to her; and the fact that they are still together leads me to believe he did just that. And that’s really the end of that.

[@internetperson9121]

Fair points. It’s an unusual situation to be sure and definitely no guidelines for approaching it. I would assume he’s made private apologies where appropriate. And I think people didn’t know how to react - plus when the story started and they were laughing, they didn’t know where it was going. It’s also a comedy show, so he can’t exactly tell a long story in a boring way, unless he wants everyone to change the channel or be disappointed in the show they attended/watched. But again, you make fair points, it’s just that I think there are other considerations and there’s no perfect way of handling it when one has been a jackass.

[@Your6figurementor]

why are people clapping at Dave having sex with subordinates? This is crazy.

[@johngalt60]

Because they're dumb as 💩

[@sulimanthemagnificent4893]

Aesthetics of content, that’s just how it is. He presented his case masterfully, so he slipped away like freshly cooked Okra.

[@joshuana514]

It's actually not crazy. People have sex. Get over it.

[@campbellzachc]

Uhm, sub and dom are very common sexual dynamics. This isn’t a high school teacher banging a student.

[@johngalt60]

​@@joshuana514 yep, self righteous talk show pricks have sex with their employees all the time. Get over it!

[@DarthCipient]

Genius from Letterman. Completely fucked the guy who tried to blackmail him.

[@charliemaline223]

He also did the same to the women who work for him!

[@coldcuts3248]

Watching this in 2023. What a different world we live in today

[@SPaul-us9ob]

For the worse.

[@spiralentree737]

@@SPaul-us9obfor the better kevin spacy, fox news ceo, bill cosby every guy that abused his power is getting caught

[@SPaul-us9ob]

@@spiralentree737 For every "bad guy" being caught and brought down... There's 10 others that were just successful with women and/or were engaged in something called "flirtation", and thrown under the bus. The agenda is outlaw heterosexuality. That's the psyop.

[@SPaul-us9ob]

@@spiralentree737 For every "bad guy" caught and brought down... There's 10 more guys that were just successful with women, and engaged in something called "flirting". For that crime, their lives were messed with, end even destroyed. Don't be fooled. The world is not better. It is infinitely worse. Even for women. The agenda is to demonize, and then criminalize heterosexuality. That's the psyop.

[@maxpayne4129]

​@@spiralentree737Yet all free still... Not sure about the fox ceo actually.Also not saying they should be (at all).

[@shanesmith6941]

His response was epic!!

[@dirkdarwin2571]

To all the people berating the audience for laughing, to be fair, he's cracking gags all the way through, what do you expect them to do?

[@allys744]

While I don’t condone David’s actions, he did take ownership and handled it real well

[@elputas]

Well, in consensual sex among adults, there's nothing for you or me to "condone" or "not condone". It belongs in the realm of the personal and private.

[@petescafidi]

Good point. We all came to this site knowing what to expect and the severity of the matter. The audience had no idea that this was something serious.

[@earlrossow4463]

Does anyone else think it was hilarious that WOODY was his guest that night?

[@lspye]

Well, he's got my respect for publicly announcing it and owning up to his mistakes. I think he handled the entire situation very well.

[@m.e.m.jr.4294]

Why dose its smelly bad?

[@ROZAKRIU]

Dave has always been a class act in my opinion

[@seph_f]

@@ROZAKRIU yea a real class act fucking young women interns as a dude in a massive position of power, cheating on his wife and family. Super classy. He's a fuckin dirtbag

[@mehhhblehhh1561]

Youre a joke. Dude is a piece of 💩. Admitting youre gutter trash means nothing. Hes still the same piece of 💩

[@tommyriam8320]

' _owning up to_ ' *getting caught* , you mean - with his pants down, schlong hanging out, no less. What made it even more unseemly was that he was nightly selling and encouraging others to promote this image of himself as the hapless, somewhat nerdish, clown who never 'got the girl' _meanwhile_ , the creep is backstage porking the crap out of every intern and bitch on his staff who answers to him

[@od9694]

It takes some dude to get caught doing this and come out looking like a hero

[@slimhorny]

It didn't come off as looking like a hero, it came off like a comedy bit.

[@SimplifyTheWork]

I think it would have been different if one of the women came forward, but i think a lot of people can empathize. What if someone tried to get money from you with threats of revealing embarrassing things about you? Also, why reward a criminal by making *him* the good guy for outting someone? There's a reason why extortion is against the law.

[@saruhh]

A cheater is no hero of mine

[@od9694]

@@saruhh why is this getting comments now after 4 years

[@SamBuddwing]

I can't help thinking that things would have gone more smoothly if Letterman had begun by saying something like, "You know, ladies and gentlemen, night after night I sit up here, trying to make you laugh, and sometimes I actually succeed, but right now I have something totally serious that I think you need to know about..."

[@matts6827]

If he'd asked for like 100 grand, he would have gotten it.

[@deloreanfan81]

"Take the book and read along at the film" lol

[@leroystea8069]

I didn't know this was a real thing that had happened. And Dave's openness to share this was truly an amazing thing to see. So very well handled.

[@mehhhblehhh1561]

You respect a piece of 💩 because you are a piece of 💩

[@tcudahey9550]

What is amazing about a man who is in a corner and has no way out confessing to being a serial adulterer in order to save $2 million? He chose the lesser of two evils.

[@mdhcccc]

@@tcudahey9550I agree

[@johnwagner1786]

Tried making himself a victim the whole time (we’ll except the “terrible things” he did) when really he just did shitty shit

[@MrYogo1]

I see no ring.

[@sunnybeeSue]

this was awesome. finally a public figure who doesn’t try to bullshit their way through a scandal, he was upfront and admitted that he fucked up and he did it on his own.

[@carlodave9]

And nine years ago you hadn’t had to listen to Trump denying demonstrable facts about him for seven years straight, and then trying to sue people for telling the truth (for free!).

[@mariedewitt5033]

He didn't admit it on his own..He was being blackmailed and had no choice. He is an asshat

[@mariedewitt5033]

Please. His abuse of staff and sorry, sordid life is hardly entertainment.

[@mehhhblehhh1561]

Plenty just do do it. Hes with the other gutter scum. Dudes a piece of 💩

[@garyfoster3854]

@@mariedewitt5033ok Karen.

[@denisespurlock7869]

David did well in admitting his mistakes.

[@mariedewitt5033]

He had to, didn't he?

[@johnking5174]

@@mariedewitt5033 Not really, many top lawyers could have easily constructed a legally binding contract, where Letterman would pay the man the money, but he would have to sign a deal saying he would not reveal the details. If he revealed it, or the details leaked, the man would be nabbed for millions of dollars. This is what top lawyers do, and remember Dave was worth back then around $400 million, he could afford the top lawyers to crush this blackmailer. So, no, it wouldn't have to come out at all.

[@BDUBZ49]

1. This was a weird way to present and talk about this situation. 2. Why are people applauding and laughing?

[@iPwNnEwbz2765]

Dave: "I've had sex with co workers." Audience: HAHAHAHAHA Dave: Hey I'm serious Audience: HAHAHAHAHA Me: What the f.. why are you laughing you idiots. Audience: HAHAHAHAHA Me and Dave: Shut Up! Audience: HAHAHAHAHA Me and Dave: OK we're leaving now Audience: HAHAHAHAHA (Lights shut off, crew leaves too) Audience: HAHAHAHAHA (Dave comes into studio next morning) Audience: HAHAHAHAHA

[@nwgverified]

How honest to admit it once he was caught out and threatened to be exposed

[@SpasticTheMonkey]

I would be losing my shit if I was letterman, literally said he was being blackmailed for 2 million dollars and the audience applauded, kudos to him for keeping his composure

[@conorharris2451]

Yes he owned it but he’s trivializing cheating on his wife. There’s also the possibility of work placed harassment.

[@MrTeff999]

I’m sure he suffered a consequence at home. As for harassment, apparently the women didn’t see it that way.

[@IndirectManifestatio]

This must have really hurt his wife. That is bizarre.

[@Hautedoughuts]

When Paul Shaffer says “oh no” 🤣

[@allanjensen1195]

Lesson to Donald Trump - taking responsibility, showing integrity, caring about how your actions impact others = respect.

[@chadm7744]

At least Letterman confessed when caught and took responsibility for being flawed vs. so many that deny what they've done.

[@georgejetson3702]

He made a joke out of it but guys like Charlie Rose, Bill O'Reilly, Matt Lauer and Chris Matthews lost everything. Dave was the funniest guy on TV back in the day, but he's still a scumbag. Nailing girls who work for you is about as creepy as it gets.

[@yohei72]

My favorite reaction to this was that of his ex-partner and onetime head writer of Late Night, Merrill Markoe: “Aw, Dave, you said I was the only one you’d ever cheat on.”

[@keaton718]

The blackmailer underestimated how willing Dave was to turn his private life into a joke on TV.

[@johnking5174]

Dave's way of pitching this "story" is interesting, as he waited over 7 and a half minutes into the story before the finally revealed to a stunned audience both in the theater and at home of his affairs with female staff members who worked on his show.

[@shelby5809]

"oh shit we laughed and clapped at this?"

[@internetperson9121]

Certainly an uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for him. Several years ago, in the midst of a bout of loneliness and desperation, I was confronted with an opportunity to cavort with an attractive married coworker. I wavered, but ultimately refused, as the embarrassment and disrepute of being caught loomed large in my conscience - as did the obvious ethical gutter I’d be crawling into. But if she had been more persistent, would I have given in? I hope not, but for now I’ll just say “there but for the grace of god go I.”

[@Bella-fz9fy]

⁠@@internetperson9121There’s a difference between natural attractions at work,that you,to your credit,didn’t involve yourself in,and abuses of power,that a boss could use to instigate an affair or generally create an unpleasant environment to work in,I think it’s tricky if a boss is known to have multiple affairs with employees!

[@nicholasdsilva5273]

Everyone who keeps saying David was honest, has no idea what they’re talking about. He wasn’t honest if he was honest, he would’ve told the truth from the very beginning, but he lied until he got blackmailed and knew the story would come out and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

[@ahdorbfidks]

right and he cheated on his wife…

[@mjaada]

"especially for the women" crowd: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

[@garyanderson9467]

I remember watching that night and thinking it was a comedy bit at first.

[@esko8er1]

Im not too sure what was funny either but Mr.Letterman couldnt have handled the situation any better. Was honest about it and kept it moving. People act like theyve never fucked up before.

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

I happened to see this episode. Well done, DL.

[@billyfan8305]

wow......The audience must not believe him...That's the only way I can account for their response.

[@kevinmathewson4272]

billyfan8305 People laugh in uncertain situations. The audience on a comedic talkshow is primed to laugh at stuff. Also they laughed to ease tension and show support.

[@johngobalski8472]

+billyfan8305 He handled it with pure class.

[@mongoardath1]

+billyfan8305 Very similar to the appearance by Michael Richards after his infamous n-word incident. You don't know what is real and what is not.

[@maxhydekyle2425]

They're uncomfortable and don't know what's actually jokes and what's serious

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

A blackmailer, or extortionist, is someone who finds out something about someone that that someone would rather not become the subject of idle speculation by strangers, and then decides to use said information TO DO SOMEONE HARM. That's why it is a crime. That's why it is evil.

[@Onigirli]

That poor philanderer...

[@MiaMadeInChina]

This is disgusting. Why they are laughing

[@pvvned]

MiaMadeInChina Maybe it's because he's making jokes throughout it and he's a comedian?

[@AlexRaGeAHoLiC]

MiaMadeInChina They are laughing because they must laugh. there is a sign that tell them when to laugh and when to applaud and when to say woooow

[@earlrossow4463]

MiaMadeInChina whats disgusting? besides that fact that you let yourself get offended by nonsense

[@backinthecrystal]

AlexRaGeAHoLiC Uh, no.

[@KA-gy3lz]

They thought it was joke dumbass. They didn't realize he was actually telling the truth

[@kay834]

" hey honey the recording is going just taking so long Im gonna be home late again dont wait for dinner" *clunk" "alright girls now I want you to lie down on each other and hold this banana, and scream cowboy Dave"

[@daithiocinnsealach1982]

Yeah, but he dissipated the whole thing by saying it first and being comedic about it. Lessons in there...

[@SirHatchporch]

That's what I was wondering. He never said it was while he was married.

[@jeffgough]

Interesting there was no apology anywhere in there

[@Me97202]

Those apologies were made in private. Directly to the people involved. At least Dave went public and owned his mistakes. Unlike Donald Trump, who simply doubles down and calls the accusers horrible names.

[@jeffgough]

@ Interesting. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but where did you learn Dave did that in private? And Dave is admitting he did have these affairs. So calling them names would be totally out of place. I think Trump is claiming he didn’t do what he was accused of…in which case it would be more understandable to be hostile toward people making false accusations against you, no?

[@johngalt60]

​@@Me97202 oh sure, because Dave admitting he abused his position as a boss is really about your vendetta against Trump. Who is still your president, btw.

[@can72287]

Yeah he doesn’t have to apologize to the public…and I’m glad he didn’t.

[@johngalt60]

@@can72287 sure, why apologize for being a loathsome public figure and a hypocrite? 🤷‍♂️

[@Unfortunately_Mickey]

The thing I can appreciate is that he recognized that any of the women that participated have every right to talk about it.

[@urafuknkunt]

It's amazing how many people seem to feel that it's so "odd" and "disturbing" that the audience kept laughing. They're at a live taping. They're instructed to laugh. Nobody in the audience had any clue how serious the matter was. They were probably expecting it to end with "soooo, long story short, I'll be mowing Paul's front yard for the next year and a half". Or something along those lines. I love the way he presented the matter. Comedically serious and sincere.

[@urafuknkunt]

He could have said at any point, "Folks, please, this is serious". He let them laugh.

[@elsabean6791]

Exactly. Dave was making jokes about it, trying to keep it not so serious for his audience’s sake, because he’s a true comedian at heart and he knows they’re there for a good time, not to be brought down by his personal drama. He handled this perfectly just by being himself. So many times we see celebrities attempting to "come clean" for stuff and they will make a video that is so scripted/rehearsed that it only makes things worse for them because everyone knows they’re not being sincere. Dave didn’t fall into that trap. He said what needed to be said and everyone accepted it because it was sincere and real, and then we all moved on. He didn’t need to apologize to the public because he did nothing wrong to us. It was his family and the women he slept with that were owed apologies, and that isn’t something that needed to be done anywhere but in private. Any celebrity that ever finds themselves in a scandal of any kind could learn a lot from Dave here.

[@nyChannel09]

You cant prove, that they actually used the "Applaude" sign. Thus your comment is obsolete

[@urafuknkunt]

@@nyChannel09 who said anything about an applause sign?

[@nyChannel09]

@urafuknkunt Thats what they have.

[@shanekiapatterson1509]

You can't get mad at three audience for laughing when he himself made jokes during the discussion. Either you want to be taken seriously or you don't

[@aidanfl]

It’s clear to me when he’s joking and not, but it could just be because I already knew the situation before watching this and the audience probably didn’t

[@leavingtheisland]

Fully agree with you - he could have made it clear from the start that it wasn't a joking matter.

[@misterlambert]

I think Dave handled this situation masterfully, he used humor to frame his experience in a way people could identify and easily sympathize with. My sources say the blackmailer was Robert Halderman, a director on "48 hours". He probably used his investigative journalism skills and inside position at CBS to accumulate tons of moderately scandalous material. Dave's been dating that Lasko lady on and off forever. Any sexual details with staffers are bound to be slightly embarassing.

[@Brinta3]

“My sources” It’s not exactly a secret, it’s even on Halderman’s Wikipedia page.

[@ChaosZero.]

@@Brinta3 You commented on a post from 13 years ago.

[@patrickr9670]

“my sources” Lmaooo

[@Brinta3]

@@ChaosZero. You’re right, my comment was unfair. It may not have been public knowledge back then.

[@patrickr9670]

​@@Brinta3 No you're actually right. This video was posted on Oct. 2nd 2009. The original comment cannot be from earlier than that. I can find a TMZ article posted on Oct. 1st 2009 saying Halderman was arrested for blackmailing him.

[@ernestpresents]

"those who have not sinned cast the first stone"

[@hippa2dahoppa2]

you never see real rawness like this anymore. he flat out said yup i did it so what. and wasnt being rude about it. just admitted it. it really stopped it dead in its tracks at that point.

[@dillionoshea7535]

When people screw up and admit their mistakes people accept it and move on. Shows character. The issue comes when you lie about it and we know you’re lying

[@hippa2dahoppa2]

@@dillionoshea7535 yup totally agree

[@movieman1556]

His constant attempt in making this light with continous jokes is so disrespectful to his wife/girlfriend. Just explain that you were caught CHEATING! And you are a scumbag!!

[@BatmanHQYT]

Impeccable delivery the entire time

[@movieman1556]

No sympathy for him. He got caught and nearly ruined his career and relationship with the mother of his child. Jerk...plain and simple.

[@Me97202]

Do you have any problem with the fact that Donald Trump did exactly the same thing?

[@irecordwithaphone1856]

​@@Me97202Yes? Very easy question to answer lol

[@jh02720]

Wow, triggered! Was your mom "working" with Letterman at the time?

[@RobertGoodwin-j1i]

It’s sad that Letterman still chose to be an ass to Lindsay Lohan after this happened. Lost all respect for him after that. You would think that when a man got exposed himself, he wouldn’t try and do it to someone else.

[@YouTuber-r5c8x]

He only survived because MeToo hadn't happened yet and social media was not prevalent.

[@sirfith]

Remember that David and his apologists judged and condemned Bristol Palin for being a unwed teenage mother. Now they are telling us to not be judgmental.

[@scottiei]

Perhaps that's because Bristol Palin and her mother made it a point to lecture others about being intimate before marriage, and she had not one but TWO kids out of wedlock. With two different guys.

[@katsings2u]

He made great efforts to thank people and protect the women, but what about his wife and kid? At the very least apologize to them. No class.

[@mariedewitt5033]

Protect the women? He is an old letch who protects himself...He humiliated his wife.

[@strangebrew1231]

Remember being blackmailed is not as bad as being convicted of extortion

[@charly274]

It's fucking creeping. A predator with applause

[@elputas]

Wait, what? He said he had sex, not R4P3

[@Dreama40]

Masterclass in how to get in front of an explosive story.

[@yowatupkidtv9390]

Why is the audience clapping and laughing when he's clearly being serious?

[@greglopez8206]

Perhaps the continued use of the word “hinky”

[@johnking5174]

They are nervous, they don't understand how to react. This was all unloaded on to them with no preparation.

[@brucefeagler980]

Maybe they think it's actually a joke of some kind ..since it is a comedy show. They don't know how to take it.

[@momcatwoo]

Amazing moment. I remember this. I was disgusted by his actions but I admired Dave for owning his errors.

[@notd0ll109]

Disgusted that a random rich guy you will never meet had sex with someone that wasn’t his wife?

[@JordanBMR]

This is an absolute masterclass for apologies.

[@Onigirli]

Apologies?

[@elputas]

@@Onigirli Apologies for what? He doesn't need to apologize for having consensual sex with another adult.

[@michaelstick8580]

I'm glad I watched this today.

[@EisenbergFlavour]

I think the audience didnt get that he was serious. Thats why the laughed. Cant blame them, who would have expected him exposing himself on his own show

[@seanbonella]

extortion makes you worse than guilty

[@MalakianM2S]

If anybody wonders what happened, the guy served 4 months in jail, and he got back in show business, courtesy of the Discovery Channel as far as I know.

[@23HF23]

The guy was living and in a relationship with an assistant on the show who Letterman was porking on the side.

[@MalakianM2S]

@@23HF23 wo it was all highschool drama revenge? that adds another layer to it.

[@MrMatteNWk]

Nope, he later worked for fellow convicted criminal James O'Keefe.

[@internetstrangerstrangerofweb]

7:46 this is literally something out of a dark comedy movie

[@dianaczee]

well i don't agree with getting blackmailed but just because you decide to be upfront about your extramarital affair doesn't make it right. he also didn't bother apologizing to his family who is the one who should be embarrassed in this whole situation. what a disgusting man and yes how embarrassing for the women that slept with him.

[@JTMoney22]

What a great way of handling damage control

[@TonyHislop]

Yikes. He’s always had the creepy factor.