New York — David Letterman should probably care what women think about him — and not just his wife.
His back-to-back scandals this year — a crude joke about Sarah Palin’s daughter and revelations through an alleged blackmail attempt by a CBS producer that Letterman had sexual relationships with “Late Show” staff members — are likely to hit his reputation hardest with women.
There are still many unknowns following Letterman’s startling admission last week: How many women were involved? Did the relationships end well? Did women feel pressured by advances by the boss, 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?
Letterman’s future
All could determine whether Letterman is significantly damaged or if it’s just a footnote to his career.
Certainly, it can’t help when the New York Post blares on its front page: “Dirty Dave’s Harem.”
“It’s very interesting. Men and women think very differently about this story,” NBC News anchor Ann Curry said. “The men I’ve talked to think, ‘How could a person within your own company kind of betray you like this?’ But the reaction I’m hearing from women is completely on the other end. They’re saying, ‘How could you have affairs, multiple affairs, with members of your own staff and how does that create a fair and equal working environment?’”
Many women who work in television, and probably most other industries, can recall feeling pressured to do something with a man she works for, said Curry’s colleague Kathie Lee Gifford.
“I’m not saying David did that, but the details are yet to be discovered,” she said. “They might have been very willing partners who initiated it. We don’t know, but the minute we hear stories like that we go, ‘Uh-huh.”’
Letterman’s prickly personality and sarcastic humor seem tailor-made for a young, male audience. But the facts tell a different story: Letterman’s typical audience was 58 percent female last season, with an average age of just under 55, according to the Nielsen Co.
Women’s reactions
In other words, he should care very much whether women are disgusted by his behavior and reject his comedy as a result.
Letterman effectively seized control of his story the first night by establishing himself as a crime victim. The way he revealed his transgressions — by talking about the “terrible, terrible” and “creepy” things that he did before saying what they were — left enough dark thoughts running through viewers’ minds that sex with consenting age staff members seemed mild as a result.
His television performance was judged more than his conduct. The Associated Press said in its headline that Letterman had created a “brilliant, unsettling hour of TV.”
Many of Letterman’s fans seem to recognize he’s an oddball in real life, a man who radiates unapproachability, keeps his studio at freezer temperatures and is prone to constant brooding about past failures (Jay Leno has already left the “Tonight” show, but Letterman still can’t get over losing that gig to him in 1993). Sexual affairs? Seems normal by comparison.
While Letterman’s representatives have released few details about the relationships, they have said they predate his marriage to Regina Lasko in March. The couple has a 5-year-old son.
“I don’t really care who someone sleeps with as long as it’s not coerced and as long as there’s not some explicit or implicit promise of favors or the like,” Kim Gandy, former president of the National Organization for Women, said. “It’s another adult — it’s not a minor. If that’s all it is, he’s a single guy and he had a fling.”
Another apology needed?
But Gene Grabowski, an expert in crisis public relations for Levick Strategic Communications, said that after a couple of days, the extortion attempt will recede and viewers will focus on Letterman’s behavior.
Letterman said on Thursday that he doesn’t plan to address the issue again. Grabowski said he needs to.
“People want to forgive David Letterman,” he said. “People like David Letterman. But he has to do his part to make people want to support him, and that means apologize.”
After Letterman’s joke about Palin’s daughter being “knocked up” by Alex Rodriguez fell horribly flat, he gave a relatively cursory explanation and called it a failed attempt at comedy. After a weekend’s reflection, he came back to give a much stronger apology.
The latest mess comes at a time when Letterman is re-establishing himself as the dominant figure in late-night television. His “Late Show” is nearly must-see TV. Within the past two weeks, he has featured President Barack Obama, Madonna and a riveting personal scandal. The best Conan O’Brien could do was a concussion when a stunt went awry.
Yet the women in Letterman’s audience may need some reassuring.
Comments
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mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
I don't care who the man sleeps with, as long as she is of legal age. Doesn't matter. stop blowing it out of proportion
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
most women are all too familiar with cheating and affairs. This shouldn't change anything, and will probably net him a few more ladies.
Cappy (anonymous) says…
Legal, consenting adults I'm OK with. Although some were employees, there's been no implication of coercion and any of them are free to sue his a$$ if there was. At least he's not trying to push himself as some paragon of family values at the same time as he's diddling hookers and the help like some in the news.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
I agree, mom of three. Unless there were illegal acts (and that seems very unlikely) the only question is whether his viewers still find his show entertaining. And if you are really offended by these affairs, don't watch his show.
smitty (anonymous) says…
mom_of_three, who was blowing? This isn't a presidential issue for crying out loud.
headdoctor (anonymous) says…
TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
If Glenn Beck or Dennis Miller or any conservative talker did this, the recently recategorized (by me) fringe leftist media would make it the story of the century. Awwww heck though, not good ol' Dave. He's an East Coast Elite Liberal Icon. O'Reilly's bogus story was blown totally out of proportion by the fringe left-wing media outlets. All that needs to happen is: A. The far-left blogo gets the story, defines it in their usual deceitful way, B. The fringe left-wing media (MSNBC etc) grab ahold and salivate for days and weeks.
________________________________________________
I am sure Tom that you are incapable of getting the point but I will waste my time anyway. The so called right wing figures wouldn't catch nearly as much guff over affairs and such if they hadn't spent a lot of time ramming Biblical moral high ground down everyone's throats. It is pretty tough not to want to give some of these people a hard time when they are going around preaching thou shalt not all the time they are just as guilty. The old idea of do as I say not as I do doesn't go over very well.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
Got any more "deep thoughts" santini?
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Cappy said it best. Great post!
Eew--- What was that squishy wet "POP" sound? OMG, it was shewmon's head exploding! No big loss, though. And I'm sure the little woman will clean up the screen and keyboard and patch up the wreckage.
mediocre santini~ You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you? Try clicking your heels together 3 times and chanting, "There's no place like my fantasy world.... There's no place like my fantasy world... There's no place like my fantasy world..."
Meantime, most women will continue to acknowledge that people hook up--and the workplace is far from uncommon. If he didn't use his position to pressure anyone (and since it was not any of the women outing/blackmailing him, they apparently feel some loyalty), and since he has never portrayed himself as some paragon of "Christian values" like so many deservedly disgraced right wingers, it's not really a big deal for me.
If I were his wife, the timeline would be of paramount importance---if any of these affairs took place after he was already in a committed relationship with Lasko, I expect he's got some 'splainin' to do.
You people will never get it, no matter how many times we try to tell you: It isn't the sex that's the problem, it's the hypocrisy. The same people preaching 'Christian values" are caught again and again violating them. The same legislators who rail against gay marriage are caught playing footsie with strangers in public bathrooms or sending filthy text messages to youthful aides...
And, while the majority of these do seem to be right wingers, since they seem to think they have cornered the market on values, there are some hypocritical Democrats, too, and I will call 'em as I see 'em. John Edwards was one of Bill Clinton's most vocal critics during the Monica circus, and lo and behold--here's Edwards skipping out on his wife and apparently fathering a child with his mistress while Elizabeth is (a) battling cancer and (b) gamely supporting his presidential bid. Classy. Unlike the right wingers who never admit when someone on "their side" is wrong, I have no problem calling Edwards the dog he is.
As long as Letterman has not set himself up as a fundamentalist preacher or serious arbiter of public mores, or run for public office on a platform of squeaky clean moral values, he is not a hypocrite in my book. He's a comedian and a human being--hence fallible (which he never claimed he wasn't). And I, for one, do not care what he does in private--that's his and his wife's business.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"Many women including “feminists” are women haters deep down."
Awesome. I like the only rationale you brought to the table, too. Surely, Palin and her family must be a representative of anybody with female sex organs.
charliejohnson (anonymous) says…
just something else that the press is blowing out of proportion. Sometimes I just wish they would shut-up already.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Well, as far as blowing it out of proportion, it's an article in the paper, and all over the news media.
The real story is how someone tried to extort money out of him, not that he had an affair at work. People do it all the time. No one cares, unless you lie about it and try to cover it up (like politicians have been known to do).
No one cares.
Polly_Gomer (anonymous) says…
Who cares? This is a bunch of people trying to make something out of nothing. Shoo, mon, meds, now.
BrianR (anonymous) says…
Seriously Tom, have Glenn Beck or Dennis Miller expressed an interest in having sex with one of Letterman's staff? Get over yourself.
somedude20 (anonymous) says…
TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
"If Glenn Beck or Dennis Miller or any conservative talker did this, the recently recategorized (by me) fringe leftist media would make it the story of the century. Awwww heck though, not good ol' Dave. He's an East Coast Elite Liberal Icon. O'Reilly's bogus story was blown totally out of proportion by the fringe left-wing media outlets. All that needs to happen is: A. The far-left blogo gets the story, defines it in their usual deceitful way, B. The fringe left-wing media (MSNBC etc) grab ahold and salivate for days and weeks"
I say:
Hey chief, Rush Limbaugh seemd to fair pretty well with those criminal charges ( yes hoss, fat boy done broken the law; Fraud Charge In Rx Drug Probe). Dave ( so far as we know) has done nothing illegal and Rush is about to be a co-owner of The Rams.
Rush broke the law. I said Rush broke the law (one more time for even you) Rush broke the law and was able to weasel out of the charges
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
"But the reaction I’m hearing from women is completely on the other end. They’re saying, ‘How could you have affairs, multiple affairs, with members of your own staff and how does that create a fair and equal working environment?’"
Anyone who's worked in TV will tell you: sleeping with someone is how many people move up in the industry. It is commonplace for this to happen in entertainment. The only reason why this is "shocking" is because it made the news by being associated with blackmail. But, to the people working, say, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the idea that someone in an influential position might be sleeping with subordinates and that those subordinates might end up being promoted as an indirect result of the affair is no shock at all.
What won't fly at Universal Studios' corporate offices will fly on the Universal Studios lots.
KS (anonymous) says…
somedude20 - Clinton broke the law. Let ME repeat that, Clinton broke the law. Again, I will repeat that, Clinton broke the law, too. It is against the law to lie under oath. You guys have too much time on your hands.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
KS says: But, but, but Clinton!!!
Didn't realize that Rush or Letterman were presidents. I assume they must be, since your add-on is incomparable and irrelevant otherwise.
Well, past blind and overgeneralized partisan groupings, at least.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
real, intelligent women will not be offended by Letterman; it's those holier-than-thou, proselytizers the likes of Craig, Stanford, Ensign, Louisana US senator Vetter, and the California assembytman that get their ire and turnoff. As bad as Edwards actions are, he did not try to hide behind some religious dogma.
kristyj (anonymous) says…
Tom: interesting you should equate feminism with communism since Marx's Manifesto advocates treating women as shared property among the men.
As for Letterman, he isn't funny anyway, so...whatever. But sounds like he might be a communist... :P
headdoctor (anonymous) says…
TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Great Santini you must remember for feminists, morality or any semblance of self-esteem are are not high on their list. It's rooted in communist doctrine like most leftist movements.
__________________________________________________
Huh? I agree with Polly_Gomer. You need to get back on your meds and if you are already they aren't working. Maybe try a different dose or prescription.
Let me try to translate Shewmon's comment. I will use the unabridged version from the conservative handbook. His statement means the women are not sweet, innocent, hardworking in the kitchen, non thinking, bare foot and pregnant, personal slaves.
I think that should pretty well cover the translation with everything that can be stated on this forum and maintain decorum.
ralphralph (anonymous) says…
I'm not a woman, but I've already tuned-out Dave, for a couple of reasons.
Reason #1 - Conan is funnier. It's not even close.
Reason #2 - Dave got so full of himself, and started spouting off on political issues .... not as a humorist or comedian, but as an advocate. I mean, did anyone see Obama on Late Night and not seriously think Dave was going to go down on him?
It's no fun watching a one-sided train wreck, and it was his job to wreck all the trains (actually, his show with John McCain wasn't half bad, and it might have been interesting to see the same kind of audacious, smart-ass questioning of Obama, rather than the lusting lap-dog treatment).
I guess if you are surrounded by people who never say no (not even to "THAT" question, ladies), the unchecked ego expands to fill all available space, and a guy starts to believe he's as wonderful as all the flunkies tell him. It would never occur to him that the intern didn't really "want it".
If I want deep political discourse, I'm not looking to a failed weatherman from Muncie, Indiana. If I want comedy, I'll try Conan.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
porch: The real nut-case in the Clinton issue was that sexually-repressed Kenneth Starr. I'm sure he got his "jollies" each evening during that so-called investigation. Now he is closeted with his thinkalikes in that ultra-conservative, but beautiful Pepperdine campus in Malibu. The guy gave me the creeps looking at him.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
Dave is ugly but he is very rich. I wonder how many women on his staff got a little extra in their Christmas bonus? Probably all of them that slept with him. He should've just hired hookers instead of turning his underlings into prostitutes.
Cappy (anonymous) says…
TheGreatSatani (Anonymous) says…
So real intelligent women are more anti-religion than pro-woman.
No, intelligent women know that most religion is anti-woman.
acg (anonymous) says…
Jeez! TomShewmon, get a freaking life. Every time I come onto this site, you're on every blog, regardless of what it's about blaming liberals and Obama and the left for everything. Your idiot lost, get over it and move on, freak of nature. Don't you have anything to do at all in Mom's basement?
pace (anonymous) says…
While I am not offended by consenting adults having sex, I am offended by the assumption that only women are feminist or only women or hypocritical conservatives males could be offended. Wow, get with it.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
barry: Since you align youself with Darwin; how does the recently announced discovery of Ardipithecus (4.4 MYA) affect your posts. Before this, we could only use Lucy as an excuse. Seems like we evolved from much earlier common ancestor of the rest of the Apes.
9070811 (anonymous) says…
What about men? Will men turn away from Letterman?
tbaker (anonymous) says…
I didn't watch him anyway - unless it was to view one of his apologies to someone he insulted. What a skeevy, power-drunk lech, not that this is any change to my previous assessment of the man. If you still watch him. whats that make you? CBS will figure it out. Good ole' free market capitalism will make this decision.
ErnestBarteldes (Ernest Barteldes) says…
Letterman is not an elected official having fun on the taxpayer dime, so as far as this 'scandal' goes, I could not care less. It's not like he's bedding 15-year-olds. He's cheating on his wife, that's her problem. I don't know why the media is making such a fuss. Or is this yet another distraction to get us away from the real news?
Calliope877 (anonymous) says…
I've never been a fan of Letterman's. Conan is way funnier and cuter in a geeky Woody Woodpecker kinda way...
SofaKing (anonymous) says…
Men will be d&cks.