David Letterman's confession tonight..

[luvsJack]

If your a celebrity why not? You diffuse all the reports & media snopping around to make their own profit.
I think it was just brilliant.

Maybe so. I was only commenting to the poster saying that Letterman wasn't discussing the poster's life on a message board. Letterman is not discussing her/his life because she/he did not make a confession on national TV.

I wasn't saying Letterman should or shouldn't have made the statement.

 

[luvsJack]

Well, he didn't make an announcement until someone forced his hand. As a PP said, secrets lose their power once they are spoken.

As far as the relationship between him and this woman...neither one of them seemed to have a problem with it. If I understand the story correctly, the woman's now ex-BF is the one who did the extortion...I haven't seen anything stating that the woman was involved in the extortion part.

Sounds to me like a P.O.'d ex who thought he'd get revenge on his ex-GF and make a little $$$ off Letterman at the same time.

I thought Letterman said women? What about the rest of them? I understood that he had sex with several of the women that work for him.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Their age is not necessarily what makes it inappropriate. Lots of 17-18 year olds date guys in their 20's. Its the fact that a teacher has a certain amount of power over their students, just as a boss has a power over their employees. A teacher has the power to see the student pass or fail and a supervisor has the power to see an employee succeed or fail at their job. (These teachers--who were first year coaches, so very young; dated students and kept it secret until the girls graduated and were married shortly thereafter.)

If any of these women felt they were being pushed into sex, had to have sex to climb the entertainment ladder, trust me there would have been a huge law suit a long time ago.

IMHO I think it's very hard for some women to just accept women sometimes want sex just as much as a man does. Women also use sex to get ahead.....fact.

***As far as teachers, I hope we're speaking of professors, the fact is they can also date, have sex, etc. with their students.
I hope it's realized that college age woman & men use sex as a weapon on professors quit often...makes for a very easy "A".

 

[luvsJack]

If any of these women felt they were being pushed into sex, had to have sex to climb the entertainment ladder, trust me there would have been a huge law suit a long time ago.

IMHO I think it's very hard for some women to just accept women sometimes want sex just as much as a man does. Women also use sex to get ahead.....fact.

***As far as teachers, I hope we're speaking of professors, the fact is they can also date, have sex, etc. with their students.
I hope it's realized that college age woman & men use sex as a weapon on professors quit often...makes for a very easy "A".

Oh, I very much accept that women sometimes just want sex as much as a man does. And, yes, women use it as as weapon to get ahead (have witnessed that all around me).

I am not saying Letterman was holding out pay or promotions until they slept with him, the women could very well have been trying to get ahead by sleeping with him. That's what makes it inappropriate. If a woman sleeps with the boss and then later gets a promotion, no matter how much deserved; in many circles it will always be thought that she got it by sleeping with him. Or in turn, if at some point she is fired (or even leaves voluntarily), it will be assumed that it is because of the relationship.

As for the students, no I was talking about high school. I know two high school coaches who met their current wives during their first or second year of teaching. They were their students, they dated and after the girls graduated they married. The men were maybe 24, the girls 18 when they started dating. They are all grown, have children and have been happily married for 20 years or more. And I work at a community college, and no, our instructors may not date students. No employee of the college may date students.

 

[denisem]

I thought Letterman said women? What about the rest of them? I understood that he had sex with several of the women that work for him.

There's Merrill Markoe, head writer, with whom Letterman had a long time relationship back in the 70's. His current wife, Regina Lasko, was a production manager. And now Stephanie Birkett. Unless 100 more women come out of the woodwork, that's 3 women over a 30 yr. period.

As someone mentioned, if any of these women felt threatened, a mega-suit would have been filed longggg ago. For that matter, any other person on his staff who felt these 3 received deferential treatment could have filed a similar lawsuit.

 

[lillygator]

There's Merrill Markoe, head writer, with whom Letterman had a long time relationship back in the 70's. His current wife, Regina Lasko, was a production manager. And now Stephanie Birkett. Unless 100 more women come out of the woodwork, that's 3 women over a 30 yr. period.

As someone mentioned, if any of these women felt threatened, a mega-suit would have been filed longggg ago. For that matter, any other person on his staff who felt these 3 received deferential treatment could have filed a similar lawsuit.

I agree, I think if these women had felt threatened, they would have filed long ago.

It's Dave's business, but I am glad he didn't cave in to this guys demands.

 

[AustinTink]

There's Merrill Markoe, head writer, with whom Letterman had a long time relationship back in the 70's. His current wife, Regina Lasko, was a production manager. And now Stephanie Birkett. Unless 100 more women come out of the woodwork, that's 3 women over a 30 yr. period.

As someone mentioned, if any of these women felt threatened, a mega-suit would have been filed longggg ago. For that matter, any other person on his staff who felt these 3 received deferential treatment could have filed a similar lawsuit.

Three office romances over 30 years... Big Whoop! Adults meet their mates at work, it happens all the time. Heck, I met my husband at work and I was his superior at the time. I guess he was just trying to climb the corporate ladder and I was using my position of power to seduce him.

 

[JessicaR]

There's Merrill Markoe, head writer, with whom Letterman had a long time relationship back in the 70's. His current wife, Regina Lasko, was a production manager. And now Stephanie Birkett. Unless 100 more women come out of the woodwork, that's 3 women over a 30 yr. period.

As someone mentioned, if any of these women felt threatened, a mega-suit would have been filed longggg ago. For that matter, any other person on his staff who felt these 3 received deferential treatment could have filed a similar lawsuit.

Not that it matters one way of the other but thats 3 that you know of. Maybe thats all and maybe there are many more. Apparently there is a videotape involved.

Saw this earlier.
Legal experts say David Letterman's frank admission that he'd had sex with female employees of his show creates the possibility that female workers for his company could surface and create legal troubles for the late-night star.

Worldwide Pants says Letterman hasn't violated any of its employee conduct policies, and CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom told Hill, "His company is correct that there is no sexual harassment case, unless somebody brings a claim. And if nobody's brought a claim, then they're in the clear.

"The problem for Worldwide Pants and Letterman is that ... it's quite possible that there are employees who were not aware that David Letterman was engaged in sexual behavior with ... staff members and, under sexual harassment law, there is a claim for sexual harassment, somebody can come forward and say. 'The boss was sleeping with other employees, they got favors and advantages that I didn't get.' They got to appear on the show, perhaps, for example. Got additional payments for that.

"So, this is why every company in the United States has a policy that an employer should not be having sexual relations with a subordinate, because it has the potential to create a hostile work environment. I want to emphasize here that (as far as we know so far) it's all consenting adults, nobody has raised a claim, but there's always that issue lingering out there."


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/03/earlyshow/saturday/main5360879.shtml

 

[denisem]

Not that it matters one way of the other but thats 3 that you know of. Maybe thats all and maybe there are many more. Apparently there is a videotape involved

Agreed, which is why I made the remark about another 100 women coming out of the woodwork. But considering his relationships with Merrill & Regina were known to the public, I can't imagine his staff members were unaware. I'd even guess that the alleged "Stephanie" thing was known by staff members. And, if a staff member had filed suit about preferential treatment, and it was found true, I'd be the 1st on the bandwagon to say Letterman was totally wrong. But this all came to light due to a sleazeball ex-boyfriend attempting extortion.

For people who claim it is totally inappropriate for inter-office relationships, are there any gray areas? Suppose two consenting adults find they are attracted to one another - what are their options? Ignore their feelings? Should one person quit in order to take their relationship to a deeper level? Make it known to their superiors? Sign a pre-dating contract??

 

[tennvalgirl]

It surprises me that the blackmailer apparently didn't know Dave well enough and thought he would just pay up.

Dave comes across as one of those "apologize for nothing" types and you would think someone who knows him personally wouldn't test him.

I think about Dave joking about all of his speeding tickets and then just snapping his fingers along with Paul's music like" yeah, I've got speeding tickets...so what?!'

I like Dave, always have

 

[luvsJack]

There's Merrill Markoe, head writer, with whom Letterman had a long time relationship back in the 70's. His current wife, Regina Lasko, was a production manager. And now Stephanie Birkett. Unless 100 more women come out of the woodwork, that's 3 women over a 30 yr. period.

As someone mentioned, if any of these women felt threatened, a mega-suit would have been filed longggg ago. For that matter, any other person on his staff who felt these 3 received deferential treatment could have filed a similar lawsuit.

I never said that any of these women felt threatened or that they should have. Their feeling or not feeling threatened has nothing to do with the appropriateness of the relationships anyway.

My comments were about the appropriateness of a boss having a relationship (that is as in just sex, dating, etc.)with an employee. I meant any boss and any employee. Not just Letterman. There are reasons why it is considered inappropriate and this very case is one of those reasons.

 

[luvsJack]

Agreed, which is why I made the remark about another 100 women coming out of the woodwork. But considering his relationships with Merrill & Regina were known to the public, I can't imagine his staff members were unaware. I'd even guess that the alleged "Stephanie" thing was known by staff members. And, if a staff member had filed suit about preferential treatment, and it was found true, I'd be the 1st on the bandwagon to say Letterman was totally wrong. But this all came to light due to a sleazeball ex-boyfriend attempting extortion.

For people who claim it is totally inappropriate for inter-office relationships, are there any gray areas? Suppose two consenting adults find they are attracted to one another - what are their options? Ignore their feelings? Should one person quit in order to take their relationship to a deeper level? Make it known to their superiors? Sign a pre-dating contract??

Its not necessarily inter-office relationships. Its supervisor/employee relationships. If one has power over the other as in can fire the other, has control over pay and raises, etc.; there should not be a relationship started. It just should not be an option. Its not about being consenting adults.

 

[Imzadi]

I seriously doubt Letterman was in on the day to day hiring, firing, promotion, pay raises etc. of his company. He hires other people, like the PRODUCTION supervisor, etc. He also works in a union house. Some positions may be mandated that they receive a certain union wage. Plus, it's hard to simply fire someone without just cause in a union position.

As for having them appear on TV with him. Francis Ford Coppola cast his own daughter in The Godfather. Gwyneth Paltrow's dad directed her. Tom Crusie was in 3 movies with Nicole Kidman. People put their friends, family, lovers, spouses in their film & TV shows.

 

[Geoff_M]

I've basically been a viewer all of Letterman's professional life. I remember watching him on Channel 13 in Indy. He was a weatherman and host of a truly unbearable 4-H based teen "talk show" called Clover Power that tried to be "hip" back when local TV stations took the "community service" aspect of their FCC licensing requirements seriously. I've also been around him on occasion at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other tracks on the IndyCar circuit. I really liked him through most of his career, but I now put him in the category of once funny people that have largely become "unfunny" later in their careers.

None of us really know enough to know if Letterman's relationships with the females on his staff were "wrong". However, I think that it's safe to say that such relationships were an underling is sleeping with the boss are generally workplace poison (and I'm sure that he has some say in the hiring and firing of staff members, particularly writers... even with union rules). But none of that makes extortion OK, and I'm glad they nailed the weasel. I am, none the less, somewhat amused that Letterman, a guy that has attempted to get a lot of laughs out of the sexual embarrassments of others, has been hoisted on his own petard on this revelation.

 

[Disney Doll]

I thought Letterman said women? What about the rest of them? I understood that he had sex with several of the women that work for him.

He did, but the ex-boyfriend of only one of the women is the one trying to extort him, as far as I know.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

apparently, he was seeeing more than one at a time. The news is saying, on tonight's show, he talks about apologizing to his wife and how she was badly hurt by his admission last week.

IMHO, the statement he made on last week's show was enough for his audience. This sounds like it is boardering on too personal. I'm not saying he should run from it or pretend it doesn't exist. I just don't think he needs to keep delving into the personal stuff on the show. As a viewer, last weeks apology was enough for me - the rest is between him and his wife.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Being a sarcastic Hoosier myself and having known Dave since his days as weatherman in Indpls, and being fired every few days, I have to say that it bothers me not.

IF he were harassing women, it would be a problem but since no one has come forward to claim so, and there would be a big monetary reason to say such, I would think it is NOMB.

Many women stalk men with money and position hoping to win the big lottery of becoming and wife of, and future ex wife with big alimony it seems that he must have picked well so that says something about whether it was just a fling or a relationship with the women. Anything over one is plural so it might not be nearly the harem that some might suppose.

Dave's mom is a very down to earth woman and I doubt that anything he has done would shock her.

I frankly do not care about the sexploits of politicians or others either unless they doing it on my dime or time. That is up to their Significant Other, if they have one, to worry about.

Take a look at some of the guys who get into such relationships. Many are not good looking but they have a wallet that attracts or a position.

I would figure that you catch your fish where you throw your line and if you spend most of your time working it is most likely to be there. It can be distracting and problematic and that is why it is discouraged but heck, stuff happens.

I am a firm believer in monotony, umm, I mean monogamy, but it is not how many folks are caught with their drawers down but how many who are not. Now that is amazing and wonderful!

Must I confess that I stole a book when I was four before someone blackmails me?

I love how Dave handled it. It was a very 'Dave' thing to do. Wish more folk would just fess up and get it over with. Would save us all much grief, especially them, but then the media ratings would suffer greatly.

Slightly Goofy

 

[JR6ooo4]

some of the women that he was with were promoted though, from the hearsay that I overheard,.....

that means the men have a lawsuit!

Mikeeee

 

[PixieDust32]

Being a sarcastic Hoosier myself and having known Dave since his days as weatherman in Indpls, and being fired every few days, I have to say that it bothers me not.

IF he were harassing women, it would be a problem but since no one has come forward to claim so, and there would be a big monetary reason to say such, I would think it is NOMB.

Many women stalk men with money and position hoping to win the big lottery of becoming and wife of, and future ex wife with big alimony it seems that he must have picked well so that says something about whether it was just a fling or a relationship with the women. Anything over one is plural so it might not be nearly the harem that some might suppose.

Dave's mom is a very down to earth woman and I doubt that anything he has done would shock her.

I frankly do not care about the sexploits of politicians or others either unless they doing it on my dime or time. That is up to their Significant Other, if they have one, to worry about.

Take a look at some of the guys who get into such relationships. Many are not good looking but they have a wallet that attracts or a position.

I would figure that you catch your fish where you throw your line and if you spend most of your time working it is most likely to be there. It can be distracting and problematic and that is why it is discouraged but heck, stuff happens.

I am a firm believer in monotony, umm, I mean monogamy, but it is not how many folks are caught with their drawers down but how many who are not. Now that is amazing and wonderful!

Must I confess that I stole a book when I was four before someone blackmails me?

I love how Dave handled it. It was a very 'Dave' thing to do. Wish more folk would just fess up and get it over with. Would save us all much grief, especially them, but then the media ratings would suffer greatly.

Slightly Goofy

 

[beattyfamily]

FINALLY! An apology to his wife and his staff members tonight. Now I think he's finally completed doing the 'right thing'. Last week's 'confession' wasn't enough, IMHO.