How To Deal With Dave

   By drodriguez  Oct 07, 2009
33

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know most of the details about the current David Letterman scandal.  Letterman revealed on his show last week that someone had recently attempted to blackmail him.  In exchange for $2 million the alleged extortionist told Letterman he would not go public with evidence he had of Letterman's past sexual exploits with women on his staff. 

Since Letterman's first account of the crime on his show, the alleged extortionist's identity has been revealed as prominent 48 Hours producer Robert Halderman.  And more news has surfaced that Halderman's ex-live-in girlfriend was Stephanie Birkitt, Letterman ex-assistant.  Though Birkitt herself has not come forward it has been reported that she was one of the women involved in a sexual relationship with her boss, Letterman.

The public's reaction to the shocking news appears to be split.  Some stand behind Letterman, believing the way he has conducted himself the last few days to be respectable and worthy of redemption.  The relations he had with his staff appear to be, at this point, consensual.  And during the time of his affairs he was not married to his now wife Regina.  By revealing the attempted extortion on his show Letterman has managed to remind people that he is the victim in this case. 

On the other hand there are many people speaking out that find Letterman's past exploits to be reprehensible and think he should be disciplined by the network.  Letterman may not have been married, but he appeared to be in a long term (23 year) committed relationship during the time of the relationships with his staff members.  And any time you have someone of authority having sex with his subordinates questions arise over whether work place code of conduct was violated.

What do you think of the latest Letterman scandal?

Do you think Letterman should be disciplined in any way by his network?

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AimeeAken by AimeeAken | Omaha, NE
Nov 12, 2009

There are so many people (and famous people) with scandels. What right does someone have to gain money from it? Just because you are famous does not make you superior. Who cares? Anyone who does something stupid should pay for it if the person want to complain against him. Not if someone else who has nothing to do with it wants some money. Learn to get a job and work like everyone else and earn a living.

marylynnf by marylynnf | Three Rivers, MI
Nov 05, 2009

Only disciplined if they can prove bias of the employees. Who he sleeps with is no one's business. Also, he wasn't married (involved with someone) but not married at the time this is supposed to have happened. The women involved aren't complaining and if there are no issues from employees and no breaking of any written employment policies then it is a non-issue. Why does any one care? It is sad for the woman he had a relationship with but I doubt she was oblivious to his exploits - they dated for 23 years and got married after this happened. Not me but then she's isn't me.

cybrown551 by cybrown551 | HOOKSETT, NH
Nov 03, 2009

Yes, absolutely he should be disciplined. He used his power and authority to award women who was willing to do anything to get ahead in their career. Then he try to lay it off by going on his show to let the public know his side of the story to lessen the damaged that he has cause and done.

joy9281 by joy9281 | TOLEDO, OH
Nov 01, 2009

I think if all the men in hollywood were honest you would find this same thingwould surface in many other men's & women's lives. I do feel that this is a personal thing thiough that does not need diciplinary action, he will suffer and has suffered enough. Besides I am pretty sure it was already well known by many before it came out like it did,the only reason they care now is because it makes them look bad.

dgrossman by dgrossman | NEW YORK, NY
Oct 30, 2009

None of the women he had affairs with have said that he pressured them or that it was a sex-for-airtime/promotion type of relationship. They were all willing. I read a great article, I believe in NY magazine, that said that one of the women was on the air a lot but that's because she was FUNNY. She and Dave had a personality and humor rapport, which is why he put her on the air, not because he was sleeping with her. If these women had affairs with him because they wanted to and it was not a sexual harassment atmosphere, this is a private matter between him and his wife.

carlasclutter by carlasclutter | Nashville, TN
Oct 29, 2009

I don't think he should be disciplined. He made some questionable choices but as long as it was consensual - its their business. I agree with others - too many important issues in the world to be overly concerned with this.

JMaynard85 by JMaynard85 | Wilmington, MA
Oct 28, 2009

That was his own personal life and we shouldnt Judge, I dont think he should be punished.. we really dont know the conditions of his relationship!

Alyssarae92293 by Alyssarae92293 | BOYNTON BEACH, FL
Oct 15, 2009

WOW...What were these women thinking!!! and what was he thinking when he told everyone!!!

iritsoutherngirl by iritsoutherngirl | UNIVERSAL CTY, TX
Oct 14, 2009

What I should have added to my other post: With all the important issues going on in our country and world; what Mr. Letterman does in his private life just holds so little importance to me.

iritsoutherngirl by iritsoutherngirl | UNIVERSAL CTY, TX
Oct 14, 2009

There are so many issues that are simply more important than this David Letterman thing.

L_camille by L_camille | INGLESIDE, TX
Oct 14, 2009

I don't think Dave should be punished, he did nothing wrong, he didn't rape anyone or push himself on them..(that we know of)..it was always a two way thing, the media just needs someone to trash talk..this months choice just happens to be Mr. Letterman.

mommymomo by mommymomo | daytona beach, FL
Oct 13, 2009

I think the issue here is not the affairs that Letterman may have had or may not have, I think the bigger issue is the media. I don't really care if Mr. Letterman had a thousand lovers, it is not my business. If he was an intimate partner of mine, I then would care. I really feel bad for Mrs. Letterman. As the wife of a famous person, she is not only suffering the pain and trouble of the issues between her and her husband, she is also subjected to the criticism of the media. I want to hear news, not gossip. Mr. Letterman, President Clinton, or whomever has a booty call is not our business. Leave the sordid details to the parties involved only~! I want to hear about news that affects my community, my country, my world. Gossip is just filler for the mesia and if this is the sign of the future, we are not moving forward but we are stepping back~!

ksumm77 by ksumm77 | Middletown, OH
Oct 13, 2009

Why do we have to hear about this? It probably goes on with other famous people, but it's not televised.

cheflisa by cheflisa | waunakee, WI
Oct 12, 2009

You invite this person into your home when you turn on his program and put money in his pocket .So yes , your opinion does matter. If your Ok with a man who would treat women this way (consensual or not )no one will change your mind .But if you have any respect for women , your daughters,sisters ...yourself. You will realize this is unacceptable behavior.And ALL ...men , celebrity's ,politicians etc DONOT cheat ,you are missing out ,because you accept this behavior and that allows this behavior to continue

Squirtbird by Squirtbird | REDMOND, WA
Oct 12, 2009

Who cares. I don't understand why this is a big deal.