David Letterman's "Forgive Me For I Have Sinned" tour took an interesting turn Monday evening when the "Late Show" host spent part of his program making fun of the controversy surrounding his extra-marital affairs while also apologizing to his wife, the female staffers involved, and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
In his opening monologue, Letterman joked:
There's a possibility that I'll be the first talk show host impeached. It's Fall here in New York City, and I spent the whole weekend raking my hate mail.
Later, he awkwardly tried to explain his predicament while apologizing to those he's hurt...oddly including Palin (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript):
I wasn't going to talk about it anymore, but it seems like people want to talk about it. And when you're blackmailed, it's a crime and you are a victim. It's felony extortion is what it is. And it's a nasty thing to do to people. Now being a victim, and if you happen to, your behavior is responsible for hurting people, that's a separate part of the equation. And it did not occur to me last week when I was discussing having had sex with women who worked on this show, that then what would happen is reporters and newspaper people and radio and TV would start hounding the staff and saying, "What do you say, are you, and this and that." It was very, very unpleasant and I would just like to set the record straight, no, I'm not having sex with these women, those episodes are in the past. So my apologies to subjecting them to that vulnerability. [...]The other thing is, my wife Regina, she has been horribly hurt by my behavior. And, when something happens like that, if you hurt a person and it's your responsibility, you try to fix it. And at that point, there's only two things that can happen: either you're going to make some progress and get it fixed, or you're going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed. So, let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me. [...]
And now, also, because what can it hurt, once again I would like to apologize to the former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin. I'm terribly, terribly sorry.
What? Why throw that in?
For those that have forgotten, Letterman in June made some really disgusting remarks about Palin and her daughter that got him in a lot of trouble. Why he decided to revisit this again seems baffling unless he's just trying to score some points with conservatives.
That said, those interested can view his opening monologue wherein he awkwardly tried to make light of his predicament:
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Is Sarah having a nice
October 6, 2009 - 09:25 ET by NewsbusterbrownIs Sarah having a nice laugh at your expense, Dave? You betcha!
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
~Perhaps
October 6, 2009 - 09:28 ET by choselife3xThe "hate mail" was replete with angry references to his hypocritically sexual "jokes" about Palin and her daughter.
Kossacks hate me. And yes, it does feel good.
good point
October 6, 2009 - 10:59 ET by sarainitalyI bet he did get a good chunk of mail on that. He also probably realized how it felt to be in the middle of something ugly, and realized what kind of crap he dumped on her family.
gratuitous PDS, nothing
October 6, 2009 - 09:30 ET by BKeysergratuitous PDS, nothing more.
Was that a serious
October 6, 2009 - 09:44 ET by Radical1979Was that a serious apology? Or just the usual attempt to deflect attention away from his behavior by making Palin a joke again?
This guy needs to grow up.
The sexist pedophile
October 6, 2009 - 09:47 ET by gmaniac1The sexist pedophile doesn't know when to quit does he?
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
Oh for the love of
October 6, 2009 - 09:57 ET by balboaOh for the love of pete...
He's not a pedophile. And to everyone who's going to post the very original "He's still on the air?" or "He's not funny," we get it. Let's just assume for future reference that that point has already been made.
I don't think it was an actual apology to Palin, just kind of a throw away joke.
balboa gee thanks for
October 6, 2009 - 10:05 ET by Radical1979balboa gee thanks for helping us write our posts. Your editorial opinions are invaluable.
Agree
October 6, 2009 - 10:45 ET by UtherpendI agree with Balboa, lets only talk about this for as long as Letterman milked the Palin skits.......so counting yesterday we have about 6 months to go....
"For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security."
Utherpend, you can milk it
October 6, 2009 - 12:16 ET by balboaUtherpend, you can milk it for as long as you want. But get some new lines, and try to be realistic.
By appologizng to Palin (again)
October 6, 2009 - 09:50 ET by c5thenWas Letterman implying that one (or more) of his affairs might have been with underage interns?
Throw 'da bums out!!!
no incumbent re-elected, with very few exceptions!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
I think Letterman is trying
October 6, 2009 - 18:34 ET by Free StinkerI think Letterman is trying to get ahead of revelations that he was asking the interns to dress up in Kawasaki 704 glasses, wig, etc
Just sayin'
"President Obama is learning on the job and it shows." --Boris Epshteyn
I've never liked the guy
October 6, 2009 - 10:07 ET by JohnMI've never liked the guy and I'm not surprised to learn that his standards of behavior were sloppy. (I'm being gentle here.) And I don't care for his smirky way of handling issues that are substantial and painful for others.
But his apologies have my interest. I will reserve judgement about his sincerity until I hear more about what he does to follow up, to "set things right".
According to my upbringing, an apology is not considered sincere or complete until it includes the following elements:
1. An unambiguous statement that owns up to the behavior that caused the hurt. (IOW, take responsibility.) No weaseling out or sidestepping, blaming others or circumstances, or self-absolution. Example: "I am sorry that I did ...(my actions)... and I'm sorry that those actions hurt you."
Oh, and none of that "I'm sorry you felt hurt", which only apologizes for the injured party's feelings, and not for the actions that caused them.
2. An acknowledgment of the damages. "I see and understand that my actions have caused you to experience/feel ..."
3. A committment to remedy the damage, to the extent possible. "In order to make things right, I am going to ... " These should be specific actions whose results can be readily assessed. Not "make you feel better", but "issue a press release explaining how you were wronged." Something concrete, measurable.
4. A committment to never do those actions again, and what will be done instead. This has to be forward-looking and a realistically new way of behaving for the better. (While an insincere offender could just say the words, the fact that they've been said means they can be held accountable. So a lack of sincerity about this is still the offender's responsibility to come to terms with.) What matters in the apology is that a meaningfully improved pattern has been identified and presented.
I'm willing to cut him some slack to see whether this is just another reach for ratings or perhaps something from which he really learns and grows up.
All good JohnM...
October 6, 2009 - 12:04 ET by JPR1But...no apology is complete without the offender asking forgiveness. This empowers the offended and rightfully puts the offender in a submissve position, relegated to wait. Personally I've always thought it should be the first statement made, anything said prior to this request is meaningless without it.
Letterman....
October 7, 2009 - 13:57 ET by Timothy HI have never been a fan of Letterman, but I have to agree in reserving judgement.
For one, none of us here were piling on Mark Sanchez, so to pile on Letterman seems awfully hypocritical. And for everyone who will undoubtedly shout about Letterman's hypocrisy, remember that Sanchez falls into that same category.
Also, Letterman did the right thing, in that instead of paying the extortionist, he owned up to his mistakes. I know some will say that he just made a calculated move to save money and assumed that he would be ok as far as TV goes. But to be fair, he has to understand the cost of divorce, and a split with his wife will cost him far more than paying the extortionist would have. So he likely could have saved himself a lot of humiliation, and possibly a lot of money, by paying up.
I still don't like Letterman, and I still won't watch him. He seems like a soured, bitter old man. But I think I'll just avoid the dog-pile.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
Huh?
October 7, 2009 - 17:23 ET by ChaitealoverTell me you really meant to say "Mark Sanford," not that cute Jets QB, Mark Sanchez.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
Maybe CBS should follow the
October 6, 2009 - 10:18 ET by AJMaybe CBS should follow the NBC mantra and get rid of Letterman and replace him with Craig Ferguson. Craig Ferguson isn't any less creepy than Letterman, but he's a lot more bearable, in my humble opinion.
Ick pewy
October 6, 2009 - 10:19 ET by StarAZThis kinda horse-faced, unattractive, older guy seems to want to linger on a situation in which more than one woman, apparently, was willing to have sex with him. I feel kinda bored and nauseated. Here's an idea, Dave--shut up. A lot of us think there is more coming out anyhow--so save the preciousness, you may need it.
Mine is bigger than yours!
October 6, 2009 - 10:27 ET by pickerseniorReminds me of an old man obsessed with the subject topic. Time marches on.
:-)
Pickersenior
Just finished popping the
October 6, 2009 - 10:28 ET by ninerdogJust finished popping the corn got lots of real butter and salt on it. Got a drink and have peed. I am now ready to watch this unravel. I got a buck says he gets sued off the planet. His wife will divorce him and take ½ before the lawsuits are completed and he will be a media darling before it is all over he will have a new show at twice the price.
Depraved Letterman
October 6, 2009 - 10:28 ET by carolina09So he figured out that his "corporate incest" hurt more people than just his particular objects of lust?
Like the women on his staff who are NOT diddling the boss, who by reputation now are embarrassed publicly by the attn in the media?
Big whoop.
And I find the perp's (alleged extortionist) lawyer to be intriguing. I actually sat through a few minutes of the disgusting Jerry Rivers to hear from the guy who will defend him. Indications are that there will be more to be sorry for as the court proceeds.
It was a play on all the apologies he has been making lately
October 6, 2009 - 10:40 ET by JWFYea. This one, he is really really really sorry. The last one, not so much a real apology, just a forced one to get people off his back. Stupid people that can't take a joke. Know what I mean?
So yes. It was a dig again.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
My guess is that he may have
October 6, 2009 - 10:48 ET by samhermanmdMy guess is that he may have violated corporate harassment policies and he is in trouble up to his huge donkey ears. His bosses at CBS are probabl y very unhappy over the negative mail and attention they are getting, and Dave Lecher-man is backpeddling furiously trying to avoid the boot that wants to kick him out the door.
What apology
October 6, 2009 - 10:55 ET by jbeeebCan someone tell me where he apologizes to his wife. I guess I missed it. He joked about things...he said he hurt her....he said he wants to fix things....but nowhere did I hear the words "I apologize" with reference to her.
It REMINDS us...
October 6, 2009 - 11:00 ET by P. Aaron...that Sarah Palin was right all along with her comments about that lecherous bastard.
Now we're waiting for the moment when the White House apologize to her about thew "death Panels".
Never going to happen
October 6, 2009 - 11:03 ET by BlondeObama only apologizes to foreigners.
I love the fact that "Death Panels" has made it into the political lexicon, though. Goes to show that Sarah Palin was right, she could have a much bigger impact as a private citizen. The White House is clearly scared of her....they've picked up on her words and now are in the uncomfortable position of having to defend their position, using a term defined by the opposition.
Sweet.
I hope he fails, too.
Aaron, do I dare agree with you again
October 6, 2009 - 12:53 ET by legacyrepublicanAaron,
Do I dare agree with you again lest JJIV argue otherwise? ;)
Letterman's final comment tells it all. Palin called him out to the woodshed and he knew it. Now, we all know why.
What separates good from bad
October 6, 2009 - 11:15 ET by SkipperMLMOne aspect of the good is they leave and resist a "gotcha" attitude when their enemy falls.
I for one see Dave as a bigger person for bringing the Palin matter up again. It shows he actually has a heart to see the nexis between the matters. This doesn't mean he couldn't change back to same ol Dave. But we must be receptive to the down and out no matter who they are when they humble themselves.
Kudos Dave...
"Apology" to SP
October 6, 2009 - 14:19 ET by ChaitealoverI read somewhere that he told a Todd Palin joke in the monologue that preceded his announcement of the extortion attempt. Don't know if it's true, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me any more than his next anti-Sarah "joke" will surprise me [but the designated Letterman-watcher will have to report on it, cause I don't watch him, he make me downright ill].
So I didn't see the Palin reference as him actually having a heart, I saw it as a throw-away punch line to remind people of all he's said about about Sarah and her family in the past. Scum doesn't disappear off the surface that quickly.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
I didn't occur to him..?
October 6, 2009 - 11:21 ET by katainkentit seems a lot of things don't occur to him. Common human decency among them.
____________________________________________
The Emperor, he has no clothes
How Long?
October 6, 2009 - 11:45 ET by slickwillie2001Yet during apology #3, Monday night, he made another Mark Sanford joke. He doesn't quit. And he apologized to his present wife on the air. How crass. He lives with her, we still assume, yet he apologizes to his wife on the air? He's just a nasty old pos. I suggest the Cokie solution for him.
Agree with posters that this will go on and on. Lawsuits are likely in the works. Any bets on Letterboy's survival?
Swallow that nice big bite of humble pie you POS
October 6, 2009 - 12:18 ET by Lord ErondWow, it's impossible not to savor every moment of this jackasses' debacle. The cheating adulterating hypocrite is getting his comeuppance. Maybe now you realize what goes around Dave, comes around.
"Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you . Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge" -Timothy 6:20
I wonder if Drew Barrymore ever "visited" Letterman's
October 6, 2009 - 13:03 ET by Jack BauerI wonder if Drew Barrymore ever "visited" Letterman's Batchelor pad at the Ed Sullivan Theater. I bet she has a thing for creepy older guys.
I have a vision that Dave's place looks like Austin Power's 1960's pad, including giant round bed that rotates. Lava lamps. Fur rugs.
And one of those truly tacky glass tables held up by a naked plastic woman facsimile on all fours. Real class.
It’s like Jail House
October 6, 2009 - 13:59 ET by USA4freedomIt’s like Jail House religion.
He was going like hell until.. he.. got.. caught.. NOW.. IT’S SORRY, SORRY, SORRY…
Hay Dave, Kiss my $%@#$!
Sorry describe you to a T.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Hey, Jack
October 6, 2009 - 14:24 ET by ChaitealoverNot being a Letterman or Barrymore watcher, I don't get this. Please fill me in.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
~Chai
October 6, 2009 - 17:18 ET by choselife3xI heard that Barrymore flashed Dave once when she was on the show, that may have been what Jack was referring to.
Kossacks hate me. And yes, it does feel good.
choose -- yep, that was my
October 7, 2009 - 09:04 ET by Jack Bauerchoose -- yep, that was my reference!
I apologize...
October 6, 2009 - 16:23 ET by traderjamesfor ever watching this idiot...I used to decades ago, when he was getting laughs dropping tv's off of multi-story buildings. I did think that was funny. However, The General Population can have fun with this one...I'm done with it.
.......
October 6, 2009 - 19:16 ET by DoktorFrankenThe man's a Toad.
CBS may Have no other choice but to can his ASS
October 7, 2009 - 08:25 ET by Redrowan2000Hey, CBS is a rather large company . Their corporate harassment policies are in place for a reason and... if they have terminated past employees for similar or near similar violations of company standards , then those previously termed individuals have some issues with CBS or I should say that their attorneys will have some . Yeah Dave this thing keeps on snowballing, but it will be great material for your monologues or are you hands off on this kind of stuff?
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red