There's nothing like a sex scandal to attract television viewers, and David Letterman's mea culpas concerning his extra-marital affairs with staffers have been a ratings bonanza for the "Late Show" host.
In fact, more people saw Letterman's bizarre apology to his wife, his staff, and former Governor Sarah Palin on Monday "than watched anything on NBC in prime-time" that night.
As reported by the Associated Press Tuesday:
While David Letterman would undoubtedly do without the personal turmoil, his blackmail scandal is great for business.
The late-night talk show host's apologies to his wife and staff made for gripping television, and more viewers tuned in to his CBS program than watched anything on NBC in prime-time on Monday. That includes Letterman's old rival, Jay Leno. [...]
The 5.7 million viewers who tuned in to Letterman Monday more than doubled the audience for NBC's "Tonight" show with Conan O'Brien, according to the Nielsen Co. It was slightly less than the 5.9 million who watched Thursday when Letterman broke the news of the alleged extortion attempt.
The ratings are a testament to the power of the Internet after Letterman's representatives released details of the scandal to the media about three hours before his show aired Thursday. His audience that night was more than a million more than usual, meaning word spread quickly and encouraged people to tune in.
Adding insult to injury, more people watched Letterman on Thursday and Monday nights than Katie Couric averaged on last week's CBS "Evening News."
With that in mind, all together now: I love a sex scandal, how about you?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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David who?
October 7, 2009 - 12:33 ET by Six String SpiffDavid who?
It hasn't effected my
October 7, 2009 - 16:18 ET by rockyracoonIt hasn't effected my viewing habits; haven't watched him in years, and never will again.
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Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
Ditto!
October 7, 2009 - 17:08 ET by Patriot III have never watched his show...never will............I can take about 5 seconds of him and thats enough for the month! Send him to alaska to join the "moose poop" collection team.....they coat the droppings with chocolate and sell them to New York tourists lol......at least with that job, he will not have reach his "Peters Principle" level ;)
Ratings down? Admit to a sex scandal! Brilliant Dave!
October 7, 2009 - 12:35 ET by MightyMouthI think this falls into the "Stupid Human Tricks" catagory!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
Gee, anyone surprised?
October 7, 2009 - 12:36 ET by Another Dead KennedyGee, anyone surprised? After his fight with Palin, what happened? The exact same thing. Ratings shot right up. Controversy attracts viewers. The more you beat this dead horse, the stronger he becomes.
xoxo - Ted
HeyTed, do always use a
October 7, 2009 - 12:38 ET by Six String SpiffHeyTed, do always use a mirror while playing with yourself, or just here?
Are you always a
October 7, 2009 - 12:39 ET by Another Dead KennedyAre you always a d***head?
xoxo - Ted
That was neither smart, nor
October 7, 2009 - 12:42 ET by Six String SpiffThat was neither smart, nor witty.
Toss that one in the fail pile.
What's your problem? Did
October 7, 2009 - 12:43 ET by Another Dead KennedyWhat's your problem? Did you come here to comment on the topic, or just to start a fight? Your immature humor points to the latter.
xoxo - Ted
I was about to make a
October 7, 2009 - 12:48 ET by Six String SpiffI was about to make a comment on the failing networks that NEED to do this sort of thing, but then I saw you. I read alot of what you were spouting last night. Don't act like this isn't due.
I'm very busy today. Lucky for you
So you admit you
October 7, 2009 - 12:52 ET by Another Dead KennedySo you admit you intentionally replied to me specifically to change the topic? If you have a comment for me on another thread, go ahead and respond over there. Don't disrupt the thread over petty revenge.
xoxo - Ted
Revenge? No.
October 7, 2009 - 12:53 ET by Six String SpiffRevenge? No. entertainment really
You should talk about interrupting threads...
Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot
Next
Mature. xoxo - Ted
October 7, 2009 - 12:59 ET by Another Dead KennedyMature.
xoxo - Ted
And your reply WAS smart and
October 7, 2009 - 17:09 ET by Patriot IIAnd your reply WAS smart and witty?
So his affairs were
October 7, 2009 - 13:00 ET by TenebrousSo his affairs were extra-marital. Than means he's as guilty as Bill Clinton and Edwards.
If this had been a preacher, then his credibility would be nothing the instant it happened. Yet because it's Letterman, hypocrisy's ok?
Never accuse a Democrat of violating common decency -- he'll get incensed that you implied that there was such a thing.
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Right, because only
October 7, 2009 - 13:03 ET by Another Dead KennedyRight, because only Democrats have affairs. Need you be reminded again?
xoxo - Ted
The majority of Republicans suffer from those affairs
October 7, 2009 - 13:38 ET by CobraMan"Right, because only Democrats have affairs. Need you be reminded again? "
The majority of Republicans suffer publicly from those affairs (usually resulting in the loss of their seat) are are vilified by the MSN while Democrats usually enjoy an increase in their popularity, if only for a short time, and are usually vindicated by the MSM for the "suffering" the "humiliation" those "revelations" causes them.
Need you be reminded again?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
How about a "for example" to
October 7, 2009 - 13:44 ET by Another Dead KennedyHow about a "for example" to back up your argument? For example, when republicans have affairs, they lose their governor's seat, as in the case of Mark Sanford.
For example, when John Edwards cheated on his cancer stricken wife and knocked up a staffer, he had no problem staying in the presidential race, ultimately winning the primaries of several states.
No, see, you're picking and choosing your examples here to strengthen your argument. Now here's the difference: Letterman isn't a politician. He's a talk show host. Just like another conservative TV personality whose sex scandal cost him nothing but a boost in ratings. Remember him?
xoxo - Ted
hmmmm...
October 7, 2009 - 12:37 ET by BKeysermy ratings have been down lately...
like a bad car accident
October 7, 2009 - 12:43 ET by katainkentpeople are tuning in to see if he wrecks again.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
kata--
October 7, 2009 - 17:16 ET by Kat Outta the BagBINGO!
Just further evidence of what a sick, depraved society...
October 7, 2009 - 12:45 ET by R D Helm...we are rapidly devolving into.
-Dave
Sex sells
October 7, 2009 - 12:46 ET by QueenMumOf course. I find the whole thing distasteful and disgusting, not to mention degrading to women in general. But what would you expect from the media who continued to fawn over Bill Clinton despite his cheating on his wife with an employee.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
- P.J. O'Rourke
I'm happy to say I was not
October 7, 2009 - 12:59 ET by mattmI'm happy to say I was not one of the million morbidly curious onlookers who tuned in.
Me neither
October 7, 2009 - 13:13 ET by YahooWatcherI have to go to bed way before Letterman comes on so I can get up early, go to work, and hand over my money to the Bamster.
Don't Tax Me, Bro.
Stop the presses!
October 7, 2009 - 13:08 ET by QueenMumNOW has issued a statement. Let the games begin.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
- P.J. O'Rourke
NOW
October 7, 2009 - 13:24 ET by PA ConservativeI can't actually believe that NOW came out against one of their fellow liberal loons. Usually, you can hear crickets chirping from NOW's headquarters when "one of their own" is involved with something like this. Very surprising.
PAC
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and toinstitute new government...
QM
October 7, 2009 - 14:08 ET by FeynmanFanI'd be willing to bet that CBS will say that Letterman apologized and that's the end of the issue. In other words, CBS will do nothing about what happened.
And where was NOW when Bill Clinton was carrying on with Monica? As I remember, there wasn't a peep out of them when that happened.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
couldn't agree more, Dave
October 7, 2009 - 13:13 ET by PA ConservativeIt is a sad commentary on our society that this assclown is getting this type of attention from the media and the viewers. Isn't anyone disgusted by this man's actions? Does anyone realize what a complete hypocrite he is? Doesn't anyone have the morals to not watch? This loser now profits from his indiscretions. Man, things are a mess in this country right now. Things will not improve until people wake up from this "tabloid mentality" that has taken over. More intellect, more morals, less emotion, less lust for slime. I'm done ranting now.
PAC
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and toinstitute new government...
"Huge Rating Success"....
October 7, 2009 - 14:20 ET by Poljunkthat's exactly what they count on, does not speak well for society as a whole... but hey so long as CBS, NBC, MSNBC get good ratings who cares right??
How low do we sink before we can start coming up again
I miss Johnny Carson.
October 7, 2009 - 14:21 ET by CrashI could not care less about David Letterman. Once he went to CBS his show has progressively worsened. I keep hearing calls that "he's a hypocrite" ... nonsense! He is neither a member of the congress, nor the clergy. He is at best a mediocre comic who makes fun of politicians, moreover, those he doesn't like. However, like most egomaniacs, he forgot that he lives in a fishbowl and his arrogance makes him a dunce who wears the cap well.
Frustrating!
October 7, 2009 - 16:13 ET by MCLIJazzThis is all so frustrating! And I'd say "Go, Conan!," but individually cheering a faithful (maritally) rival doesn't provide ratings.
High ratings sheeesh,
October 7, 2009 - 16:34 ET by kangarooHigh ratings sheeesh, they won't last, letterbox is a wreck that people slow down to look at and then move on.

scumbags,white trash, garbage and dave letterman
October 7, 2009 - 17:15 ET by LibertydudeWhich one doesn't belong????
garbage, I wouldn't want to insult garbage that way.
What are you, a wise guy- curley, the three stooges
Nothing new. Scandal sells.
October 7, 2009 - 19:50 ET by balboaNothing new. Scandal sells. Always has.
Hope the Mrs. takes him to
October 7, 2009 - 20:21 ET by RR GOPHope the Mrs. takes him to the cleaners.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.