What should CBS do about Letterman?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If you're known as The Tiffany Network, having your late night star admit he was fooling around with women who work for him on his show tends to take a little luster off the company reputation.
Dan Rather was summarily shown the door by CBS when it was revealed he made a mistake in a report about President George W. Bush. No tolerance at the network of Edward R Murrow - even for the man who inherited the mantle of anchorman for the CBS Evening News from the most trusted man in America - Walter Cronkite.
Now they have Dave Letterman going on his late night talk show and admitting to the entire world that he had sex with women who work for him on his program. His sex life aside, this is not proper business behavior in any office in this country in 2009.
We supposedly have gotten past the days when young women could be pressured into having sex with their bosses in order to get a promotion or a raise. But apparently not at the Late Show with David Letterman.
Andrea Peyser writes a column in the New York Post in which she quotes a former Letterman staffer describing a "toxic" atmosphere in the studio. "Everyone inside the program knows what it takes to get ahead," Peyser writes.
Letterman's a funny guy, but this isn't funny. This is insulting to women.
Meanwhile, CBS reportedly has a policy that bosses need to disclose any sexual relationships with subordinates - but Letterman officially works for his production company Worldwide Pants - They put out a statement saying he didn't violate any of their rules. How convenient.
Here’s my question to you: What should CBS do about Dave Letterman?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Nikki from North Carolina writes:
CBS shouldn't do anything at all. Or, if they do, they should do it behind closed doors. This isn't a rape case, this is an extortion case. While what Letterman did was wrong, the fact that it is coming out now, after years have passed since the incident, ought to show that there was no harm done. Letterman said his apologies and is now having to face his wife. That's punishment enough.
Suresh writes:
Fire him (I mean cancel the contract with his company) and set an example that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated by CBS.
Female fan of Letterman writes:
CBS should treat Dave the same way they treat their CEO, Les Moonves, who married a CBS employee, Julie Chen.
Joanne writes:
Letterman gets high marks for doing the right thing by reporting the extortion immediately and for admitting his wrong-doing. As long as he is popular and sponsors stay with him, CBS may do nothing.
Bob writes:
Why ask? Sex is natural and fun. No one has complained so leave the guy alone. Isn't everyone here an adult?
Dan writes:
I like Letterman, I think he’s funny but I believe he crossed the line and should go. In any other business he would be gone whether the sex was consensual or not. He’s the boss – he’s supposed to set an example. How hypocritical has he been with politicians guilty of this?
David from Las Vegas writes:
So, he took off his "worldwide pants" a few times. If there was no sexual harassment or threat of job loss, who cares besides his wife? He should have these women on his show and ask them "what were you thinking?"
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Oh yeah, second of all, I agree that sex and business don't mix, and that he should have reported the relationships. Should they can him? Probably not, because this is most likely pulling in high ratings. Business is business.
Lucy SF, CA
They should keep him. The fous should be on the one who tried to extort money from him-not the one who had consentual "relationships" when he was single.
Jack: Who cares? This is a free country. The last time I checked, women had minds too. You don't have to have sex with anyone if you don't want to. How is it insulting to a woman if she chooses to have sex with a man? Don't women have minds too?
Letterman gets high marks for doing the right thing by reporting the extortion immediately and for admitting his wrong-doing. As long as he is popular and sponsors stay with him CBS may do nothing.
Throw the bum out. I bet Sarah Palin doesn't look so funny to him right now. Karma is a hard master.
They should just keep pocketing all the profits they get from his inexpensive-to-produce show. It's all business, Jack.
Also, sex should never be used as a power tool...that's why things like rape still exist in our vocabulary.
I think CBS should at least give David Letterman one more chance to redeem himself. Depending on how the extortion case turns out, the network should keep the show on the air.
It takes 2. If these women were coerced into doing something, then fine, action should be taken. If it was between 2 consenting adults - who cares, except for maybe his wife?
Delia
Katy, TX
At the very least Jack, CBS needs to make sure that Dave makes his bed in his Love Nest and keeps his Worldwide Pants zipped up on the job.
Nothing! If he was a politician he'd still be lying about it. He apoligized
Didn't try to hide it when it was out, worked with law enforcement
when being Blackmailed. If the Governor from Sc stays why shouldn't he.
I just don't see why it is important for a talk-show host, a comedian, to have high moral values. He is not a moral leader, just a funny guy on television. I think we are giving him too much importance to even care what he does outside of his talk show.
Obviously the Letterman production company "Worldwide Pants" dosen't come with zippers.
Jack: Letterman has made a great living out of poking fun at sleazy behavior. His future probably depends on how gracefully he handles the backlash of his own sleazy actions.. I want to know if this was a situation where coercion was used. If so he should be gone in a nano second and headed to court. Makes you wonder how many sleazeballs there are out there. Are most of us just to naive?
Walt
Sunapee, NH
This isn't insulting to women, this is insulting to his wife and son. Unless these women coming forward with lawsuits, one can only conclude it was consentual. He is an entertainer, not a priest or politician. Unless ratings drop dramatically, CBS won't, and shouldn't do anything. If he can endure the media backlash, that in and of itself is his punishment...along with whatever his wife chooses to do to him.
Jack –
I have been a fan of David Letterman since his days as a weatherman back in Indianapolis in the 1970's. His quirky & self -deprecation humor was always fresh & inventive while often showing the influences of his heros (Steve Allen, Jack Paar & Johnny Carson). It seems over the years, however, he has evolved into a social & political activist with very little tolerance of views that differ from his own. As he became more politically entrenched his humor became mean, often tasteless & obsessive. Hollywood & the 'insiders' had infected Dave & he became one of them – the rules don't apply there!
Plain & simple: CBS should cut him loose for violation of work-place rules/laws. But, since this is a major corporation it will once again come down to Dave's profit contribution, future sponsorship revenues & viewer market share – dollars & cents. Hollywood, of course, will come to his defense & dismiss the whole thing (ie Roman Polanski).
Another example of how far our standards have fallen.
NOTHING!!! CBS SHOULD DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! The man had consensual sex with female co workers. We would have never known about it unless somebody tried to extort money from David Letterman.
Nothing. That's his wife's job.
Why is this news? Who cares?
The only CRIME in this story is extortion.
Other than that, its just the story of a jealous boyfriend who became enraged reading about Birkett's great relationship with Letterman.
CBS should be sure there's no sexual harrassment ANYWHERE in the company (yeah, that will happen), not just at Late Night.
If there isn't, they should do NOTHING. And Letterman should get to continue on with his life as if none of this is any of our business.
Because, honestly, it isn't.
If Letterman used influence for sex then he like any other person should be prosecuted and held responsible. But that would take those allegedly violated to come forward, not merely based on our assumptions and hear say.
We must begin to do a better job in recapturing our virtues, our moral laws. The fact that someone is intelligent, rich, funny, entertaining, or whatever, must not part of that equation.
Hey Jack, who said anyone was pressured? This wasn't leaked by one of the women he slept with, it was blackmail.
But if I were his wife, he'd be sleeping with one eye open let me tell ya!
Why is this such a big deal? I don't get any impression that it happened recently, and it was all consenual. Who cares what the man does in his free time? That's his wife's responsiblity. Unless someone files a suit against CBS and Letterman claiming harrassment or coersion, who cares?
I take huge exception to your comments, Jack. There is absolutely NO evidence....zero...that any "young lady" was "pressured" into having a relationship with Letterman.
On the contrary, her enthusiastic diary entries about their relationship were what apparently enraged Robert Halderman to jealously strike out at Letterman with threats of blackmail and extortion.
Letterman doesn't seem to have done anything other than have several office romances. Why that is getting so much attention–much less criticsm–is beyond me.
Or do CNN employees all take vows of chastity?.
If the sex life of every media head who can't stop talking about Letterman's were exposed, we'd all tire of the details. Sex is and should be private between consenting adults. The only persons who should be talking about it now are Dave and his wife. The problem with TV today–too much air time to fill so we hear about people's sex lives and Jon and Kate crap incessantly. None of our business. Period. Don't care. I flip the channel every time either of these topics is mentioned. Come on out, Dave, make us laugh. And good luck with the little lady.
Leave him alone. Period. if one fo the women wishes to take him to court, so be it. Let the courts decide. If his wife divorces him, that is their business.
None of this, absolutely none of this, is our business.
Grow up America. Stop you incessant giggling and curiousity when someone says a naughty word. Can we please act like adults? You don't see other countires making issue of things like this. They act like adults.
CBS can do what ever they want and so can the viewer if this is against your moral grain don't choose too support CBS. I won't be watching its not funny too me. I didn't raise my daughter to become some bosses sex relief assistant.
Oregon
Why ask? Sex is natural and fun. No one has complained so leave the guy alone. Isn't everyone here an adult?
LOL Jack...CBS isn't going to do jack(no pun intended)..about Letterman..they are loving the ratings..
Sherry in Arkansas
CBS should do nothing about David Letterman.
Nothing should happen. The women chose to have sex with him, they weren't forced.
They should have him interview Bill Clinton and share there lonely nights and lonely days.
WOOOAAA, there are plenty of women out the WILLING to sleep with their bosses to get ahead, seen any reality TV lately? They were not pressured they were just tramps and so was he ,so what?
CBS should treat Dave the same way they treat their CEO, Les Moonves, who married a CBS employee, Julie Chen.
Nothing! Hi is an ok guy with just plain having sex with women in the work place big deal!! Who cares?
I don't know what they will do about David Letterman but I think they should weld his zipper shut. Whatever they do to him, I hope they remember they will have to do it to all that place themselves in this situation.
Absolutely nothing Jack! It is none of our business who David Letterman has sex with. There have been no accusations of people getting favors for sleeping with Dave. These issues are between David Letterman and his wife.
Thats not nothing to brag about I think he needs to be fired as citizens we shouldnt know his personal business.
Fire him ( I mean cancel the contract with his company) and set an example that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated by CBS.
Jack....................
CBS should do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
William
Lexington, SC
CBS shouldn't do anything at all. Or, if they do, they should do it behind closed doors. This isn't a rape case, this is an extortion case. While what Letterman did was wrong, the fact that it is coming out now, after years have passed since the incident ought to show that there was no harm done.
Letterman said his apologizes and is now having to face his wife. That's punishment enough
i think cbs should fire letterman just like they did with dan rather. Just because he is a cedian doesn't mean he is above the law... which is apparently what is happening know in this country if you are a celebrity!!!
We will soon find out what is more important to CBS; Late Night ratings or ethics. Letterman has always been a little sketchy, but this goes beyond acceptable and should not be tolerated by the network!
Ratings are going up over this.
Give him a raise
They should mind their own dam business.!!!
Clarence
Absolutely nothing, Jack. He's funny and makes them money. People have sex, and it's about time the puritanical freaks stop making such issues over it. It's normal, like eating and sleeping. If this was France or Italy, it wouldn't even have made the news.
well who cares about dave,
you producers cut away from what john mccain was saying about the war ,to talk about dave letterman and his sexual exploits.
thats exactly whats wrong with this world jack.
nigel
They should fine him accordingly or pull his pay for a said amount of weeks and then move on. This will show that CBS doesn't stand for it and the quicker they quit talking about it the faster it will go away. Just make some more jokes about Palin and everyone will forget about this.
I'm not entirely convinced that this is newsworthy. Is the state of this country, or the state of world affairs, such that this is the only thing we have left to discuss? That said, I don't think that what David Letterman does in his bedroom or in his dressing room, is anybody's business but his.
What should the Senate do about David Vitter? Or John Ensign? Oh wait... that's right they don't do anything about them cheating on their wives with staffers and prostitutes. Letterman may be a scoundrel, but he did nothing these esteemed "leaders" of our country haven't done. Why should he be punished and they continue to live off the taxpayer?
Perhaps we should seek the wise counsel of CBS President Les Moonves and his wife (and morning show hostess) Julie Chen.
Just how DID she get that job?! Bonnie in Maine
takes two unless these woman were raped ..both are at fault..did not want sex ..say no...and was not married...companies are full all over with this going on, in factories you name it.....takes two man and woman..unless rape..hear nothing from the woman...do we...they had to say yes themselves....
Letterman should be left alone. Other than the NY Post article you quoted there hasn't been any alegation that the staffers were 'pressured' into anything with Letterman. Everything I have seen (notwithstanding the Post's article...how could such a reputable organization like CNN quote such a tabloid?) says whatever happened was consensual. Any issue Letterman has to deal with are with his family.
CBS should do nothing! I've heard it all. Unless this wasn't mutual consent, forget about it and I haven't heard any different. Has anybody heard 'where babies come from?' What next? A permit for sex!
Fire the jerk!
NOTHING
you all need to grow up and stop teeheeing in the bathroom like a bunch of teenage boys.
everyone was WAY older then 21, no one was married, no one had to have sex *OR ELSE.*
SO WHAT???
our kids were killed in afghanistan today, and THIS is the lead stroy?
Until unless the women involved don't have anything to complain about we should be the last ones to complain or talk about letterman.
they should do nothing, and you should do the same! It was consensual as far as we all know, and the only thing illegal was the blackmail scheme. How many innocent people's lives are you guys gonna ruin by publicizing this anymore? You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Also, it isn't an affair if he's not married, right? RIGHT!!!
I like Letterman, I think he's funny but I believe he crossed the line and should go. In any other business he would be gone whether the sex was consensual or not. He's the boss, who's supposed to set an example. How hypocritical has he been with politicians guilty of this?
I think more information is needed before we can draw a conclusion on Letterman. Was it sexual harrasment or was it office romance?
CBS should fire David Letterman – his actions are unprofessional and unethical. CBS has always touted themselves as a "family" network and if they do not take action against Letterman, they are completely hypocritical. It's time David Letterman grows up and takes true responsibility and accountability for his seriously offensive, not funny, actions.
Nothing, Letterman came clean about it on (almost) live television leaving it up to his audience and the rest of America to decide if he's worthy enough to host a late night talk show. And so far the consensus seems to be "Good for him, he got lucky in the staff room."
Letterman puts front and center the short comings of political figures with implications that they should be fired…. Now it’s his turn.
I don't think they should do anything. See how his ratings stay and go from there. I don's condone his behavior and sure he wouldn't have confessed except for the circumstances. However, I would have done the same thing before letting some one blackmail me. Saved himself a lot of money so maybe he's not stupid afterall.
What should CBS do? For what...he was single...have not heard of someone that was raped or forced because of their job...ect. There has to be something else that is more important.
I think nothing should be done to Dave Letterman...he is human..just so happens he spilled the beans about his private life before the news got a hold of the story...Leave him and his family alone.....He is KNIG OF THE LATE NIGHT entertainment...and nothing will stop that no matter how much you people try to hurt him...
Nothing.........
Letterman couches his arrogance in humor. There is nothing funny about the cavelier attitude his has regarding this scandal. He should be fiired or, at least, taken down a peg or six.
We should do to Dave what we did to Clinton oh wait that was nothing but they were both married I that's right Dave was single!! Maybe you should ask what we need to do to Clinton!!
Get rid of him; he is so un-funny.
His ego needs some major deflation.
He should go. He's a creep. If they don't release him, then we should see who the advertisers are and boycott them. The man is an abomination.
Unless David Letterman forced, coerced or threatened any of the women he slept with, CBS needs to leave him alone. They were adults engaged in adult behavior. Now some may be mad that they didn't become "Mrs. Letterman," but one of them did, and she shouldn't even be upset because clearly, it worked out for her.
CBS can't touch Letterman unless one of the women files a suit. CBS President Les Moonves is guilty of the same behavior and he was married for 26 years.
There is every indication that the sex involved only consenting adults and no one has filed any complaints. Everything else discussed in the media is speculation at this point. CBS should quietly investigate but take no action unless something other than heresay emerges. Dave does have some 'splainin' to do to his family.
David Letterman used to be a very funny guy, he was always making everybody laugh on and off the set... Now that he uses Viagra, He's not that funny anymore...
It's not as if he raped them. They still had to consent to it. Maybe they wanted to, ever think of that? Why is it so bad if he had sexual relationships with them? Don't chastise him for wanting to, chastise the women who let him and wanted it back. At least he's confident enough to admit it. What about the rest of the cases that you never hear about? I wonder if Leno has ever had these problems.
CBS should applaud the way Dave is handling this whole sordid situation. He's certainly not the first boss, or celebrity, to sleep with a staffer but he is rare in his willingness to defy a blackmailer and risk public ridicule and private pain.
That easy, CBS should FIRE HIM!
That's what would happen to the other 250+ million of us in the limited American working world.
Jack, CBS has to treat Letterman in the SAME WAY it would treat one of its employees. If Letterman would have violated CBS guidelines then Letterman did violate CBS guidelines... Letterman should not be able to hide behind his own production company guidelines. After all, Letterman wrote and administer those guidelines.
wouldn't it be wonderful if just once a big coporation would take the high road and do what is right not what is economically or politically right, and get rid of Mr. Letterman, and I use Mr. lightly
Jack
While what David Letterman has admitted to is wrong, why should he lose his job when we accept the same behavior in our elected officials.
Jack, you are presuming that the young women were PRESSURED into having sex with Letterman. What about consensual sex between adults? What happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" Let the women come forward and make their accusations, and let the chips fall where they may.
Who cares ? Why would anyone pay any attention to this ?
Afganistan, Iraq, Iran, jobs, healthcare......these subjects
and many others are what we should be discussing and
resolving !
I do know this. When I was managing if I had sex with one of my employees a lot of things would have happened. 1. I would have gotten fired, 2. I would have been divorced, 3. and I would have been humiliated. I think all 3 should happen to Letterman and soon. Being a big name, a celebrity doesn't mean you can do anything you want and escape punishment! Get him!!
You did not sound quite as disgusted as you usually do when talking about other people Jack. How come
Nothing should be done. I was married out of work, and I know several people who met their spouses at work. besides he's in entertainment, rules dont apply
Jack r u serious? CBS should do nothing, because it's none of their business and none of ours too. Until the ladies come out and make a complaint.. We are not letterman's wife neither are we one of the women in question. Letterman is not a politician or a religious figure. Don't know what his affairs have to do with us or cafferty file.
CBS should keep David Letterman employed. If every man or woman who has had sex with a staff person admitted it, I think the public would be shocked. You can't tell me there aren't hundreds of other people who have done this. I am sure it happens every in lots of businesses. There are lmany other problems in the United States that we should worry about rather than David Letterman's sex life.
A late night comedy show is not something to compare to the news (a la Dan Rather). The offenses are completely different with different results. Dan Rather has a responsibility to those who listen to his broadcast that he his telling the truth. David Letterman is a comedian who got caught with his pants down. His responsibility is to his wife and family.
And no one said they were pressured to have sex with Letterman. Until someone comes forward otherwise, for all we know those women were willing participants.
Of course they won't do anything–not while his ratings are high. Profit is their highest standard, not integrity. I never liked Letterman anyway–he's just not talented (thus the need for so many writers for him). I feel bad for is poor wife though
Janie, springfield MA
Nothing whats the big deal. He had sex with people he worked with WOW is that something new?
And the woman he slept with is innocent? I don't think so. People will do anything to get ahead. at work I feel sorry for his wife and kid. They are the victims in this situation.
Having worked with Peyser - and having seen NYP staffers create "facts" or seek out someone to do it for them - I wouldn't trust anything she writes. In addition, Letterman isn't a newsman (as was Rather), nor has anyone alleged he pressured anyone. Furthermore, Letterman is the victim of extortion here. Let's focus on the crime: that a CBS news producer attempted to blackmail a famous man for $2 million.
I am blown away on all the publicity this is getting... He is a talk show host, one that is not that funny at best!! and it seems that for for the past week he has had more news on his sexual activities than the President has on NOT dealing with the issues in the MidEast....
There is a place for the Letterman news – TMZ... Not CNN
Jonathan
nothing...its an entertainment show.....not meet the press or state of the union.....and i suppose these were grown women.......he owes his wife an apology and his employees and enough abt it now.....we have bigger fish to fry
What Should CBS Do? NOTHING!!! They buy the show from Worldwide Pants. Everybody all over this country has affairs in the work place. Our politicians are constantly having affairs so why should we expect anything different from our comedians?
CBS should do absolutely nothing. Letterman was unfaithful his then girlfriend-now wife. If she forgives him then we should all move on. None of the women has come forward to claim that she had been sexually harassed. Therefore, America should not make this matter about sexual harassment. Instead, the dialogue should be squarely on the creep trying to extort $2M from Lettterman.
There is no reason that any significant number of viewers would stop watching the show because of this incident. CBS should do nothing but to perhaps try to counter the chatter someone has instigated in an apparent effort to affect his ratings.
Absolutely Nothing,
If the President of the USA can do the same repeatedly, and lie to the American public, "I did not have sex with that woman",
(Bill Clinton for all of the morons who put their heads into the sand),
Why do we care about a talk show host.
They shouldn't do anything Jack unless it interferes with the job he is doing. It's a good thing Bill Clinton wasn't impeached!
CBS shouldn't do anything to Letterman if the women consented to having sex with him. Nowadays women do the coercing moreso than men. I'm sure we'll here all these sob stories coming out of this and if we believe it we are suckers! Now is the time for 15 minutes of fame.
If the ladies aren't pressing charges, then CBS has nothing to act on. I know it's hard to believe anyone having a consensual relationship with Dave Letterman but if they're not complaining, why should anybody else?
Yank his program off the air. Enough said.
CBS will probably do nothing, but if I were his wife he'd be paying for this big time....and for a long, long time. I'm still mad at my husband for something he did 32 years ago–and it had nothing to do with sex and was far less serious than Letterman's behavior.
Unless something illegal comes out in the coming weeks, they shouldn't do anything. Viewers will decide whether or not they or okay with what Letterman did. At this point, it's still consensual sex between two adults, and no matter how you feel about the surrounding circumstances, no laws have been broken.
Enough already! He did not lie, take a trip to another country or disrespect anyone other than his wife. We don't know when the affairs took place or how many women were involved. What we do know is that David stood up and told the truth. He had sex with women! Seems like none of the women are complaining.
He did what you or I would do if someone was trying to extort money. He went to the cops and fessed up. He has to deal with the results not CBS or any of us. CBS should just leave him alone and enjoy the income his show generates.
He's human-let it go at that!!
Why have you not factored in the consent of these women? They were not children and as far as we know they were not held at gunpoint. I would like to think that these individuals were smart enough to recognize their autonomy. Unfortunately, Mr. Cafferty, you have illuminated a double-standard - the man is guilty of having sex with someone he isn't supposed to but the consenting woman involved is a victim. Strange, strange, strange.
Lettrman is rich. Fine him 10% of his salary each year for ten years – give it all to women's shelters. Then require Letterman, once a month on his program, to urge others to give to women's shelters. Turn the pig into a fine pair of working gloves! I love his humour, but . . . what a pig!!
Leave the guy alone, he is the best we have everyone in the work place would have a affair if they turn you on it is only life.lalalala
The point is that Letterman has no respect for women. He treats women as sex objects and whether or not the women were coerced or not is not the issue. If it had been just one affair, while he was single, that would be one thing, but multiple subordinate sex partners , that is very telling. Who would have sex with someone who looks like him if it were not for his money and the power of his position?. All the so-called feminists should be outraged, this man is an offense to all women.
Also if he broke CBS's rules he should be fired.
He is not part of CBS. CBS buys his show and broadcast it. what happens between two consenting adults is their business and not ours or yours Jack. the reality is when you have men and women working together; they may become attracted to each other. if nothing illegal was done its time to move on , and stop trying to make something out of nothing.
David Letterman's own affairs are just that -his OWN AFFAIRS. Inappropriate? Yes, but let's remember that he's a late night talk show host, so he need not be held to the same moral standards we would hold, say, a politician at. Plus, he's getting higher ratings than NBC's Conan O'Brien. CBS should leave the matter alone. Letting David Letterman go or suspending his show would be foolish.
Being a professional now and looking back on student life as an RA (resident advisor) I was asked to resign from RA for flirting with girls my age and didnt' have sex with them. David Letterman gets to have sex with his workers without repercussions?
It is time for Letterman to take his own medicine. He hounded others about infidelity and he must now face similar hounds. He needs to go. Let's have a new late night comedian. He should make all working women sick.
I would say CBS should follow it's policy instead of the production company's policy (which does not exist) however even CBS' policy (disclosure) is lame. This whole think sounds old school to me, and the fact that his disclosure bought laughter makes me as sick as the thought of him having sex with anyone. Yuck. If I was one of the women involved, I would be totally humiliated.
So, what should CBS do? Sounds like they can't do anything. But the advertisers can. I'm going to watch his advertisers and e-mail them asking they remove their ads.
CBS viewers should stop watching Letterman. That willl send a message to CBS about what it should do.
Who really cares, only those people who live their live by spend all of their time peeking in keyhole trying to see what everyone else is doing. You people are jumping to all kinds of conclusions, in your eyes he had to have done something wrong.
You all forget that most women are attracted to powerful men they see those men as capable of taking good care of them and their future children! So get a life and leave people alone, people will find love where they can and when they can!
Hugh Hefner can direct David's next show and call it Letterman after Dark.
Letterman has a contract. He either broke his contract or he didn't. If he didn't break his contract and they fire him they'll just have to pay him like they did Imus. I believe Don Imus got $20 million after being let go by CBS.
I find it very sad that we are willing to support ridiculous sleazeballs like Letterman on our major networks.
For heaven's sake, get real. Did anyone hold a gun to these women's heads? Don't they have free will? Men and women, regardless of heirarchical stature, will continue to do what they have always done. To me, it sounds like much ado about what happens naturally.
They shouldn’t do anything Jack unless it interferes with the job he is doing. It’s a good thing Bill Clinton wasn’t impeached!
Lynne, Edmonton, Canada
CBS should no absolutely nothing. He is being accountable, he did not supposedly hike the Appalachian trail, he is not continuing to lie about this (as republican politicians consistently do).
Infidelity (wasn't Letterman unmarried at the time of the affair?) is a pet peeve of mine but riddle me this – Can anyone, literally anyone, keep their job after not showing up (or calling in) their job for 5 consistent days, as the SC governor is doing? At least Dave didn't call in sick or just not show up at all. Hypocrisy rules this country anymore. It's a shame.
They should investigate and do what's right for the network, but the rest of us should stay out of it. I don't know what went on and given the Murdoch owned Post’s history, have to discount the report you quoted. If you ask Keith Obaermann, he will tell you that the post can’t be trusted to line a bird cage.
Nothing should be done. I was married out of work, and I know several people who met thier spouses at work, besides he's in entertainment, certain rules do not apply.
Roderick
Dallas,Tx
Can him - you can tell, he thinks this is funny!! It's increasing his ratings, too. This man has no shame.
Leave him alone. I don't believe any of these women were under age. Many people have sex with their bosses and others in their work place. Not to say whether this is right or wrong. It just IS.
He's not a politician. His conduct hasn't affected the security of our country. He hasn't been hipocrytical. He could step up his moral actions but this should not lead to his dismissal from a terrific late night show!
Fire the bum. I frequently watch him, but not any more. That manner of managing an office was a tawdry demand of a bygone era.
CBS should politely close Letterman's "Open Pants" .....contracts!!
The lesson learned is that a dog is a dog is a dog.
Give him a raise.
CBS shold fire letterman why because he is rude to obama
Leave him alone its not the first wont b e the last its nobodys business what he does except his wife and HE wasnt married at the time SO WHO CARES!!!!
I don't believe Letterman would be talking about women he has had sex with on the air, if not for the extortion. Women can say no! Give us some credit. Women can also have motives. Let's focus on the extortion...........
Jack,
CBS should give Letterman a raise. All that should count, is the ratings...I'm getting pretty tired of all this male-bashing over questions of ethics that most human find extremely difficult to grapple with. It's NOT like the women involved didn't enjoy the circumstances. Letterman is not a spiritual advisor, and I think he's human...It's not like he harrassed nor committed an aggravated crime against someone from the opposite sex, he simply had sex...Bottom line.
CBS must throw the Bum out. Who at CBS allowed this immoral man to exercise this disgusting control over his staff??? He too should take a walk. What a corrupt organization.
Willing or unwilling sex with your boss/star/person-of-power creates a "hostile workplace." Since Letterman is setting the agenda and making light of the situation, I guess he's the one who will be telling us when or if he's harassing his staff. Way to go Dave-o, you set us back at least 20 years.
Why should CBS do anything about David Letterman?? South Carolina hasn't done anything about Mark Sanford. This is a different time, and I don't buy it for a minute that any of these women slept with Dave to "get ahead". They slept with him because they wanted to. Not the ideal situation, but it happened, and I wasn't offended when I heart it. I love watching Dave, and will continue.
I think NOTHING should be done to David Letterman. Not ONE complaint has EVER been made against him. Mr. Cafferty–> it takes 2 to tango. Who's to say the woman didn't make the pass??? Some woman like the "chase" of going after a boss or "higher up" in their company, as well as they do with married men. David Letterman admitted his mistakes, and in my opinon this is a private matter– "this" meaning the affairs themselves. He did the right thing and admitted his mistakes, and knows how his action have affected those involved. Is there a rule at CBS that there is to be no office romances? If not, then the focus of Letterman's "ordeal" should be on the nit-wit who tried to extort Letterman for $2 million. Why arent we talking more about how DESPERATE this guy was, and how he had money problems of his own. He was just burned that his own girlfriend slept with Letterman- revenge is never sweet. This is no longer news worthy, until there is some sort of sentence for the extortion.
Of course this is demeaning to women, as was the applause from
his audience when he made the anouncement. But who are these bimbos, anyway? Surely there are women in this country with enough
self-esteem to say no to a lecher, whether or not he is funny. I am for them.
He should step down until the mess is over because who wants to watch him play "Twister" and "Snakes & Ladders" every night. If he did an ethical "Top Ten" list of reasons why he should step down, the number one reason would be "Its just the Riight thing to do! Period
Nothing, if it wasn't rape or improper age related why would they care. Remember old Bob Barker? As long as men have money there are women that will pretend to like them intimately. If letterman had been poor they wouldn't have given him a second glance.
Jack,
CBS should do nothing. From all reports the sex was consentual and both were single at the time. What they did is their own business and the public should stay out of it. Don't make a mountain out of something that goes on all the time in the work force. They did not harm anyone. Sometimes private lives should be just that – private.
Nothing. This nation needs to stop worrying about what individuals do in their private lives and focus more on what we can do to make this country a safer and better place. Yes, what he did was in poor taste, but the truth is, and he said this himself, he is only human after all. If he had sex with women against their will, then we should make a ruckus about this, but as far as we know, that's not what happened.
He's a Late Night Talk Show host, not a politician. If you don't like him, don't watch his show.
I responded to Dave Letterman's remarks last week with sympathy. I was proud of him for outing the plot. I think that we need more national television personalities who aren't so scripted and scared to say what they really want to say, such as yourself, Mr. Cafferty. I agree that if the sexual relations weren't consensual, Letterman should be held accountable, but to imply so soon after finding out about the situation is irresponsible commentary.
Not a darn thing Jack. History has shown that in these situations the ones who laugh the hardest and point fingers with the most vigor are the next ones to be outed. Most guys with his power and position and sense of humor will have one or more mistresses. Careful Jack there may be bones in your closet. Leave Mr Letterman alone. It's between him and his wife. This whole "puritan ethic" is getting ridiculous
Leave David Letterman alone. Sex is a private deal between consenting adults.Who of us is "better" than any other because of work status?
If the sex was done for personal gain at the place of employment, then there is something to say, if not, whose business is it anyway?
I'm also tired of hearing about women's exploitation at the drop of the word sex.
I do agree there is such a thing as exploitation, but not in this case, unless Dave was telling these women that their jobs were in jeapordy if they refused his advances.Not the Dave I think of here.
They should stay out of it.
Also these women should keep their mouths closed,along with other body parts.
"Also these women should look up the meaning of prostution.
PROSTUTION : The sale of sex for profit or financail gain."
Clarence
Jack,
David Letterman has over and over again run spoofs on Elliot Spitzer ousted NY Gov..
Now he finds him self in the same scandal just with differnt onces. I thinl CBS should make an example out of the man who has made jokes about women, and has commented in the past about this very thing. He should be held to account.
He is an executive with a major network. What makes him any differnt from those he has shun?
I love david letterman and yes i am a woman, i was an operating room
nurse for 20 years. I love him for his honesty and genuineness.
He was blackmailed because he is rich and was an easy target.
He is a victim of extortion. The blackmailer's lawyer can spin any story he
wants to. That's what lawyers do, except tell the truth. I love david
letterman. I watch him every night and will continue to watch him.
CBS should back him as a reputable employee who has earned
them a lot of money over the years. He is no dan rather. He has
told the truth on screen and off the screen.
therese larson
Since when do we judge consentual sex between unmarried males and females? I haven't heard facts that suggest she was coerced. There are predatory females looking for an attractive wealthy and famous man just as there are powerful men preying on women. In my 38 years as a working female I have seen both.
CBS should fire Dave Letterman. A network who has finally placed a woman anchor on the Top News show should continue to demonstrate that equality is real, that rules protecting women in the workplace are to be followed. Plain and simple, Letterman did not disclose his relationships according to CBS policy.
ANY executive, male or female, who sleeps with his or her staff, is using power inappropriately and needs to be gone!
It's none of my business who Letterman has sex with and I wish you thought so, too. The really immoral thing here is that this type story gets trotted out because, at the bottom of it all is ... the bottom line.
The only thing I understand about t David Letterman's situation is that the media does EVERYTHING it can to make things worse than they are. NONE of the women ever cried rape, not one seems to have claimed harrassment, they were all consenting adults, so WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? The ONLY problem was the extortion attempt. The percent is very high that people will meet someone they marry in the work place. Hellooooooo...welcome to the world. Lets get real here and stop trying to point the finger.. the wrong way!
Thank you for listening.
Love your program.
For what ever reason he did it we will never know the truth, but let's give him the same treatment as everyone else we saw on TV
Nothing! Even our president of the USA didnot get fired when he was fooling around with his intern.
As far as the women go that work back stage on the Dave letterman show, they all have a mind of their own and were free to say NO or take action if their rights were violated, this is ridiculous!
What to do about Letterman.
It's easy. This guy shroud be booted off TV. He continues to make jokes about his indiscretion, but it's not funny.
Letterman is wrong, in the highest order of wrong!
I'm amazed that finally I'm witnessing "possibly" some sense of accountability of the likes of people like Letterman, Polanski, etc...
Letterman should go away, after justice is served, against him, not for him...
CBS should do absolutely nothing to Letterman. I am so tired of hearing about women feeling degraded. As a woman, if there is a situation that feels uncomfortable, I avoid it or do something about it. In this case, it was consensual. They made the choice. And the women he supposedly had relations with haven't said a word, so obviously they have no problem with their actions regardless of how inappropriate they may be! Lets concentrate on the guy extorting him...
Stephanie, Winchester
As a black male who was sexually harrassed by a white woman at ENRON I think Dave should ne investigated to the max. It's so easy for the status Quo to dismiss the obvious. They giggle and wish> but they
don't want to give it the seriousness that it should get......................
Apologies are not sufficient. They are meerly excuses... acceptible excuses. By the wishful thinkers.
I'd rather keep Letterman and get rid of Craig, Ensign, Sanford and all the other scumbags politicians who use their power for their own personal gain (including sex).
Letterman is just another guy who got caught doing what others in the regular workforce get fired from their jobs for doing – he should be terminated from his job and let him get a real job, and be prosecuted just as the man who was trying to extort money from. Where is the balance here? You don't dip your pen in the company ink – is that the saying?
It is none of our business! It was CONSENTUAL! They are ADULTS! Christ on a cracker, what's the matter with us? People have sex with one another. WHY IS THIS NEWS???
The question is what the show audiences should do? Very simple audiences with moral judgement should boycut the show and Letterman show will be out of CBS in no time.
Imagine if every man in American that had sex with a subordinate got fired tomorrow... CBS should do what they are doing. Figure out what happened, and act accordingly. If it was abuse of power that is one thing, if it was consensual that is another. Too bad this is what qualifies as big news.
How about let the audience and sponsors decide like the people of Nevada have to decide on John Ensign and the people of South Carolina have to decide on Mark Stanford. With CBS being the staunch conservative network it is, Dan Rather’s mistake was not excusable as opposed to Glen Beck’s racist remark regarding President Obama on Fox that lost him most sponsors, but he is still there. There’s no business like show business.
There are obviously double standards on actions and comments by big name tv figures. – i.e. Don Imus gets fired; Keith Obermann, who slurred Lou Dobbs' wife, gets no sanction.
Thus, my guess, Letterman slides through this without harm.
Some act as though adultery, infidelity, cheating is something new. This has been going on way before David Letterman. However, since the spotlight is on him and he is a Icon of late night TV and has many followers, he should he held accountable for his actions; at this point, it is between Mr. Letterman, the woman/women involved, his Lawyer and the Court. Besides, there are more important events going on in our country to be fixated on him. Let's divert the attention/focus on a more worthy cause.
There haven't been any complaints against Letterman for harassment. A New York Post gossip item is not enough justification to fire him. He is the victim of a crime, not a criminal.
I love Dave to death. However he is just another male. Two of my friends husbands have been fired from professional jobs for having sex with subordinates. "Can". Dave. The big fall hard!!! I think that's a pun!!!!!!
Did David Letterman pressure these women into sex? I had not heard that.
I work in the corporate world and know first hand there are plenty of women out there that are willing to have sex without pressure, not all women of course.
I think maybe he gave into temptation, his wife may not appreciate it but he is not guilty of a crime in the US.
Bad judgement on his part? Yes if he was married at the time. Should he have to revisit it over and over? I don;t think so.
I also don't think the press should waste time with him when there are many more important things we could be hearing about like... Congress, Senators and other elected officials abuse ( taking money from lobbyiest, etc.) that is way more important to me.
CBS should do nothing about Lettermen. The media has made mistakes in the past. I believe this is one of them. The trial court should do everthing it can within its judicial power to punish Halderman, who, by the way, at the end of the day, is the one on trial for extortion. Trial courts have been laxed, to say the least, on child predators. I'm not a particular fan of Letterman, but I hope for Lettermen, his wife, and son, this story would just go away. ... Can we focus and concentrate on the more important issues addressing this country?
If his wife is anything like my wife then CBS should get him a 24/7 body guard, and food taster.
I think we should wait for the three or four books to come out before making a judgment. Meanwhile Letterman should keep it locked up in his world-wide pants.
Unfortunately "show business" people seem to be exempt from the rules that are adopted by the larger population. What should CBS do? Fire the slum bag! It is galling to see on tv news show amused Letterman's audience is when he talks about his behavior. It's the same mentality that has kept Roman Polanski from facing the music for decades and receiving the support of people in the "business". Let's hope tv viewers will do what CBS won't do: fire Letterman from their viewing choices.
Letterman should keep his job. Stop the hypocracy. Very few, if any journalist or staffer of all media, including television, cable television, print, etc is not now sleeping with, or have in the past, slept wtih their colleague or staff. Even though it is a slow news week, stop fanning the fire of an issue which apparently has occurred between consenting adults.
He should be replaced by someone with stronger ethics and more respect for women. I've watched letterman for many years but when I heard about this sordid affair, I just don't feel I could laugh at his jokes anymore. Women shouldn't have to be subjected to his predatorial instincts one day longer than it takes to fire him. My mother, sister or daughter could just as likely have been one of those women taken advantage of and If cbs won't fire him than the station should be boycotted
CBS should fire him summarily. His antics at work is prehistoric and he should not be allowed to joke his way out of it. His humor is getting to be darker every day while being very partison and generally acting like a mean old man.
To do nothing would be to sanction unethical behavior especially if it involved sexual extortion as has been suggested in some stories. CBS needs to act swiftly.
Cancel his show. Clear and simple. He showed, by his "joke" about the Palen girl, that he has no decency and no respect for women of ANY age.
I feel David Letterman should be fired. He apparently lacks good judgement about what is suitable for his or any program. Send him to the house. Johnnie Cross
It is very simple. He should be fired immediately.
Sexual harassment and abuse of power are grounds for dismissal at any major company. Should Letterman be an exception because he is a celebrity. I thought we are a country of fairness and laws not the priveledged.
Subcontractors have to comply with the policies of the contractor and the law. Were favors being exchanged between CBS employees and Letterman?
This is a blatant abuse of power and position. Is this something that should be tolerated. Do you want to tell your daughter or son to provide favors to their boss to get ahead? Is this the lesson, CBS wants to teach everyone.
Reading these other comments from women makes me hang my head in shame. Obviously they are unaware that they are enjoying the benefits of a safe workplace based on a long struggle to make sexual harassment a situation that men could be held legally accountable for. Perhaps we should go back to the "good old days" and let them get a taste for it?
Letterman is an unfunny low life that preys on underlings, because he makes MONEY he's staying. He should be fired!
CBS should do nothing. The women who chose to engage in sexual relationship with Letterman should be embarrassed after finding out they weren't the chosen one and hopefully they are the ones who have learned a lesson.
I can't believe all the females who have said keep him. Sexual harassment also means that males were deprived of advancement because females were given special treatment (quid pro quo). Also, he has aligned himself with the far left and developed an acid-like tongue. I hope everyone on his show sues the pants off of him (ha ha) and he is gone forever.
Why do they have to do anything? It's not like he broke the law, although I'd bet his wife broke a few things that went flying off the shelves toward Dave's head!
I really think that CBS shouldn"t let Letterman get away with what comes down to a slap on the hand for his behavior. Others have been dismissed on less serious offenses and Dave Letterman needs to be treated the same way the others were treated. This just justifies my feeling that he is sleazy and very creepy!
Is this the most important thing in our country right now? If he violated the law or his employer's policy then it is up to them to take action. I am tired of the endless coverage of personalities which takes away from serious discussion about the many important things facing Americans.
Jack,
Enought is enough! I think we have more important things to deal with in this country than some Hollywood gosip. At the end of the day hard working americans need to put food on the table for their family and I promise there will be no dicussion of David Leterman on that table when its empty.
Jack...stay with the news. CNN is not a tabloid
Turn him off like I do every night. Who cares what he does off camera. In fact, who cares what he does on camera. Now if this was about Jack, I would be interested.
CBS will be forced to do something with letterman if he does not smart'en up and shut up, its a private matter and he needs to stop embarrassing his wife!
Who cares? He's an entertainer and we didn't elect him. Most modern televisions are now equipped with buttons. If you don't like him change the channel or turn the television off.