What will Dave's revelation mean?
It was supposed to be a day of triumph, with this fantastic ratings news. But it worked out very differently for David Letterman today, as he was forced to admit to sexual liaisons with staff members as part of his testimony before a grand jury earlier today. He dropped the bombshell on his "Late Show" audience and ... well, it was weird. Really weird.
Anyway, click the red box to hear what I told KNX Radio this evening.
Dave has gotten the chance to write the first chapter of this tabloid tale. He will not be writing the second chapter, or the third. And how this story ends, I think, will largely determine if Dave suffers any negative impact in the ratings ... and whether he decides he has had it with public life and it is time to shift to the next phase of his life sooner rather than later.
We really don't know much right now, but that's kind of what's at stake.
TMZ.com has ID'd the blackmailer as a 51-year-old businessman who lives in Connecticut but has a business in Manhattan. CBS later reported it was an employee of "48 Hours." That employee's name MAY be Joe Halderman, based on this.
The people I feel worst for are the women, not just Regina Lasko, his wife and longtime girlfriend, but the "Late Show" staffers who now may very well be thrust into the public eye against their will.
