Letterman confesses on air

2009-10-02 16:00

Washington - US talk show host David Letterman admitted on his show to having sex with members of his staff as he gave details of a $2m blackmail attempt against him.

"I have had sex with women who work on this show," Letterman told a studio audience in New York which at times appeared unsure whether the confession was part of a skit.

The 62-year-old, who has hosted the prime time show for 16 years but only married in March, said the extortion began three weeks ago when he noticed a package in the back seat of his car early one morning.

Blackmail

It contained, in Letterman's words "stuff to prove I do terrible things" and a letter from a person who later demanded $2m to refrain from writing a film screenplay and book about Letterman's transgressions.

Letterman, at times appearing nervous and in turn flippant, said he reported the matter to his lawyer and the Manhattan District Attorney's office, leading to the man's arrest and his own testimony in court earlier on Thursday.

"This morning I did something that I have never done in my life and it was a combination of just unusual and scary, this whole thing has been quite scary," he said, "I had to go downtown to testify before the Grand Jury."

Creepy things

"I had to tell them how I was disturbed by this, I was worried for myself I was worried for my family. I felt menaced by this and I had to tell them all of the creepy things I had done," he said to laughter from the audience.

Pausing and appearing taken aback at the giggles, Letterman asked the crowd "now why is that funny?" before shrugging.

He detailed a series of face-to-face meetings with the man, including a third meeting in which Letterman handed over a fake check for $2m.

Embarrassment

He explained his true reaction to the demands: "would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would, perhaps it would, and especially for the women," he joked.

"What you don't want is a guy saying 'I know you had sex with women I would like $2m or I'm going to make trouble for you,' so that is where we stand right now."

The Late Show with David Letterman made its debut in August 1993, and since received a stream of famous and infamous guests, winning six Emmy Awards in the process.

Presidential guest

A doyen of the nightly chat shows that are immensely popular in the United States, he earlier this month hosted US President Barrack Obama, the first time a sitting president had appeared on the CBS show.

But Thursday's bombshell is not the first controversy on the programme. Drew Barrymore once flashed him on air, as did singer Courtney Love.

Madonna, who was also a guest on Thursday, once caused controversy when she swore repeatedly during an appearance.

- AFP