Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to David Letterman

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to David Letterman.

David Letterman is an iconic American television host, comedian, writer, producer, and auto racing team owner best known for hosting late-night talk shows for 33 years. He began with 'Late Night with David Letterman' on NBC in 1982 and concluded with 'Late Show with David Letterman' on CBS in 2015. He hosted a total of 6,080 episodes, surpassing Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1982: Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler Incident

In 1982, Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler staged a wrestling incident on Late Night with David Letterman.

August 19, 1985: Letterman Interrupts The Today Show

On August 19, 1985, David Letterman interrupted a live interview on The Today Show, pretending to be the NBC News president.

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May 2, 1989: Oprah Winfrey Appears on Letterman's Late Night

Oprah Winfrey appeared on David Letterman's show, Late Night, on May 2, 1989, marking the beginning of a 16-year feud between the two.

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March 27, 1995: Letterman Hosts the Academy Awards

On March 27, 1995, David Letterman hosted the 67th Academy Awards ceremony. His performance was considered a failure by critics and may have caused a decline in the Late Show's ratings.

2005: Restraining Order Filed

In 2005, a woman obtained a restraining order against David Letterman from a New Mexico judge, claiming he sent her coded messages through his television program.

2008: CBS Business Conduct Statement in 2008

In 2008, CBS's Business Conduct Statement indicated that if a consenting romantic or sexual relationship between a supervisor and a direct or indirect subordinate should develop, CBS requires the supervisor to disclose this information to his or her Company's Human Resources Department.

2008: Controversy over Letterman's joke about Palin's daughter

In 2008, Sarah Palin criticized David Letterman for making what she perceived as sexually perverted comments about her 14-year-old daughter. Letterman responded on his show, clarifying that the jokes were intended to be about Palin's 18-year-old daughter, Bristol, and denying that he would ever joke about having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

October 1, 2009: Blackmail Attempt Announced

On October 1, 2009, David Letterman revealed on his show that he was the victim of a blackmail attempt. An individual threatened to expose his sexual relationships with female employees unless Letterman paid him $2 million. Letterman contacted the Manhattan District Attorney's office and participated in a sting operation.

October 2, 2009: Joe Halderman Pleads Not Guilty

On October 2, 2009, Joe Halderman, a producer for CBS's 48 Hours, pleaded not guilty to attempted grand larceny after being arrested for trying to deposit the fake check from Letterman's sting operation.

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October 3, 2009: Affair with Intern Reported

On October 3, 2009, TMZ reported that David Letterman had a yearlong affair with Holly Hester, a former CBS employee, in the early 1990s when she was his intern and a student at New York University.

October 5, 2009: Letterman Publicly Apologizes

On October 5, 2009, David Letterman dedicated a segment of his show to publicly apologizing to his wife and staff following the revelation of his affairs.

March 2010: Halderman Sentenced

In March 2010, Joe Halderman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by probation and community service for attempting to extort David Letterman.

June 2011: Joke about the death of Ilyas Kashmiri

In June 2011, David Letterman made a joke about the death of Ilyas Kashmiri, an Al-Qaeda leader who was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan. This joke later led to a death threat against Letterman from an Islamist militant.

August 17, 2011: Islamist militant death threat against Letterman

On August 17, 2011, it was reported that an Islamist militant posted a death threat against David Letterman on a website frequented by Al-Qaeda supporters. The threat was in response to Letterman making a joke about the death of Ilyas Kashmiri, an Al-Qaeda leader.