Late Show Fires Staffer Amid Sexism Controversy

'It was just awkward,' he tells David Letterman on the 'Late Show'

(NEWSER) - Will Smith was quick to clarify to David Letterman last night that he "didn't beat up" the Moscow journalist who tried to kiss him. But seeing as Smith was caught on video slapping the reporter , Letterman had to get the story. "He says, 'I'm your biggest fan, can I have a hug?'" Smith explained on the Late Show . "So I go to give this joker a hug, and he like, tries to lean in to like, kiss me! … It was just awkward, Dave," he concluded. "They were like, 'Oh, no, we’re sorry, you know. It’s just his shtick, you know.' And I said, 'Well, that’s why his a** got schtuck.'" Click to see the original video . More»

His list: Things he needs to tell the American people

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney is now in a dead heat with Newt Gingrich. In a bid to perhaps claw his way back into the No. 1 slot solo, he made his second appearance of the year on the Late Show last night, and shared the "Top 10 Things Mitt Romney Would Like to Say to the American People." OK, American People—here are some of the very important pieces of information Romney would like to make sure you know:

• "Isn't it time for a president who looks like a 1970s game show host?"

Finally gets all seven, but only after a hint

(NEWSER) - Justin Bieber was on the Late Show With David Letterman last night, and in a clip picked up by Gawker and other outlets, the teen heartthrob struggled just a bit with his geography. One of the perks of fame, he explained to Letterman, is that he’s visited “every continent.” Dave jumped on the opportunity, asking him exactly how many of those there are. “Asia, North America, South America, um, Africa, Antarctica, and the North Pole,” Bieber began. After getting buzzed for his wrong answer, he tried “Canada” before coming up with Australia and, finally, Europe—but only after Letterman gave him a hint. More»

'Late Show' host responds to threat in monologue, top 10 list

(NEWSER) - David Letterman returned to the Late Show last night with an evening full of jokes about—what else?—a jihadist’s death threat against him . “Tonight, you people are more to me, honestly, more than an audience … you’re more like a human shield,” he said, before apologizing for arriving onstage late. “I was talking to the guy from CBS,” he explained. “We were going through the CBS life insurance policy to see if I was covered for jihad.” More»

Not a good week for the Ed Sullivan Theater

(NEWSER) - David Letterman seems to be making news more than mocking it lately: Just days after a drunk bashed his way into the Ed Sullivan Theater, where Letterman's Late Show is taped, another man has been charged with breaking into the same storied building. New York City cops say the 42-year-old used a newspaper dispenser to break the theater's glass doors early this morning, and the AP reports that he made it to the vestibule before security nabbed him. Charges are coming. More»