Letterman Gets Mostly Raves for Handling Scandal

Birkitt penned series of 'Dear Dave' letters, plus more on extortion

(NEWSER) - It’s only a matter of time before Stephanie Birkitt’s “trashy” love letters to David Letterman become public. Sadly, “we’re not talking crazy sexual escapades,” a source tells the New York Daily News. “It’s her musings about them. It’s trash.” More on the Letterman fiasco:

• Sure, the situation is unpleasant, but CBS must be happy at the ratings bump Letterman’s late-night confessionals are causing. Monday’s show saw a 36% increase in viewers over the week prior, Reuters reports.

Late Show host still glad he pushed back against alleged extortionist

(NEWSER) - David Letterman wasn’t planning to talk anymore about his extortion scandal, “but it seems like people want to talk about it,” he said on last night’s Late Show. After apologizing to the staff for subjecting them to “hounding” from reporters, he made it clear that, “No, I’m not having sex with these women. Those episodes are in the past.” He then moved on to his wife, who “has been horribly hurt by my behavior.” More»

He's notoriously private, but don't cross him

(NEWSER) - When Robert Halderman asked David Letterman for $2 million, he probably assumed the notoriously private Letterman would pay him off to avoid public embarrassment. But "all Dave cares about is his career," a source tells New York in a lengthy look at the host and the scandal. "Dave is like, 'No one fucks with me. You fuck with me, you die." More»

Stephanie Birkitt was in Caribbean with Letterman, wife Regina Lasko, son

(NEWSER) - Add one more item to the list of things Regina Lasko has against hubby David Letterman. The Late Show host brought galpal Stephanie Birkitt along on vacations with Lasko and son Harry, sources tell the New York Post. Other friends and coworkers were also invited along; one of the trips was to St. Barts. Lasko, also a former Late Show staffer like Birkitt, “has to be really, really pissed,” the source says. More»

Plus, Letterman's wife Regina Lasko forced him into second apology

(NEWSER) - Stephanie Birkitt is getting the most attention, but she's not be the only staffer David Letterman seduced—not by a long shot, says accused extortionist Robert Halderman. Halderman puts the figure at “six or seven,” a friend tells the New York Daily News. “He would fly them out on a chartered plane to the Indy 500 and put them up in five-star hotels.” More»