Halderman 'Enraged' Over 'Passionate Embrace'

David Letterman’s accused extortionist, Robert “Joe” Halderman, is “a great human being “ but “he's positioned as a bad guy,” says friend and former co-worker Dr. Bob Arnot. “No one’s standing up for Joe,” he continues—so, certainly, Halderman must be glad that Arnot went on Good Morning America to discuss his friend getting “enraged” over “a very passionate embrace” he witnessed between Letterman and Stephanie Birkitt in August. More:

• Birkitt has been banned, a source tells TMZ—or, as Worldwide Pants puts it, “is on paid leave of absence”—from the Late Show set.
• Some of Letterman’s former targets are taking pity on the Late Show host. “I feel sorry for Dave. I take no glee,” former Florida Rep. Mark Foley tells the AP. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford adds, “Both my thoughts and my prayers are with him.”

(More David Letterman stories.)