Letterman's confessions spark controversy

The famous TV show host David Letterman is known for his ruthless sarcasm and cracking wit. His blatant expose' of numerous sex scandals, from which he has milked several laughs and TRPs, has now come full circle to haunt him.

Letterman on Thursday casually admitted to having several affairs with his female employees and subordinates. Evidently, he did not expect the comments to backfire and bring out the moral police of the country in full force.

The controversy
The comments have sparked a row over workplace sexual harassment and hypocrisy. The conservatives are particularly enraged, especially after his pointed comments and crude remarks on GOP vice president nominee Sarah Palin and her daughter in June.

Commentator Michelle Malkin said "There is irony here. It's hard not to have a smidge of schadenfreude for somebody who's shown contempt for women in public, in his monologues continuously and repeatedly, especially over the campaign, and how he's treated Sarah Palin and her family."

Many politicians are referring to this as a Karmic payback. Even though Palin refused to comment, her fans have stormed Facebook. One of them has left a note saying, "Amen! God said you will reap what you sow. Letterman tried to destroy Sarah personally and professionally. Looks like that wagging finger was turned right back on him. Who's laughing now Dave?!!!"

Company and the advertisers support letterman
Many others are vouching for Letterman to be fired, but his company's spokesman has clearly stated that the company's sexual harassment policy does not prohibit sexual liaisons between managers and employees.

"We have a written policy in our employee manual that covers harassment," the spokesman said in a statement. "It is circulated to every employee every year. Dave is not in violation of our policy and no one has ever raised a complaint against him."

Advertisers have decided to stick by Letterman. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus and the Direct TV group Inc. have said that they are more interested in Letterman's show and work, rather than his personal life.

"We would not let Mr. Letterman's personal life dictate our media buying decisions," Direct TV's spokesperson said in a statement. "We advertise on the Letterman show based on its entertainment value and delivery of our core target."

From January to June this year, the advertisers have spent $145.2 million on the Letterman show.

The analysts from CBS have said that they do not foresee any changes in the viewership of the show.

"Dave's true audience is cynical," said Kathy Sharpe, chief executive of the New York marketing firm Sharpe Partners. "They may be a little disappointed, like, 'Dave, how can you be so dumb?' . . . But they'll still watch."

Milking the controversy
John Rash, a TV programming analyst for the Minneapolis ad firm Campbell Mithun, said that Letterman has contained the damage already by making admissions about the incident. In fact, the show's TRPs have actually increased after the confessions by 38 percent.

The CEO of CBS also provided Letterman with words of support by saying, "We think it was appropriate for Dave to disclose the matter publicly as he has, and we are continuing to cooperate with authorities."