InfoAnda - Letterman creates brilliant hour of TV from woes

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

U.N. rights chief urges calm during Egypt protests | 2 February 2011
China says won't limit Google's Android mobile platform | 27 January 2010
Amazon Kindle store buy buttons vanish for hours | | 28 March 2012

Earthly organisms developed in two sets of fits and starts: study | 23 December 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Letterman creates brilliant hour of TV from woes

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Letterman creates brilliant hour of TV from woes By LYNN ELBER,AP Television Writer - Saturday, October 3 Send IM Story Print LOS ANGELES – It was business as usual for David Letterman and CBS' "Late Show." The band played. The host, dapper as always in a well-tailored suit, recited his monologue; some jokes hit, some missed. Then Letterman proceeded to take viewers, and television, on an extraordinary journey that was part confessional, part entertainment and wholly, if jarringly, hypnotic. The medium has come close to moments like this before _ Hugh Grant's prostitute mea culpa on "Tonight" is the familiar example of recent years _ but never achieved the merger of farce and drama that Letterman finessed. "I'm glad you folks are here tonight," he told his "Late Show" New York studio audience Thursday. "I'm glad you're in such a pleasant mood, because I have a little story that I would like to tell you and the home viewers as well." "Do you feel like a story?" Letterman asked amiably, as if making sure a child was ready for a cozy bedtime tale. The audience got much more than that from a man acknowledged to be a master of the art of broadcasting. By turns raffish, somber, self-effacing, blunt and coyly, comically manipulative, Letterman wove a mystery tale of his own behavior and that of a CBS' "48 Hours" employee arrested in an alleged multimillion-dollar extortion plot against him. Letterman took his time _ 10 minutes, a TV eternity these days for one topic _ to slowly reel in viewers. President Richard Nixon's famed "Checkers" speech, so old-school in its clumsy sentiment as he fought to remain on the GOP ticket as vice president, had nothing on this. Even the 21st-century pipelines that allow the famous to control their message, whether Twitter or Facebook or you name it, looked like amateur hour. Opening his tale, the 62-year-old Letterman said it all started with a letter and package left in his car. "I know that you do some terrible, terrible things and that I can prove you do some terrible things," the letter warned, with proof enclosed, he recounted. The audience, expecting the comedy that's reliably delivered by Uncle Dave, played along. They laughed. They laughed about the man who allegedly threatened to put this "terrible stuff" about Letterman's life in a screenplay and a book. They laughed when he recalled the district attorney's office telling him, "Hellooo, this is blackmail." The first break in the levity came when Letterman finally disclosed how much allegedly was demanded for silence, a princely $2 million. Real money, even for a well-paid late-night host. "Oooooh," breathed a respectful studio audience. Letterman started to edge away from the light and into darkness. He feared being harmed, he said. "I want to reiterate how terrifying this is," he said, almost plaintively, a private man forced to bare his soul. "I'm motivated by nothing but guilt. I'm a towering mass of Lutheran Midwestern guilt." The audience, sensing its cue, applauded. He had them on the hook, ready to deliver the big plot twist that would wow them _ or turn them against him. Viewers knew there was something "creepy" that Letterman had done, because he kept saying that was part of the goods someone had on him. Letterman, a careful wordsmith, repeated "creepy" enough to make sure it stuck. Even a devoted fan could easily summon the specter of the most awful transgressions. Then Letterman dropped his bombshell: There were allegations that he had sex with women who worked for him. Finally cowed by an unvarnished, unfunny remark, by the suggestion of improper behavior, the nasty whiff of sexual harassment in the workplace, the studio audience murmured uneasily. Letterman made his final, brilliant move. He was honest. "My response to that is, yes, I have. I have had sex with women who work on this show," he said. Married since March to a girlfriend of many years, and the father of a son born in 2003, Letterman didn't say when the encounters occurred. The comedian, who has mocked so many celebrities for such transgressions, suddenly was himself a target. But the audience was back on his side and erupting in applause and cheers. Letterman moved gracefully into the role of victim. He invoked his need to protect the women involved, his family and himself. He ended with _ shades of Nixon _ his hope that he can "protect his job." "Thank you for letting me bend your ears," he said. Then, back to the business at hand with guest Woody Harrelson. "Good to be here on this auspicious night," the actor said with a sly but good-natured smile. All was well with "Late Show" and its host. But what happens when the TV bubble bursts and people take another look? ___ CBS is a division of CBS Corp. ____ On the Net: http://www.cbs.com Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Sarah Palin book part of conservative boom AP - 2 hours 16 minutes ago Lady Gaga says she'll tour without Kanye West AP - 2 hours 17 minutes ago At Carnegie gala, sub conductor displays heroics AP - 2 hours 41 minutes ago Film pulled from Swiss festival in Polanski protest AFP - Saturday, October 3 "Ally McBeal" looks for love on DVD: finally Reuters - Saturday, October 3 News Search Top Stories Rio to host 2016 Olympics as Chicago, Obama shattered IMF unveils newfound strength forged in crisis US recovery effort stumbles as 263,000 jobs lost EU leaders anxious as Ireland votes on treaty World Bank warns on 2010 as US job losses mount More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Scientists find path to fountain of youth Oldest hominid skeleton sheds light on human origins France launches 'battle of the electric car' France Telecom boss under fire over staff suicides US auto sales crash after Cash for Clunkers expires More Most Viewed » Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 3 October 2009
Croatia resumes EU membership talks, but Turkey trails
US-TECH Summary
IMF unveils newfound strength forged in crisis
Amazon settles Kindle lawsuit over "1984" copy
US recovery effort stumbles as 263,000 jobs lost
San Francisco tapping into tech-savvy citizens
Irish PM eyes Yes vote in crunch EU poll
ElBaradei bound for Iran to pin down Geneva accord | International |
Israel gets soldier video in swap for prisoners
EU leaders anxious as Ireland votes on treaty
Washington Post, Bloomberg launch news service
World Bank warns on 2010 as US job losses mount
National Post chief to bid for CanWest newspapers: report
Sicily storms kill 17, sniffer dogs search rubble
Rio's Copacabana beach erupts at Olympic win | International |
Google pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
World Bank warns of wobble ahead for global economy
Iraq's Mosul hopes for end to stubborn insurgency
'I'm on Facebook, friend me': top NATO commander
World Bank chief sees 'highly uncertain' 2010
Iran security forces detain student activists: report | International |
EU and U.S. to present plan to break Bosnia deadlock | International |
Rio make it an Olympic first for South America
Obama extends condolences to Indonesian president
Military searches for bodies, brings aid to Samoas
Tens of thousands in Philippines flee new typhoon
Myanmar court rejects opposition leader's appeal
Officials: Pakistan army to take on S. Waziristan
Davydenko leads top four into Malaysia semis
No mayhem charge for Calif. dad who tattooed son
How health care overhaul could change Medicare
E-readers seen as holiday hit | Technology |
Shooting victim says Russia links should be probed
Amazon settles Kindle lawsuit over 1984 copy | Technology |
Hawaii group leaves for Damien's canonization
Lake Havasu City to receive granite war memorial
Sect member pleads not guilty to child sex assault
Woman fined for letting 12-year-old drive
Co. that rented Trump home fined for Gadhafi tent
Bible verses banned from Ga. school football field
GE pushes India healthcare revenue, innovation
Mitsubishi wins US orders for Japan passenger jet
John Cusack promotes apocalyptic '2012' in Taiwan
Japanese automakers see Hyundai as global threat
Montblanc's $25,000 Gandhi pen stirs controversy
Toyota president expresses regret over fatal crash
Hundreds gather as Malaysia buries Noordin Top
Letterman creates brilliant hour of TV from woes
Man accused in David Letterman extortion is indicted
Swiss ex-minister: Polanski should've been warned
New film seeks answer to mystery of vanishing bees
Eminem's music publisher, Apple settle dispute
Steve Martin hits road with banjos, and some jokes | Entertainment |
Moscow cracks down on airport booze: prosecutors
Court rejects 'homo' libel suit against Moscow mayor
Nobel Literature Prize to be announced October 8
Haiti woos foreign investors with newly-found stability
Ally McBeal looks for love on DVD: finally | Entertainment |
Jewish bikers cruise for German unity
New film seeks answer to mystery of vanishing bees | Entertainment |
Animal rights group wants Tornatore film blocked | Entertainment |
London Evening Standard to become free sheet
UN atomic chief due in Iran as pressure mounts
IBM email challenges Google in the 'cloud'
Rio to host 2016 Olympics as Chicago, Obama shattered
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court
Hamas swaps video of Israeli soldier for prisoners
Indonesia quake levels villages, eight trapped in hotel | International |
US gun maker arming Wii shooter game
E-readers seen as holiday hit, presage tablet PCs
Iraqis lead crackdown in insurgent stronghold
Schmidt: Google-Apple board member should stay put
Honduras leader says met OAS chief, ready to talk | International |
Typhoon changes course, to only clip Philippines | International |
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court
Schmidt: Google-Apple board member should stay put | Technology |
US, British troops killed in Afghanistan attacks
Disappointed Tokyo looks to 2020 bid
Indonesia quake levels villages, eight trapped in hotel
Watson, Ponting fire tons as Australia crush England
Cops: Told to stop cursing, couple at KFC beat man
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court | Technology |
US paid reward to Lockerbie witness: legal papers
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 774
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,348
Jeff Luers back in custody after mistaken release
No respite for disaster-hit Asia
Prosecutors: NYC court escapee had disguises, $4K
Reid wants Obama's view on military's gay ban
Northern Marianas, Guam brace for Typhoon Melor
Michigan man identified as pilot of crashed plane
DA: Man charged in Letterman plot was deep in debt
The joke's on Letterman after on-air confession
IMF ups pressure on China to let currency rise
Jackson administrators retain control of estate
Travolta attorney in Bahamas trial denies setup
Lady Gaga says her show will go on without West | Entertainment |
Jackson administrators retain control of estate | Entertainment |
'Spore' set for the big screen
Argentine folk singer Sosa's condition worsening
Viewers react with sympathy, disgust for Letterman
Selena Gomez: Trip to Africa was 'life-changing'
DA: Man charged in Letterman plot was deep in debt
Lady Gaga says her show will go on without West
Sarah Palin book part of conservative boom
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
IAEA chief arrives in Iran to discuss enrichment site
Irish FM predicts victory for Yes camp in EU vote
Finance chiefs warn on recovery as G7 meets
IAEA: ElBaradei to visit Iran this weekend
Israeli planes strike Gaza tunnels and building
IAEA chief arrives in Iran to discuss enrichment site | International |
Tongan banker rescues people, cash from tsunami
Israeli planes strike Gaza tunnels and building | International |
Extra US troops for north, west Afghanistan: military
No US climate bill before December talks: Obama aide
Iraqi forces seize 140 insurgent suspects in Mosul | International |
Myanmar minister holds talks with Suu Kyi | International |
Pakistan prepares assault, eyes Taliban infighting | International |
Irish voters overwhelmingly back EU reform treaty | International |
Somali gunmen release 3 foreign aid workers | International |
Sudan's Bashir runs for president despite warrant | International |
Police: Kidnapped newborn found safe in Alabama
The nation's weather
Congress readies Iran sanctions if diplomacy fails
Spotting terrorists: What to watch for and where
Toll in south India floods rises to 134
AP NewsAlert
Myanmar junta official meets Aung San Suu Kyi
Trapped Indonesian quake victim sends text message
Pakistan: Anti-Taliban tribal elder fatally shot
Beaten Ohio man is shot during self-defense lesson
At least 172 dead in India floods
Musharraf: Multifaceted approach against Taliban
3 US troops killed by attacks in east Afghanistan
Teenage boy killed in Kashmir anti-India protests
Aung San Suu Kyi meets Myanmar junta minister
American Samoa relief builds
Calif teen gets 15 years in death of passenger
Obama adviser says no climate change law this year
China's XAC is majority owner of Austria's FACC
Inter-Korean trade declines more than 20 percent
Pakistani c.bank buys 60.4 bln rupees of govt paper
Judge empowers Jackson executors to handle debts
FBI: Man arrested in ESPN reporter nude video case
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Polanski agreed to $500,000 payment in civil suit
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01