WASHINGTON: US talk show host David Letterman admitted on his show to having sex with members of his staff as he gave details of a $2 million blackmail attempt against him.
I have had sex with women who work on this show, Letterman told a studio audience in New York which at times appeared unsure whether the confession was part of a skit.
The 62-year-old, who has hosted the prime time show for 16 years but only married in March, said the extortion began three weeks ago when he noticed a package in the back seat of his car early one morning.
It contained, in Letterman s words stuff to prove I do terrible things and a letter from a person who later demanded $2 million (?1.37 million) to refrain from writing a film screenplay and book about Letterman s transgressions.
Letterman, at times appearing nervous and in turn flippant, said he reported the matter to his lawyer and the Manhattan District Attorney s office, leading to the man s arrest and his own testimony in court earlier on Thursday.
This morning I did something that I have never done in my life and it was a combination of just unusual and scary, this whole thing has been quite scary, he said, I had to go downtown to testify before the grand jury.
I had to tell them how I was disturbed by this, I was worried for myself I was worried for my family. I felt menaced by this and I had to tell them all of the creepy things I had done, he said to laughter from the audience.
Pausing and appearing taken aback at the giggles, Letterman asked the crowd, Now why is that funny? before shrugging.
He detailed a series of face-to-face meetings with the man, including a third meeting in which Letterman handed over a fake check for $2 million.
He explained his true reaction to the demands: would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would, perhaps it would, and especially for the women, he joked.
What you don t want is a guy saying I know you had sex with women so I would like $2 million or I m going to make trouble for you, so that is where we stand right now.
The Late Show with David Letterman made its debut in August 1993, and since received a stream of famous and infamous guests, winning six Emmy Awards in the process.
A doyen of the nightly chat shows that are immensely popular in the United States, he earlier this month hosted US President Barack Obama, the first time a sitting president had appeared on the CBS show.
But Thursday s bombshell is not the first controversy on the program. Drew Barrymore once flashed him on air, as did singer Courtney Love.
Madonna, who was also a guest on Thursday, once caused controversy when she swore repeatedly during an appearance. -AFP
