No more stupid apology tricks.
Comedian David Letterman issued a full-throated mea culpa for delivering a raunchy joke at the expense of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin‘s daughter, saying he takes “full blame” for the “bad” joke.
“I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception,” he said on Monday’s show. “And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke.”
“It’s not your fault that it was misunderstood, it’s my fault that it was misunderstood,” he said.
“So I would like to apologize, especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke. I’m sorry about it and I’ll try to do better in the future.”
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Updates:
11:08 am EDT, June 16th, 2009 — Palin Accepts David Letterman’s Apology
3:27 pm EDT, June 16th, 2009 — Despite Letterman’s Apology, Protesters Call for Sponsor Boycott
He is having sponsor trouble.
A Hotel chain just pulled their advertising.
The apology may not do the trick. There is now an organized campaign against him.
All sounds very calculated to me. People will forget their rage time, but the controversy will attract new viewers who will keep tuning in to see what Letterman might say next. Eminem does this every 3 years or so.
I hope the Govenor remains firm in her decision not to appear on Letterman’s show. He was a jerk before he made these comments and he will remain a jerk. She doesn’t need him, he needs her.
Certainly has improved Letterman’s ratings. Almost as good as the extreme right wing flake Nuke Gingrich.
Whatever happens with Letterman in the future does not matter as much as what happens to Sarah Palin. She will be remembered for her stand against that fool and this will certainly enhance her political career.
If Letterman’s ratings have improved it’s simply due to the “gossip factor” as with all things, in the same way people will flock to a car accident scene, drawn by the possible “blood and gore.”
But a poll that completely shocked me was the Yahoo online one which indicated up to 43 percent of respondents didn’t care about the tasteless joke whatsover. The poll favoured Letterman’s joke, like the audience that, maybe on cue were told to laugh. It’s not a joking matter since it’s 14 year old girls (underage) that were targeted. Apparently many on the left, think that’s okay. As they had the view that 14 year olds could absolutely participate in orgy houses. Even our SCC gave sanction.
Not to be missed, is the statement it makes on our country’s current cultural views — anything goes even if it involves children. The apology from Letterman doesn’t go nearly close enough in correcting that. Hopefully, growing pressure for his dismissal with have force and effect with the execs at the station. Make a statement on behalf of girl children (underage) — they are to be defended by a system that would be considered “civilized at the bare minimum.”
To be resolved soonest because the economy is the priority. Gossip mongers and ratings are not the current priorities.
Letterman’s just not funny anymore, never mind that he finally did the right thing and apologized. Although I really am surprised that he did apologize. Because in the media it’s always “just fine” to attempt to denigrate conservatives, especially social conservatives. I’m very happy that some women’s groups finally did the right thing as well; just wish they had been more vocal during the harrassment the Palins had to endure during the campaign, which was absolutely horrible.
Letterman’s an angry bitter man who has a hate-on for conservatives. So no doubt he’ll trip himself up again. I was a fan years ago, but he’s just not funny anymore. When they get political, I tune it out.
Did he apologize to A-Rod? I think he’s owed one as well; who wants to basically be called a rapist??
Even though I don’t like Letterman I do believe his apology was sincere. The fact that he even had to apologize says an awful lot about the leftist mindset in that they would even have considered this joke funny at the outset. As a result of decades of liberalism western society in general now views, in more ways than one, what was once intolerable as now quite tolerable….humerous even.
Soccermon, it’s his “mindset” that is being rightfully quetioned. Palin was right. He joked about a “statutory rate” situation regarding 14 year olds. No, he’s not a physica rapist, but the joke was not funny, not appropriate. It was mental perversion by barest minimum of standards of decency. No apology is due him or the network. He should be dismissed. Then the network can move on. Also, U.S. media reputation on the international scene is involved here. Otherwise, tolerating the “intolerable” (attacks against children and even the athlete mentioned) is what’s quite at stake. There’s some great unknown comedian waiting in the wings I’m sure. The network will hunt for the replacement, no doubt.
Letterman deserves some time in the penalty box. Maybe just the summer but with the the corresponding salary adjustment of course. His feeble attempt at an apology shortly after the incicent tells the complete story. This attempt wasn’t even half-hearted, it was as pathetic as his initial flurry of ’jokes’. And I think it was indicative of Lettermans total lack of class.
The man is a loser and should be banished from airwaves.
Don imus was banished and seemed to be a hell on a lot more contrite than Letterman ever will be.