Letterman apologizes for joke, but Palin supporters vow to continue fight

Under fire for a risque joke last week, David Letterman has apologized to Gov. Sarah Palin and her supporters. But a group urging CBS to fire the host says it's still not enough. 

On CBS' "Late Show" tonight, Letterman says he's sorry about a monologue earlier this month in which he joked that New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez impregnated Palin's daughter during a game. Letterman has said he intended the joke to be in reference to Palin's 18-year-old daughter Bristol, but Gov. Palin actually attended the game with her 14-year-old daughter Willow. Some critics have accused Letterman of joking about statutory rape.

"I told a bad joke," Letterman told viewers at an afternoon taping. "I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception.  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."

He concluded, "I'm sorry about it and I'll try to do better in the future."

However, the Los Angeles talk radio host behind the group firedavidletterman.com told The Times that Letterman's apology falls short.

"I'm glad he's acknowledged we're right," said John Ziegler, a creator of the film "Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted" and who this month began a new show on KGIL. "I think it's a good first step in the right direction, but I don't think it's enough." Part of the problem, he added, is that Letterman made a "horrendous attempt at an apology" last week, when he devoted several relatively light-hearted minutes to the controversy, invited Palin on his program and repeated the joke.  

Ziegler said he was not sure what sanction Letterman should face, but options should include suspension and firing. The host could also donate to a charity of Gov. Palin's choice, he said. Meanwhile, the group is still planning a rally Tuesday outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where Letterman tapes his show.

CBS did not respond to a request for comment beyond Letterman's remarks.

-Scott Collins  

Comments

[Davidsadope]

Don said something offensive and immediately made an apology and still was fired by CBS. David said something offensive and immediately tried to defend what he said and dug the hole deeper. His second attempt at an apology was still not quite there... no apology to women in general for the crude joke about rape. No apology for the "slutty flight attendant look". I'm still waiting for some words from CBS. Has anyone heard the spooky silence on this one?

So what is the deal here? It was Sarah Palin so it's ok? What if the joke was about Bill Clinton giving the Obama girls a tour of the Oval Office? What would happen to David then? Or better yet... what if an "Obama joke" were delivered by a "conservative" comedian? We know the left would insist on a public beheading.

The point is... it wasn't so much the original "joke". It was the way that it was (or hasn't been) handled in the aftermath. This man's explanation only reduced the charge from "statutory rape" to regular old "rape".

Liberals can try to defend Letterman all day long with "well so and so said this and that" but it doesn't make it any more right. Anyone who uses what others do as an excuse to allow a pass for Letterman is just as guilty as he is of the hateful vicious attack that he made.

Yes he should be fired... immediately! We cannot live in a double standard country and expect to get along. It will only breed more hate and bitterness from both the left and the right.

[Robin]

Where was Sara"s indignation when SNL did the skit about her daughter--instead she makes an appearance on the show.

Oh wait this is attention for the book and movie?

Palins have constant negative drama surrounding them--maybe its time for therapy.

She should apologize to Letterman for implying he is a pervert. Dave Letterman is no such thing--he made a mistake--forgive and move on.
From here on its time to ignore the Palins.

[TB]

Letterman apologized and learned from his mistake. I believe him when he says he will be more careful in the future. Those who say that's not enough and want him fired have an ax to grind. In this world where everyone tip-toes to be politically correct I say the same thing that people said to me when I was constantly being teased and tormented in high school by the other kids - grow a thicker skin. None of the bullies ever apologized to me, but I've moved on and forgiven them.

[Toby]

I can't believe Sarah Palin is using her 14 year old daughter to score political points.

And not only that, she's using words like rape in the same sentence as her 14 year old daughter.

I mean, doesn't she have a nature instinct to shield her 14 year old daughter from all of this?

[John]

We need to fire Sarah Palin, David Letterman ROCKS!

[Kevin]

Don't the conservative media realize that every time they jump up and down in anger they are just fueling interest in their opponents? I'll bet Dave's rating only go up because of this publicity. David Letterman is a social satirist, he was just doing his job. His popularity is dependent on controversy. How dull would the world be if men like Letterman never stand behind their humor?

[SPENCER]

Palin accepted the apology, so tell the publicity-hungry Ziegler to move on already; there's more important things to worry about now.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Politics/story?id=7849798&page=1

[Donna Wike]

I don't think it has anything to do with politics as to why some of us want such "distastefulness" to be removed from public TV stations.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but, when people use such dialect that demeans race, faith, or gender, either through tastelss jokes or simply by comment, like Imus did with what he said about that women's basketball team, action should be taken by company that hosts that person's show.

If anything, Letterman should have considered the effect that joke would have on viewers BEFORE he aired it. Tasteless as it was, and, yes, funny to some, any DECENT comedian would have NOT used it.

And, as far as his "apology" goes, I did NOT see ANY sincerity in his apology.

If not fired, I think the Letterman show SHOULD at least be suspended for a period of time to TEACH Letterman that such joking is inappropriate and will not be accepted in the future.

And, puleasssssse, to those of you who consider my view as a person who needs "to get a life," keep in mind that I have as much right as you to speak my piece, and I do so without demeaning those with opposite opinions.

If you do not agree with me, at least you could just voice your opinion about the subject WITHOUT demeaning those who disagree with you!

The SUBJECT, by the way, is a call to fire David Letterman. If you do not agree, SAY so, and why, but, WITHOUT demeaning those responders who DO agree.

[crazynick9600]

First amendment he can say whatever he wants and its just comedy who cares? if you dont like it turn the channel and dont watch it!!!

[Mark]

I kinda don't think this is a fireable offense. Still, I wish he was gone so Craig Ferguson could take his place. Ferguson has REAL talent!

[fernie]

It seems to me the Palin camp has wrung as much out of this opportunity to be in the public eye as they can, as has the mostly unnoticed John Ziegler, who will pretty much take all the publicity he can get. After this runs out of gas they'll find something else. Dave was over the top this time and should examine why he is generally so angry with Palin. She is not much different than any greedy, self-serving negligent parent who blows self-righteous hot air while her kid is out getting into all kinds of trouble.

[Allymc]

David Letterman's tasteless "joke" was over the line but was it any worse that all of the lies that so many "news" commentators tell? I wrote to CBS and expressed my distaste for this type of "humor" and hold them responsible. If they would hold their standards to a higher level then t.v. comedians would have to also. I was appalled at the "joke" but I have been appalled at all of the disrespect Mr. Letterman has expressed over the last 8 years with President Bush. We may not agree or even like who the President is but because of his title he deserves respect. Mr. Letterman simply continued with his classless jokes because he was allowed to by CBS.

Mr. Letterman's 2nd apology seemed to be sincere but it such a shame that he did not respond immediately because HE regretted the joke rather than having all of the listeners complaining to make him regret it. He seemed to think that his confusion over which girl was with Gov. Palin excused his tasteless joke. But really....does it make it more acceptable if it was about an 18 year old rather than a 14 year old? It was tasteless no matter what.

I have always enjoyed watching Mr. Letterman but over the last few years he has used his show to express his political views until it is no longer humor. I am most disappointed in what he has become.

I will no longer watch his show and will also hold CBS and the advertisers to be more responsible for what they support.

[goodrich4bk]

Apology accepted. Let's move on, folks. Nothing to see here.

[Gotabyte]

Imus was fired for his mistake. All things being equal, Letterman should be also.

[Dan]

Do people really waste their time complaining about such things... it was a joke gone misunderstood. Accept the apology if you were offended and move on...

...Yay Dave!

[fireletterman]

Ok ok....you're forgiven Dave.
Now fire this boring old man and get someone who
is actually funny for once!!!

[CMY]

Palin 2012.

[mike]

Oh lord...quit complaining.

Who cares. Palin is a joke.

[-ed]

When Don Imus called the Rutgers' female basketball team "nappy headed ho's" on public airways, he lost his job- at least for a little while. It seems like a good place to start when the public airways are used to joke about statutory rape of a minor.

[Dave Codr]

Where was the Palin (and gang) uproar when Leno made an identical joke?

"Gov. Palin announced over the weekend that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is five months pregnant. And you thought John Edwards was in trouble before! Now he has really done it." -- The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, 9/2/08

Maybe instead of getting mad over A FRIGGIN JOKE, Gov Palin should re-evaluate her opinion on abstinence education. Thats the real joke. And the punchline is It obviously didnt work for her daughter!