 Late Show character/Staffer Stephanie Birkitt lived with alleged extorsionist |
David Letterman reveals $2M extortion plot; CBS News producer busted in scheme to reveal sex secrets — I find this story fascinating since the girl above, used to play a dead-pan staffer, usually wearing a high school men’s letter jacket while helping Dave give things out to the audience. She always creeped me out and seemed awkward in her onscreen role. I actually expected her name to come up in the discussion. It did in the Daily News report. I’m guessing she was the source of the Letterman deep info.
A top CBS News producer was busted Thursday for trying to shake down David Letterman – threatening to expose the late-night funnyman’s affairs with several female staffers in a movie and book.
The “Late Show” host revealed the stunning plot on last night’s show in an extraordinary confession to viewers – and admitted he had indeed slept with several women who work at the show.
“I’m glad you folks are here tonight, and I’m glad you folks are in such a pleasant mood, because I have a story I’d like to tell you and the home viewers as well,” he said, appearing to set up a comedy bit.
He went on to explain that a man identified by police as Robert Halderman, a 51-year-old Emmy Award-winning producer, found out that he was sleeping with several staff members.
Halderman allegedly threatened to expose the 62-year-old Letterman, who married his girlfriend, Regina Lasko, of 23 years in March, unless he forked over a staggering $2 million.
Heck, I sleep around with women from work. This is hardly an unusual thing in the workplace.
Halderman’s life is over, and people are looking at Letterman with increased regard. On the show the next night, although he said nothing of the incident, he looked and acted almost giddy with relief.