New Book Savages David Letterman as an Ogre Who Made Life Miserable for his Staff

[Babalu]

I used to love Letterman when he was at NBC and his first few years on CBS. Then his show started to go downhill. And by the time the 2008 election came along and he openly campaigned for Obama while disparaging the true American hero John McCain as a befuddled old man I had enough. So it's not a huge surprise that a new book portrays Letterman as a tormented miserable man that tortured virtually everyone that worked on his show in an orgy of self loathing destruction.


http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.2995387

Late-night legend David Letterman's ugly personality no laughing matter, former colleagues say

Late-night funnyman David Letterman was hardly a barrel of laughs off the air.

A new biography of the now-retired talk show host portrays Letterman as more self-loathing than self-critical — and an often miserable man who inflicted his pain on his staff.

“He was never truly comfortable unless he was seething with unhappiness at something,” one longtime writer told author Jason Zinoman in “Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night.”

In fact, few of the acerbic Letterman’s close colleagues sang his praises to Zinoman.

[icecream]

Jay Leno is much better than David Letterman.

[mets82]

Surprised about Letterman. Didn't think he was that bad. I think Letterman 10 times funnier than Leno.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by Babalu

I used to love Letterman when he was at NBC and his first few years on CBS. Then his show started to go downhill. And by the time the 2008 election came along and he openly campaigned for Obama while disparaging the true American hero John McCain as a befuddled old man I had enough. So it's not a huge surprise that a new book portrays Letterman as a tormented miserable man that tortured virtually everyone that worked on his show in an orgy of self loathing destruction.


http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.2995387

Late-night legend David Letterman's ugly personality no laughing matter, former colleagues say

Late-night funnyman David Letterman was hardly a barrel of laughs off the air.

A new biography of the now-retired talk show host portrays Letterman as more self-loathing than self-critical — and an often miserable man who inflicted his pain on his staff.

“He was never truly comfortable unless he was seething with unhappiness at something,” one longtime writer told author Jason Zinoman in “Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night.”

In fact, few of the acerbic Letterman’s close colleagues sang his praises to Zinoman.

I was a fan of Letterman but his on air grouchiness and political bias could drive me up the wall sometimes. I can't stand smug Stephen Colbert and his divisiveness. I like Kimmel who is snarky but not as polarizing.

Dave's relationships with his female underlings was very questionable but didn't merit him being blackmailed.

I like the way he fessed up on the air the way he did and faced the music.

[opus]

Originally Posted by catsrule

Jay Leno is much better than David Letterman.

No. Way.

I haven't technically bought the book yet, but it's in my Amazon cart.

[opus]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

I was a fan of Letterman but his on air grouchiness and political bias could drive me up the wall sometimes. I can't stand smug Stephen Colbert and his divisiveness. I like Kimmel who is snarky but not as polarizing.

Dave's relationships with his female underlings was very questionable but didn't merit him being blackmailed.

I like the way he fessed up on the air the way he did and faced the music.

Dave's my all time favorite.

I like Colbert, but my current late night go to is Seth Meyers.

[opus]

Originally Posted by Babalu

I used to love Letterman when he was at NBC and his first few years on CBS. Then his show started to go downhill. And by the time the 2008 election came along and he openly campaigned for Obama while disparaging the true American hero John McCain as a befuddled old man I had enough. So it's not a huge surprise that a new book portrays Letterman as a tormented miserable man that tortured virtually everyone that worked on his show in an orgy of self loathing destruction.


http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.2995387

Late-night legend David Letterman's ugly personality no laughing matter, former colleagues say

Late-night funnyman David Letterman was hardly a barrel of laughs off the air.

A new biography of the now-retired talk show host portrays Letterman as more self-loathing than self-critical — and an often miserable man who inflicted his pain on his staff.

“He was never truly comfortable unless he was seething with unhappiness at something,” one longtime writer told author Jason Zinoman in “Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night.”

In fact, few of the acerbic Letterman’s close colleagues sang his praises to Zinoman.

There was the usual comings and goings as is normal in TV, but many staff members stayed around a long time. And the stories of a self hating Letterman are old news.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by opus

Dave's my all time favorite.

I like Colbert, but my current late night go to is Seth Meyers.

Dave used to be my all time favorite back in his sillier younger days.

Something happened along the way and he became harder and harder to take.

I think he shined on 9/11 though and showed he had a big heart underneath all of that grouchiness.

My favorite moments on the show involved skits with Chris Elliott, the book cart lady, the earlier Top Ten lists (Jim Bakker's Top Ten Pickup Lines) and so forth.

When he went to CBS he changed a lot and became less amusing to me.

I did like it when he unleashed his anger on Madonna who acted like a vulgar idiot.

Did you see VB's appearance on there? In her own words she "bombed" on there and was never asked back.

Letterman could be a real ***** apparently. It was easy to get on his bad side.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by opus

There was the usual comings and goings as is normal in TV, but many staff members stayed around a long time. And the stories of a self hating Letterman are old news.

Yes, they stayed for the work most likely but probably felt like they were walking on eggshells because of his explosive temper.

He even pissed off Shaffer apparently.

It seems like he didn't treat Merrill Markoe very well. He sounded like he was mentally abusive to her.

But I remember Chris Elliott and Norm MacDonald choking up on the show in the last days seeming very loyal and respectful to him.

And Kimmel did the Kennedy Center Honors tribute for him so he certainly had his share of admirers.

[opus]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

Dave used to be my all time favorite back in his sillier younger days.

Something happened along the way and he became harder and harder to take.

I think he shined on 9/11 though and showed he had a big heart underneath all of that grouchiness.

My favorite moments on the show involved skits with Chris Elliott, the book cart lady, the earlier Top Ten lists (Jim Bakker's Top Ten Pickup Lines) and so forth.

When he went to CBS he changed a lot and became less amusing to me.

I did like it when he unleashed his anger on Madonna who acted like a vulgar idiot.

Did you see VB's appearance on there? In her own words she "bombed" on there and was never asked back.

Letterman could be a real ***** apparently. It was easy to get on his bad side.

I mostly agree with you. But of course (like everyone) he's going to be different in his 60s then he was in his 30s. The 12:30 NBC show will always be an indelible part of my life.

As for the VB interview, are you kidding? I watch it on YouTube a few times a year. It's uncomfortably awesome

[opus]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

Yes, they stayed for the work most likely but probably felt like they were walking on eggshells because of his explosive temper.

He even pissed off Shaffer apparently.

It seems like he didn't treat Merrill Markoe very well. He sounded like he was mentally abusive to her.

But I remember Chris Elliott and Norm MacDonald choking up on the show in the last days seeming very loyal and respectful to him.

And Kimmel did the Kennedy Center Honors tribute for him so he certainly had his share of admirers.

At another site, we were talking about a recent Dave interview where he said he and Paul still meet up semi regularly.

I don't know his current relationship with Merrill. It's probably not as good. That stuff was more personal.

And yes, Dave is Jimmy Kimmels idol

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by opus

I mostly agree with you. But of course (like everyone) he's going to be different in his 60s then he was in his 30s. The 12:30 NBC show will always be an indelible part of my life.

As for the VB interview, are you kidding? I watch it on YouTube a few times a year. It's uncomfortably awesome

I say this with love and respect. Don't shoot me.

It seemed like she was on something. She overreacted about the Penthouse thing and sounded very stuck up. Also her voice seemed kind of "cokey".

Of course he didn't try to save the situation and just let her hang herself. Paul as usual was very nice to her considering he probably or improbably slept with her if I remember correctly.

I think he should have given her another chance to appear on the show like he did with the egregious Madonna.

Again, he was a *****.

[opus]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

Again, he was a *****.

My phone must be broken. I don't see a word, just stars

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by opus

At another site, we were talking about a recent Dave interview where he said he and Paul still meet up semi regularly.

I don't know his current relationship with Merrill. It's probably not as good. That stuff was more personal.

And yes, Dave is Jimmy Kimmels idol

Yes, Paul owes Dave everything and of course will be forever loyal.

Dave often referred to him as "money in the bank" and was able to calm him down, no doubt.

Dave was an ass to his first wife too. And his Baby Mama/future wife by cheating on her with the staff.

And yes I will say it. I have issues with Leno and his horrible treatment of Conan but Dave acted like a big baby for years regarding Jay Leno and not getting the Tonight Show.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by opus

My phone must be broken. I don't see a word, just stars

Rick with a P in front.