Posted on 10/03/2009 7:53:29 AM PDT by MindBender26
There is panic at Black Rock
Last evening, at an executive-level party attended by some of the Senior Suits from CBS, (and others,) Letterman was the ONLY topic of conversation. There was clearly panic in the air. And old friend/fiend who was there said it was more delicious than the cold Hors’ Dourves and watered down Scotch.
There was no concern for the moral implications of Letterman’s actions, of course. The big worry was about the huge cost of litigation from all the victims of Letterman’s slippery zipper.
When the news of the trouble was first announced, there was about an hour of relief that “Dave” had dodged the bullet and the show/network was safe.
Then the calls from the lawyers started. It didn’t matter whether they were from CBS outside counsel or the victims lawyers; the message was all the same. “It’s goona cost big time.” In Letterman’s pathetic attempt at humor, he had proven all the potential plaintiff’s cases, and turned millions of potential jurors against him.
At first CBS itself thought they were protected by two elements. His staff may actually work for World Wide Pants, Inc, Letterman’s separate, private production company. Sorry, but that will only slow the lawyers down for about 30 minutes. CBS provided the working environment, venue, etc.
CBS IS on the hook for any damages.
Secondly, many liability policies specifically exclude or limit coverage for sexual harassment. No one was willing to talk about that end of it…. but those that knew were not happy.
Bottom line, when all said and done, depending on how many women (and possible men) were involved/victims, CBS will probably write checks in the $100,000,000 range. They cannot afford to let this go to public trial... and therefore any settlement will be for "telephone numbers... with area codes!"
Serves them right!
And Sarah Palin’s book is doing so very well everywhere…..
Sums it up. Sums them up.
The big worry was about the huge cost of litigation from all the victims of Letterman’s slippery zipper.... Why is porking a member of the opposite sex characterized as victimizing? Did he hit her with a club first? Drug her? Geee, I never did anything like that, but I victimized,...Ahem, hundreds... of ....victims?
Pleeze Pleeze Pleeze let it be true ....
Larry, “consentual” will be impossible to prove. Which is why there will be lawsuits.
Can any one be “bigger” or more powerful than the marquee name on a television show? Could there be an implied coersion in even approaching a subordinate staff member? What of the implied threat of loss of job; loss of advancement; loss of hiring potential in “defying” the person “whose name is on the lable?”
Makes the phrase “don’t dip your pen in the company ink” all the more telling.
That coupled with Letterman’s own vitriolic attempts at comedy at the expense of politicians/athletes provoclivities (and the great karma of spending a recent hour with Obama) makes for a long, long enemies list who want to take him down. Hard.
This isn’t going to go away...it isn’t just about sex; its about a hostile workplace for subordinate female employees...and on a delicious aside, the same NOW hags who kept silent on the Willow Palin verbal sexual assault are now keeping equally as quiet on this workplace sexual harassment. Telling isn’t it?
Even over at the DUmp, the schism is forming. Male koolaid drinkers (its Dave’s personal life!!!) accusing the female koolaid imbibers (hostile workplace! Sexual harassment!) Of being “church ladies” and “man haters.”. The fallout already is grand...and will only serve to get better.
Wonder how many Manhattan lawyers are out trolling for clients, announcing “seminars” on “Employee Rights To Prevent Sexual Harassment in The Entertainment Industry, etc?”
Great Movie!
Consentual will be hard to prove. Isn’t even an issue. It’s all about sexual harrassment. Bet the chicks all signed agreements.
We know that one of them got her law school tuition paid for by Letterman. I doubt she is going to sue. I wonder if the real trouble could come from people who DIDN’T have sex with Dave and claim to have been treated poorly because of it.
CBS seems to be having a lot of problems right now. Letterman Scandal, Dan Rather, etc.
Ye' hyproctites CNN, your programming is all about SEX, LIES and the destruction of any morality left in America, and now you are crying. Suck it up and PAY the man (victims). Letterman the Loserman, as long as he was about destroying others it was OK with you?
Foot on the other shoe now. Oh the arrogance, and GOD will not be mocked.
A shame that he will probably have a record audience on Monday. (Not me though)
CNN = CBS. my bad. Oh well, not much diff anyway.
The Dan Rather thing just got resolved. Judge told Dan to go away you pathetic little leach.
Did they work for you? Did the ones who didn’t cooperate get equal pay/ opportunity?
I don't think, if they did drop him now, that offers them any protection from what he has already done.
How about grabbing a Christmas can of popcorn and a 6 pack of beer? Watch the fun begin.
An acquaintance of mine has already been retained. No details available.
Do you think letterman can be embarrassed? He’s too arrogant for that. If SEE BS lets him go, he may run for congress..he’ll fit right in.
Whatever CBS does, they lose. Keep the contract, and it looks like they don't care about sexual harassment. Cancel the contract and they lose income.
What I would do if I were a CBS exec, would be to cancel the contract and sue Letterman and his company. That way, CBS stands may recoup some of the income Letterman may cause them to lose, and they look like they give a damn about sexual harassment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.