[Dianna]

So naturally Dave, recognizing the cognitive dissonance, paused in his prepared remarks and said, “no, realli ... I’m series. Nailed ‘em all ...” but no, he didn’t. Makes no nevermind, though - the audience would have only laughed louder.

I've seen two clips. The shorter one started when Dave said, "So, what was the creepy thing I did?" and explains that he had sex with staffers who worked for him. I think that might be the most often played part.

The longer clip gave more explanation about the extortion, and starts well before the admission. During that clip, at some point he did ask, "Why are you people laughing?" but he didn't come off as serious.

[ponygirl]

I haven't watched the clip, but I've heard the audio. My impression was that when he said, "What was the creepy thing I did? I had sex with women on my staff..." was that the audience was laughing because that butch lookin' chick he married was once a staffer. So the audience thought the joke was, "What was the creepy thing I did? I had sex with my wife..." But of course, when you actually pause and think about it, he said women as in plural. So yes, it actually is kind of creepy. Who would want to work for someone who is nailing the staff? But that's why I kind of give the audience a pass on this one. Letterman's whole schtick is to make straight-faced comments that are outrageous so you have to be "in on the joke" to find them funny in the first place.