Margo Howard | 10/09/2009 2:00 pm

A Letterman Update: More Information, More Thoughts, by Margo Howard

Editor’s Note: A longtime journalist, Margo Howard went into the family business (her mother was the fabled Ann Landers) in the 1990s as Dear Prudence. Her broad experience and understanding of human nature provide answers for the troubled — and entertainment for everyone else. Margo’s advice column, Dear Margo, appears twice a week — on Thursdays and Fridays — on wowOwow.com.

Well, now I think Dave has real trouble. It has come to light that the young assistant at the center of the Letterman/Halderman drama was being paid $200,000 a year and was sent to law school, courtesy of Letterman, with the promise that she would become his personal attorney. A guy can always be in the company of his attorney, right? Then it appears she was taken on trips “with the family,” with Regina none the wiser.

Now my guess is the humiliation is too overwhelming to overlook. My earlier thought was that the Lettermans would work it out, but now I ain’t so sure. I still think young Harry is the glue in that marriage, but he wouldn’t be the first kid to go between Mommy’s house and Daddy’s house. Were Regina to write me, I would encourage her to opt out of this humiliating arrangement and, as they say, take the money and run. I have no idea what their prenup says, but he is loaded, and given what’s gone on, her life would continue as lavishly as before. The guilty party is quite evident here … plus, the mother gets the kid, no question.

There is just so much a girl can put up with, and with each revelation he is looking more like a skunk. I wrote my previous piece with the information I had. Knowing what I know now, I am no longer sympathetic. It is quite clear that Dave, like many another middle-aged guy, cannot resist the chase and, alas, 20-some years with one woman has become totally boring to him. A pity. I believe that in any real sense he has already lost the cozy family of three, and if more drek comes out, he may lose his show. Stay tuned.

116 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I am at a point where I think the extortionist should get off for temporary insanity! I expect the case will be settled without going to trial, and I hope he is let off as lightly as possible. What he did was wrong, but he sure as heck was provoked into it.

By elaine s on 10/09/2009 4:51 pm

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Good grief! How in the world are you provoked into blackmailing someone for $ 2 million? Are you kidding!!! "Temporary insanity"… where do you get that? Blackmail is never " temporary". It is carefully planned and calculated and exercised. Letterman may be a sleaze bag when it comes to women, but in no way should that make anyone sympathetic to a person who was obviously and deliberately breaking the law for monetary gain.

By Maggie W on 10/09/2009 5:47 pm

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As for what kind of woman would go on another woman’s ‘family vacation’ - didn’t one of Donald Trumps girlfriends do that? Showed up UNINVITED on a ski trip? That’s when Ivana said - ENOUGH - and filed for divorce?

Regina - HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH —- and —- Remember what Ivana said —- don’t get mad - get everything!!!

By Joy K. on 10/09/2009 5:06 pm

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"He is so arrogant and thought by making a joke of it would only add more viewers to watch his show, which it did, and that is so very sad."

Kathy Lee, this is exactly what I meant when I said he’s been capitalizing on this incident from the beginning! And sad to say, it has worked! What an arrogant, immature jerk he is! Hope the wife kicks him to the curb and the girlfriend does the same!!!!

By Paula Pow on 10/09/2009 5:42 pm

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He was unmarried. He was famous and had flings with many women who threw themselves at him. I’m sure he was happy. He gave gifts to some of the women. I’m sure they were happy. Compared to what most men would do in his shoes, this guy is a saint.

By Brad Freeman on 10/09/2009 5:50 pm

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This seems to really becoming a bucket of worms. How much of this was an ego trip for DL and both women. I find this all mind boggling. Goes to show what a tangled web can be weaved when we deceive those who we should hold dearest to us.

By Bonnie Schuster on 10/09/2009 6:05 pm

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Hi Margo!!!

Oddly, I feel vindicated…though I don’t want to be, because I saw the photo of the dejected, head down Regina Letterman.

On the original ‘Stupid Human Tricks’ thread…I posted how I couldn’t believe how many ‘intelligent’ women were defending David Letterman (everything from its not our business; boys will be boys; happens all the time).

I, rightly (more so) than wrongly kept beating the ‘sexual harrassent; hostile workplace’ drum. And I think ‘that’ part of this young story is yet to come (it does take days/weeks for the ‘wronged’ to lawyer up; give depositions; file a case(s).

All of that said, Regina Lasko (will she drop the Letterman literally and physically?) has been put thru hell. Little Harry, though all the perks and educational opportunities that his famous father can provide, will same do read about ‘this’ and go ewwwww. Therapist…here he (more than likely) comes.

Now The Late Show ratings are still soaring. I guess America does like to rubberneck an accident on the highway here…

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 10/09/2009 6:24 pm

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Letterman is such an insecure, geeky dork in real life (absent his professional comedy writing team) that I’m surprised he was able to sustain a long term affair with anyone.

By Rain in Minneapolis on 10/09/2009 6:25 pm

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Why is any of this our business,all of these people are adults not even young ladies,and Dave was not 62 when this all began these women were all aware of who he is and more than likely his lovelife and friendships, and is being threatened repeatedly by all these people coming out with all the stories DR. Arnadt for one , the guy ask for money,is that not against the law, and for most of it he was not married.

By Dixie Pheifer on 10/09/2009 6:48 pm

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Marie, I don’t know where you are today, but I hope you don’t mind me posting one of your many great posts from earlier this week. You were great speaking out and your posts have been validated:

Don’t be too quick to believe Letterman, I just read the Brikett admitted to it as recent as last year. It amazes me how all you women are so quick to believe him and defend him. I say he is not telling everything. The lawyer said that its about, "WHO" he had the affair with and not meaning this particular staff member. I think Brikett is a red herring. The lawyer says there is a lot more to come. So be careful how quickly you accept what Letterman says. Cheaters are LIARS!!!!!

By Marie Reinhart on 10/06/2009 9:03 pm

By Kathy Lee on 10/09/2009 7:21 pm

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Margo can you let us know how you confirmed this information. Also lets get a grip none of this is any of our business and one other thing was he even married when this all started.

By Elizabeth L on 10/09/2009 7:36 pm

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It was in several newspapers. As for it being none of our business, of course, in theory you are right, but with Celebrity America and the popularity of celebridrek ( all trash, all the time) there ain’t no secrets anymore. "All this" did start when he wasn’t married but continued after he was.

By Margo Howard on 10/10/2009 8:46 am

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I am so tired of all of this. Just another famous, powerful man in woman(women) trouble. Only this time it’s an entertrainer, not a politician, and this will die out as all the rest have until the next one comes along. You can count on another one coming along sooner or later - it always happens. Somehow it seems that entertainers get judged harsher than politicians, for some reason, but power corrupts no matter what the profession.

By Lizzie R. on 10/10/2009 12:32 am

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Margo, I’m glad you are taking a second look at this. We were all bamboozled at first blush by the guy with the bully pulpit. The story he told is quite far from what we are hearing now. Its come out now that the so-called extortionist didn’t break into his car or anything menacing, just handed the letter to the driver. It makes you wonder what else is bs. Dave is a serial screw-up and I hope Regina will take him for all he’s worth, the Enquirer said $300M, and toss the other guy his $2M with her thanks.

By V B on 10/10/2009 1:05 am

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I can’t imagine Regina would be a sheltered type woman. There are more important things that need our attention and highlighting another Hollywood type story doesn’t help anybody as they are a completely different culture from many of the readers or viewers. Whatever happens Dave and Regina will be fine. And Henry’s life goes on.

By Erika Nelson on 10/10/2009 1:08 am