Pseudo-apology

CSI: Late Show

I missed Letterman’s apology. Well, actually I watched him Thursday night, after the ten-o’-clock news which precedes his show blared the expose’ as the top story. I just didn’t catch the apology part.

His post-monologue story delivery was so subtle as to be disassociated from David Letterman, show host. Praised as a masterful stroke of public relations, the disclosure was a diffusion of facts and events. Letterman’s downplay of his actions and his “what’s a guy to do?” demeanor has been widely remarked.

Hypocricy is not the issue as with some politicians who make hay with “family values” rhetoric, but the facts are not attractive. We still value faithfulness and monogamy in our society. Workplace protections are expected of enlightened management.

So, what was he thinking? That he was well-protected and wouldn’t get caught. That it was easy, his due. He felt flattered, attractive and powerful…

And is it anybody’s business anyway? I’m not a fan and I don’t feel disappointed or disillusioned. But as a celebrity with lots of followers, Letterman’s got to be hurt by the seamy aspect of his sexploitations made public and the negative tinge on his career. I don’t blame him for trying to control the message and save his dignity.

Letterman made light enough of his revelations that his studio audience laughed at several of his statements and clapped when he concluded. It is good to applaud a man for acknowledging wrong-doing and comedians mine humor from misfortune, usually after the injured parties have had a chance to heal. Who was hurt by his actions? His wife, surely, and their marriage; the women staffers who were a party to his dalliances, perhaps.

We admire celebrity, giving them a pass on their hedonism that we don’t always extend to a co-worker or family member who strays. I think we all see the double standard in our culture; not just betweeen celebrities and the rest of us mere mortals. Maybe we have “goal” morals, what we say we want, and “operating” morals or standards, what we live with.

I don’t care what Letterman or any other adult does with another adult consensually. The trouble I see is in the pattern of powerful boss, or star, or politician manipulating their underlings for sex or other favors.

It is a human pitfall, power corrupts.

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