David Letterman Responds to Sarah Palin

David Letterman Responds to Sarah Palin
Copyright 2009 Bryan Bedder AFP Paul Richards / Getty Images
"Late Show" host David Letterman addresses criticism by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin about jokes the talk show host made during a trip to New York by Palin and her daughter.

Earlier this week, Letterman made a joke about Palin and her daughter attending a New York Yankees game, saying: "During the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez." This prompted a heated response from Palin's husband Todd, who said in a statement: "Any 'jokes' about raping my 14-year-old are despicable. Alaskans know it and I believe the rest of the world knows it, too."

Sarah Palin also lashed out at Letterman for the joke, saying it was "disgusting" to have "laughter incited by sexually-perverted comments made by a 62-year-old male celebrity aimed at a 14-year-old girl." Last night, Letterman insisted that that joke was not about Palin's 14-year-old daughter Willow, but about her 18-year-old daughter Bristol.

The talk show host went further in his response to the Palin's criticism and acknowledged the choice was in questionable taste: "I can't really defend the joke, I agree -- unpleasant, ugly - but I would never, never, think that it was funny to use a 14-year-old girl as a joke like this.

In typical Letterman style, he then extended a welcome to the Palin's to come back to New York so they could put these differences behind us." "Governor Palin, if you're watching, I would like you to consider coming to New York City - you and Todd as my guests, or leave Todd at home." I think we can put these differences behind us."

In response, a spokesperson for the governor said Thursday: "The Palins have no intention of providing a ratings boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show. Plus, it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman."

Published 6/11/09 by the Insider

Comments (465)

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  • Even as a liberal who does not support Palin's politics at all, I feel that Letterman's joke was inappropriate. Regardless of which daughter he meant, there's is no reason to make horrid jokes about her children. The implications of his joke to...
    Anonymous 7/27/09 Reply
  • all u dipshyts shut up!! it was a joke and you guys should have a sense of humor! hail letterman! its u turds like palin who say one thing but behind closed doors show a different side of themselves! pregnant teen.... trying to mary her to her babys...
    Anonymous 6/25/09 Reply
  • Is this a message board for 13 year olds? I'm shocked by the immaturity of those responding. One idiot even tells another commentor they must be gay of lesbian to speak against a republican..huh? With that kind of intellect, I'm surprised the writer...
    Anonymous 6/18/09 Reply
    • Ah, the typical elitist BS we've all come to know and despise, if someone doesn't have the same opinion or the same beliefs as you then they belong on a special olympics bowling team to be ridiculed by your golden idol Obama.

      Sorry Palin is...
      Anonymous 6/19/09
  • please stop covering sarah palin. we need a palin ree zone in the lower 48. god help ;us if she ever decides she needs to run for president
    Anonymous 6/17/09 Reply
  • Palin say's that she does not want to give Lettermans show a boost but thats exactly what she's doing and lets not forget it also gets her name in the news again. She would never get my vote for mother of the year for keeping her under age daughters...
    Anonymous 6/16/09 Reply
  • The Palins and most of you need to get a life. Sarah Palin is just loving all of this attention, she's the disgusting one for keeping this going and keeping her daughter in the spotlight.
    Anonymous 6/16/09 Reply
  • I think Sarah Palin is just loving all of this,anything to keep her in the news. Letterman is a comedian like Leno and Conan and all those before them, anyone is fair game and the Palins and some of you just need to get a life.
    Anonymous 6/16/09 Reply
  • D. Letterman has been mean-spirited for a long time. His latest attempt at humor by attacking Sarah Palin and her daugher is bordering on vicious. He needs to be removed from the air - will CBS have the courange to do that? Let's hope so!
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
  • i think that wasnt funny at all they should take him off right now
    and i wish the best 4 him but not in some show but in his life
    coolgirl 6/15/09 Reply
  • Jenette...Go bury your head under a rock and do the world a favor
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
  • Go bury your head under a rock and do the world a favor
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
  • David Letterman is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. The "joke" was not a joke but rather a nasty and hateful attempt to harm Sarah Palin's political career. Using her daughter as a tool will prove to be a mistake in light of his failing...
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
  • Sarah shouldn't be pushing dave around. he aplogized so let's move on. Sarah should be running Alaska. nut run around in the lower 48 states trying to get a name on the evening news.
    GeorgeJobson 6/15/09 Reply
  • Sarah shouldn't be pushing dave around. he aplogized so let's move on. Sarah should be running Alaska. nut run around in the lower 48 states trying to get a name on the evening news.
    GeorgeJobson 6/15/09 Reply
  • David Letterman is a PERV@@@. He needs to be FIRED. His joke was worst than Imus. Probably watches porn's...like young girls w/celebrities. Made his child a "bastard" for a long time!
    What an as$$$$$!
    Anonymous 6/15/09 Reply
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