David Letterman’s affair with his female staff members may have drawn quite a number of cutting feedbacks but support from TV viewers and notable personalities for the Late Show host has not come to a stop.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, 5.7 million viewers tuned in to the “Late Show with David Letterman” on Monday which indicates a 19% increase from the show’s average viewer rating of 4.8 million. Tuesday night ratings may take the same course.
“Dave’s big night last night was about 1.45 million for adults 18-49, based on the 1.1 rating points in that demographic,” said Bill Gorman of Web site TV By the Numbers, “With Dave’s confession, he wins three nights now out of four — Thursday, Monday and Tuesday,” he added.
Letterman also received support from distinguished TV personalities Martha Stewart and Barbara Walters. During a taping of “The View”, Walter showed his support for the comic commenting that Letterman is “a very attractive man” whose affairs cannot be considered as sexual harassment. Stewart also expressed her sympathy, telling the New York Times that the affair may have happened when Letterman was still not married. She added, “Although it’s still probably harmful to his wife of six months or however long they are married, she probably didn’t know all of the details. But, you know, men are men.”
In spite of the backlash received from Ann Curry and Kathie Lee Gifford, the comic has not lost his humorous side, which could probably be the reason why he continues to draw the audience.
“It seems like from the very beginning he got the audience on his side, and perhaps as a viewer at home, when you see the audience respond well, you’re more likely to respond generously,” said TVGuide.com’s Tim Molloy.
But Gorman and Molloy are still unsure of how the fiasco will affect the female viewers or if the ratings will continue to soar.
“Conflict and controversy will always do well,” Molloy said. “The best thing for him right now is to keep being self-effacing, and criticise himself before anyone else can criticise him.”
