David Letterman, host of CBS’s The Late Show, confessed on Thursday’s show to having sexual relationships with members of his show’s staff over his career. The host deceptively began his confession telling by the audience, “I have a little story I’d like to tell you”. Through ten tense minutes, he walked the audience through a harrowing account of blackmail, culminating his bizarre story cum confession with the admission: “I have had sex with women who work for me on this show”. Undoubtedly the strangest part of the confession was the audience’s response as the funnyman laid out the lurid affair. Long after it became apparent that there was no tagline or somewhat clever visual featuring an aging celebrity, the audience still guffawed and chuckled at the appropriate moments. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist David Hiltbrand put it best when he described the tone as “Court TV with a laugh track”.

Since Thursday, two women have stepped forward as Letterman’s former lovers. The New York Daily News reports that Letterman’s assistant, Stephanie Birkitt, was his first inter-office romance followed by former CBS intern Holly Hester in the early 90’s. Hester has even gone so far as to publicly reminisce to TMZ.com, “I was madly in love with him at the time… I would have married him. He was hilarious”.

Letterman’s blackmailer has since been identified as Robert (Joe) Halderman, producer of the Emmy-winning CBS news show 48 Hours. While keeping Halderman anonymous, Letterman described how he had three meetings with the blackmailer and attorneys, eventually passing off a fake check for the demanded $2 million. Halderman is now free on $200,000 bail after denying the blackmail scheme. Letterman joked that he tried to pass off a giant fake check, similar to those given out on game shows and golf tournaments.

Assuming no questions about the age of the women or their consent in these romances become public, people have to assume this will not permanently harm Letterman’s reputation. Media experts have praised Letterman for confessing before the event became public, pointing out how it gave him control of the story. Presidents and priests have done worse and been forgiven. Why can’t we forgive the man who gave us the Velcro suit?