David Letterman seems to be handling his recent sex scandal with his characteristic coolness and grace. But if you watched closely during Monday night's monologue apology to his staff members and his wife Regina Lasko, there was a strong sense of rage at the media boiling below the surface in addition to the very honest remorse for what he is putting his family through.
After the jump, PopEater's body language experts break down Dave's first show back since he admitted to having sexual relationships with multiple female members of his staff to tell us what's really going down with the late night host.
First, watch highlights from Monday's show (if you haven't already) and analyze it yourself.
Your Turn To Play Body Language Expert
"In the beginning of the monologue when Dave was making a lot of jokes about the weekend flying by, hiking on the Appalachian trail and his GPS not talking to him, he started doing several of what we in the business call 'tongue erasers,'" says body language expert Patti Wood.
" A tongue eraser is where the tongue visibly moves from one side of the mouth to the other and it signifies that this person does not like that he is saying. It shows that Dave doesn't like that he has to take a comic's stance on what is happening and it is leaving a bad taste in his mouth," says Wood.
When Dave told the audience, "Ladies and gentleman I need to tell you this entire exchange is being videotaped," he folded his hands over his lower pelvis. Wood, the author of "Success Signals," called this 'the fig leaf'. "It is as if he is putting a metaphorical fig leaf over himself to cover up and is a sign that in that moment he was really feeling the exposure of all this."
Psychologist and body language expert Kevin Hogan tells PopEater that Dave's wetting of his lips and occasional strains in his voice signaled the anxiety he was feeling in the moment. "And his movement was much tighter than usual," Hogan says. "But he didn't lie. He was scared to death at times and he was deeply appreciative of the support he got."
Dave's anger rose to the surface when he talked about newspapers, radio and other media people browbeating and humiliating his staff. "His hands came up in fists when he was talking about the media. These were the strongest non-verbal cues he gave, signifying that he has very aggressive emotions towards the media," Wood says.
He then began his apology to his wife by clutching his own hand. "He held his own hand as a way of pacifying and comforting himself and you could see it was a real moment of pain for him," Wood says.
"My wife Regina has been horribly hurt by my behavior," Dave told the audience.
"His palms went up and straight out from his body in a sign of supplication to his wife. I felt a great sincerity in that nonverbal request for forgiveness," Wood explains.
Overall, Hogan dubbed Letterman as "brilliant." "There were no denials. There was no deception. He did a great job walking into the propeller and making it out without losing anything. It was rather a tutorial on how public figures should handle stuff like this in the future."
He got caught so of course he is going to be apologetic. Doesnt mean hes being sincere...maybe he is maybe he isnt? Who cares! Isnt ANYONE FAITHFUL these days????????????????????
He didn't get caught. He volunteered the information. He could have paid the guy $2 million and never said a thing about it. Again, he didn't get caught.
You ask if our opinion of David Letterman has changed. You don't ask whether it's changed for better or worse. I had to admit it has changed, because I now think much more highly of him. It's not because he had sex with the women, which to me is pretty standard stuff, but that he handled it with humor and grace and integrity. I'm glad to see a major celebrity handle the sex-related issues with sych panache; I think it helps us all relax a little about it.
He did seem to put himself out there with a “holier than thou” image, while bashing so many others. His show also played to college students. I’m very disappointed to find out the truth behind the scenes for this is NO example for young people. The issue of “sexual harassment” in the workplace is devastating to women, and he seems to have taken it very lightly for years while his own career sky-rocketed! The relationship he had with his longtime girlfriend, even having a child together, is as close as one can get to marriage without the ‘papers,’ and he was big time cheating on her. Trying to frame the issue in “technical” terms only makes things worse because it only shows his true colors. As a longtime viewer, I’m truly disappointed in him!
He, like most men, which I am, are only sorry after getting caught. It had nothing to do with hurting his wife. He knew what he was doing and had to know it could get out. But he did it anyway. So stop with the poor me for getting caught and man up. Will he do it again...probably!
So he's a low-life because he had an affair??...We had a President who got oral sex from an intern in the Oval Office and Americans seemed to embrace him nonetheless...talk about a double standard...Bottom line, people who never liked Letterman are comming out of the woodwork to condemn him before even having all the facts in hand...But in this mess comes a beacon of hope...the group of Letterman fans who are approaching this new scandel in an objective manner and using common sense in arriving to a conclusion surrounding his current situation... Let's look at some details.. - Letterman had sexual relations with a former employee that was obviously consentual and before he was married - the woman was in a relationship with Halderman at the same time, which recently was uncovered, which only adds an additional motive for his actions - Halderman is now reaching to try to accuse Letterman of sexual harrassment which is ridiculous as there are clearly define HR policies and laws protecting women in the workforce against this.
If you weren't offended by being extorted by someone for two million dollars, then you're making far too much money. Ask Paul McCartney about what amounts to extortion sometime...
I am not a fan of fornication.....but this is life in this system. David wasn't married at the time of the "discretions", so who's business is it what he did at that time? It seems as if no one cares that a CREEP tried to steal money from him by threatening to expose him. Who, of us would like something like that to happen to us? And now his lawyer is trying to make light of it, as if it's David Letterman's fault this is all happening. This whole system of things is so corrupt, it can't even get out of it's own way. What's right is wrong and what's wrong is right. NO wonder the Bible says: God's going to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.
Finally, a letter that makes sense. This man was single and he has power. I'm not hearing about the 17 and under group, and I'm not hearing about force nor putting anyones job on the line. I'm hearing that a single man had sex with women. Give me a break. And to anyone with a problem with this, mind your own business. The only one with concern here should be his new wife who he was living with at that time. The rest of this is illegal activity between Mr. Letterman and an embezzler.
I am not a fan of fornication.....but this is life in this system. David wasn't married at the time of the "discretions", so who's business is it what he did at that time? It seems as if no one cares= ===============================================
Oh I think it is very much his wife and everyone elses business. He has been with his wife for over 20 years living as man and wife. He has a child with her that he would be calling a b@stard if it were anyone elses child. He has been running everyone else down for years but he doesn't like it when they do it to him. I hope this brings the sob down and they cancel the show or get a replacement. He isn't funny and hasn't been for years. All he ever does is run others down (Sarah Palin for example).
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm glad you have common sense. I can understand why the wife would be hurt if those ladies were still hanging around with David privately, but it all did happen before her. She should definitely forgive him. I would.
No, Dave WASN'T married at the time. But what you fail to realize is that he's been living with this same woman, his wife, Regina, since 1986! Yes, that's 23 years! He just didn't MARRY her until March 2009 (even though they have a son born in November 2003). So although they were not "married", this is still a long-term relationship including a minor child in which he cheated repeatedly.
If I hear one more time that Mr. Letterman was "single" at the time of this I think I'm gonna scream! He'd been dating his now wife for 23 years! They already had a son. That isn't how I define single. He was cheating, and possibly intimidating very young women into sexual liaisons. There is no way to white wash this ... no matter how hard you try!
You are evidently a MORON!!! What's wrong is that Americans do not respect each other when "dating"...they are like animals roaming "laying with every and anything"until a ring is placed on the finger or 'I do' is said....then after that it's "I'm bored!!!"...don't want to be tied down and the creeping begins ALL OVER AGAIN!!! That old tired wrinkled baboon should not be on that show. Young people are being taught that NO VALUE is placed on human beings..oh "maybe when you marry" you can then think of your partner as worthy of honesty...such a bunch of crap, no wonder the divorce rate, autism...and all kind of illness plague this society!!! NASTY people being lauded everywhere.
This is in response to Jack and Hoosier: Letterman had an on-again/off-again relationship with Laslow beginning in 1986 and, therefore, did not live with her continuously during the entire time. I have no idea whether his relationships with the other staff women happened during the on-again or off-again periods of his relationship with Laslow, so I'm going to reserve judgement. As for the two of you, it must be nice to be all-knowing. What did it feel like to create the heavens and earth? Did it really only take 6 days?
David Letterman seems to be handling his recent sex scandal with his characteristic coolness and grace. But if you watched closely during Monday night's monologue apology to his staff members and his wife Regina Lasko, there was a strong sense of rage at the media boiling below the surface in addition to the very honest remorse for what he is putting his family through. 
Comments
(208)Add a comment
Tuesday 06 October
By sjw
He got caught so of course he is going to be apologetic. Doesnt mean hes being sincere...maybe he is maybe he isnt? Who cares! Isnt ANYONE FAITHFUL these days????????????????????
Reply
Tuesday 06 October
By Steve
He didn't get caught. He volunteered the information. He could have paid the guy $2 million and never said a thing about it. Again, he didn't get caught.
Tuesday 06 October
By pleeseetmee
The man is a piece of crap.
Thursday 08 October
By Joe Shea
You ask if our opinion of David Letterman has changed. You don't ask whether it's changed for better or worse. I had to admit it has changed, because I now think much more highly of him. It's not because he had sex with the women, which to me is pretty standard stuff, but that he handled it with humor and grace and integrity. I'm glad to see a major celebrity handle the sex-related issues with sych panache; I think it helps us all relax a little about it.
Wednesday 07 October
By Disappointed
He did seem to put himself out there with a “holier than thou” image, while bashing so many others. His show also played to college students. I’m very disappointed to find out the truth behind the scenes for this is NO example for young people. The issue of “sexual harassment” in the workplace is devastating to women, and he seems to have taken it very lightly for years while his own career sky-rocketed! The relationship he had with his longtime girlfriend, even having a child together, is as close as one can get to marriage without the ‘papers,’ and he was big time cheating on her. Trying to frame the issue in “technical” terms only makes things worse because it only shows his true colors. As a longtime viewer, I’m truly disappointed in him!
Wednesday 07 October
By Ken Rynard
He, like most men, which I am, are only sorry after getting caught. It had nothing to do with hurting his wife. He knew what he was doing and had to know it could get out. But he did it anyway. So stop with the poor me for getting caught and man up. Will he do it again...probably!
Tuesday 06 October
By Deb
Sorry, he's a low life that got caught. He really ISN'T a victim here. He couldn't have been blackmailed if he hadn't done the deed.
Reply
Tuesday 06 October
By ro
Okay, Conan, whatever you say.
Wednesday 07 October
By Ctdad
So he's a low-life because he had an affair??...We had a President who got oral sex from an intern in the Oval Office and Americans seemed to embrace him nonetheless...talk about a double standard...Bottom line, people who never liked Letterman are comming out of the woodwork to condemn him before even having all the facts in hand...But in this mess comes a beacon of hope...the group of Letterman fans who are approaching this new scandel in an objective manner and using common sense in arriving to a conclusion surrounding his current situation...
Let's look at some details..
- Letterman had sexual relations with a former employee that was obviously consentual and before he was married
- the woman was in a relationship with Halderman at the same time, which recently was uncovered, which only adds an additional motive for his actions
- Halderman is now reaching to try to accuse Letterman of sexual harrassment which is ridiculous as there are clearly define HR policies and laws protecting women in the workforce against this.
Tuesday 06 October
By ALAN
KIND OF FUNNY HE IS OFFENED WHEN HE IS JOKED ABOUT
Reply
Wednesday 07 October
By AP
If you weren't offended by being extorted by someone for two million dollars, then you're making far too much money. Ask Paul McCartney about what amounts to extortion sometime...
Wednesday 07 October
By don
I agree with you. He is getting a taste of his own meds.
Tuesday 06 October
By Cheryl
I am not a fan of fornication.....but this is life in this system. David wasn't married at the time of the "discretions", so who's business is it what he did at that time? It seems as if no one cares that a CREEP tried to steal money from him by threatening to expose him. Who, of us would like something like that to happen to us? And now his lawyer is trying to make light of it, as if it's David Letterman's fault this is all happening. This whole system of things is so corrupt, it can't even get out of it's own way. What's right is wrong and what's wrong is right.
NO wonder the Bible says: God's going to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.
Reply
Tuesday 06 October
By ro
Finally, a letter that makes sense. This man was single and he has power. I'm not hearing about the 17 and under group, and I'm not hearing about force nor putting anyones job on the line. I'm hearing that a single man had sex with women. Give me a break. And to anyone with a problem with this, mind your own business. The only one with concern here should be his new wife who he was living with at that time. The rest of this is illegal activity between Mr. Letterman and an embezzler.
Tuesday 06 October
By Jack
I am not a fan of fornication.....but this is life in this system. David wasn't married at the time of the "discretions", so who's business is it what he did at that time? It seems as if no one cares=
===============================================
Oh I think it is very much his wife and everyone elses business. He has been with his wife for over 20 years living as man and wife. He has a child with her that he would be calling a b@stard if it were anyone elses child. He has been running everyone else down for years but he doesn't like it when they do it to him. I hope this brings the sob down and they cancel the show or get a replacement. He isn't funny and hasn't been for years. All he ever does is run others down (Sarah Palin for example).
Tuesday 06 October
By Tiffany
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm glad you have common sense. I can understand why the wife would be hurt if those ladies were still hanging around with David privately, but it all did happen before her. She should definitely forgive him. I would.
Wednesday 07 October
By AnotherHoosier316
No, Dave WASN'T married at the time. But what you fail to realize is that he's been living with this same woman, his wife, Regina, since 1986! Yes, that's 23 years! He just didn't MARRY her until March 2009 (even though they have a son born in November 2003). So although they were not "married", this is still a long-term relationship including a minor child in which he cheated repeatedly.
Wednesday 07 October
By Nonnie
If I hear one more time that Mr. Letterman was "single" at the time of this I think I'm gonna scream! He'd been dating his now wife for 23 years! They already had a son. That isn't how I define single. He was cheating, and possibly intimidating very young women into sexual liaisons. There is no way to white wash this ... no matter how hard you try!
Wednesday 07 October
By trinity
You are evidently a MORON!!! What's wrong is that Americans do not respect each other when "dating"...they are like animals roaming "laying with every and anything"until a ring is placed on the finger or 'I do' is said....then after that it's "I'm bored!!!"...don't want to be tied down and the creeping begins ALL OVER AGAIN!!! That old tired wrinkled baboon should not be on that show. Young people are being taught that NO VALUE is placed on human beings..oh "maybe when you marry" you can then think of your partner as worthy of honesty...such a bunch of crap, no wonder the divorce rate, autism...and all kind of illness plague this society!!! NASTY people being lauded everywhere.
Wednesday 07 October
By Sandi
This is in response to Jack and Hoosier: Letterman had an on-again/off-again relationship with Laslow beginning in 1986 and, therefore, did not live with her continuously during the entire time. I have no idea whether his relationships with the other staff women happened during the on-again or off-again periods of his relationship with Laslow, so I'm going to reserve judgement. As for the two of you, it must be nice to be all-knowing. What did it feel like to create the heavens and earth? Did it really only take 6 days?