Punchline

David Letterman gave what seems like a pretty good apology, Monday night. Per the report, "'I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke,' he said. 'It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault that it was misunderstood.' He apologized to both daughters, 'and also to the Governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke,' he said as the studio audience applauded. 'I'm sorry about it, and I'll try to do better in the future.'"

This is as it should be. But not completely. It isn't about which daughter the comments attacked, or their age. You don't attack the innocent kids of public figures. Letterman does not acknowledge this very obvious fact. Maybe it would ruin his act? So, sadly, apology not accepted. To illustrate why, here:

• How many David Letterman sons, born out of wedlock, does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
• Two of David Letterman's bastards go into a bar.
• A priest, a rabbi, and David Letterman's bastard son were playing golf.
• Why did David Letterman's illegitimate son cross the road?

What, punchlines? Really. Does it matter?


J