In the month since David Letterman admitted to doing "creepy" things with female staffers, news outlets feasted on the Late Show host, producing thousands of reports and articles on the danger of workplace relationships. And then sometime last week, in spite of whispers of a surveillance sex tape, the scandalous story lost its legs. Now, Vanity Fair contributor and former Late Night with David Letterman writer Nell Scovell is taking advantage of the lull in LettermanGate to recount how her own "dream job" took an uncomfortable turn towards sexual favoritism at Late Night.
The Vanity Fair article, a two-pronged (and deserved) attack on the testosterone-biased writing staffs at late night talk shows and sexual favoritism in the workplace, details the time period after Scovell left a successful Los Angeles career (The Simpsons, Newhart) to work at Late Night with David Letterman. Only the second woman writer staffed at the show, her "dream job" quickly devolved into a day-to-day struggle to navigate the sexually charged office at 30 Rockefeller Center.
Did Dave hit on me? No. Did he pay me enough extra attention that it was noted by another writer? Yes. Was I aware of rumors that Dave was having sexual relationships with female staffers? Yes. Was I aware that other high-level male employees were having sexual relationships with female staffers? Yes. Did these female staffers have access to information and wield power disproportionate to their job titles? Yes. Did that create a hostile work environment? Yes. Did I believe these female staffers were benefiting professionally from their personal relationships? Yes. Did that make me feel demeaned? Completely. Did I say anything at the time? Sadly, no.
Did Scovell wait five months before deciding that she wanted to return to Los Angeles? Yes.
I'd seen enough to know that I was not going to thrive professionally in that workplace. And although there were various reasons for that, sexual politics did play a major part.
On my last day at Late Night, Dave summoned me to his office and pressed me on why I was quitting the show. I considered telling him the truth, but with Dave's rumored mistress within earshot, I balked. Instead, I told him I missed L.A. Dave said, "You're welcome back anytime."
While she has gone on to accumulate producing credits for Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Charmed and NCIS, the former Late Night writer decided to speak up for three reasons:
1. People who have no knowledge of the situation are voicing opinions, so why not me? 2. Letterman himself opened this up to a public discussion. 3. I'd like to pivot the discussion away from the bedroom and toward the writers' room, because it pains me that almost 20 years later, the situation for female writers in late-night-TV hasn't improved.
Now, I don't want a lawsuit. I don't want compensation. I don't want revenge. I don't want Dave to go down (oh, grow up, people). I just want Dave to hire some qualified female writers and then treat them with respect. And that goes for Jay and Conan, too.
ยท Letterman and Me [Vanity Fair]