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Ex-Letterman Writer Claims Sexual Favoritism

Posted Oct 27th 2009 12:01PM by TMZ Staff

David LettermanA former Letterman writer claims Dave's show was a "hostile, sexually charged atmosphere" -- and "sexual politics" played a role in why she eventually quit the job.

The woman making the claim is Nell Scovell, who spent roughly 5 months working for Dave back in 1990.

In an article for Vanity Fair, Scovell claims during her employment, she was well aware that Dave and other high-level male employees were having sexual relations with female staffers.

Scovell also claims those female staffers were "benefiting professionally from their personal relationships."

She adds, "Did that make me feel demeaned? Completely. Did I say anything at the time? Sadly, no."

But she's talkin' now.

In the article, Scovell claims she's not looking to take any legal action against Dave or the show -- and she never identifies any of the alleged staffer-bangers by name.

Tags: david letterman, DavidLetterman, neil scoveil, NeilScoveil, sexual relations, SexualRelations

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(Page 1 of 5) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Favortism ???? Who wrote that?

Posted at 12:54PM on Oct 27th 2009 by LakerFan

2. It probably doesn't take much for this one to feel "demeaned". While she may not be looking to take any legal action against Dave or the show (she probably couldn't even if she wanted) she obviously isn't opposed to, or demeaned enough, to making a quick buck off of Dave and the show by selling herself... er... her story... publicly to whoever wants to pay for it.


Posted at 12:56PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Bart

3. WHO EFFING CARES???? You should have said something 10 years ago! The man has sex... give him a freaking break!

Posted at 12:56PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Teri

4. Also, it doesn't take someone else to make you feel "demeaned" if you don't think highly of yourself no one else will either. http://beyondbitch.wordpress.com

Posted at 12:57PM on Oct 27th 2009 by cathy

5. It was so demeaning to her that it took her 19 years to open her mouth about the situation???? I think she is jealous because she was not "benefiting professionally from their personal relationships."

Posted at 1:12PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Geri

6. Please, enough of this. Does everyone think that they need their 15 minutes of b.s. time. Let's get to the important issues of the day, like what Harvey eats and what he doesn't. Oops, sorry more crap that no one cares about.

Posted at 1:21PM on Oct 27th 2009 by barbara

7. She's telling the truth. It's not easy to bring this stuff up. It's like the immature teachers who socialize with some students, and give them better grades.

If the climate was that unprofessional, there was NO reason to state anything, because who would pay attention to her, as they were all doing it.

I believe her.

Posted at 1:17PM on Oct 27th 2009 by lili

8. Sex addict? Has old Dave's wife left him yet?

Posted at 1:20PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Janet

9. okay, here we go. Who's next. 19 years and she speaks out. Next thing you no she will be writting a book.

Posted at 1:22PM on Oct 27th 2009 by brandon

10. Nell, It sounds like your jealous that Dave was dating someone else 20 years ago, and not you. Your claims and Dave's girlfriends claims are totally different. Why is your ugly azz bringing this up 20 years later. Get a freakin' life, or join Glaad

Posted at 1:27PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Homie1Kanobe

11. The time to talk was when it was happening. But I do understand how you felt. It's called being human to have those feeling that someone else was getting more simply because she opened her legs and dropped her panties. And you're right. This is why superiors should NEVER have sex or play around with a subordinant. It's not just the impropriety, but the appearance of impropriety that also causes the workplace to become hostile.

Posted at 1:29PM on Oct 27th 2009 by justsaying

12. Thank you for correction of Favortism to Favoritism. Much Better!

Posted at 1:34PM on Oct 27th 2009 by LakerFan

13. 15 mins of fame, now move on. It's over, it's done, and time to move on. Dave's denied nothing, admitted to it, blackmailer will get his day in court, and that's that. Bet it doesn't happen again, and others will now think twice before doing the same. Women are as much to blame as the men in a situation like this. This girl should've said something at the time, if it bothered her that much.

Posted at 1:39PM on Oct 27th 2009 by skhg

14. This was the accusation I was waiting for.
I used to work for a very very well-known health insurance company (Starts with the letter 'B') and this went on all the time.
If you were on your back, you were promised promotion.

Posted at 2:03PM on Oct 27th 2009 by OKEEDOKEE!!!

15. She only worked there for "roughly 5 months" NINETEEN years ago! Which means she was there less than five months and not long enough to know who was "benefiting" from anything. And yet, she felt "demeaned." She must have liked the feeling, because if coming up with this sad tale in a pathetic attempt to glom on to some limelight isn't demeaning, nothing is.

Posted at 2:08PM on Oct 27th 2009 by Speaktruth

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