things that make you go hmmm

David Letterman Asked Ex to Write Jokes for His Intern Girlfriend

Photo: Valerie Macon/2011 Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27:  Merrill Markoe attends The American Cinematheque Presents "In Kovacsland: A Tribute To Ernie Kovacs" on August 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Photo: Valerie Macon/2011 Getty Images

Merrill Markoe, the former head writer of Late Night With David Letterman (she came up with the Stupid Pet and Stupid Human Tricks segments and dated Letterman back in the late seventies and eighties), has a fourth essay collection (Cool, Calm & Contentious) coming out this month. On the occasion of her book she spoke with the AV Club, and has a pretty crazy story! Apparently long after she had left the show, the show called her up to ask her to write jokes for an intern … whom Markoe later realized, after the whole blackmail scandal went down, was one of the women with whom Letterman had been having an affair.

Interview: Merrill Markoe [AV Club]

David Letterman Asked Ex to Write Jokes for His Intern Girlfriend