Letterman scandal inspires "Law & Order" on NBC primetime

November 8, 12:44 AMLate Night Talk Shows ExaminerJoyce Picker

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The cast of "Law and Order"
The Perp's Worst Nightmare

You knew it was just a matter of time before "Law and Order" scripted a Letterman-esque episode dealing with a talk show host being blackmailed for money.  The NBC drama has been on TV for 20 years and has two weekly spinoffs on NBC and USA respectively.    Why not base a plot on inspiration from real life?  After all, truth is sometimes stranger and more compelling than fiction.

As a brief reminder to you all, "Late Show" talk show host David Letterman confessed on-air to having inter-office affairs.  He revealed his indiscretions to undermine an extortion scheme with the intent to either expose him or collect $2 million.  The blackmailer is currently facing charges of grand larceny with a sentence of 15 years in prison. 

"Law & Order", the second-longest running drama in television history, is shooting an episode which features a character being blackmailed for $3 million.  The victim is a host of a show like "The View." She is threatened by having information leaked about her short-term affairs with staff members.  "Law and Order" producer, Rene Balcer, claims the episode was already in the works when the Letterman extortion plot was revealed in real life.

For more on Letterman-gate:

http://www.examiner.com/x-18349-Late-Night-Talk-Shows-Examiner~y2009m10d2-David-Letterman-has-been-a-naughty-naughty-boy

http://www.examiner.com/x-18349-Late-Night-Talk-Shows-Examiner~y2009m10d6-Lettermangate-week-two-apologies-to-wife-staff-and-Sarah-Palin