The feud: It all began with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's trip to New York City and a late-night shtick that went a bit too far in some people's books. In addition to likening Palin's wardrobe to that of a "slutty" flight attendant, Letterman made an off-color joke in his monologue about Palin's teenage daughter being impregnated by the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. Letterman didn't specify which teenage daughter — not that it matters — and the Palin camp jumped on the remark as a perverse attack on 14-year-old daughter Willow, not 18-year-old Bristol, a single mom. The Alaskan politician expressed her outrage in a written statement, then in a radio interview, and then during an appearance on the Today show. Hmm ... sounds a bit like a campaign.
Chance at reconciliation: Letterman's all for it, but Palin? Not so much. The governor's office released a statement that said, "The Palins have no intention of providing a ratings boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show."
He said/She said:
"No. 2: Bought makeup at Bloomingdale's to update her 'slutty flight attendant' look."
— David Letterman, June 8, 2009
"Slow news day, evidently. Pretty pathetic, good ol' David Letterman."
— Sarah Palin, June 9, 2009