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I'm Stephen Metcalf, and this is the Slate Culture Gap Fest, Damage Control Edition.

This is also the daily podcast from slate.com for Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

On today's program, we're going to talk about David Letterman, who objectively apologizes, Nikki Fink, who really doesn't, and goodbye to Gourmet Magazine. Joining me today are Slate's deputy editor, Julia Turner. Hello, Julia. Hello, Steve. And our film critic, of course, Dana Stevens. Hello, Dana. Steve. Looking lovely today. Thank you. Very fashionable.

Very, very fashion. Still trying to make up.

Talk about object apologies.

Exactly.

Still objectively apologizing.

Let's dive right in by listening to some audio.

There's, David Letterman has been extorted allegedly by a producer at CBS's 48 hours.

The claim is that he slept with, which David Letterman has confirmed, that he slept with members of his staff, at least one, and was then asked to pay $2 million hush money.

Letterman contacted the authorities, and the case has gone extremely, extremely public.

Let's listen to David Letterman himself, confront the issue head on, if awkwardly, on his own

television show.

I'm glad you folks are here tonight, and I'm glad you're in such a pleasant mood, because

I have a little story that I would

like to tell you and the home viewers as well. Do you feel like a story?

This started three weeks ago yesterday and I got up, I get up early and I come to work early

...