Fans are “grossed out” by a recently resurfaced video from The Late Show With David Letterman featuring the titular host being rather awkward with interviewee Jennifer Aniston in 1998, with many noting that the sexist treatment of women in media has been a long-standing, ongoing problem.
The viral clip shows David Letterman in the midst of an interview with the Friends star when suddenly making things much, much stranger. Check out the video in question below:
David Letterman sucks on a strand of Jennifer Aniston’s hair, April, 1998. pic.twitter.com/45f5gZGbsw
— Lost In History (@HistoryToLearn) April 13, 2023
Resurfaced 1998 Clip Shows David Letterman ‘Sucking On’ Jennifer Aniston’s Hair
The bizarre interview started off normally enough—Jennifer was appearing on the Late Show to promote her upcoming film, The Object of My Affection. The actress was recounting a story about running into fans while in her gym’s steam room when the host moved his chair behind her and said, “Forgive me if this is rude, I just want to try one thing.”
Jennifer responded with an apprehensive “Okay”…and then Letterman proceeded to hold her by the back of the neck and lean in to her, as if to kiss her. The Friends actress was startled, saying “What are you doing??” and attempting to laugh off the strange behavior while leaning far away from Letterman’s advances. But he didn’t exactly take this recoiling as a reason to stop—the late night comedian leaned back in and, eventually, put a strand of Jen’s famous hair directly in his mouth.
The star stiffened up as it happened and looked to be waiting until the uncomfortable moment was over, which was soon after when Letterman pulled away, slowly removing the tendril of hair from his mouth. He rolled his chair back to his desk and handed Jennifer a tissue to dry her hair of his saliva, saying, “I’m sorry…Something to do with the steam room.”
Fans React To Bizarre, Uncomfortable Moment: 'Can't Get Over How Creepy [This Clip Is]'"
Though this interview took place way back in 1998, video is forever—and many on social media have encountered the clip for the first time only recently.
"Can't get over how creepy and disturbing this clip of Jennifer Aniston on Letterman is," wrote one horrified fan after discovering it in 2021. Commenters agreed: He DIDNT EVEN ADDRESS WHY HE DID IT!!!! he just gaslighted her by saying she is wrong for screaming and scaring him," said one. Another remarked, "If a woman did this she would be crucified. It's just so wrong."
These Letterman clips have been making the rounds online - and they are disturbing to say the least.
How was this even acceptable baffles the mind and conscience. — (@faizal_70) February 16, 2021
Another commenter on a recent Facebook video repost of the clip responded, "This is disgusting. She’s clearly so uncomfortable and he’s continually touching and getting closer to her face without consent. I hate when this video resurfaces."
David Letterman never explained his motivation behind the very uncomfortable moment. Jennifer, for her part, gamely appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman even after the bizarre 1998 interview, though the host made her uncomfortable once again by repeatedly asking questions relating to her possible relationship at the time with costar Vince Vaughn from The Break-Up.
