• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, June 16, 2009

Just when I was beginning to miss all those alleged TV pressure group advertiser activities, comes one in connection with the "Late Show with David Letterman" and Embassy Suites.

As usual, though, don't read too much into this.

A conservative blogger seemingly caught wind of a Hilton Hotels' Embassy Suites Internet ad on the Late Show Web site, and demanded an explanation -- especially in connection with Letterman's spat with former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

What might seem like a pull back by the accommodations chain doesn't really tell you much. An initial response from Hilton Hotels representative says:  "Embassy Suites is not a sponsor or advertiser of the David Letterman show. Several online ads appeared on a series of web sites, including cbs.com, among many others. These ads have since been taken down. The appearance of the ads on the CBS network web site does not suggest we condone or agree with Mr. Letterman's views or comments."

The truth is many advertisers' campaigns have a specific lifespan -- they don't go on forever. This response doesn't say the ads were pulled because of the Letterman jokes. It gives no reason.

A later reported response from the hotel chain says indeed the complaints were loud enough to warrant a pullback.

But looking to target any TV advertiser for a lone bit of questionable programming content doesn't make any sense in the long run. It's not like targeting an ongoing fictional show featuring a foul-speaking, questionable-ethics criminal attorney, firefighter, doctor, or whatever character.

TV hosts have been joking about politicians, their sex lives, and,  separately, their families -- for decades. There is a line that shouldn't be crossed.

What have TV advertisers done as a result of any of this? Very little. They buy into this TV entertainment and all it entails -- it's about late-night adult humor.

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