Letterman Cue Card Guy Fired For Assaulting Writer

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An argument at the Late Show with David Letterman has led to Dave’s cue card guy Tony Mendez being fired. Mendez allegedly went after staff writer Bill Scheft the day after the two argued in David Letterman’s dressing room.

Tony Mendez, who has appeared on the Late Show several times as himself and hosted online Letterman backstage videos called “The Tony Mendez Show”, told the New York Post that things got bad before a taping on Wednesday, October 8th. He said that he and Scheft have always had a bad working relationship. He said, “Bill was always undermining me — making himself out as Dave’s No. 1. Trying to pretend that I wasn’t even in the room . . . little passive-aggressive things.”

That Wednesday, Mendez claims he and Scheft and Dave were going over things when Scheft began interrupting him and he told him “I know what I’m doing”. David Letterman called out Mendez saying, “Tony, your sour disposition isn’t helping.” Mendez answered Dave back saying, “‘You’re the one who has the sour disposition, motherfucker’”. Tony Mendez told the Post he’s the only one able to talk to Letterman that way.

The next day, Mendez was still pissed over Bill Scheft “trying to drive a wedge” between him and Dave. That’s when he says he grabbed Scheft by the shirt, but never hit him. “He was very surprised. He didn’t say a word. He was cowering, his eyes were real big, he probably peed a little bit on his pants.”

According to CBS sources, it was more than a shirt grab. They say Tony threw Scheft against a wall.

Mendez was immediately told to leave the Ed Sullivan Theater. And this past Monday, was told by Late Show executive producer Rob Burnett that he was terminated. Mendez now agrees that he should have never put his hands on Scheft who missed some time from the show according to Post sources because he says he’s suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Here’s an episode of the Tony Mendez Show backstage at the Late Show.

 

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