Dave Letterman has never shied away from asking a tough question, but he certainly pulled a big punch when U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan showed up on Tuesday night.
The "Late Show" host scored the first interview with the L.A. Galaxy star upon his return from the World Cup — and also following allegations that surfaced on Sunday that the separated (but still-married) Donovan had fathered a child with another woman.
Letterman did not raise the issue with Donovan on the show.
CBS did issue a press release detailing the questions asked during Donovan's appearance following the taping, but all of the questions were soccer- and World Cup-related.
Letterman and Donovan also participated in a "World Cup Challenge," in which they each took turns attempting to kick soccer balls into the windows of passing taxi cabs on Broadway, outside the studio.
The 28-year old Donovan, who is separated fromi but still married to actress Bianca Kajlich, star of the CBS sitcom "Rules of Engagement," in response to a question by Sports Illustrated on Sunday did not deny the possibility of having fathered the child and promised to support the child if he proves to be the father.
Donovan scored three of the five American team's goals during Cup play.
Usually appearances by star athletes following major events are soft interviews, but Letterman had an opportunity to make some national news on Tuesday night by at least asking Donovan about the situation.
Donovan had told Sports Illustrated it was a private matter and refused to discuss details.
Kajlich married Donovan on New Year's Eve 2006. Although they have been separated, she attended the Cup games in South Africa, and there were reports that the couple might get back together. They have no children together.
The Donovan situation was a hot topic all day Tuesday with several news outlets picking up a report by the Hollywood Gossip that quoted Kajlich as saying she was not blindsided by the disclosure of his fathering a child with another woman, and that she is "extremely supportive" of him.
To CBS' defense, the network does not control Letterman's actions on the show, which is produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated.
