David Letterman was once hailed as the king of late-night television, famous for his sharp humor and unpredictable interviews. But viewed through today’s cultural lens, some of his past moments haven’t aged well. One interview that continues to resurface involves Jennifer Aniston’s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2006.
Aniston was promoting The Break-Up, the romantic comedy she starred in alongside Vince Vaughn. What began as a standard interview quickly turned awkward when Letterman became fixated on her appearance—specifically her legs. Complimenting her outfit, he repeatedly commented on her legs, returning to the topic several times despite Aniston’s visible discomfort. She laughed politely and brushed it off, explaining she’d chosen shorts because of the warm weather.
The interview grew more uncomfortable when Letterman pressed her about rumored romantic involvement with Vaughn and even asked if Vaughn had suggested she appear naked in the film. Aniston deflected the question, clearly caught off guard. This wasn’t an isolated incident. A widely criticized 1998 interview resurfaced years later, showing Letterman grabbing Aniston’s neck and sucking on a strand of her hair, leaving her visibly unsettled. The clip reignited outrage when it went viral again in 2021.
Despite these moments, Aniston continued appearing on the show, always maintaining professionalism and grace. Today, many viewers see these interviews differently—no longer as harmless late-night humor, but as examples of how female celebrities were often treated on television, and why those moments now feel deeply uncomfortable.