Olive Garden disputes report that ads were pulled from Letterman

A spokesman for the Olive Garden disputed a report from Politico that the restaurant chain pulled its advertising from the David Letterman show due to jokes about Sarah Palin’s daughter.

“Information reported today by Andy Barr of Politico regarding Olive Garden’s advertising on the Late Show with David Letterman was erroneous. No authorized spokesperson for the company confirmed the information in his report,” said Olive Garden spokesman Rich Jeffers in an email to The Vote.

“The Olive Garden media schedule is planned months in advance. The schedule for the Late Show with David Letterman was completed earlier this month. We take all guest concerns seriously. And, as always, we will factor those concerns in as we plan our advertising schedule in the future,” he continued.

Jeffers has not yet responded to an email asking if Olive Garden advertisements will continue on the David Letterman show.

Olive Garden won't be running advertisements on David Letterman anytime soon, but Orlando-based Darden Restaurants is disputing media reports saying the Italian chain has canceled ads over controversy stemming from an off-color joke about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's teenage daughter.

People angry over Letterman's joke earlier this month have been pressuring advertisers such as Olive Garden to boycott the show.

Darden Restaurants spokesman Rich Jeffers said late Wednesday that Olive Garden had no more ads scheduled to run for the current season and had not made a decision on whether to advertise during the next season starting in September...