Paris Hilton gets an apology from David Letterman

Talk show legend David Letterman made an apology to Paris Hilton when she appeared on his show on Friday - a stark contrast from her September appearance when the CBS host couldn't stop badgering her about her just-finished jail sentence.

"We have a lovely woman who's been in prison," Letterman, 60, said Friday, explaining why he previously behaved the way he did. "I put those two things together and my head starts spinning."

Recalling how he had verbally abused Hilton the last time, "I continued to press the point," Letterman acknowledged – though the socialite had made it clear she was finished talking about her stint in jail.

"I thought I was hilarious," Letterman recalled, until others the next day told him, "No, you were an asshole."

He also heard Hilton was hurt by his comments - and vowed never to return to his show. So he called her, wrote a letter and sent flowers, which she called "sweet." And he cajoled her into returning to his show, which she did Friday – one week before her new movie, The Hottie and the Nottie opens in theaters.

Added Letterman: "It's like a first date," said Letterman, admitting he was "on probation." As Hilton, in a yellow dress, made her stage entrance, the Late Show band played "I Love Paris."

"I offended you. I'm not here to make enemies, honestly," Letterman told the 26-year-old hotel heiress. "I'm terribly sorry."

"Yes," said Hilton. "And you better not try it again. I hope you got the jail thing out of your system."

With their bitter past behind them, Letterman said, "What else would you like to talk about? Let's talk about something fun."

That included her new movie (she plays the "hottie," Letterman explained), her new shoe line, her five fragrances and her cellphone video game – something that seemed to stump her host.

"What is the game?" he asked. "How do you know you've won?"