Fans air a series of opinions
My recent column listing five shows I urged the networks to save, and five more to cast aside, elicited lots of mail from Daily News readers.
Some agreed, some vehemently disagreed, and some wondered why their own favorites weren't mentioned.
"Joan of Arcadia," the sophomore CBS drama starring Amber Tamblyn, got the most letters of support and it was one of my five to save, along with "Arrested Development" and "Bernie Mac" on Fox, "Eyes" on ABC and "Jack & Bobby" on the WB.
"For the first time in a long time," writes Lilliane Manzi of Jackson Heights, "I actually enjoy watching television. 'Joan of Arcadia' is a wonderful show."
Patricia Catchouny of Syracuse identifies "Joan," along with "Scrubs" and "Desperate Housewives," as the only shows she follows.
"Having first met Amber Tamblyn when she was a teen on 'General Hospital,' I love watching a young, intelligent, outspoken talent shine," she writes. "And seeing her father's [Russ Tamblyn, of 'West Side Story' and 'Twin Peaks'] guest shot as one of the many God manifestations on the show was a hoot!"
"It's so much better written than any of the series that have tried such a [spiritual] theme in the past," writes Tom Brinkmoeller of Apopka, Fla., about "Joan," "and the acting often comes close to the writing levels."
Leigh N. Tenhet of Austin, Tex., was passionate about UPN's "Veronica Mars," and wondered why I didn't champion its renewal just as forcefully.
"Have you checked the show out?" she asked, adding, "I'm sure the network would love to send you a complete set of the season's shows."
No need. I've seen every one, and love "Veronica Mars" and its star, Kristen Bell. The only reason I didn't support it is that there's no need: It's already been renewed.
Similarly, I didn't bother pushing for NBC's "American Dreams," because it's been canceled already. That didn't stop other readers from writing in, though.
Donna Gestri of Sayville, L.I., wrote of "American Dreams," "My husband and I, along with many others whom we know, absolutely look forward to each week's installment. ... The characters are well developed, well acted, learn from mistakes, and move forward with integrity and compassion."
Another already canceled show whose passing was being mourned was NBC's "Third Watch," which broadcast its final episode last Friday.
George Petrzelka of Howard Beach writes, "It was original, suspenseful and well played by all of the cast."
"I think [UPN's] 'Kevin Hill' is one of the best new shows this season," writes Donna Consola of Babylon, L.I., "and I would like to see it stay on the air. ... I wanted to know if you thought it is a show worth mentioning."
It's certainly more in the save than dump category - which is more than I said for NBC's "The Office" and ABC's "8 Simple Rules," which generated some heated replies.
"It is critics like you that have buried this show," Scott Guttenberg of East Meadow, L.I., wrote about "8 Simple Rules," "and are now trying to bury John Ritter's last work with him."
Not really. Ritter's last work was buried when he was. What's continued in his former prime-time place has been an increasingly silly and unamusing sitcom, and a sad postscript to Ritter's legacy.
Finally, "The Office" - NBC's version, which I don't like, as opposed to the BBC original, which I adore - had its share of defenders.
Raymond Leech of Frederick, Md., writes of NBC's "Office," "Was it too unique and original for you? ... I am just glad you were not in charge at NBC when 'Seinfeld' was struggling in its first season."
That first "Seinfeld" was a special called "The Seinfeld Chronicles," by the way, and I raved about it.
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