Jackson’s Flaws

Re “If We May, Sir . . .” by Sean Mitchell, March 3:

Thank you for the article on Michael Jackson, the KABC talk-show host. I am one of those over-35 news and information junkies and am a fan of his.

I had a friend who was interviewed by Jackson, who was rude and abusive. Nevertheless I remained a loyal fan. The true test of a fan is to see all sides of the object of fandom, warts and all.

Early on, Mitchell says Jackson “put his right thumb to his nose and wiggles his fingers at (Gore) Vidal’s impertinence. . . . This is as close as Michael Jackson usually gets to ire. . . .” Not true. When Jackson disagrees with a caller’s viewpoint, he remains courteous and asserts “I want to learn”; but when he dislikes the caller’s position, he gets downright mean and nasty.

And whether he agrees or disagrees, or likes or dislikes the caller’s statements, he interrupts incessantly. Except for his most celebrated guests, a speaker is lucky to complete a sentence.

Notwithstanding the feminist revolution, he still lapses into calling women “dear.” And with many of those commercials Mitchell so admires, it is difficult, at least at the outset, to distinguish them from one of Jackson’s information pieces.

While I recognize all these negatives, I still believe Jackson is the best talk-show host, radio or television, in the United States.

ROBERT L. FOX

Los Angeles