The Sound and the Fury Over KUSC : POINT . . .

“M ore Talk, Less Bach,” last Sunday’s story on KUSC-FM by Patrick Mott, has prompted an outpouring from readers . Those critical of the station’s revamped format outnumbered supporters by more than 2 to 1. A sampling of their views: The problem with KUSC is not announcers with a “chatty, informal radio persona,” as Mott writes. After all, Rich Capparela has long been one of the most informal, informative, funny announcers on the air. So too was Gail Eichenthal. Both are formerly of KUSC.

The problem is this is not Top 40. If you miss a selection, it won’t be on again later that same day. Or same year. When you eliminate your program guide, offer a mishmash of random “listener requests,” toss in the “Theme to ‘Dances With Wolves,’ ” present an uninterrupted two-hour block with no music, and then tie it all together with announcers seemingly oblivious that listeners are actually paying attention, you have a station that doesn’t know what it’s doing. And doesn’t really appear to care.

ROBERT J. ELISBERG

West Los Angeles