How to Snag Viewers

I wish I could say that I lost respect for Roseanne Arnold after reading her letter to Howard Rosenberg (“What’s Not Funny About ‘Jackie Thomas’?,” Dec. 7), but since I had no respect for her to begin with . . . well, you can’t take something from nothing, can you?

What irks me most, though, is that “Jackie Thomas” rated second in popularity the week of its initial program. Hogwash. Everyone who was tuned into “Roseanne” became part of a captive audience because, as my family noticed, the usual station breaks between shows never materialized. “Roseanne” led immediately into “Jackie Thomas,” and we were a few minutes into the program before we realized it and changed channels.

By the same token, folks monitored and counted for the weekly ratings were also enmeshed in this crafty game. Unfair, I say. Only time will tell if “Jackie” can hold an audience on its own, without the advantage of “Roseanne’s” lead-in.

MARGE McGUIRE

Anaheim Hills