THUMBING HIS NOSE

Your comprehensive article on Siskel and Ebert (“Thumb and Thumber,” by Donald Liebenson, Dec. 10) didn’t mention that perhaps the best dig ever to be thrown back at the critics was from George Lucas, whose production of “Willow” (a fantasy film climaxing with a two-headed, dinosaur-like beast) garnered weak reviews from them.

When Tonka then merchandised the toy model, Lucas aptly named the bifurcated monster an “Ebersisk”--a joke that none of the kids would get but all the adult collectors gave two thumbs up!

THOM TAYLOR

Hollywood

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Once again, The Times marginalizes the popularity and longevity of daytime television by stating that “only a handful of current programs . . .” have been on the air longer than “Siskel & Ebert.”

All of the following programs have been on the air for over 20 (and some over 30) years: “As The World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” “The Young and the Restless,” “The Price Is Right,” “Days of our Lives,” “General Hospital,” “Another World,” “One Life to Live,” “All My Children,” “Wheel of Fortune,” “Today,” “Donahue” and “Sesame Street.”

ROBERT WARGO

West Hollywood