FINE WHINE
Regarding “Dave’s World of Doubt” (by Verne Gay, April 28):
TOP 10 THINGS DAVID LETTERMAN SHOULD SAY TO HIMSELF EVERY DAY IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR
10--It’s only a TV show.
9--I should take a cab to Riker’s Island to see people who really have it tough.
8--It’s not winning to whine about an employer who pays me $14 million a year to perform stuff written for me and to interview celebrities.
7--It makes it really hard for some people to watch my show when I continually whine about how difficult my job is, especially as I make $14 million a year to perform stuff written for me and interview super-models.
6--I need to realize that, ultimately, no one cares, or should care, that I’m miserable.
5--Tonight I’m going to have a great show because I’m smart enough, funny enough and doggone it, people like me.
4--It’s only a talk show, not leading the free world.
3--If I really hate this, there are other things I could do. Like fix up houses.
2--I should watch tapes of my shows from 10 years ago when I was looser and funnier.
1--No more Top 10 lists.
CHRISTOPHER GROVE
Los Angeles
*
Don’t blame CBS or the staff for the loss of 2 million viewers of “The Late Show.” The problem lies with Letterman. His wheezing and phony cackle, among other insufferable mannerisms, are embarrassing to watch. I believe the show changed last year after Letterman hosted the Academy Awards. He tries to be humorous, but it’s obvious it was a painful experience when he continues to talk about it over a year later.
He’s got to bring himself under control if he wants to bring his audience back. What might help is to eat more than the one meal a day that he proudly claims to consume. It might stabilize his blood sugar, along with his personality.
It’s not entertaining watching a demented man destroy himself and what was once one of the most brilliant shows ever on television. I now watch his old NBC shows on E!, and occasionally--to my horror--Jay Leno. No matter how much money Letterman makes for CBS, no show that loses 30% (astounding!) of its audience can be called a success.
RON VALENCIC
Studio City
