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Carol Flint and Thomas Schlamme’s Counterpunch (“The Challenge and Triumph of ‘ER’ Live,” Oct. 6) was nothing more than a self-congratulatory pat on the back for their taking on “a huge, heart-stopping challenge.”

Perhaps instead, they should have counter-punched NBC into toning down the hype, which this viewer found oppressive.

Obviously, so did Howard Rosenberg, especially when weighed against the so-so results of the “Ambush” episode.

In dismissing Rosenberg’s review as cynical, are Flint and Schlamme implying that noble efforts alone make them immune from criticism?

I don’t deny the “high hopes and hard work” of the production team, but as a regular “ER” viewer, there have been better hours. To me, that was Rosenberg’s point.

And why take Rosenberg to task for comments made by John Frankenheimer? I heard Frankenheimer’s radio remarks and in no way took them as a history lesson. Nor did I find Rosenberg’s reportage inaccurate. It’s interesting that Flint and Schlamme describe Frankenheimer as “irascibly quotable.”

Perhaps what really irked them (and which they conveniently didn’t mention) is that Frankenheimer, when asked what he thought of their endeavor, called it “a stunt.”

After a nearly half-century career in television and film, Frankenheimer should know a Hollywood stunt when he smells one.

Rather than confront Frankenheimer directly, perhaps Flint and Schlamme felt it more prudent to make Rosenberg the scapegoat.

JON SCHWARTZ

Santa Monica