Much Ado for a Show About Nothing

Howard Rosenberg fed up with “Seinfeld” hype (“ ‘Coping With All the Yada, Yada,” April 15)? That’s like a tobacco executive complaining that too many people smoke.

And yes, he modestly admits, his column “adds to the buzz.” That’s putting it mildly. It’s been a rare Rosenberg column in the last several years that did not contain the S-word (Seinfeld this, Seinfeld that, Seinfeld walks on water).

Now he comments on Jerry Seinfeld “smirking” on the cover of the current Vanity Fair. You’d think such a devoted viewer would have noticed after all this time that that is Seinfeld’s primary facial expression. Every self-centered remark that has fallen from his lips has been hailed--by none so vociferously as Howard Rosenberg--as the acme of droll wit. Now Rosenberg is complaining about the fuss made over the final episode of that smug, self-congratulatory, overrated television show? He writes, “If I, a fanatical devotee of the series, feel this way, imagine what non-fans . . . must be going through.” Indeed. If Seinfeld had any class, he’d observe the second coming of Holy Thursday (May 14) simply, by washing the feet of 12 peasants.

KEVIN DAWSON

Sunland

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Howard Rosenberg, usually on the ball, rolled off when he called “Seinfeld” “the funniest comedy ever” (“Funny, Yes; Generation-Defining, No,” April 8). Maybe for this particular current group. The same could be said of “All in the Family,” “MASH,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Cheers” and certainly “The Honeymooners” and “I Love Lucy.”

I still smile when thinking of Lionel and Meathead outfoxing Archie; Radar and his colonel; Mary at Chuckles’ funeral service or Ted’s blundering; Carla and Cliff’s notes; Ralph’s scheming with the sewer man; and who can forget Lucy at the fast-moving automated table or the scene with Harpo? Not me.

TED LEPON

Los Angeles

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Thank you! I thought I was the only one who thought “Seinfeld” wasn’t the greatest show since sliced bread! This season I couldn’t even stand to watch those self-absorbed characters treating people and each other so horribly. I will not miss “Seinfeld” in the least! Defined an entire generation? Only the selfish ones!

CINDY RANDALL

Woodland Hills

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Am I the only person on the planet who doesn’t care whether “Seinfeld” ends? I’ve never watched the show, which should disqualify me as a critic. But I’ve seen enough promotional spots for “Seinfeld” reruns on Channel 5 to last a lifetime. Mindless dialogue plus idiotic canned laughter equals zero.

JERRY COWLE

Pacific Palisades