LIP SERVICE

Ventriloquism has been a “dying art” for thousands of years (“A Confederacy of Dummies,” by Paul Brownfield, Aug. 23). The reason: It is the most difficult of all the performing arts.

Good actors, singers, musicians, etc., are plentiful. The only truly great “one-man comedy team” was Edgar Bergen. He had two fully developed personalities: the pompous gentleman and the sassy kid. We sensed a real relationship there, unusual in the art. His superior acting ability made him unique and unequaled.

It’s not about throwing the voice. It’s about creating a beloved character that captures an audience’s heart. That will never go out of style.

KEITH SINGLETON

Beverly Hills

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The aspect of ventriloquism that most people overlook is that, while performing, the ventriloquist is both acting and reacting at the same time.

It’s hard enough for actors to do one of these things and make it look natural, let alone both . . . at the same time. That makes Jay Johnson’s role on “Soap” all the more spectacular. He performed two characters simultaneously, with extraordinary results!

Watch the reruns on Comedy Central. You’ll have a new appreciation for the art form and its artists.

LAURENCE FRANK

Sherman Oaks