DREW CAREY

The bar for TV comedy has been lowered so far down that bland personalities such as Drew Carey can limbo beneath it to stardom (“The Carey Treatment,” by Paul Brownfield, Sept. 20).

ABC Entertainment Chairman Stu Bloomberg states that everyman Carey has “no ego.” He’s also without much talent, making Jerry Van Dyke seem like Kenneth Branagh.

It’s no wonder “The Drew Carey Show” wins its time slot, since its primary competition is the strained, redundant sketch comedy “3rd Rock From the Sun.” Compared to John Lithgow’s frenzied mugging and shrieking, Carey must appeal to viewers in need of sleep.

The fact that Carey, with his minimalist abilities, can command two half-hours on ABC’s schedule means that Andy Warhol’s “15 minutes of fame” theory should be revised. It now appears that anybody can get an entire hour of broadcast time on a major network.

Don’t even get me started on Conan O’Brien.

LOUIS YAVNEH

Marina del Rey