The Long and the Elfman of It

Your cover claim last Sunday that Shelley Long somehow did something wrong in leaving “Cheers” is preposterous (“Life on the Brink,” by Betsy Sharkey).

Had she stayed with “Cheers,” the story lines may have had Diane and Sam getting married, having a baby and then Sam would start seeing other women and then Diane would begin drinking too much, etc., etc., story lines that have happened in other quality sitcoms after many years and hundreds of plots. Then perhaps she’d be blamed for not leaving at the show’s peak.

Shelley did not write any of her movies, nor did she direct them or produce them or do the cinematography or design the set. The performer is not solely responsible for the success or failure of a film. Because Shelley created such a rich character that became beloved does not give anyone the right to use her name as an example of bad judgment. Helen Hunt is a wonderful actress who had the good luck to be in a movie that was a hit. Mary Tyler Moore is an American treasure and has had a career that has lasted 40 years. If Jenna Elfman chooses door No. 1, she’ll star in “Dharma & Greg,” but if she chooses door No. 2, she’ll star in “Krippendorf’s Tribe.”

MARY WILLARD

Encino