Sitcom Writers Have Quibbles With This Script

Paul Brownfield paints a downright unrealistic portrait of the average working-stiff sitcom writer in today’s television market (“Hey, This Isn’t Funny,” June 19). By categorizing out-of-work writers as being under stress to pay for their leased Lexuses in this climate, he ignores the majority who struggle with the issue of rent.

Also, it never seems to fail that at this time of year, someone writes an article blaming the quality of the current television shows on lack of talent in the writing pool. That’s as ridiculous as complaining there are not enough good actors in Los Angeles.

He does identify all the mitigating circumstances involved in today’s hiring process, which speaks more to the point. However, he places no blame on the methodology the networks use for choosing pilots to be produced. Why writers are the scapegoats of choice in Hollywood is beyond me. Out of their heads and hearts come the material and ideas that ultimately provide employment for the rest of us in the industry.

PENNY PEYSER

Woodland Hills

In Brownfield’s article, an agent cites “the pledge networks made to bring in more minority writers in the wake of NAACP protests last year” as part of the “dizzying array of mitigating factors that presumably override sheer talent.” Makes me want to scream “huge, racist lie!” If he thinks the current crop of rubbish that passes for humor on television these days is a result of sheer talent, I’ve got a dot-com stock I’d like to sell him.

If you can cross the great divide, overcome the tremendous odds against you and actually land a staff writing position, it doesn’t mean you stole a job away from someone more talented and less pigment-blessed. It probably just means you’re replacing someone with great connections and very little talent.

LANCE MAY

Hollywood

As one of the many unemployed sitcom writers described in Brownfield’s article, I must object to his inaccurate, distorted and prejudicial characterization of us.

We are not such slugs that you will find us at the movies at 11:30 in the morning. We would be at the 2 p.m. show at the earliest. Otherwise the article was dead-on.

JON HAYMAN

Santa Monica