Dramedies, Cont.

There appeared to be a glaring omission in Mimi Avins’ discussion of hourlong network “dramedies”: CBS’s “Judging Amy” (“Back to the Future of TV,” Jan. 14).

I know the women on the production team will chalk it up to “old white guy” bias, but as a guy on the team, I am at a loss for why The Times failed to include this highly successful (we just kicked “NYPD Blue’s” butt in the ratings) hourlong prime-time dramedy.

Certainly the playing field has changed; no one survives in the arena without a blend of drama, comedy and intellectual content. “Judging Amy” consistently wins its time slot and falls somewhere in the top 20 shows in a time when reality-based programming is plundering viewership.

Please tell me you didn’t ignore our show because we lack the Bocho-Kelley-Sorkin pedigree.

PAUL YEUELL

Researcher, “Judging Amy”

Malibu

*

The dramedy format has been around a long time, it seems. But back in 1966, they didn’t call it that.

“Star Trek” was an hourlong dramatic show, with plenty of serious situations. But throughout the series, they had their humor. Whether a wisecrack to lighten the mood, Scotty and his engines, Chekov insisting Russia invented everything, Spock and McCoy’s ongoing “feud,” “Star Trek” had more funny moments than most of the so-called situation comedies of today.

MIKE KIRWAN

Venice

*

I wish Avins had mentioned Showtime’s almost departed look at network television, “Beggars and Choosers.” Novelist Peter Lefcourt wrote each episode for two years and combined subtle, biting comedy with poignant moments.

The show dealt with a variety of non-network television issues, consistently making each episode reminiscent of the emotional satisfaction we viewers enjoyed with Steven Bochco’s “Hill Street Blues” and “L.A. Law.”

GEOFF SHACKELFORD

Santa Monica