Reader to Reader

Taylor Hudson has mounted his high horse to call those of us who were appalled by Ron Howard’s decision not to cast a Latina actress to portray the Salvadoran Alicia Nash in “A Beautiful Mind” “hypocrites” (Letters, April 13).

Hudson then goes on to “prove” his point by asking where was the “similar outrage” when the English Ben Kingsley played Gandhi; the Aussie Russell Crowe played Virginian John Nash; the Texan Renee Zellweger played (the fictional) Bridget Jones.

Um, Mr. Hudson? Those would be just super points but for one thing: Those actors all portrayed the people they played with the appropriate accents to indicate where they were from. Jennifer Connelly’s portrayal did not for one moment begin to let us in on the fact that Mrs. Nash is Salvadoran. And we want to know why.

SAMANTHA KIMMEL

North Hollywood

‘SpongeBob’s’ Innocence

As a fervent “SpongeBob SquarePants” devotee since the show’s debut, I was both heartbroken and relieved to see that series creator Stephen Hillenburg has opted not to renew his contract with Nickelodeon (“‘SpongeBob’ Creator Feels Wrung Out,” by Bettijane Levine, April 13). I respect his intent to avoid “watering down” the franchise.

Then I read a little further. Nickelodeon can continue to produce new episodes, regardless of Hillenburg’s involvement or approval. But he doesn’t think they would do that: “I think they would want to maintain the original ... quality.”

Wow. It’s easy to see where “SpongeBob” gets that trademark innocence and naivete.

BILLY KATZ

West Hollywood