Ethnic bias in review is unfair

IN his review of NBC’s new drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” [“It’s Deja vu in ‘Studio 60,’ ” Sept. 18], Paul Brownfield compares Judd Hirsch’s role to that of Howard (“I’m mad as hell ...”) Beale from Paddy Chayefsky’s “Network.” Fair enough.

What is not fair, though, is the appearance of an ethnic bias against the character and the actor when he adds, “Only this time Howard Beale is so Jewish he’s actually Judd Hirsch.” Brownfield goes on to label him “an old guard lefty” although there is nothing about the character’s political leaning in Aaron Sorkin’s script. It’s the reviewer’s stereotype.

JOEL RUDNICK

Beverly Hills