‘Breaking Bad’ just doesn’t provide a rush

It just doesn’t give him a rush

Let’s see if I’m clear on what the letter-writer is saying in his response to Neil Gabler’s piece on TV’s new wave of one-hour dramas [“Feedback,” April 11]:

Those of us who don’t watch “Breaking Bad” aren’t “equipped, by temperament or experience, to want to see a more credible reflection of the world as it is” rather than as we’d like it to be? Gosh, really? We don’t watch a certain TV show because we don’t have the requisite mental traits, nor possess the practical wisdom, to do so? And here I thought I don’t watch “Breaking Bad” because it plain doesn’t appeal to me.

Good for you for wanting to come home to a weekly TV show about a chem-teacher with stage-three cancer who becomes a drug-kingpin to secure a financial future for his son battling cerebral palsy. Like apparently zillions of others, I’d just rather not. Hardly means I’m only equipped to watch repeats of “7th Heaven” instead.

Let’s admit it: “Breaking Bad” and “Damages” and their admittedly well-crafted and well-acted brethren are art-house fare that get art-house-sized audiences. Given the series’ narrow focuses and oft-times unrelatable characters and situations, they will never attract more than that.

Jim McKairnes

Manhattan Beach

Reaping fanboy investments

The article on Wagner’s Ring Cycle (“Hero Worship,” April 11) is one of the best articles I’ve read in a long time. My brother and I bought a ton of comics when

we were kids that are now worth a lot. I never imagined the connection to Wagner.

Diane Kirkland

Altadena

Sure, but can he walk on water?

Regarding Christopher’s Smith piece on “Glee’s” Matthew Morrison [“Mr. Triple Threat,” April 11]: Why didn’t he tell us how Morrison is going to cure cancer and how when he speaks, it’s as if every star in the sky is shining its light only on you.

I’ve never read a more flattering article in my life.

Noah Nelson

Los Angeles

Let’s just write about writing

As sad as this anecdote is, I wish the article “Playwrights on Writing” was more about a playwright on the craft of playwriting. [“But How Will It Translate,” April 11]. This series has been amazing to read.

I was excited to see a new story by a wonderful playwright like Rajiv Joseph. But I was disappointed when, by the end of the column, I felt all I got was a confession of guilt for not having spoken during a panel discussion years ago in another city. This should have been on somebody’s blog or Facebook page.

Posted by: Ryan

From the Culture

Monster blog

Ellen Page picks up a literary fan

I appreciated Geoff Boucher’s article on “Inception” [“Breaking Into Your Dreams,” April 4].

How about Ellen Page referencing Murakami?! I think I’m in love with her.

Chris Lambert

Canal Fulton, Ohio