Letters from our readers
'Office' Romance
Bless you, EW, for your cover story about Steve Carell and The Office (''Take This Job and Love It''). As a die-hard fan of the BBC's Office, I
was apprehensive about an American version, but I was immediately hooked
and it now ranks as one of my official favorite shows. I no longer compare Steve Carell and Ricky Gervais but appreciate each show as its
own entity. I'm so glad to see that it's gaining appreciation — whether by
iTunes, word of mouth, or your cover!
TARA ACTON
tara.retro@gmail.com
Iowa City
The success of the television show The Office is a direct result of a
collaborative cast and outstanding writing. The talented and unvarnished
actors reflect the real working population of America, with which we can
all identify — so refreshing. And as far as Steve Carell is concerned,
triple threat: TV, movies, curb appeal. One word: yummy!
SARAH SCHMIDT
St. Paul
Is it just me, or did just about every EW subscriber try to wipe the tiny fleck of bloody tissue off of Steve Carell's mouth? Minutes after I
set the issue on the coffee table, my husband walked by and also gave
Steve's mouth a swipe. A few minutes after that, my 6-year-old son actually took a fingernail to the speck of white. You got us!
PATTY WALKER
pswalker63@hotmail.com
Silver Spring, Md.
Hurt Feelings
I enjoyed the illuminating chat with the great William Hurt (''A World of
Hurt''). The man's done more cool stuff than a Slurpee machine. That he
is also apparently a bit of a dill only enhances his stature in my eyes.
In his honor, I'm now telling anyone who compliments my work to get
bent. Good luck on Oscar night, broheim!
PHIL DEBERNARDI
phild@amusicplus.com
Denver
I had been a William Hurt fan. Then I read your piece and found him to be the epitome of all that I despise in these artsy actors. Pretentious,
egotistical, narcissistic — I had hoped these adjectives wouldn't apply to
one of my favorite performers. The kicker was Hurt describing the night of his own Oscar win — attending the awards as a ''character study,''
comparing the statuette to a gold dildo that everyone was lusting for
but him. Yeah, right!
KENNY MANSFIELD
Evansville, Ind.
In the summer of 1984, I was walking down Broadway when William Hurt
passed by me. I had admired his performance in Altered States enormously
and walked up to him to tell him just that. When I came face-to-face with him and started to speak, he looked extremely startled and blurted
out, ''Don't recognize me!'' You can imagine my relief when your article on Hurt explained that he reacts that way to just about anybody who
comes to him with praise. I thought it was just me.
BOB STILSON
bstilson@entercom.com
Kenmore, N.Y.
'Wive$' Less Ordinary
Thanks for letting me know about a little soap on BBC America that I'd
never watched before, Footballers Wive$ (''Cheat, Drink, and Be
Married''). After reading your article I managed to catch the season 2
finale, and with help from your guide I was mesmerized by the great
writing, over-the-top story lines, and campy characters. I only wish
that American soaps would have the courage to write a show so wicked. Desperate Housewives has nothing on the British gem. I immediately went
out and bought seasons 1 and 2 of the show. Thanks again for making me
aware of what I was missing.
JOSHUA VANDYNE
jovad2005@yahoo.com
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Blue Note
Nice piece about My Name Is Earl's blue humor (News & Notes), but you
missed one. In the Jan. 5 episode, Earl wakes his brother Randy, who mumbles the phrase ''poopie trim.'' Such cleverness is what makes Earl great. Well, that and the 'stache.
CARY TYSON
cary@tyson.net
North Little Rock, Ark.
Let's Go to the Tape
I can't argue the point that ''Lazy Sunday'' became overexposed
(Television). And sure, Saturday Night Live is rushing Andy Samberg, but
they don't exactly have the wealth of talent they had during Jimmy
Fallon's tenure. But it's your ignorance of the legacy of Saturday Night ''Live'' that is troubling. Taped bits have been a staple of the show from
its inception and have provided some of the most popular sketches. A short list: ''Mr. Bill''; all the spoof commercials; Jack Handey's ''Deep
Thoughts''; ''Saturday TV Funhouse''; and Schiller's Reels, which included
the touching sketch where Gilda Radner remembers a night of great
romance from her youth. I don't care whether it's live or taped, as long
as it's funny.
RS GRAY
torsloke@hotmail.com
Hollywood
