Mail: Nicole Kidman

When the going gets tough, the tough...make unforgettable movies. Readers raised their glasses to our Best of 2001 (#631/632, Dec. 21/28) Entertainer of the Year, Nicole Kidman, who came out on top after a year of personal strife. ''I'm glad to see Nicole getting the recognition she deserves,'' writes Elaine Abernathy of Waukegan, Ill. ''Her performances prove she doesn't need her insignificant other to be a star.'' Others felt we overlooked a certain Irish megaband. Says Allison Wilcox of Exton, Pa.: ''The real entertainers of 2001? U2.'' Brad Bannon of Raleigh, N.C., agrees: ''In a year when our world was thrown into a frightening tailspin, how could you omit the band who made us focus on all that we can't leave behind?''

The Comeback Kidman

What a pleasant surprise it was to discover that Nicole Kidman was 2001's Entertainer of the Year! With superb roles in The Others and Moulin Rouge, it's time that Oscar gives this talented actress her due.
BRENDAN MONROE
Orlando, Fla.

Nicole Kidman as Entertainer of the Year? Well, it's about damn time. She's been the most underrated actress in Hollywood since To Die For. And the great cover shot makes up for that other cover. You know which one.
STACEY DIEHL
sirensong61@hotmail.com
Columbus, Ohio

Before this issue came out, I had two versions of this letter written and waiting to be sent. Thankfully, I was able to delete the one scolding you for overlooking Nicole Kidman as Entertainer of the Year. Outside of her two great film performances, she achieved the impossible. She beat Mr. Hollywood himself in the PR battle of the year. If that isn't entertainment, I don't know what is.
JOHN PEREZ
Simi Valley, Calif.

Nicole Kidman as Entertainer of the Year?! Step away from the absinthe, EW. Moulin Rouge was 2001's most pretentious piece of crap. Kidman's performance in particular was so awful it made me avoid seeing The Others. If anyone should have graced your cover, it should have been Ewan McGregor, the only bright light in this dim-bulb movie.
GARY LUCIA
garylucia@aol.com
Somerville, Mass.

You must be kidding with your choice of Nicole Kidman. Her only claim to fame was being married to Tom Cruise. In the few movies I've seen her in, it is safe to say she could not act her way out of a paper bag. An ''entertainer'' should show some versatility. She does not.
SUSAN EMERT
susan60@webtv.net
Tamarac, Fla.

I have been a fan of EW since its inception. Your 2001 year-end issue was your best wrap-up yet. HBO's Sunday Night Stars and Sulley and Shrek were inspired choices for the year's top entertainers. And the Lord of the Rings-meets-Memento illustration blew me away as much as the films did!
GARY KUPPER
gkupper@yahoo.com
Algonac, Mich.

Thank you for including Tina Fey in your list of top entertainers of the year. I would fault EW only for not including the entire SNL cast.
JILL LAUDERMILCH
jillielaud@juno.com
Lebanon, Pa.

Your list of 2001's top entertainers had notable omissions. Why didn't your list include Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint?
CHRIS WRIGHT
Falls Church, Va.

...or Oz and its great cast?
ROBERT KILGORE
bowlerboy77@hotmail.com
New York City

...or Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David?
AMY ARCE
toroamy@aol.com
Los Angeles

...or Buffy's sarah Michelle Gellar in your Great Performances category?
KARA VICHKO
kvichko22@yahoo.com
San Diego