Mail

Readers don't monkey around when it comes to Planet of the Apes. Though thrilled to see Tim Roth (#607, Aug. 3) on the cover, many could have done without the General Thade getup. But not everyone went ape over this shot. Jenny Wegner of Moreno Valley, Calif., asks: ''Couldn't you have put a big picture of Mark Wahlberg on your cover?'' Helena Bonham Carter's looks also raised eyebrows. David Kveragas of Newton Township, Pa., wonders: ''Why doesn't [her] makeup match the others? They all have features like real primates...she looks more like Joan Rivers.'' Finally, there was much hairsplitting about the film's cryptic end. Larry Young of San Francisco says, ''Tim Burton shouldn't make us work so hard to enjoy his movie.''

Monkey Business

It was fantastic to finally see Tim Roth on your cover, but please use a regular photo next time! That dirty-ape face is ruining all my fantasies! JENNIFER WASSERMAN New York City

You finally put the most talented actor of the last decade -- Tim Roth -- on your cover. A cover all to himself. A cover with Julia Roberts nowhere in sight. I can't tell you how excited I was...until I searched and couldn't find an article on him, much less a picture sans monkey makeup. I am crushed! JEANNI CRUSE Cyrokk@cs.com Ocala, Fla.

In ''How They Did That'' you ask, ''How did they get that dog to nose Billy Crystal's crotch?'' What I really want to know is, how do you get a dog not to nose your crotch? KIMBERLY DIEHL diehl101@chapman.edu Tujunga, Calif.

Spider Song

In ''Trailer Mix,'' (News & Notes) you said, ''The brief Spidey shots are tantalizing, but not the generic guitar-squawk background music....'' Generic squawk?! ''Leave You Far Behind'' by Lunatic Calm is a great song. Maybe your writers should talk to your music reviewers to get the scoop! BILL CHRISTOPHER bjciii@excite.com Wilmington, Del.

Good Will Clicking

I appreciated seeing an article about LivePlanet in EW (Biz). Their Project Greenlight has given thousands of us with no agent and no contacts a place to gather, and offer guidance and support to one another. They believe in our dreams. Look out, Hollywood, we're getting smarter every day. JAINE FOSTER-VALDEZ JFVPHD@aol.com Tucson, Ariz.

So Affleck and Damon have risked their ''reputations and cash on a bootstrap operation?'' My definition of bootstrapping is starting a business and not knowing when or if you'll get paid because the money is keeping the company afloat. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Ben and Matt can forgo a check or two from LivePlanet while they eke out a living from their multimillion-dollar picture deals. LORRI L. WHITE Wookiee31@aol.com Durham, N.C.

A Hairy Situation

Did you see a different Planet of the Apes than I did (Movies)? I saw one full of overacting chimps and stale humans, whose twists and turns I had figured out before Mark Wahlberg left the space station. It deserved at least a C-. The Planet of the Apes you saw seems pretty good compared with the drivel I sat through. CHELSEA SAMUEL Decatur, Ala.