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Royal Pain

When I received this issue (#397, Sept. 19) I thought, Another ''loving tribute to a Princess'' article capitalizing on a recent tragedy. Thank you so much for saying everything I've been thinking for the past few weeks, yet could not put into words for fear of sounding insensitive. It made me sick to watch all the bandwagoning. I mean, please, Fran Drescher's pain? It makes you wonder if there wasn't a collective groan among TV execs when the news came through early that Sunday morning ... a groan that she should've died during November sweeps!
RONNIE LATHROP
St. Joseph, Mo.

I found the article about Princess Diana's death, the media coverage, and the mourning that followed it brilliant, incisive, and compelling. Mark Harris put everything into perspective. His ''memo to the entire entertainment community ... Princess Diana's death ... was not about you'' is the kind of honest journalism that has been so lacking in every article, newscast, or reporting elsewhere. Harris managed to deflate the pomposity surrounding Diana's death without diminishing the sorrow that is rightly felt because of it.
JENNIFER HALLMARK
Barrigada, Guam

After reading Mark Harris' biting commentary on the weaknesses of television, I can only say that I agree with him on all points. However, may I point out that you, EW, are no different? You sport a loud Di cover accentuated by Harris' angry words (''Television is relentless ... ''), a five-page story by Mr. Harris, and at the end of it all, a note: ''For related stories, see pages 30, 89, and 95.'' Isn't it time you admit that ''them'' is ''us''? I wager that the only thing fueling Harris' fire is the knowledge that your lead times keep you hopelessly behind the ''dirty'' medium of TV, otherwise you would be right up there with them. I love EW, but let's drop the pretense that it is purer than the driven snow.
JAMES MCQUIVEY
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Syracuse University
Syracuse, N.Y.

Now, 'Voyager'

I read Dan Snierson's article ''Lust in Space'' with considerable amusement. Star Trek: Voyager continues to lose its viewership for the very simple reason that too many of its scripts have been trite, unimaginative, or just plain bad. Until this remarkable knack for uninspired writing is addressed, the show will continue to lose viewers, and deservedly so. Although I resent the baldly manipulative attempt to lead new male viewers to Voyager firmly by their erections, courtesy of the sexy Seven of Nine character, I have been extremely impressed with Jeri Ryan's performance thus far. Her character has been written with a degree of intelligence that is surprising, considering the talentless hacks who infest the Voyager writing staff.
THOMAS BRUSH
Long Beach, Calif.

CORRECTIONS: The illustrations for Caroline in the City are designed by Bonnie Timmons and animated by The Ink Tank studio (Books). The man pictured rowing a boat filled with flowers to Princess Diana's island grave should have been identified as a groundskeeper on the estate of Charles, Earl Spencer (''While the World Watched''). Due to an error by SoundScan, the Oct. 4 debut of Brooks & Dunn's Greatest Hits Collection failed to be listed as No. 7 in our top 10 pop albums chart. Jars of Clay's Much Afraid was No. 8, Jewel's Pieces of You No. 9, and Trisha Yearwood's (songbook) a collection of hits was No. 10 (Music, #399).