‘Ally McBeal’ Is a Wash

Howard Rosenberg’s unequivocal rave for the new season’s “Ally McBeal” encouraged my husband and me to give it another try (“Flirting With Genius,” Oct. 25).

Pul . . . lease. After the car wash scene, which I grant was great (no trip to the car wash will ever be the same!), the program went downhill, in our estimation, into sillyland, where we left it last season.

If this is “brilliant” comedy, I’ll turn in my “Northern Exposure” button and go to bed early. Give the intelligent television viewing public (yes, Virginia, there is such a thing to be found) a break. David E. Kelley’s “The Practice” is splendid; stick to drama, Dave, though “Chicago Hope” makes me doubtful there too.

PEGGY AYLSWORTH

Santa Monica

After reading Rosenberg’s glowing critique on the first “Ally McBeal” show, and then watching it, I’m starting to think that perhaps “Green Acres” was a masterpiece after all. (Arnold the pig was a lot funnier and believable character than anybody on this show.)

The prominent and knowledgeable critics of my era usually saved words like “brilliant,” “witty,” “tender” and “hilarious” for TV shows like “MASH,” “All in the Family” and a few other rare instances of great writing, producing, acting and social statement. Now you have to watch reruns on Nick at Nite to see “greatness” and “genius.”

BARRY TROP

Lomita