The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Collins Mix

2.3.04 @ 12:01AM

USA, USA
Re: Patrick Hynes's Murder Most Modern:

I know it has been buried for the most part on USA network, but how on earth can the author and editors of "Murder Most Modern" not know about the Emmy award-winning Monk?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Monk is the obsessive-compulsive detective that portrays the best of this genre in an updated format. It is very true to its characters and their development and some might say that Mr. Monk could give the "bumbling genius" a run for his money.

If you haven't seen Monk, please do yourself a favor and watch on USA Friday at 10 p.m.

BTW I am not a USA network shill, but I love Monk and Tony Shaloub. Actually most of the rest of USAN's programming stinks.
-- Rex Tarpey
Apex, North Carolina

Unfortunately Mr. Hynes forgot one of the best modern mystery shows around -- Monk -- where the show is truly all about Monk, his idiosyncrasies and his foibles. There still is some glimmer of hope for the old mysteries.

And while I adore Jessica, Perry, Matlock, Lord Peter, and all the others, I have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Hynes's dislike of our modern mystery shows. While it's all about the science, how on earth can you NOT say that CSI is all about Gil Grissom, or that L&O: Criminal Intent is all about Vincent D'Onofrio's character? There's still a glimmer of hope for you yet, Mr. Hynes. You just have to get through all of the medical and scientific jargon.
-- Sarah R. Palmer
California

SUPER BOWL X-RATED
Re: Reid Collins's Toiletbowl XXXVIII:

Thanks to Mr. Collins for providing a summary of what we viewers from foreign lands obviously missed. H.L. Mencken possibly said it best: "Nobody ever lost money underestimating the taste of the American public."

An American in Vienna,
-- Bill M.

I completely agree with Reid Collins's assessments of the TV fare wrapped around a Super Bowl game. I would further suggest that there was coarseness to the spots, and they weren't funny if you apply any level of sophistication to your judgment. There is only a shock value and comedy that only a prepubescent kid would appreciate. Justin Timberlake can leave any time, as well. His show is way over.
-- John Wilson
Chicago, Illinois

Kudos to Reid Collins. After high school, I entered the Air Force and my service included a tour with the 377th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Vietnam. When I came home I went to college and acquired a BA in Journalism.

Reid Collins was my hero. CBS set the benchmark, and his reports heard over KNX in Los Angeles (the CBS affiliate where I grew up) were pure gold to my young ears.

A service-related disability cut my career short, but what a blessing it is that we can still learn from him at the Spectator.

Yes, that half-time show made many of us feel like we needed a bath, but Reid Collins' wisdom, institutional memory, and pure common sense refreshed us all.

Letter to the Editor

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