Morning Shows

To the Editors:

The so-called family atmosphere of TV's morning shows [Dec. 1] seems to be right out of Dallas, with staff members throwing darts at a picture of Rona Barrett, describing Jane Pauley's work as erratic and Tom Brokaw as frosty, and delighting when Muhammad Ali calls Hartman "the Great White Dope."

J. Fred Muggs would appreciate that there is still plenty of monkey business on the sets in the morning.

Richard J. Williams San Diego

How dare someone say that the darling of Good Morning America, Joan Lunden, is an "empty head." It takes brains to get along and have patience with people. What an insult to one of the nicest females on TV.

Rosalie Fredericks Spring Hill, Fla.

I disagree with your assessment of the Today staff. Jane Pauley is an excellent news reader and an adept interviewer who asks questions I like answered. Tom Brokaw is far from frosty. He's competent and likable.

Eleanor Bukowsky New York City

Willard Scott is the saving grace of Today? His effect is more like pouring corn syrup over a previously digestible bacon-and-eggs breakfast. The freshest moment I've heard on the show occurred when Mariette Hartley told Willard to go and eat his flower.

Martha Bedlington Lawrence, Kans.

Rona Barrett, who is about to join the Today team, gives the news. Get over the idea that anything coming out of Hollywood is gossip, while anything out of Washington is hard news.

Ann Honkomp Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Those Wayward Polls

I am surprised you devoted so much space to the anguish of the inept fraternity of pollsters [Dec. 11. When will these snoopers wise up to the fact that it is nobody's business how a person intends to vote? Many of us delight in never giving a pollster a straight answer.

Hank Maxwell Claremont, Calif.

So the pollsters are still making excuses. The answer to the Reagan landslide is simple: this was the first time lifelong Democrats could bring themselves to vote for a Republican. Undecided? They were just ashamed to admit it.

Wallace D. Miller Chestertown, Md.

A Question of Style

Already we are being told about the "style" of the new First Family. Hugh Sidey informs us that "class" will return to the White House [Dec. 11. Spare us from four years of bombardment concerning the "elegance" of Nancy Reagan. Most of us cannot identify with it.

Charlotte Swatek Greendale, Wis.

My husband considers many things I do costly and silly. Mrs. Reagan is not the First Lady yet, but she is already riding in a presidential jet to Monsieur Marc's in New York City to get her hair done. Well, there is one good thing about it: Mrs. Reagan will help take the heat off me here at home for four years.

Carol S. Dillard Tyler, Texas

The Hottest Goddess

Mae West [Dec. 1] was a very talented, funny, sexy lady. I am sure she is now the hottest goddess in heaven.

Cyril Kolocotronis Fort Steilacoom, Wash.

With Mae West, coquettish dissemblance was out; womanly seductiveness was in. Her wisdom to us was that sex is both fun and funny. Her gift to us was the goodness of honesty.

Virginia Haradon San Antonio

Cornell's Patron

I was pleased that the Museum of Modern Art has finally given Joseph Cornell [Dec. 1] recognition. Surely a little credit should be given to my late mother, Peggy Guggenheim, who first encouraged Cornell and bought his works, and in 1942 gave him a one-man show in her Manhattan gallery. Several Cornells are in her collection in Venice.

Sinbad Vail Boulogne, France

Hemingway's Best

Thanks for the People item on my book The White Tower [Dec. 1], but it is not true that I recognized myself as Ernest Hemingway's elusive fish in The Old Man and the Sea. I was only the girl he promised to write his best book for, and he did.

Adriana Ivancich Venice

Dentist's Disgust

Your article "Drilling for New Business" [Dec. 1] has left a bad taste in my mouth. When I received my D.D.S. degree, I was proud to become a member of a respected profession. It seems that now clowns are getting into the act wearing funny costumes, calling themselves "plaque invaders." Can anyone imagine a physician jumping around his office dressed like a little green man from Mars with a sign on his outfit saying "Body Repairman"? Disgusting.

William Carl Buffalo

Mustang Mania

Your story on classic Ford Mustangs [Dec. 1] just legitimized my husband's affair with his mistress: a 1966 Mustang convertible with a sleek yellow body. He will never come in out of the garage now.

Ann Hellman Glen Ellyn, III.

More Nominations

For your Man of the Year for 1980, I nominate the eight who died trying to rescue our hostages in Iran. Their deaths should be laid at the door of your 1979 choice, Ayatullah Khomeini.

Michael J. Wood Grand Ledge, Mich.

I nominate the boat people of both hemispheres, and all those who have worked to aid them.

Dan G. Kent Plainview, Texas

Voyager 1, for reminding us of how insignificant this planet earth truly is in the wonderful vastness of the universe.

Robert L. Riley Kings Park, N. Y.

The U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Mrs. Edward J. Polidan Grand Blanc, Mich.

J.R. Ewing of TV's Dallas. He has made us hate him so much we love him.

Jerry O'Grady Albuquerque

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