Letters: Feb. 2, 1998

THAT'S ALL, FOLKS

"The Seinfeld show is not about 'nothing'; it is about manners and the breach of social contracts. Jerry Seinfeld is the Moliere of our time." DAVID EVENSON Springfield, La.

I respect and understand Jerry Seinfeld's decision to make this his show's last season [TELEVISION, Jan. 12]. An ardent fan, I find myself disappointed that there won't be any future episodes in which I could see Jerry in a puffy shirt and discover whom Elaine finds sponge-worthy. But Seinfeld will go out with dignity. Yada, yada, yada. NANCY HAMILL Alberton, P.E.I.

I almost feel as if there has been a death in my family. I do have a life, but I want Jerry in it for half an hour a week. CELESTE PIERCE Newport Beach, Calif.

There have been too many incredibly exaggerated media lamentations over Seinfeld's departure. This isn't the death of a President, just the self-elected termination of a program by a comedian with passing humor and little in the way of acting ability. The world will little note nor long remember... RON RIBBLE San Antonio, Texas

The Seinfeld show has succeeded in spite of Jerry, George and Elaine. Its popularity is due primarily, if not exclusively, to the unique character of Kramer. Without the original and inimitable personality of Michael Richards in this role, Seinfeld would not have survived its first season. If NBC is smart, it will replace Seinfeld with the Kramer show and let this refreshing talent continue to entertain TV audiences. WILLIAM C. ELLIS Groveland, Calif.

As Seinfeld's show gained popularity among the staff at the public school where I teach, the day after Seinfeld became a time for everyone to laugh together at lunch about the antics of the prior evening's episode. So many people are Seinfeld fans that phrases such as "master of my domain" or "it's in the vault" bring immediate recognition and response even among strangers. Seinfeld has given us nine years of original, intelligent comedy and four unforgettable characters without a trace of American-sitcom sugarcoating. Seinfeld has made us closer as a nation by giving us something we can all laugh about. LISA M. PALUMBO Northampton, Mass.

Enough with the pop-culture thing! The media have outdone themselves with overkill of the Seinfeld-decision-to-quit "news" story. What is happening to journalistic standards? THOMAS BEYER Holland, Mich.

ANOTHER KENNEDY DEATH

Michael Kennedy was an expert skier, and his death was not the result of reckless behavior [NATION, Jan. 12]. I was one of several fathers participating in the ski football game the day of the accident. I would certainly not have played with my 11-year-old son if there had been any evident danger. None of us were told not to play by any official of the Aspen Skiing Co. Ski-patrol members invariably skied behind us to complete their afternoon sweep, and ski-lift personnel routinely ferried our ski poles to the bottom of the mountain. Michael was the best all-terrain skier I have ever seen. He was skiing at a moderate speed on a well-lit and well-groomed intermediate slope, playing a game with his children, something many of us have done without incident for nearly 20 years. Like all sports, including ski racing and ski jumping, ski football has an inherent risk, but Michael's death was far from reckless; it was a tragic accident. BLAKE FLEETWOOD New York City