Votes for ‘Homicide’

Are the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voters blind or just plain stupid? (“What the Doctors Ordered,” Calendar, July 21). Why not nominate “Homicide: Life on the Street” for best drama? It is by far one of the smartest dramas on television, and if you need any proof of this, the season finale that guest-starred Bruno Kirby was television at its absolute best.

Granted it looks different (grainy, bleak settings) and the camera angles can make you dizzy, but these are not reasons to be snubbed. I am tired of the droll, predictable, fit-the-mold dramas that consistently get nominated year after year, as if there is some tired club of voters unwilling to nominate shows that remotely resemble cutting-edge entertainment. “Homicide,” with its excellent cast and intelligent dialogue, deserves a lot more consideration.

B. MARTIN

Los Angeles

Who cares if Roseanne got dissed (again)? The real slap in the face went to two of the best shows on last season: “Under Suspicion” and “Homicide.”

I know lack of ratings means a TV show is no good, apparently just as much as longevity with Nielsen approval (“Home Improvement,” “Grace Under Fire”) means it’s no good. It’s just very off that two shows that were honored by the Museum of Television and Radio for excellence by inclusion in this spring’s lecture series were completely ignored by working members of the television industry, ever braying about improving adult fare but, indeed, finding themselves right in line with advertisers (Philistines).

I guess that “ER” and “NYPD Blue” siphoned off all the people that want hourlong quality dramas and there’s no need to give hope and encouragement to any others. Just ask the folks at “My So-Called Life” and “Northern Exposure.”

LISA FANCHER

Sun Valley