An heir to Steve Allen

I read most reviews with a detached bemusement, but I must say you got my attention with The Times’ assessment of Craig Ferguson [“It’s Even Later Than ‘Late Late’ Thinks,” Feb. 18]. It really wasn’t a review at all, was it? More like a verbal smackdown. And may I say, unwarranted. Ferguson has one of the most inventive, humorous and delightful chat shows on the air. His relaxed and charming personality alone makes him worth watching. How tired I am of these late-night geeks, with their smug and snarky demeanors.

The Ferguson effort, by contrast, reminds me of an earlier TV age, when wit and conversation were mixed happily with silly comedy bits. Yes, Steve Allen comes to mind. I would say Craig Ferguson has made the most of his brief tenure as a late-night talk host. What he didn’t deserve was the careless summation provided by your television correspondent.

SEAN BRESNAHAN

Hollywood