LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE\Two down, one to go in talk wars.

The recent demise of the talk shows "The Charles Perez Show" and "Gabrielle" is a welcome relief. Both so-called talk-show hosts should be glad they are no longer contributing to the culture of mediocrity, which has led us down the road away from wit and grace to the dead end of an anti-intellectual wasteland. Trash talk, indeed.

Now it's time to tune out the King of Mediocrity himself, Howard Stern.

- Donald Sommerfield

Chatsworth

Brandy, please watch messages you convey

Thank you for your (Dec. 31) article on Brandy, the latest teen-age singing sensation in the pop world of music.

I first heard Brandy perform as a guest on one of the morning news shows. My interest was piqued when it was not only announced, but emphasized, that she was only 16 years old, with a top recording, etc., etc. I am well aware of the emotion involved with music, but I did not like what I saw or heard, mostly because it was coming from a 16-year-old. In my opinion, sensual movement and "want you baby" references are not things a 16-year-old should be singing about.

I believe if she were older, or if such a big deal hadn't been made about her age, this type of emotion would probably not even be given a second thought. As a mother and youth leader, I determined at that moment that Brandy's music would be monitored in my home, if played at all, at this point in her career.

I would like to encourage Brandy to use this platform as a role model for our youth wisely. Don't close your eyes to those you have known to take a different road through teen pregnancy, drugs, alternate lifestyles, etc. Think about the words you sing and the moves you make at age 17 and give our kids reason to stop and listen to the music.

- Konnie Johnson

Acton

Toss out the ratings, keep the good shows

Phil Rosenthal writes in his (Jan. 11) column that the sitcom "The Single Guy" is not funny, but added that the show is among the Nielsen rating's top 10.

I am in agreement with Rosenthal, although I have never watched "Single Guy." I have watched others that were in the top 10 and have found them not funny, as well.

I am against the ratings system and think it's unfair. I think they should overhaul the ratings because a lot of great programs are being wrongly canceled.

- Granada Lietz

Mission Hills

Low-cost alternative to dental mouthpiece 

Regarding your Jan. 8 health story on stress and teeth grinding: Recently, my dentist told me that I ground my teeth when I was asleep. He told me I needed to purchase a mouthpiece from him that would cost around $200 that insurance would not pay.

After a lot of thinking of how I could get one cheaper, it dawned on me. I was watching a football game on television and saw the answer. They had a mouthpiece in all of their mouths (boxers wear them also). That week, I went in the local sport shop and to my amazement, not only did they have them in stock, they cost 97 cents.

After you take it home, you do have to prepare it first to conform to your exact mouth. About five minutes' work in all. All the instructions are clearly written on the back of the package.

I took the mouthpiece to my dentist to ask him if he could find fault with it. After a long pause, he finally raised his lower lip and said it was fine.

The only problem you have is what to do with the $199 you saved. - Bernard Falkin

Reseda

Your writer put words in mouth of dental story

The press's unrelenting effort to influence the political direction of this country was demonstrated once again by your staff writer Diana E. Lundin, in her (Jan. 8) health article.

In her fourth paragraph, she writes "In a stress-filled world of traffic jams, job insecurity, random violence, credit card debt and Newt Gingrich, it isn't any wonder that more and more Americans are transferring their pressures into their enamel."

From a medical perspective, the article was very informative and well-written. But your writer's (and therefore your paper's) underlying political agenda emerged through her reference to Gingrich as a cause of stress among Americans.

Of course, she's probably gnashing her own teeth over the outcome of the November 1994 elections and the subsequent resignations, indictments, retirements and party switches of liberals who survived that election. If she really had to throw stones politically in her medical article, then she should have at least given the liberals equal time by including "Hillary's Socialized Health Care Plan" as a cause of stress for Americans.

But, seriously, wouldn't it have been more editorially honest to forget trying to influence political thought through health article and just stick to the subject? - Robert Sutton 

Santa Clarita 

I've got you, 'Babe,' and it makes me smile

You made my day Thank you for putting "Babe" on the (Jan. 9) front page of L.A. Life.

It's nice to be greeted by lovable images instead of politicians.

- Herta Leeds

Sherman Oaks

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Are Brandy's messages too sexy for a teen role model?