LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE : CBS' DOCTORING OF SCHEDULE LESS THAN `MAGNIFICENT'?

I am a fan of the CBS show ``Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'' and am concerned about the fact that it is to be temporarily replaced with a new western entitled ``The Magnificent Seven.'' What concerns me the most is that this new show, which is rated TV14SV and features men jumping in and out of bed with prostitutes, will be on at 8 o'clock Saturday night, a time when many families sit down to watch television together. Leslie Moonves, president of CBS, boasted at the beginning of this year's fall season that CBS would be the one network that would offer ``family-friendly'' programming every night of the week between the hours of 8 and 9 p.m. However, the decision to bump a quality family drama like ``Dr. Quinn'' for an adult-oriented show such as ``The Magnificent Seven'' is a direct defiance of this promise. I don't know if Mr. Moonves forgot his promise to his viewers or if he deliberately lied to us, but I have no intention of watching anything CBS has to offer, including the Olympics, until Mr. Moonves gets his priorities straight and realizes that the ``family values'' that CBS boasts of include telling people the truth.

- Jennifer Mayo

North Carolina 

Barry's reference falls on unappreciative ears

I produce fashion for television, print and retail. I'm often asked to speak to women about a variety of subjects, including large-size fashion. Nordstrom and ``Good Morning America'' have invited me to speak on the subject. Dave Barry's reference to larger women in ``Nothing Sheepish ...'' (L.A. Life, Dec. 12) was very rude and not particularly funny. Sixty-two percent of American women wear a size 12 or larger, and there are more size 18s than size 8s. The baby boomers are having their children and entering menopause in ``large numbers,'' two lifestyle changes that often lead to some weight gain. Mr. Barry should consider who's reading the newspaper before he takes another poke at large women.

Linda Arroz

Studio City

`Valley Stories' supplies welcome dose of nostalgia

I'm a sucker for nostalgia so I thoroughly enjoyed the stories (L.A. Life, Dec. 31) titled ``Valley Stories.'' A couple of the stories brought tears to my eyes for the beautiful times that have gone forever for these Valley residents. I'm not even American; I'm British, but their stories were enchanting. Why don't you do this more often, it was so refreshing. Do a series on this - I know thousands of present-day Valley residents will love you for it.

- Norma Novelli

Van Nuys

Reviewer right on money about `As Good As It Gets'

Bob Strauss' review of ``As Good As It Gets,'' (L.A. Life, Jan. 2) starring Jack Nicholson, was excellent. I must admit, I saw the picture and was shocked. It bothered me after I came out of the theater. It was, as Strauss put it, ``a rare example of truth in advertising.'' I despised, hated and abhorred Nicholson's character. I really felt uneasy about having seen it and immediately spread the word that it was a racist, intolerant picture.

It bothered me so that I tried to understand the guy because I love Jack Nicholson. I was tempted to see it again, the next day. I listened more carefully, I studied the characters and got very involved over this ``person.''

Now I fully understand why some people, when they have to appear nude in a picture, explain their decison to do so, as an integral part of the story. Metaphorically speaking, Jack stood nude as this despicable character: He was rude, crude and unattractive, shocking to the viewer - so shocking that we gasped at his nastiness - yet we laughed at this pathetic man of a miserable and unconscionable existence. Now after seeing it for the second time - it was as Bob Strauss put it well, ``thoroughly contrived and abjectly hilarious - feeling forgiving of its prickly protagonist.''

- Betty Barrett

North Hollywood