Letters to the editor

Criticism of HBO misdirected

Sorry, but I think the column (“HBO’s barrage of
marketing adds up to brainwashing,” Sept. 21) was
misdirected. Surely you can find a better example of network
self-promotion than HBO, a premium cable network that relies on
subscribers.

Instead of selling ad space to make money, HBO sells their own
programming, which makes them motivated to advertise their own
shows, which every TV channel does, and likewise, you aren’t
going to see a commercial for HBO on NBC. All TV stations are
self-promotional.

In fact, the Daily Bruin is, too. The dB Magazine begins with
Sommer Mathis’ editor’s note (which I like a lot) and
an ad which toots The Bruin’s horn (one of the best places to
study journalism?).

On the other hand, HBO also represents really good programming.
The funniest show on television: “Curb Your
Enthusiasm.” Some of the best dramas on television:
“The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under.” The
best chick show: “Sex in the City” (okay, that’s
not a legitimate category). “Real Women Have Curves,”
an excellent film adapted from the play of a Latina playwright by a
Latina director who happens to have graduated from UCLA. It’s
almost like going to the Louvre and trying to talk about the
extreme hype conferred on the “Mona Lisa.” Granted, HBO
isn’t making high art, but as far as television goes, it is.

If your piece was somehow uber-ironic, I apologize. Carnivale
and K Street may be horrible, but if you’re going to take HBO
apart, focus on the parts of it that actually deserve
criticism.

To end on a positive note, I really liked the comment about the
wide-screen usage. Very ironic, funny and true.

Howard Ho UCLA alumnus and former Daily Bruin Senior
Staff