HUMOR

As a professional stand-up comedian for 14 years, I cannot believe The Times would put a “dying comic” on the cover. Gargan’s article is a worship service for the Harvard Lampoon and for all print humorists. It’s one big resentful slam at network-TV comedy, cable programming and the aspirations and human hopes of hundreds of dedicated comics whose ultimate joy is to bring laughter and lightness into a world made heavier by typewriter wanna-bes like Edward Gargan.

The real point of Gargan’s article is that it’s too bad more people don’t appreciate written humor. Fine, good point. But don’t go to an off-night at New York’s Catch a Rising Star to denigrate every stand-up comedian who gives his life to making strangers happy.

ARGUS HAMILTON

Beverly Hills