I believe that movie criticism is not an elitist ability that only scholars can claim. There should be no need for movie history in determining a movie's worth. That is like saying that relatively this movie is awful, but if these others had not come along, it would be great. - Michael Walsh, Alpharetta, Ga.

I stopped listening to critics because too frequently they are criticizing the actor, not the film. For instance, "The Hammer" is one of the best movies I've ever seen, but many critics said the movie was awful because they seemed to dislike Adam Carolla. The opposite can be said of a Will Farrell [sic] movie (no offense to Will, but they're not all Old School). - Tim, Seattle, Wa.

I lost my attraction to movie critics, when it seems there was a glut. Online, magazines, local papers, everywhere you looked. And most of these were no better than my own opinion...which I trust much more than theirs anyway. - Chet, Avondale, Ariz.

We sensed Adam Carolla might eventually symbolize the tipping point in the enduring battle between critics and the hoi polloi — but in only his first starring role? The culture is indeed accelerating faster than we can keep up. In any case, our ambulance is gassed up for our next foray to the front lines, which should be ... this afternoon? Next hour? We hope not, but when even Chet from Avondale has lost his attraction, we know the clock is ticking.

• Readers say, No need for movie critics [MSNBC]

While we have no idea whether or not Will Smith is a Scientologist (we have our theories, though), we do know that the prospect of the American public beginning to think that The Fresh Prince might be a Scientologist is enough to make the suits at Sony get nervous. After all, they are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into producing, releasing and marketing their big tentpole film for the summer, Hancock; the last thing they want or need are Anonymous protesters picketing the cineplexes over the July 4th weekend when the movie is released. With that in mind, we would just like to reiterate again that the story we ran yesterday was both fair and accurate, and that we will not be pulling it down.

PREVIOUSLY: Exclusive: Sony Execs Tried To Pressure MSNBC Into Killing Will Smith Scientology Story

the show that never was

msnbc
one hour
live
following keith olbermann

we were close to a deal almost done i let it slip in miami causing panic on the studio end

well
what can u do

2day there is no deal
poof
my career as a pundit is over
b4 it began

just as well
i figure
everything happens for a reason
bashert - as we say

and on we go

"Bashert," of course, refers not to the Yiddish term meaning "it was meant to be," but rather to O'Donnell's mangling of British expat telejournalist Martin Bashir, whose surname she inexplicably evokes in times of great career disappointment. We have no doubt some other network will scoop up O'Donnell during these times of great need for unscripted schedule-fillers, however, finally allaying the deep sadness that comes with having so much nightmare to give, but no staff of producers and assistants to give it to.

• the show that never was [Rosie.com]

Under one scenario, Ms. O'Donnell would be given the 9 p.m. slot each weeknight on MSNBC, where she would go head-to-head with two heavyweights of cable talk: "Larry King Live" on CNN and "Hannity & Colmes" on Fox News.

Ms. O'Donnell alluded somewhat cryptically to a possible new job in a speech she gave at a book-signing on Sunday night in Miami, according to a report that appeared on a website, lyingonthebeach.com. A podcast on that site described Ms. O'Donnell as saying that she would soon begin competing against "the guy with the suspenders and the long, long face," an obvious reference to Mr. King.

The one sticking point to what could become a welcome addition to the talk show circuit remains O'Donnell's insistence that she appear behind the desk exclusively in the Queen Elizabeth I drag she recently donned on a Halloween visit to The Martha Stewart Show--her reasoning being that on Straight Shooters with Queen O'Donnell, the constipated, foghorn-like tones of her regal alter-ego would be the only sound capable of cutting through the cacophony of conservative voices currently clogging the political-spin airwaves.

• Rosie O'Donnell in Talks to Join MSNBC [nytimes.com]