Watching Watchers

People in the media are in the business of selling illusion; but, increasingly, they are beginning to believe the illusions themselves.

Such was the case when Daniel Cerone asked television critics “What America Watches--and Why” (Aug. 6). To believe that TV critics are authorities on what motivates viewers to watch one program over another is to put up mirrors and smoke screens. What is more interesting is how such critics themselves influence what America watches. Indeed, TV critics create self-fulfilling prophecies by telling the public what they are going to like or dislike and why.

CAROLE LIEBERMAN, MD

Malibu