A funny problem

REGARDING the article about “30 Rock” [“Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” by Martin Miller, April 4], the “problem” with TV comedy today is that industry people who use sentences like “The problem with TV comedy today ... “ think that they know what words should follow those. They don’t. No one does. But as long as writers, producers and executives keep trying to convince themselves that niche shows like “30 Rock” can become the “Friends” of tomorrow, we’ll all keep scratching our heads.

“30 Rock,” like other single-camera comedies before it, from “Arrested Development” to “The Office” to even “My Name Is Earl,” is an art-house release in a multiplex world. It’ll make some money and win some praise, but it’ll never be the break-out smash that NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly is looking for when he compares it to long-running multi-camera comedies like “Cheers,” “Seinfeld” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

What those shows had that “30 Rock” doesn’t is broad-appeal stories, relatable characters and arenas, conventional formats and a studio audience with which home audiences could join in the fun (and, yes, good time slots).

JIM MCKAIRNES

Manhattan Beach