Missing the Boat

The Los Angeles Times is really missing a great opportunity, for even though it does have such great columnists as Jim Sanderson and Jack Smith, it is totally overlooking the potential of another absolutely great comic writer in its very own midst, Martin Bernheimer, by relegating him to the Calendar section as the Times music critic.

This latent potential comic genius is clearly evident in his most comical rendition to date: the critique of the San Diego Opera’s “Il Barbiere de Seville” (“A Slapstick ‘Barbiere’ by S.D. Opera,” Feb. 23).

He demonstrated an uncanny ability to see something no one else in the audience was able to see and convert it into one of the most comical write-ups I have ever seen in your newspaper.

Please, Mr. Editor, discover this great latent comic talent and promote him to the comics section where he truly belongs, alongside The Far Side, Herman and The Wizard of Id.

I urge immediate action before the National Lampoon discovers him and hires him away.

ANDREW J. CHITIEA

Rancho Santa Fe