Your Readers' Poll reflects something I already knew from working in a video store. I do my own informal polls of customers, and no movie star elicits such an overwhelmingly warm response as Mel Gibson. The big draw: his genuine humility. It is something most other movie stars lack and cannot fake.
Denise Gary, Carrollton, Texas
I'm glad to see Mel Gibson is still lethal. I fell for him back at Gallipoli and have stayed a faithful admirer right up to Conspiracy Theory. Lethal Weapon 4 cannot be released fast enough.
Mary Montgomery, Riverview, Fla.
I just walked in the house with my new PEOPLE. My dear old (53) husband picked it up, saw your challenge on the cover to name the Spice Girls and promptly rattled off all the names! Guess I better get a pair of over-the-knee platform boots!
Kate Crosby, San Antonio
So, your readers couldn't name one Spice Girl, but they voted Celine Dion their favorite female singer? Where'd you conduct your poll, a geriatrics ward? As a radio personality, if I have to play "My Heart Will Go On" one more time, I'll throw up.
Holly Cordova, Southold, N.Y.
I really enjoyed your issue on favorites until I got to the favorite group. Alabama won, but no picture? Where's my photo of those good-looking guys?
Kim Riley, Chandler, Ariz.
Does Matt Damon have a girlfriend? How old is he? My name is Jendy and I think he is the cutest guy in the world! A lot of people are crazy about Leo, but I think he is a dog. Plus, he is obsessed with himself, majorly!
Jendy Satterfield, via e-mail
Okay, I realize many people still have their Diana shrines up, and I acknowledge that she was an extremely compassionate person who really boosted morale for a lot of impoverished, handicapped and AIDS-stricken people. But really! At the risk of insulting all those Diana-philes out there, that poll was an insult. To put her above people such as Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. is ridiculous.
M.C. Wen, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
I have been subscribing for years, but you guys are ridiculous with the PEOPLE Poll '98. Why did you call only 1,000 people? Why didn't you print a postcard in the magazine and then you get, let's say, 30,000 answers on who are the favorite performers. Come on, do something better next year.
Anonymous
Yes!!!! Mel Gibson is the winner! But don't you think that face deserves a full page? Yummy!
Bess L. Zaffuto, Long Beach, N.Y.
Sarah Ferguson
When I read about Fergie's latest "good deed" I was absolutely disgusted! The fact that she would defend a deadbeat dad and actually pay off his debt has caused me to lose all respect for her. Men like Ramon Dixon should be punished and held responsible for their actions instead of being praised. What Fergie needs is a reality check—and a financial adviser!
Stephanie Noblitt, Warner Robins, Ga.
Hey Fergie! As a single mother of two children who has received no child support and is owed in excess of $40,000, I think you should grow up! You wouldn't know struggle if it slapped you in the face! To make such a stupid comment about Tru Dixon being "a man who has given so much...and they get him for something like this" is to show how out of touch you really are! Anyone can raise children with the advantages you have. Stay in your mansion with your nannies and hired help and keep your mouth shut.
Name Withheld, Raleigh, N.C.
Ray DeMarini
When my fiancée asked what I wanted for a wedding present, I couldn't say "DeMarini" fast enough! I've been playing softball for 20 years and have never owned a $300 bat. But now every time I come to the plate the outfielders go to the other side of the fence. At 36, after three knee operations, I'm still hitting grand-slam home runs with the DeMarini bat. And as long as Ray keeps making them, I'll keep buying them. Oh, by the way, my wife got an emerald-and-diamond bracelet for her gift. Four times the price of the bat.
C.A. Treftz, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Star Tracks
I have two words for Jada Pinkett Smith—maternity clothes!
Patricia K. Whitmore, St. Louis
Out of the Past
I'm not praising Amy Fisher, but I believe that Joey Buttafuoco should be locked behind bars with her instead of "living in sunshine," where "the people are nice to him." He doesn't deserve to be happy.
Amy DeLuna, San Diego
Scoop
Oh, just great! George Michael takes his arrest for committing a lewd act in public as an opportunity to "out" himself? What respectable gay men didn't need was another incident of bad behavior by one of them to have the world think it a customary life activity.
Curtis Sanchez, Rockville, Md.
Emily Rosa
I have never used or considered touch therapy, but this little girl's mother apparently failed to mention to her one very important factor concerning any kind of medical treatment: the power of the mind. People who believe are the ones who will try touch therapy. Hence, they will benefit. On the other hand, we have all heard stories of people who have been helped with the best modern science but don't survive because they just didn't have the will to live.
Armour Ong, Los Angeles
Secundina Curtinez
I was deeply moved by the article on Ivan Curtinez, the beautiful young man who, even in death, was able to make his mother proud. Through a cornea transplant, Secundina will have a piece of her son forever. Most of us cannot begin to fathom the tremendous pain associated with the loss of a child. God has not only blessed Secundina with her eyesight but also with wonderful family to surround and comfort her.
LeeAnn Davisson, Ledyard, Conn.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
