I am 17 years old, and I saw The Thomas Crown Affair twice in a week this summer because of Rene Russo. As long as Hollywood gives me women instead of little girls, I'll stay happy. Hubba hubba.
Dino Zucconi, Novato, Calif.
As a devout Christian, I am offended by Rene Russo's comment about her brand of Christianity, which condones nudity in films. Rene, I find no quote in scripture that says, "Don't be nude in a motion picture," but I think you overlooked Proverbs 11:22, which says, "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."
Robin McGoveran, Antioch, Calif.
It is too bad Rene Russo compares her nude scenes in The Thomas Crown Affair to the nudity in paintings in the Vatican. Nudity that glorifies God is very different from nudity that glorifies extramarital sex.
Theresa Harbon, Bethlehem, Pa.
As a woman who has seen 40 come and go, I read your article with great interest. When I got to Melanie Griffith I laughed out loud, her candor was so refreshing. At no point in my life have I had what Melanie has to work with, but it still sucks to see it all head south, and I can't imagine the process being any less painful for an actress who makes her living on her looks. Tell Melanie not to worry about hers, because she's still got 'em.
K.J. Lawrence, via e-mail
Fabulous in their 40s? Absolutely. Every one of them. However, you somehow missed the best of the best—my wife! After 40-some years of living in the real world, including putting up with me, raising three children, working full-time and fighting an ongoing battle with incurable cancer and its attendant issues—chemotherapy and constant bone pain—she's still the hottest, sexiest and most beautiful person I've ever known. Yes, Pierce and Mel get to work opposite some beautiful women, but when I wake up each morning and count my blessings, I don't envy those guys at all.
John Baker, San Diego
Thanks to you, instead of dreading the big 4-0, I'm now thinking, "Wow, this is what I have to look forward to!"
Mary Anne Christiano, Little Ferry, N.J.
My 19-year-old son (picking up PEOPLE): "Oh, man, Rene Russo is 45? How can that be? She's beautiful! I didn't know she was that old."
Mom: "Well, son, I'm 47. She's only two years younger than me." Son: "Oh, ah, well, um...you're beautiful too, Mom."
Nancy Spickler, Belton, Mo.
I too am in my 40s, but I don't have money for fitness trainers, personal chefs, makeup artists, expensive hairstylists or designer clothing. It makes a difference.
Jo Ecker, Hanover, Pa.
Middle age never looked so good. I would have given anything to have looked as fabulous in my 20s as these women do in their 40s.
Wendy Harmon, Charlotte, N.C.
Jim & Brian Kautz
I read the story of Jim Kautz and his son Brian with tears in my eyes. To think that 70 men and women would voluntarily shave off their hair to show support for a coworker's child is amazing.
That these people are the law enforcers and firefighters of Colorado—the toughest of the tough—is just awesome!
Jessica Skelton, Shawnee, Kans.
Men of The Sopranos
With the first season behind us and no new episodes in sight until January, your timing couldn't be better. Thank you for featuring the most talented male ensemble cast in television since Hill Street Blues. Oh, and one more thing. I'll go out on a two-inch limb and predict James Gandolfini makes the Top 5 in your next Sexiest Man Alive issue. He's making women all over the country sweat like a Ball Park frank!
Sue Rudner, Schaumburg, Ill.
For those of us mourning the loss of The Larry Sanders Show, The Sopranos filled the void. But what were you thinking when you profiled the men when the women swept the Emmy nominations? Thanks to The Sopranos' writers for giving Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco and Nancy Marchand such quality material.
Jan Percival Lipscomb, San Diego
Cindy Bullens
I also lost a 19-year-old daughter this past June to a malignant brain tumor. I was so touched reading about how Cindy Bullens was able to take the most profound grief anyone can experience and turn it into something beautiful in her music in honor of her Jessie. It gives me hope that life will have meaning again.
Penny Gipson, Valley Center, Calif.
The Lost Girls
The parents of the four young women in Kingwood, Texas, who are charged with armed robbery are just as much at fault as their daughters. To allow them to sleep until 2 or 3 p.m. and then hit the streets at 7 or 8 p.m. and not come home until morning is ludicrous. Also, allowing a 16-year-old to drive around in a '99 Firebird is a disgraceful show of negligence. Wake up, parents! Take control of these kids!
Rose Pollot, Covington, Ga.
When I hear these parents making excuses for their daughters' actions, what I really hear is them making excuses for themselves. It's no surprise: Parents who don't take responsibility have children who don't take responsibility.
Tanya Ochoa, San Francisco
Picks & Pans
Your review of Eddie Fisher's book Been There, Done That sent this reader scurrying to Barnes & Noble to see how, at eight months pregnant and accompanied by my husband and a gaggle of friends, I managed a sexcapade with Mr. Fisher. We were a wild bunch, but this naughty tryst would have been tricky even by our standards. Either reviewer Victoria Balfour misread that paragraph (yes, gardenias will be fine) or Eddie's 37 years of amphetamine addiction has taken its toll. I was unable to locate a copy, but if, as you say, a relationship between us springs from the page, perhaps he should consider a more appropriate title: In My Dreams. Michelle Phillips, Los Angeles
Star Tracks
I was appalled at the picture showing Prince William, Prince Harry and the Queen Mother on their way to a service for Princess Diana without seat belts! Just having heard that Princess Diana would have survived had she been wearing one made my blood run cold at the risk her sons and family were taking.
Lynda L. German, Paris, Ont.
Dr. Marty Goldstein
Though members of the Pet Food Institute recognize there are different opinions on the care and feeding of pets, we wholeheartedly disagree with Dr. Marty Goldstein's comments that "packaged pet foods" are not appropriate. Pet food manufactured in the U.S. has a long history of nutritional research and safe use. Most consumers do not have the time or resources to prepare foods that meet the complex nutritional requirements of their pets. Pets that are fed commercial foods are today living longer and healthier lives than ever before. The sound nutrition provided by pet food is a key reason.
Duane Ekedahl, executive director Pet Food Institute, Washington, D.C.
I hope, with the new millennium, we will have hundreds more like Dr. Goldstein, who has the awareness and guts to fight the system of a brainwashed world that thinks chemicals and commercial foods are the answer to our pets' wellness. Animals, as well as people, need to be treated with good, clean nourishment from nature.
Ruth Marzulli, New York City
Happy
You write about Peter Holden visiting McDonald's all over the country and title it "Burger King." Am I the only one who sees the humor in this?
Darlene Steely, Norman, Okla.
No.—ED.
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!
