Wapner Judged a Winner

In regards to the Dec. 13 Morning Report item “Walking in Wapner’s Shoes,” I was saddened to read of the questionable decision to replace Judge Wapner from “The People’s Court” with former New York Mayor Ed Koch.

In this day of crass commercialization of our everyday lives by television--from oversimplified sound bites of the morning news to unashamed self-promotion of our late-night talk shows--it was refreshing to see a professional figure who represented the regular citizen. Although we were not witness to actual trials, we were compelled to feel that we were in the presence of something real and untainted by show business. And much of that is due to Wapner. His no-nonsense air of authority, his lack of pretense have been a breath of fresh air in what could be an otherwise stale and lifeless environment. He alone has given “People’s Court” the energy and integrity that it will now lose with Koch.

If the producers of “People’s Court” feel the need for revision, perhaps they should consult with the true judges of daytime television, the viewers. They might realize that they are making a terrible decision.

JERRI LEVI

Burbank