TV’s History of Hoaxers

Why the sudden fuss over two actors faking sex problems on talk shows (“And Now a Word From Your Favorite Hoaxer,” by Howard Rosenberg, Sept. 7)?

For years Donahue, Oprah, Geraldo, Larry King, Sonya Friedman, Michael Jackson, et al., have been bringing us UFO abductees, psychics, astrologers, past-life regressors, spirit mediums, phony nutritionists with phony degrees peddling dangerous dingbat diets and purveyors of laetrile, healing crystals and other cruel quackery.

Responsible skeptics and expert critics are rarely allowed on these shows, which have become propaganda forums for health hoaxes and occult ripoffs.

Irresponsible and unfair talk show hosts and producers lost their credibility long ago. Their complaining about the actors’ hoax is ludicrous hypocrisy.

KURT BUTLER

Haleiwa, Hawaii