John Clarke's Sporting Nation was worth the wait: articulate, informative, irreverent, clever and entertaining. Why can't all television be of this standard?

Jo Ault-Connell, Seaford

The Essie and the agony

GREAT call on Essie Davis in your ''50 things we love about TV'', but you must love SBS for Le Tour coverage in HD? If I could suggest something to add to the hate: Brian ''BT'' Taylor's commentary of football - too much shouting and the cross-promotion of shows.

Geoff Burston, Tullamarine

More than 50

I ENJOYED reading ''50 things we love about TV'' and agree with a lot of your comments. I watch only the ABC and SBS so I can only agree on your selection of these programs, especially Mad Men. I was so pleased you included River Cottage - it is a little gem, but I cannot believe you did not include Q&A and Silk, now in its second series.

Judy Wines, Malvern East

Why doesn't Anarchy reign?

I CAN'T believe Sons of Anarchy was not in your ''50 things we love about TV'' - it has tension, twists and a good musical score that adds to the atmosphere. Also the fact it has brought bikie culture and politics to us in a powerful and human way. Totally agree with Mad Men,Revenge and Lady Mary from Downton Abbey, but Once upon a Time would be better without the ads.

Frank Sorbello,

Pascoe Vale

Very nice series

GO, MYF! We loved the first episode of Nice and smiled all the way through. Can't wait for the rest of the series. Myf and Mabo are the two best shows on ABC this year.

Rowena Sheehan,

Howrah

Aunts from aren'ts

LEAH Vandenberg charming? I found her prickly and the least engaging of the Agony Aunts. Judith Lucy was the standout for me, with Julia Zemiro a close second.

Michael Whelan, Kilsyth

Cooks in clicks' clothing

PHOTO Finish - MasterChef with a UV filter.

Gary Sayer, Warrnambool

New lows with Lara

IS THE title Being Lara Bingle, or ''Boring Lara Bingle''? Watching paint dry and grass grow are two endeavours that come to mind. For those of you interested in watching the next instalment, perhaps you should also consider a lobotomy.

Yasmin Nakic, Preston

A Donovan whitewash

JASON Donovan's ancestors seem good and worthy. Who Do You Think You Are? showed a version of history John Howard would approve of - I guess it was made for a British audience. Australia was ''sparsely populated'' by Aborigines - a pretty inadequate description of the way Aboriginal people inhabited the land - and no other mention made. Was there no Aboriginal presence during the making of that first road through the Blue Mountains?

Josie Smyth, Strangways

No Jackie justice

NURSE Jackie just gets better and better. Although season four ends soon, season five will be here next year. Why is this series hidden away at 11.30pm when it is attracting large audiences overseas?

Kay Koetsier, Seddon

Radio heroes

DURING my recent stay in hospital and then rehab, ABC Classic FM and 3MBS FM protected me from the boredom of daytime TV and saved my sanity. Thank you.

Lee Palmer, Albert Park

Marngrook makes it better

I WAS impressed by The Marngrook Footy Show (ABC2) and its engaging panel of experts. A bit of blokey humour, sure, but not too bogan-esque or mean-spirited. It makes that other Thursday-night marathon ad fest look even more unnecessary.

Bruce Watson, Belgrave

Nothing before the game

I AM just so disappointed to hear Before the Game will no longer be on air at 6.30pm on a Saturday. My husband has watched it for many years. Even worse, it's now on at the same time as The Marngrook Footy Show, which we never miss. Please return the show to Saturdays at 6.30pm!

Sue Giesbers, Belmont

Below par for all courses

MASTERCHEF has once again served up the usual fare: excitable contestants, repetitive cooking challenges and a variety of dull comments from the judges. The only missing ingredient this season is an audience.

David Francis, Ocean Grove

Vale National voice

THANK you, Alan Saunders, for enriching our lives through your talks on Radio National, always well-informed, witty and charming - an unforgettable broadcaster. Our sympathy to your family on their sudden, tragic loss.

Ruth Boschen, Balwyn

The Wright stuff

I WANTED to offer my unreserved congratulations to everyone involved in making Utopia Girls and to thank the ABC for presenting this fascinating piece of Australian history, which certainly merits the wider awareness it has now been given. Everything about it was fresh and illuminating: the lucidly told story, the rich photographic and film imagery, the compelling actors, the wonderful soundtrack and the engaging Dr Clare Wright. Women's suffrage has never been better served.

Ruth Leonards, Preston

Voting for (wardrobe) change

ENJOYED watching Utopia Girls: How Women Won the Vote. Equally fascinating was the number of times Dr Clare Wright changed her outfit throughout the program. Very distracting!

Garry Meller, Bentleigh

Know your rights

WHAT an eye-opener Clare Wright's Utopia Girls must have been to our young people, particularly females, who take the requirement to vote as just another chore. Tough, uncompromising women prepared to fight, write, organise and, in some instances, die for their right to vote. A gift to future generations not always appreciated.

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston

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