Joss Whedon

To the Editor: Re “Don’t Touch That Dial” by Bill Carter [Oct. 29]:

Television critics and viewers alike can continue to argue the merits (or lack thereof) of the movement toward season-long story arcs for as long as the trend continues. To claim that “it all started six years ago with ‘24’ ” however, is an unfortunate case of popular culture revisionist history. Joss Whedon was carefully creating season-long storylines for WB’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” And before that the writer-producer J. Michael Straczynski broke new ground in television by creating what was essentially the medium’s first multiyear arc in “Babylon 5.” Talk about a commitment!

Garett Auriemma - Chicago