Helen Scheller, Benalla

Feelings overstated?

I get the feeling if Bruce McAvaney tells me how I feel one more time I will swear allegiance to Brian Taylor (a tall order but any port in a storm). "You get the feeling this, you get the feeling that" etc, etc. And is it just possible for Bruce to say something without placing a question mark on the end of it? I get the feeling it's about time for Bruce to hang up the mic. But he's been special. Hasn't he?

David Price, Camberwell

Not fooled by 'affable dad act'

Ellen Fanning brilliantly wrangled a stunning post-election panel on The Drum: Layne Beachley, Graeme Innes, Magda Szubanski, Jamila Rizvi and Stan Grant. Magda’s comment that she wasn’t taken in by Scott Morrison’s affable dad act during the last gasp of the Liberal campaign was the highlight of the night for me. She framed ScoMo’s actions as: “…such a performance of authenticity…”.
Jane Wilson, Kingston

Mastermind misstep

Last Friday, during the Mastermind weekly final, Sally was asked a
question regarding The Black Death (Plague). She replied, "Yersinia
pestis", the name of the causative organism. However, this was deemed
incorrect, in favour of the common name. Had she been awarded the point,
Sally would have won the round, with no tie-breaker needed. Instead,
she received no point for her correct answer, and was excluded from the
round.

Clare Gleeson, Prahran

Dr Karl's family sadness revealed

I always enjoy Ben Pobjie's Q & A and the latest one with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki was no exception. How sad for him to learn so much he didn't know about his parents past and that his mother suffering from PTSD was never able to seek counselling.

Sue Munday, Bentleigh East

Accurate language important

Your article on the series Gentleman Jack (GG,16/5) contains an important factual error. The wording on the plaque that was referred to in the article was changed this year from the original term "gender non-conforming" to "lesbian". This was the result of a massive campaign by lesbians and feminists, for whom accurate language is still very important.

Kathy Chambers, Northcote

(ED: At the time the story was written, the plaque had not been amended.)

Plaudits for Hawke tribute

Hearty congratulations to the ABC for their in-depth, insightful and fond tribute to Bob Hawke, produced and put to air that very night. At 10.30pm we saw such a breadth of wonderful reminiscences, anecdotes, memories and reflections; so very fitting for such a great Australian. RIP Bob.

Deb Hunt, Moonah

Pondering royal connections

Nigel Beresford’s very perceptive claim that, like Jennifer Byrne, we could all trace our DNA to Royal ancestry (Letters, 16/5) has energised us to contemplate which of the British Royals we would prefer to have as a forebear.

Christine Barnes, Glen Iris

Marngrook Footy Show ignored

The Footy Show's demise is largely self-inflicted, but the Marngrook Footy Show on NITV at 7.30pm on Thursdays is a much superior alternative. It is intelligent and politely humorous, and boasts two very good female panellists. Sadly, it seems to be ignored in the current discussion.

Rob Mathew, Yarraville

All about Basil

Don’t worry about the footy - when Basil Zempilas is commentating it’s always all about Basil. He took over the Sydney/Essendon match with his never-ending directive to pronounce Orazio Fantasia’s name "Fantassear", rather than the more melodic "Fantasia", and no matter how exciting the actual footy was, Basil droned on and on and on until everyone fell into line. Once he’d accomplished that, it was back to his dreaded side stories that always take over when he’s commentating: “He kicks it to Jake Stringer, whose mother’s sister is rumoured to be buying a new dog this week!” Incidentally, Orazio Fantasia himself finally told the media that he too calls himself Fantasia - case closed.
Billy Miller, Yarraville