I am an avid watcher of Kitchen Cabinet and Annabel Crabb's innate ability to use food to draw out often fascinating insights and personal histories from a wide spectrum of political personalities. But I must confess to being just a little unsettled, that, out of the hours of raw footage shot between her and Jacqui Lambie, the ABC considered it appropriate for viewers to witness her referring to conservative Senator Cory Bernadi as an "a---hole", and "born with a silver spoon up [his] rear-end". Could we possibly imagine the producers at the national broadcaster believing social standards had not been breached, if they put to air a male crossbencher referring to a female MP with a similar derogatory comment? Federal governance is, of course, an often adversarial contest of ideas, but surely what has been created as a relatively innocuous lifestyle television program, should be able to rise above the level of bad-taste political polemics.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn

Killer resurrection

When the former Crawford Productions produced the Homicide television series, it was the first real Australian TV drama and it was a great success and it lasted for 13 seasons. Why not produce a new Homicide? Like the original , a new Homicide could be produced in Melbourne, feature a great cast of local actors, and could become just as popular as the original and enjoy high ratings in Australia and abroad. The original Homicide series is iconic to Australian television and it would be great if there could be a new series of this show produced.

Malcolm Webster, Boronia

No debate

The worst political debate I have ever seen was between the Greens' Richard Di Natale, National's Barnaby Joyce and Labor's Joel Fitzgibbon on ABC News 24 last week (May 25). Joyce and Fitsgibbon simply talked over each other, arguing and putting each other down. No one answered any of the audience's questions. Chris Uhlmann as host let the entire process turn into a debacle. Chris Ullman (as a coal and fracking enthusiast) squirmed at the audience's renewable energy questions. Di Natale made sense and kept his decorum. If nothing else was achieved, it turned me towards the Greens.

Don Brooke, Mount Eliza

Fair cop, guv

Early episodes of The Bill on the ABC peaked my interest in other early police shows like The Sweeney. I have a trivia question as a result: How many times in his acting career would Dennis Waterman said "guv" or "governor "? 300 times, 3000 or 30,000?

Des Files, Brunswick

Sheahan's big score

Congratulations to Michael Sheahan on his captivating Open Mike program on Foxtel Sport. This is one program which I hate to miss, a rare program which to my mind fulfils TV's potential which is so often wasted on so many mindless attempts at reality TV. The interview with former St Kilda coach Ken Sheldon was brilliant in revealing a behind-the-scenes side of football life which we rarely get to know about. Well done, keep up the great work, Mike.

Peter Cowden, Clifton Springs

A different tack

Why is it that even the most experienced television journalists allow politicians to ignore their specific questions and continue to steadfastly expound on their own agendas? Perhaps the journalists should take a lesson from Judge Judy. No ducking and weaving there!

Peter De Silva, Essendon

No longer with Magic 1278: John Blackman.

Blackman's shock exit

The only reason I listened to Magic 1278 each day was because of John Blackman in the mornings. His quick wit, sense of fun and silliness is what I want when I am up and getting ready for a long day at work. But no more! Since hearing via Facebook that John was sacked straight after his program on Friday (May 27) – with no chance to say goodbye to us, his loyal listeners – Magic will no longer be on in our house. Hope to hear you somewhere soon John. Pathetic effort Magic.

Sharyn MacKechnie, Mount Waverley

Potty mouth

On SBS World News on May 28, there was a discussion about which "bathroom" transgender students should use. For Pete's sake, they are "toilets" not "bathrooms". Enough of these Americanisms. .

Ron Hayton, Beaumaris

Mobile-phone hang-ups

Re: "Turn off your phone", Green Guide (May 26). People using mobile phones at the cinema are not the only problem. Recently I have been to hear the St Matthew Passion at the Recital Centre, the Bach Suites at the Hamer Hall and to see La Boheme at the State Theatre and each of these performances have been spoiled by people using their mobile phones. I hesitate now to go to any live performances.

Kate Hill, Yarraville

Offside offence

What a shameful exhibition of on air bullying shown by Craig Hutchison towards Caroline Wilson on Footy Classified (May 30, Nine). While Caro may not be everyone's cup of tea she doesn't deserve to be the receipient of Hutchison's boorish tirade. Get a grip Craig. Would you have berated Kevin Sheedy or any other bloke the way you treated Caro? Well done Caroline, you stood your ground against this man in short pants.

Chris Morgan, Northcote

Lies, damn lies

I enjoyed Would I Lie to You (UKTV) the first time I watched it. It was still amusing the second time. Less so the third time. When I started telling the stories along with the panel members, I took the hint and switched channels. Did the BBC really make so few shows of this program that they have to be repeated so frequently?

Ken Dunstan, Lockington

Inmates deep in prayer on ABC show Compass: Prison Chaplains. Photo: ABC

Inspiring work

The three-part special Compass: Prison Chaplains (ABC) was excellent. For the prisoners to have non-judgmental and caring people to just listen and provide emotional and spiritual support if required is wonderful. I was ignorant of prison life and was surprised to see the correctional centres as cramped with definitely no hints of luxury. Part three was especially inspiring to see the prisoners released and helped by a program run by a chaplain and volunteers who provide accommodation for a month and help them adjust to life outside with their basic needs.

Susan Munday, Bentleigh East

Lacking zen

The Dalai Lama is famously one of the most serene and benevolent individuals on earth, but I have no doubt even he would be reduced to a rabid, frothing lunatic after being exposed to three minutes of Brian Taylor's awful, awful, awful football commentary. Keep up the dreadful work, Brian!

Rick Gunn, Footscray

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