I wish I could blow up Ms. Avni's article and put it next to every movie poster, every magazine cover, every billboard covered with his face. We need a guerrilla campaign exposing this Big Lie, or whatever to call the campaign to convince Americans that Ben Affleck is a leading man. He has as much appeal as any of the guys on my old high school swim team -- and I'm not talking about the hot ones. That's what drives me crazy about Affleck. I went to an average suburban school, and I can remember at least 10 guys there that were hotter, or more charismatic than he is -- yet this guy is supposed to carry a movie? He is somehow supposed to compare to movie stars of old, or even George Clooney of today? Like comparing a Little Leaguer to the Marlboro Man.

Thanks for letting me rant. I'm sure Ben is a great guy. But People did him a real disservice with the oversell.

-- Eleanor Stacy Aab

THANK YOU THANK YOU! He is so not sexy. I've never thought so and I can't understand what this obsession with him is. It's like raving about saltines. They can be good, but there's nothing special about them. THANKS!

-- Andrea Starrett

Ben Affleck as the Sexiest Man Alive made me wet -- and not for the appropriate reason. Indeed, I was wet because I pissed my pants at Sheerly Avni's astute rant against the chipper boy next door. I'll have you know, during "Pearl Harbor," he generated more heat with Josh Hartnett than with Kate Beckinsale -- enough so that finally, in a jammed theater, I had to shout, "Kiss him!" whenever those two brooded in the same frame. Thanks for picking up on it, too, Sheerly.

-- Jen Cowan

Right on, Sheerly Avni! Ben is OK, but that's it. He's as bland as vanilla pudding. Thanks for including Russell Crowe in your own list of just a few obvious better choices. MY vote now and always HAS been for Russell. Yes, he certainly can Behave Badly now and then (!), but that has nothing to do with Russell's phenomenal appeal and truly ANIMAL magnetism. (That uptight 21-year-old in the Japanese restaurant has a lot to learn.) Russell's looks, voice, towering talent and high intelligence certainly add to the whole package, too. And maybe the fact that he's very much his own man and there's no one else like him? Yes! Russell rules!!

-- Pat Kingston

That's weak. Really weak. C'mon, the guy has only made the big time because of Kevin Smith and "Chasing Amy." Granted, he may not be Brando or Pacino (in terms of acting), but the guy has it together. Perhaps he's not the sexiest guy alive, but he certainly doesn't deserve the relentless dogging you gave him. Lighten up, for Christ's sake.

-- Clay

Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe is the sexiest man in the world!

-- J. Rossi

In "Ben Affleck sexy?" Sheerly Avni informs us that "If Ben Affleck is sexy, then the terrorists have won." That's the best line I've seen in print anywhere this year. God bless Sheerly Avni, God bless America, and to hell with Ben Affleck.

-- Bose Fugland

I was with you the whole way through until I read "If Ben Affleck is sexy, then the terrorists have won." If Sheerly Avni is too lazy or poor a writer to come up with a sharp ending without beating the old 9/11 drum you should can her. This is the kind of crap that makes it hard to take Salon.com seriously, or even enjoy what I read on the site.

-- Matt Wirz

I have to agree with Sheerly Avni that Ben Affleck is not my idea of sexy (and by the way, when he visited our town, the local folks were not impressed with his behavior), but I'm really writing to object to the pejorative remarks made about "small teeth." As the proud owner of small teeth, I say: Who wants to go around with big old horse teeth?

-- A. A. Lloyd

I feel the exact same way. Vin, Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell, Benicio, Denzel -- these are sexy men. Affleck is a whitebread sandwich without meat or mayo. He's just tired, and as quiet as it's kept, J.Lo's just as flavorless. Thanks for the article. It sums up exactly what my friends and I have said.

-- Mia L.

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