Several astute readers have called in recent days to inquire about the Erie Times-News editorial page. Mostly, they ask: "What's different? Something's changed, but I can't quite put my finger on it." One reader did observe that we've been using different editorial cartoonists in recent days, which is true.

"Is it because the other ones have been ripping President Bush too often, and now you're caving in to the right?" No, the left is just as put out with us as the right, so that's not the issue.

Simply, we've added a splash of color to the editorial page. The columns now feature color photos of the various writers. Also Doonesbury and Mallard Fillmore are now in color. And, finally, some of our editorial cartoons are featured in color.

Unfortunately, not all of the regular cartoonists that readers have grown used to seeing in recent years are producing their work in color yet. Their syndicates promise that color cartoons will begin arriving any day now. Meanwhile, we're using some that are in color --kind of to see if readers notice. Some have. Some say they don't like the new cartoonists -- color or not. Some say they're glad that Bush is getting a break. Some say they like the color a lot.

Black and white vs. color is an interesting debate. I'm old enough to have grown up on all black and white TV. I loved some of those old shows, which still remain black and white in my memory -- "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Twilight Zone," "The Andy Griffith Show." They'll always be black and white to me, even if they were in color for two-thirds of the rest of America.

Permit me to ramble for a minute. Like many shows, "Andy Griffith" did move to color at one point, but that was at precisely the same time that Don Knotts, who played Deputy Barney Fife, left the show. All the "color" episodes that followed are vastly inferior to the original black and white ones. Barney vs. Howard Sprague? Give me a break, please!

My point about black and white vs. color is that, while many people say they actually prefer black and white, or that it makes no difference to them, once they have an option for color, they get used to it, and pretty soon it has to be color. I'll never forget the day my grandmother bought a color TV, and we went over to check it out. "Bonanza," which was still in black and white at our house, could now be seen in glorious color. And that show was really beauitful in color. As I say, "Bonanza" never seemed quite the same after that in plain old black and white.

We're thinking that readers might feel the same way after a while about the new "color" editorial page. The content remains the same -- all your favorite columnists, or at least the ones you love, or the ones you love to hate, will still be there. Eventually, so, too, will the cartoons.

So, what do you think? Do you like it A) better, B) worse, or C)I hadn't really noticed. What time is "Andy Griffith" on?

I'd be interested to hear your opinion. It's the editorial page, after all, and everyone's supposed to have an opinion.

-- Kevin Cuneo