Confirmed: Isherwood gone from NYT
Confirmed: Isherwood gone from NYT
#1Confirmed: Isherwood gone from NYT
Posted: 2/6/17 at 12:41pm
A poster on All That Chat is reporting (as-yet-unconfirmed) that Charles Isherwood is no longer with the New York Times. The initial post was made at 10:30pm last night and has not been removed, which leads me to believe there might be some credence to it.
One would assume that if this news is true, it might signal a reduction in theater coverage. Or perhaps the Times is moving to a structure with a sole full-time critic and a stable of pay-per-article stringers (as has been the case with their classical music coverage for years).
A search of the NYT archives shows that Isherwood last filed an article on January 30.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2363742
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Updated On: 2/7/17 at 12:41 PM
smidge
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
#2Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 12:44pm
Also mentioned in this thread
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1098969&dt=3
#3Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:00pm
Aw man, bummer news if true. Not because I am particularly enamored with Isherwood's criticism, but because it would likely indicate the elimination of the position of the second critic, and that's bad news for everyone. (Fingers crossed that perhaps they're hiring someone new, but I am not at all optimistic.)
#4Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:03pm
If it's true, I highly doubt they would hire a new full-time critic (which would mean paying a full salary plus benefits, etc). More likely that they will rely more heavily on freelance critics who are paid per-piece. This has been the case for the Times' classical music coverage for the last couple of years.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#5Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:04pm
I agree with the poster above. I hope they keep the position, but I'd be happy to hear that Isherwood is gone.
#6Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:06pm
I hope they hire Michael Feingold from the Village Voice.
#7Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:10pm
I'd be very happy if a) Ish and his wacko writing and opinions were gone from all news organs, and b) if the Times did decide to invest less in theatre reviews. People fawn on those subjective bits of poorly-written, ill-informed opinion too much as is.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#8Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:29pm
In my opinion, he's an awful writer (plot summaries are not reviews) but I hope they don't eliminate that position. Not to mention his taste issues even...
"Fired" is different than "laid off", though.
#9Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:37pm
"Fired" is different than "laid off", though.
Or bought out.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#10Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:42pm
AC126748 said: ""Fired" is different than "laid off", though.
Or bought out.
"
What purpose would the NYT have to buy out one of their writers in the middle of one of the busiest Broadway seasons in years who has been writing for them for so long...?
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#11Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:44pm
Not to keep bashing Isherwood, but I would be elated if this news turns out to be true. I groan each time I click a new show's review and see Isherwood's name in the byline. Brantley is a far superior critic.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#12Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:48pm
GreasedLightning said: "AC126748 said: ""Fired" is different than "laid off", though.
Or bought out."
What purpose would the NYT have to buy out one of their writers in the middle of one of the busiest Broadway seasons in years who has been writing for them for so long...? "
http://deadline.com/2016/11/new-york-times-wall-street-journal-entertainment-coverage-staff-as-print-ads-vanish-1201850080/
#13Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 1:49pm
GreasedLightning said: "AC126748 said: ""Fired" is different than "laid off", though.
Or bought out.
"
What purpose would the NYT have to buy out one of their writers in the middle of one of the busiest Broadway seasons in years who has been writing for them for so long...?
"
Not meaning this in any sort of sarcastic or condescending way, but do you know anything about current trends in the newspaper business? I'm a full-time journalist--this is my industry--and I've seen this kind of thing happen more times than I can count. Buyouts are exceedingly common, happen at all calendar points, and more often than not effect long-term employees. Arts coverage is also usually one of the first targets for cutbacks because it's viewed as less essential. There are *many* examples of exactly this kind of situation. Stringers are cheaper than full-time staff.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Updated On: 2/6/17 at 01:49 PM
#14Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 2:05pm
*goes into prayer mode for Elisabeth Vincentelli to get the job*
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#15Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 2:12pm
Honestly, I hope the Times gets somebody new and really, really good. The New York theatre criticism scene could use a fresh face.
#16Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 2:17pm
In light of the article neon linked to, do you people really think this is a move to bring in another full-time critic, rather than a downsize?
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#17Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 2:32pm
If the numbers in that article are true, a 19% drop in ad revenue, on top of the slow decline in Times ad sales and subscription/readership over the past decade would lead me to believe they plan to scale back on all arts coverage and writers.
I don't think it's a bad thing; it may encourage people to do their own research and form their own opinions.
Ha! I thought I could type that with a straight face, and I just could not.
Harriet Craig
Stand-by Joined: 7/15/15
#18Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 2:56pm
On a related note, the Times's coverage of classical music has gotten skimpier and skimpier in recent years, and now seems to be pretty much confined to Saturdays. I can't tell you how many classical music performances I have gone to in recent years (many of them in fairly major venues) that never got a review in the Times.
Back in December, when the Times launched the new design of its Friday and Saturday arts sections, with much (undeserved) fanfare, and invited reader comments, I sent them an email in which I complained about several things, including the fact that more and more space in the arts sections seems to be devoted to photos, and less and less to print (which I understand makes sense from the point of view of an economically strapped newspaper, but which still runs the risk of making the Times look like a graphic novel).
I received a reply that was full of corporate-speak and in no way responded to my specific complaints, but which did contain this interesting statement: "delivering stories and reviews with the visual emphasis they deserve enhances engagement and tells readers that what they are reading matters." So there you have it: the Times has so little faith in its readers' judgment, they think we can't tell if a story is important unless it's accompanied by a big photograph.
#19Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:03pm
I think people already do their own research, and that's the source of the problem, The internet has geometrically increased the amount of information and opinion one can get about any given show, and the Times has no way to compete. Money today is made in execution, not in content. The Times is carrying around a pair of white elephants. It has a shrinking print edition the remaining demographic for which is frightening as a business source, and a clumsy digital edition (also weak demographically) with an absurd paywall that has literally driven away more traffic than most websites could only dream of attracting in the first place.
The cost of maintaining an Isherwood made sense when the paper attracted robust advertising. Most of what's left is paid for in the name of nostalgia. Look at it this way: what's the biggest theatrical juggernaut of this decade? what is its estimated outlay to the Times? I'll give you a hint: it's less than Isherwood's salary.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#20Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:09pm
Not to mention Isherwood openly disdains said musical juggernaut.
#21Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:13pm
I vote for the New York Times to hire Whizzer!
#22Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:14pm
"I think people already do their own research, and that's the source of the problem"
I'm sure you're right, but I don't consider it a problem. I was never even particularly wild about Frank Rich's opinions, although his writing was a least respectable. Since Brantley took over, I've found the Times theatre coverage to be a series of poorly written, dilettante-ish maunderings.
Those reviews do sometimes help a show's marketing team, but I can't say much more than that in their favor. And, of course, actors, writers, directors, designers all like to see their names in print.
#23Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:49pm
"Honestly, I hope the Times gets somebody new and really, really good. The New York theatre criticism scene could use a fresh face."
This, this, this times a thousand. And perhaps--gasp--even a female critic? There is so much discussion around the lack of female playwrights/book writers/composers/directors, but that goes hand in hand with the lack of female critics. If female stories and POVs were demanded from reviewers, it would increase the likelihood of them actually making their way to the stage. Not to mention I am just beyond bored with the white male purview of Brantley and Isherwood and how it informs their dramatic opinions.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#24Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 3:56pm
Right, but they're not going to hire a new critic, if he even is gone.
#25Unconfirmed ATC rumor: Isherwood gone from NYT?
Posted: 2/6/17 at 4:07pm
You'd be more likely to see stringers covering higher-profile productions and/or reviews that cover multiple shows (which several publications do already- i.e. New York Magazine) than someone being promoted up to Isherwood's position. The trend has been downsizing, not sideways moves.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
