It's a tricky balance, isn't it? We do want to steer our readers toward TV that's worth their time, so in that sense we are boosters of the shows we like; and I know that matters (and should!) to the people who make those shows. But I got an email today from the Amazon publicity department thanking critics who wrote positively about "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" for being good "partners," and even though I really liked that show, I do not like being called a partner. Their job is to make good stuff, my job is to recognize that it's good, and that should be the end of it, in terms of any relationship. It's the same reason I won't submit any reviews to Rotten Tomatoes, even if the review is positive and a publicist asks nicely. If RT wants to find my review and include it in their ratings, fine. If this helps the movie or TV show I reviewed, fine. But I'm not paid by Rotten Tomatoes and I'm not paid by the movie/TV production company, so to do that work on either's behalf feels unprofessional to me. It marks me as a fan, not a journalist. Those lines can get blurry sometimes but I still think they're necessary.
Oh I really loved Not Dead Yet's first season and the first ep of season 2 was not one of their best but I still enjoy the vibe and the characters (plus I've missed Brad Garrett since Single Parents)
It's a tricky balance, isn't it? We do want to steer our readers toward TV that's worth their time, so in that sense we are boosters of the shows we like; and I know that matters (and should!) to the people who make those shows. But I got an email today from the Amazon publicity department thanking critics who wrote positively about "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" for being good "partners," and even though I really liked that show, I do not like being called a partner. Their job is to make good stuff, my job is to recognize that it's good, and that should be the end of it, in terms of any relationship. It's the same reason I won't submit any reviews to Rotten Tomatoes, even if the review is positive and a publicist asks nicely. If RT wants to find my review and include it in their ratings, fine. If this helps the movie or TV show I reviewed, fine. But I'm not paid by Rotten Tomatoes and I'm not paid by the movie/TV production company, so to do that work on either's behalf feels unprofessional to me. It marks me as a fan, not a journalist. Those lines can get blurry sometimes but I still think they're necessary.
Oh I really loved Not Dead Yet's first season and the first ep of season 2 was not one of their best but I still enjoy the vibe and the characters (plus I've missed Brad Garrett since Single Parents)