I've shared my disdain for television bloggers in the past, but I thought I'd take a moment to explain in more detail the reason for my frustration.
To come clean, I didn't read any episodic reviews all season. Then FX sent me a few links about episode 410. I read them. I got seduced by the praise and began reading more. My personality is not inclined toward moderation, so I fucking binged. Soon I was overwhelmed and reminded of why I stopped reading them in first place. Hence, this blog post is more to remind me of why I need to detach.
As we know, most TV reviewers get paid or are sustained by the number of hits their site receives. It's all about numbers. Quantity, not quality. So they review hundreds of episodes of television a week. Literally. They are forced to power through these hours and give quick, reactive reviews that vary from godlike praise to utter disdain. Most are uneven, unthoughtful and completely miss the point. Even smart people like Mo Ryan are cranking out quick, mediocre reviews that are way beneath what she is capable of as a journalist. That's why I read Poniewozik and Goodman. If they don't have time for a thoughtful review, they pass. Now I realize the conditions of their jobs give them that luxury, but I guess that's my point. The conditions are cunty.
But the fault isn't with the reviewer, it's with the process. More, more, more, faster, faster, faster. Online journalism demands instant, catchy coverage. There is no time for in-depth, thought-provoking process. It's all flash, snark and a catchy headline. Alan Sepinwall and his uber-hokey, "A review of tonight's episode coming up as soon as I (insert contrived episodic joke at the expense of someone's performance)..." is testament to the fact that it's no longer about the art of critique, it's about being clever and memorable. It's incredibly frustrating for the artists who do put the thought, time and care into their work to be judged by such an inept process.
And I use this opportunity, when a majority of SOA reviews are good, to make the point -- so I don't look like a douchebag writer scorned. It's a fucked up process. The relationship between artist and critic is ancient. They need each other. But it only works if both parties are committed to the integrity of their jobs. If not, it's just a bullshit cuntfest.
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1 comments:
Its crazy that someone like alan sepinwall is someone that you would choose to bury.
His early reviews are what lead me to both The Shield and Sons of Anarchy. He has well reasoned critiques (that you many not agree with) but that doesn't make his opinion any less valid.
While he may have a joke at the beginning of the review it seems to be a holdover from the old blog where he needed an extra few lines to fill the area on the site before the jump so no spoilers leak through to the front page.
Also, while I agree with much of what you write regarding TV critics and the more, more, faster, faster policy I feel that Alan is an exception to that.
I don't think you can show me any critic that reviews "hundreds of episodes of television a week. Literally."
I mean there is only 168 hours in the week and they have to sleep sometime.
If you have an issue with something Alan said you are better off pointing it out than cursing his name in a general way and looking like the man tilting at windmills.
Ben
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