For a great story about a bad review, I recommend the book Laugh Lines by Alan Zweibel and his recounting of what happened when he ran into Roger Ebert, who panned (to say the least) Zweibel's movie North.
“No Turn Unstoned is a collection of ‘the worst theatrical reviews in history’ compiled by the actress Diana Rigg. The first edition, published by Elm Tree Books in 1982, followed by a paperback edition in 1991. Rigg wrote to her many friends and acquaintances in the theatre and film industries and asked them to share their worst-ever reviews. She also researched theatre criticism and surviving comments from as far back as Ancient Greece. During the early 1990s, Rigg toured university campuses, reading excerpts from the book. All of the proceeds from the speaking tour, and the book itself, were donated to a theatrical charity.”
I was just going to mention Rigg's book, which I have. Rigg notes in the introduction that while almost all her British contacts responded with their worst pans, the Americans were almost universally silent. Except one. Katharine Hepburn. Who responded with Dorothy Parker's famous scathing dismissal of her work: "Come to the Booth theater and see Katharine Hepburn run the gamut of emotions from A to B." Class is not taking your work too seriously. Class is also having your worst review written by one of history's most famous wits.
Honestly, I'm envious. I wish someone would go through the trouble to write a pompous, scathing, lengthy review of anything I've done. It would show me that at least someone cares.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but something that bugs me about many reviews, especially today, is how hyperbolic they are - good or bad. If something's good, it's "literally the best thing ever" or "literally the worst thing ever". Tony Frankel's review of your play is a prime example of this approach. I mean, that guy needs a chill pill!
I'm happy to read positive or negative reviews that I may or may not agree with, as long as they're written with some objectivity and nuance. But most nowadays are over-emotional "I'm right, everybody else is wrong" hit pieces. There's just no middle ground anymore.
7 comments :
For a great story about a bad review, I recommend the book Laugh Lines by Alan Zweibel and his recounting of what happened when he ran into Roger Ebert, who panned (to say the least) Zweibel's movie North.
Reading these aloud must save you a fortune in therapy. These probably stung in the moment.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Turn_Unstoned
“No Turn Unstoned is a collection of ‘the worst theatrical reviews in history’ compiled by the actress Diana Rigg. The first edition, published by Elm Tree Books in 1982, followed by a paperback edition in 1991.
Rigg wrote to her many friends and acquaintances in the theatre and film industries and asked them to share their worst-ever reviews. She also researched theatre criticism and surviving comments from as far back as Ancient Greece. During the early 1990s, Rigg toured university campuses, reading excerpts from the book. All of the proceeds from the speaking tour, and the book itself, were donated to a theatrical charity.”
I was just going to mention Rigg's book, which I have. Rigg notes in the introduction that while almost all her British contacts responded with their worst pans, the Americans were almost universally silent. Except one. Katharine Hepburn. Who responded with Dorothy Parker's famous scathing dismissal of her work: "Come to the Booth theater and see Katharine Hepburn run the gamut of emotions from A to B." Class is not taking your work too seriously. Class is also having your worst review written by one of history's most famous wits.
wg
Honestly, I'm envious. I wish someone would go through the trouble to write a pompous, scathing, lengthy review of anything I've done. It would show me that at least someone cares.
What a fun Pod episode, "listen and you will feel better about yourself" that is, unless you are a critic.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but something that bugs me about many reviews, especially today, is how hyperbolic they are - good or bad. If something's good, it's "literally the best thing ever" or "literally the worst thing ever". Tony Frankel's review of your play is a prime example of this approach. I mean, that guy needs a chill pill!
I'm happy to read positive or negative reviews that I may or may not agree with, as long as they're written with some objectivity and nuance. But most nowadays are over-emotional "I'm right, everybody else is wrong" hit pieces. There's just no middle ground anymore.
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