Confirmed: Isherwood gone from NYT — Page 2

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.

LaneBryant said: "It would be lovely to get a critic that was not a white man........

 

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There isn't going to be a new full time critic but yes, let's continue compiling our wish list!

Isherwood and Brantley were always very different in their reviews. Isherwood was much nicer and easier to impress than Brantley. I thought it wasn't fair to the shows that Brantley reviewed because I always thought Isherwood would be much kinder to them. I'd rather have them stick to just one guy.

"Broadway Journal" seems to be just a personal blog by this Boroff guy, but I've heard elsewhere that Isherwood is out. And not laid off.

newintown said: "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."

They should probably bring their online advertising portals into the 21st Century. I can't even describe how difficult it is to manage advertising in the NYT.

>There isn't going to be a new full time critic but yes, let's continue compiling our wish list!<

As per this piece in Deadline, they are advertising for the position of theatre critic. 

http://deadline.com/2017/02/new-york-times-culture-desk-charles-isherwood-leaves-as-layoffs-loom-1201903894/

"Theater Critic Opening

We are seeking a critic with a deep appreciation for plays, musicals and theater history, but it is equally important that this person is able to connect the themes and issues on stage to those of the wider world. The writer must be gifted at assessing performances and stagecraft, but also eager to help readers understand the ideas that drive the work. While a background writing about theater is a plus, it is not a prerequisite…Most important, this critic must be able to convey with wit and emotion what makes plays and musicals important, irreplaceable and often unmissable."


And if they do consider some of their freelancers, there are four women writing for them, any of whom I would love to see take on that role: Elisabeth Vincentelli, Laura Collins-Hughes, Alexis Soloski and Elysa Gardner. 

Updated On: 2/7/17 at 03:58 PM

Without knowing all the facts, many of us -- myself included -- assumed that Isherwood was bought out because the Times was reducing their arts coverage. That would be in line with what has been reported and with other similar situations in the last few years. It turns out that Isherwood was let go due to matters concerning his professional comportment. Neither Isherwood nor the Times has issued a statement, so I assume that Deadline's writing that he was "laid off" is simply lazy and inaccurate reporting based on assumptions.

macnyc said: "I vote for the New York Times to hire Whizzer!

 

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Yassssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss"

Strange timing, especially as shows have seemingly been equally shared out between Ben and Charles, also to let him go on the beginning of a very congested season.

The Arts Editor is no doubt still seething from that Tuck Everlasting review!

Does his posting the review on Facebook have anything to do with this?

Well, is there any chance someone could provide the story? There seem to be people in the know on this thread dropping all kinds of coy hints. :)

Updated On: 2/7/17 at 10:28 PM

Somebody will cover this soon. It would better for them to get out ahead of this but apparently not. They can be real idiots sometimes.

neonlightsxo said: ""Broadway Journal" seems to be just a personal blog by this Boroff guy, but I've heard elsewhere that Isherwood is out. And not laid off."

Just a point of fact about Boroff...he is a seasoned writer having worked for many publications over the years including Bloomberg, Barron's, and Crains. 

So many of us decry that journalists are being laid off in droves, especially in the arts. I find it admirable that he is trying to strike out on his own. If he wasn't doing good work or was some blogger without legit experience, I would get it. But considering he doesn't have the same resources he probably did at Bloomberg or other publications, I just want to applaud him for getting out there and actually reporting.