Howard Kissel passes away :(

I once sent him an email for a review he had written and I was pleasantly surprised with his very gracious reply.

Rest in peace, Howard Kissel!

RIP xx

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As other have stated, Mr. Kissel brought class, intelligence and insight to his work. He is an excellent model for what theater criticism should be. Yes, his book about David Merrick is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the history of American musical theater. RIP, Mr. Kissel.

May he Rest in Peace.

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According to the Hollywood Reporter, he died from complications from a liver transplant. He was only 69. Way too young.



Howard Kissel: An Appreciation

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RIP.

I enjoyed his writing over the years but stopped reading him after his review of Contact. After that, our only connection was once peeing side by side. I will never forget it.

I know there are many sentimentalists who think it's an unforgivable sin to speak ill of the dead, but I have to say that I don't think Kissel's output will be remembered at all. Although definitely not the worst reviewer in NYC history, his scope was somewhat lowbrow and rather limited, and his pedestrian writing style justified being employed by a cheap tabloid for the bulk of his career. RIP and all that, but one shouldn't posthumously inflate a man's abilities and accomplishments out of misguided sympathy.

Ah, if only we all could see and hear what others say about us after the Grand Exit. Tom Sawyer had the right idea.