NY1's Roma Torre - Opinions?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 6:35pm

What are people's opinions of her? For those who don't know, she's the NY1 Drama Critic. I notice that when she gives a negative review, she keeps the positive aspects of her review for the very end and whittles them down to about one or two sentences. For example, this was pretty much her review for Dracula:

Dracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula suckedGreat castDracula suckedDracula suckedDracula sucked

And for reference, here is her real review:

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=42606

I am not saying Dracula was a masterpiece by any means. I thought it was entertaining (and not in a so bad it's good kind of way). I'm just using it as an example.

Updated On: 10/1/09 at 06:35 PM

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 7:09pm

My partner and I DVR On Stage, a program where Roma usually has a review or two for us. I wouldn't say I always agree with her. But, I can always see why she holds the opinion she has. She is very well schooled in NY theatre and can often say "I saw the original production."
I agree, even in her less satisfactory reviews she can normally find something positive to say about some aspect of a production. (A recent exception would be her review for
THE RETROBUTIONISTS)

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 7:29pm

So then how do you feel about David Cote's reviews?

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 7:33pm

Roma Torre is one of of the few NYC drama critics that has earned my respect. Unlike some of the others around town (Elisabeth Vincentelli of the NY Post being the worst) Roma seems to really like theatre.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 7:34pm

Especially since these days, it seems like too many critics seem to secretly despise theatre with a passion (Brantley, Simon, Riedel)

[philly03]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 7:50pm

Roma is just angry because she didn't get to keep press reels and no CD came out of the show.

She always does bad reviews of the shows that dont have huge hype so she can get more viewers!

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 8:03pm

Oh my..

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 8:06pm

Roma is just angry because she didn't get to keep press reels and no CD came out of the show.

Oh yes. She trashed Wildhorn show. Get off his stubby shillelagh, Philly.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 8:08pm

Thank you, TheatreFan.

So if we can get back on topic, what are people's opinions of Roma Torre and, for that matter, David Cote.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 9:21pm

Roma, for starters, is NY1's afternoon news anchor. Anchor first, critic second. Is she a good critic? She's alright. Her opinion doesn't carry weight, unless it's a show that sucks and she's the only one who gave it a good review.

I lost respect for her when she was interviewing John Simon about an anthology of his reviews and she told him she didn't read it and then asked if a certain thing was in it. His reply was even better though. Something to the effect of "I don't know, I didn't edit it."

Cote, on the other hand, actually knows what he's talking about. It doesn't help, however, that he has the personality of a dead fish.

[philly03]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 10:40pm

Lol whoops guess that joke backfired.

She's alright; sometimes I think she looks a little too deep into pieces (such as Tale of Two Cities going so far as making comparrisons to the story being about an imprisoned father to a motherless daughter looking for her noble suitor), or sometimes I think she just can't intelligently say why she likes things (like Legally Blonde, from what I remember)!

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 10:42pm

"
Cote, on the other hand, actually knows what he's talking about. It doesn't help, however, that he has the personality of a dead fish."

Amen to that.

Wait, Roma doesn't normally do interviews. At least I don't think so. Isn't it the other woman at NY1 who interviews people.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 10:43pm

I know who you're talking about - Donna Karger, another person who the camera does not love. Stephanie Simon is the vacation sub. Karger at least has personality.

You wonder why Roma doesn't do interviews?
Updated On: 10/1/09 at 10:43 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/2/09 at 9:18am

Donna Karger! That's who I was thinking of. I wasn't sure if her name was Donna or not.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/2/09 at 9:39am

Keep in mind that the minute or so she gets for a review is about the equivalent of two or three Brantley paragraphs. The sentence structure you use for TV is very different than what you use in print, too. Almost everything has to be in short, declarative sentences. Plus, she's restricted in writing to whatever footage she has.

Considering all that, I think she does fine.