Gene Shalit, legendary 'Today' show critic, dies at 100

[samhexum]

Shalit became a beloved figure in American media thanks to his distinctive, pun-filled takes on American film - and also his on-air persona, including his handle-bar mustache, glasses and bow ties.

His career started in print journalism, at publications like Ladies' Home Journal and The New York Times. He joined the "Today" show as a contributor in 1970 before becoming a full-time book and film critic three years later - and remained in the role for another thirty years.

[Rod Hagen]

When Brokeback came out he described the relationship as stalking.  If I remember right his sone and/or others put out statements (pre-Twitter) that Gene was not being Homophobic he just misunderstood the film.  Knowing very little about him then or now, that seems likely.

 

Edited June 13 by Rod Hagen

[mtaabq]

This may not be the right time … but remember Roseanne Roseannadanna? “So, I go to the skating rink at Rockefeller Center and there’s a French poodle on skates. Then I realized - ‘Hey! That’s not a French poodle! It’s Gene Shalit!’” 

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

"Gene Shalit may not have liked Brokeback Mountain, but he loves his gay son and he is not homophobic."

  ~  Peter Shalit
Doctor and gay son of Gene Shalit in an interview with The Advocate
 

Gene Shalit showing real love and affection for his gay son, Dr. Peter Shalit:

https://www.advocate.com/politics/commentary/2006/01/06/gene-shalit-his-gay-son

Edited June 13 by BOZO T CLOWN

[TonyDown]

Gene Shalit saw Jack Twist as a sexual predator.  Frankly, many, many of us would fall into the sexual predator category if Shalit was correct.  Shalit's worldview erases the truth, that Ennis was deeply closeted, yet these men loved each other.   

Brokeback Mountain author Annie Proulx and the film producer Diana Ossana were both extremely critical of Shalit's false claim about Jack and Ennis, that Shalit lacked understanding of these two characters and was ignorant of their love.

That someone so famous and influential as Gene Shalit made such a claim about Jack Twist was unfortunate for Shalit. 

Shalit never apologized himself, for being wrong about Brokeback Mountain.  Shalit made his bed, and now he has to lie in it.   R.I.P. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 14 by TonyDown