The role of the television critic: Four approaches

Television is too much with us—it is the most ubiquitous and probably the most persuasive of all media, and we need to understand its power and fascination if we are to exercise even minimal control over this dynamic force in our environment. Television's large and relatively undemanding audience argues strongly for the highest standards of criticism, since the critic, by virtue of his knowledge, background, and ability to perceive familiar subjects with fresh and stimulating insights, can hope to bring about a heightened awareness in his readers. Four television critics whose variant methods and objectives adhere to accepted standards of critical excellence are the focus of this essay.