Mike Hale retired after 17 years as The New York Times TV critic, reflecting on how television evolved from the rise of prestige shows like 'The Sopranos' and 'Breaking Bad' to the streaming era with 'Stranger Things'. Hale began at The Times in 1995 as a copy editor on the Sports desk, later becoming TV editor before transitioning to criticism in 2009. He praised the increased sophistication of TV, noting that streaming has elevated content to near-cinematic quality, with premium cable paving the way.
While acknowledging more great shows now than ever before, Hale emphasized that classics like 'Friday Night Lights' hold their own against modern hits. His critiques ranged from glowing praise for 'The Simpsons' to scathing remarks on 'Big Little Lies' as 'a compendium of clichés.' Throughout his career, he championed performers over writers, arguing that actors remain central to great television. Hale cited favorites including '30 Rock,' 'The Americans,' and lesser-known gems like the British series 'State of Play.'.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing