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The Marriage of Tom Shales: A Detailed Look into the Life and Work of a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Television Critic

Guillermo Blair

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Tom Shales was an American television critic who won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1988. He was known for his sharp wit and incisive writing, and his work has been praised by critics and fellow journalists alike.

The Marriage

by Tom Shales

4.6 out of 5

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Shales was born in 1944 in Washington, D.C. He began his journalism career as a reporter for the Washington Post in 1967. In 1972, he joined the Washington Star as a television critic. He remained with the Star until it closed in 1981, and then joined the Washington Post as a television critic.

Shales's writing was often funny and irreverent, but he was also a serious critic who took his job seriously. He was not afraid to criticize even the most popular shows, and he always had a keen eye for detail. He was also a passionate defender of quality television, and he often wrote about the importance of good writing and acting.

In addition to his work as a critic, Shales also wrote several books about television, including Tuned In: Journeys Through Television History (1990) and 1001 Nights of Good Talk: The Best Interviews from NPR's Fresh Air (2001).

Shales died in 2018 at the age of 74. He left behind a legacy of sharp writing and insightful criticism that will continue to inspire and inform future generations of television critics.

Early Life and Education

Tom Shales was born on September 27, 1944, in Washington, D.C. He attended Duke University, where he earned a degree in English in 1966.

Career

Shales began his journalism career as a reporter for the Washington Post in 1967. In 1972, he joined the Washington Star as a television critic. He remained with the Star until it closed in 1981, and then joined the Washington Post as a television critic.

Shales won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1988. He was also a member of the Television Critics Association and the National Association of Television Program Executives.

Personal Life

Shales was married to Judith Ann Westerfield from 1969 until his death in 2018. They had two children, a son and a daughter.

Death

Shales died on May 20, 2018, at the age of 74. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

Legacy

Tom Shales was one of the most respected television critics of his time. His writing was sharp, insightful, and often funny. He was a passionate defender of quality television, and he helped to raise the standards of television criticism.

Shales's work continues to inspire and inform future generations of television critics. He is a true legend of the field, and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

Awards and Honors

* Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1988) * Peabody Award (1989) * National Association of Television Program Executives Lifetime Achievement Award (2001) * Television Critics Association Career Achievement Award (2008)

Bibliography

* Tuned In: Journeys Through Television History (1990) * 1001 Nights of Good Talk: The Best Interviews from NPR's Fresh Air (2001) * TV West: The Best Television Programs of the West (2003) * The New Golden Age of Television: From Hill Street Blues to The Sopranos (2012)

* Tom Shales, the Washington Post's beloved TV critic, dies at 74 * Tom Shales, Pulitzer-Winning TV Critic, Dies at 74 * Tom Shales, Pulitzer-Winning TV Critic for 'Washington Post,' Dies at 74

The Marriage

by Tom Shales

4.6 out of 5