things are tough all over
Bob Ross permalink | categories: citizens, contributors, film, newspapers, tampaby Bob Ross @ 1:34 pm
Hi, everybody. I’m Bob Ross, former film critic at the Tampa Tribune.
After nearly 22 years of loyal (and, if I do say so myself, superior) service, I’ve been downsized. Laid off. Shown the door.
Sure, it hurts. The only reason the Tampa Tribune gives is that my position had to be eliminated. Something about being more “local.” Movie reviews are available all over the world for free. The fact that I did a lot more than just review movies apparently was not a factor. A consistent, local critic is a luxury the struggling paper can no longer afford.
So that’s that. No point in boo-hooing. It could have been worse. It will get worse. The declining ad revenue isn’t going to bounce back, which means more layoffs are almost certain. I worry about my colleagues in print journalism — especially the younger ones with families to support.
I’m just relaxing for the time being, looking for odd jobs and cutting expenses. Still going to movie screenings, just in case someone asks my opinion.
So thank you, Tommy, for letting this washed-up old critic to add a stick to the fire. (I know, Sticks of Fire means something entirely different. Now you see why I don’t do a lot of metaphorical writing.)
I’ll be posting brief reviews and comments on new flicks, old favorites and trivia. See if anyone wants to join the discussions.
As a blogosphere newbie, I have much to learn. But it should be fun.
Today’s tip: “Knocked Up,” opening in a month or so, is a romantic comedy from writer-director Judd Apatow, who gave us “The 40 Year Old Virgin.” The new film is about a drunken one-night stand that turns virtual strangers (Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen) into very nervous parents-to-be. The jokes are as witty and profane as the “Virgin” batch, and the laughs are tempered by a sweet story. That makes it suitable for guys and gals, and it ought to be an early summer hit.
Tags: citizens, contributors, film, newspapers, reviews, tampa
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April 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Welcome to the family, Bob.
I’ve seen previews for Knocked Up… looked funny… it’s on my “gotta see that” list.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Oh Great Purveyor of Movie News and Information, Welcome to Sticks !
April 20th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Bob, welcome aboard. I’ll save my scathing remarks about the Trib for other posts (as I have already made in the past
).
“Knocked UP” — which I haven’t heard much about — actually sounds like a changed-around “Fools Rush In” (if you recall — Matthew Perry and Selma Hayek get mixed up together after a one night stand and yada, yada, yada).
April 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Bob- welcome to the sticks…..i look forward to reading your reviews….
April 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Welcome to the team!
April 20th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Congratulations - you hit the ground running. All those early mornings on the Stairmaster paid off.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Glad to see you on Sticks of Fire. This market wouldn’t be the same without you.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Glad to see you’re still writing. Hope Sticks will prove to be the opportunity you need to find your way forward. As you’ve aptly illustrated, it’s a new (media) world out there. The sooner we dinosaurs evolve, the more likely we are to survive. But good writing will remain the same, regardless the medium, so you’ve got a leg up. Good luck.
April 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
How wonderful for everyone!
April 20th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
You weren’t laid off — you were emancipated! I can’t wait to read your reviews and recommendations.
April 20th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Happy you’re here! Earlier today talked to the pop culture diva then emailed her and Kim Franke-Folstad my 2¢ re the ‘new look.’
April 20th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Welcome Bob!
April 20th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Hi Bob!
I’m glad you’ll have a place to write. I hope that L. is making you relax a little first.
Miss you!!
Kim
April 21st, 2007 at 7:25 am
Dear Bob,
I’ve always appreciated your insights to help guide my limited, but important film choices. Thanks Sticks of Fire for providing a new home for a beloved friend! Linda
April 21st, 2007 at 2:51 pm
From a fellow past Media General employee, glad to see you have not lost your sense of humor. The Trib really is in trouble. It was a good paper at one time. I loved reading Steve’s reviews on Thursday and your’s on Friday, just to compare. I hope you will still do somethings on AM Tampa Bay. I’m sure Donna will let you sneak on the float for Gasparilla. If not, let me know you can come on my krewe’s float. Take care.
April 21st, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Add me to the list of those who are looking forward to reading your reviews!
April 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 am
Was at Mainsail Saturday. A Times salesman there offered me a year of weekend editions for ~$26. Came this close (envision thumb and index fingers held close together, quite close together) to taking him up on it. I don’t like their politics (pace readers), I really don’t like their self-congratulatory smarminess.
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:47 am
Bob,
It’s your fellow soon-to-be emancipated Trib compadre Chris K. The Kuhn family didn’t even look at the movie reviews on Friday. It just isn’t the same without you. But I look forward to getting your take on all things Hollywood here. Good luck, Bob!
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Welcome to the sticks! I’m so glad we will still be able to read your reviews. Now I’m not quite as depressed as before. Glad to see your spirit and sense of humor are intact.
Tommy — I knew you were a smart guy, but wow! Great idea.
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 am
welcome bob, but I am bummed. My writing is bad enough I don’t need a real writer making me look that much worse by contrast.
April 23rd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hey! I know you! You’re that movie guy!
April 23rd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hey! I know you! You’re that movie guy!
April 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 am
Hi Bob,
I’ll miss your reviews on Friday mornings. Best of luck to you in your “transition”. Take care.
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Bob -
Good to know you’re still around. Hope you’ll find something local to keep us informed on what’s new in theaters. I’ve had it with the Trib. 1st the TV Guide changes, then no way to pay for my subsrcrip. online and now you and Judy are gone. I’m canceling my Trib, and reluctantly getting the Times. It’s better than what the Trib now offers.
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Bob, my old compadre:
Great to see you in cyberspace.
I still can’t believe that a)you were “emancipated,” after so many years of loyal service and good work and b)that a large daily newspaper can’t see the value of a locally based film critic/reporter.
April 23rd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
good stuff bob, and welcome
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Jim,
Good luck with cancelling the Trib. We’ve called at least 4 times over the past 3 months and reminded them we have canceled our sub and not only does the damn thing keep coming, it went from the weekends only to every day. Sad to say I don’t have that much fish to wrap.
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
The pay and the benefits don’t mtch up to old media, but I suspect you’re going to like writing here in the ether. Good luck!
April 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 pm
From one former Trib employee to another, glad to have you here!
April 24th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Bob,
It’s great that I’ll still be able to see your reviews! Since I agree with your opinion 99 percent of the time, I now won’t have to be in the dark, so to speak, when I go to the movies.
April 25th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
WP-
Well, I did call and told them I was not re-uping. The woman asked why, and my 1st response was, “Do you think they really care?”. She said “yes”, so I told her what I said above. When I was done, she replied, “Thank you. I’ve recorded what you said and will pass it along”. She then proceeded to tell me that she has been with the comany over 25 years, and she agreed with my complaints.
I guess I’ll find out after May 5th if they got the message to stop delivery.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Well, you’re still doing way better than that other Bob Ross.
Though one must admit he was a better painter than you.
Now, Bobbykins, if you could only co-opt his home page; cripes, the man’s been dead sinced 1995!
Farewell for now, old pal.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:05 am
welcome to the outside world from another trib refugee as of last week. i had 23 years there. i’ve been catching up on my herb gardening and plumbing since my liberation. my wife says i’m smiling more now.
May 3rd, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Hey, Bob - Did you ever see that movie about the gangsters, I think it was called “The Godfather” or something … Was it any good? C’mon, Bob, when are ya gonna write something?