Talk:Gene Shalit

The Critic

The article contains a very long description of an episode of Family Guy that merely mentioned his name once. However, Shalit has guest starred on several episodes of The Critic. Someone ought to make mention on this; the IMDb has some details.

Gay Agenda Appropriate Here ?

The guy reviews movies for 40 years and now 2/3 of his bio has to do with outside criticism of his review of one movie in 2006?

You have a point, but I think it's more a problem with the article being a short stub in the first place. I tried to expand it a bit and added some additional context for the "controversey." Ohnoitsjamie 23:36, 7 January 2006 (UTC)

Although I hate the slanted term "the gay agenda," I was coming here to criticize the same thing. It's kind of a non-issue and it's too bad his biography isn't any longer to counterbalance this one thing. Moncrief 05:51, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

Trivia

User:Geneshalit has tried to add the following "trivia" to the article several times without providing a source. I'd be inclined to dismiss these as silly hoaxes (e.g. Chuck Norris Facts), except that I know that one is true and several may be partially true (refer to the MSN bio: [1].

In 1995 he named “Tank Girl” one of the years ten best.

Has a Belgian Cream – “Shalit Sauce” – named after him at Schlotzky’s Famous Deli in Chicago, Illinois.

A famous mask known as “The Critic” is named after him.

Began taping his segments on “Today” after accidentally breaking wind during a live interview with Loretta Swit.

Comment Could not verify any of these, though they seem somewhat plausible.

Plays the obo on a semi-regular basis for the Pittsburgh Philharmonic.

Comment I don't know of a "Pittsburgh Philharmonic." A close friend who has worked for the Pittsburgh Symphony for over ten years and has never met or seen Shalit around. On the other hand, his MSN bio does mention that he once conducted the Pittsburgh symphony and has played bassoon at the Lincoln center

Was once run over by a car in Florida.

Comment The MSN bio says that he was hit by a car in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1994.

Has not spoken to Willard Scott since 1987.

Has a penchant for collecting antique flutes, whistles and spinning toys.

Once claimed to have been born with a mustache already fully grown.

Comment all possible; I can imagine him making the last comment in jest.

Rumored to have co-written “Candle in the Wind” with Elton John and Bernie Taupin, whom he was once neighbors with. When he learned that the superstar song-writing duo were working on a song about Marilyn Monroe, he hounded them to allow him in on the creative process.

Comment I highly doubt this. You'd think that there'd be at least ONE Google hit supporting this if it were true.

Shocked the family of Avery Schrieber when he attended the late actor’s funeral.

Hates Easter.

Comment Plausible.

Can User:Geneshalit or anyone else verify these? OhNoitsJamie^Talk 04:52, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

I can verify each claim except for the "Candle in the Wind" reference. This was told to me by Sir Elton John himself at a birthday party of his many years ago. If you'd like me to post one of the many photos of said party (or any other gathering we've both attended throughout the years) somewhere to verify that I know the man personally, I suppose I can do that for you.

All other claims are simply verifiable if you spend a proper amount of time doing the research.

I will now give you what I can and have no problem adding to this later:

1.) Tank Girl

Many people including Matt Lauer himself were surprised by his picking this movie as a top-ten film of that year. Purchase a VHS copy of this tape and the blurb (and evidence) of Gene's recommendation and rating are right there on the cover.

2.) Cream Sauce

Apparently you're not from the Chicago area. Everybody knows this. Ask a native - CALL the deli! Better yet, visit it! That sauce makes the pot roast sandwich sing.

3.) Breaking Wind/Loretta Swit

I could post the video itself on YouTube.com, but the thought of embarrassing Gene by doing so is something I'm not into doing.

4.) Famous Mask

It's called "The Critic" and you can see it here: http://www.fantasycostumes.com/adult_costumes/critic_mask_m9708.html

5.) Obo/Pittsburgh Philharmonic

The Pittsbugh Symphony is NOT the Pittsburgh Philharmonic as stated in my entry. Gene refers to his stint in his book "LAUGHING MATTERS" (a very good read by the way).

I'm no vandalizer. I'm not into smearing a man's name. I just happen to know a thing or two about Gene Shalit, much like that Horner fellow knows a thing or two about T-Rex. Does he know EVERYTHING? No - as a matter or fact, he's been proven wrong on somethings!

But then again, that man never met a T-Rex. I happen to have met Gene many times, know him quite well and have discussed this Wikepedia matter with him personally.

And BTW, he is amused.