New York Times Reassigns Longtime Music, Theater and TV Critics in Surprise Move

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In a surprise move, The New York Times is reassigning four of its top critics to new roles.

Based on a memo sent to culture desk staff by Times culture editor Sia Michel on Tuesday (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter), it appears that TV critic Margaret Lyons, pop music critic Jon Pareles, theater critic Jesse Green, and classical music critic Zach Woolfe are set to assume different positions within the esteemed publication.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m excited to share that renowned publication, The Times, is on the hunt for fresh voices to join their critiquing team. Michel, a fellow critic, has highly commended their work as top-notch, stating, “our readers are craving trusted guides who can help them navigate this intricate gaming terrain.” It’s not just about traditional reviews with them; they also value essays, innovative storytelling formats, videos, and are open to exploring other platforms. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who want to share their passion for games in a meaningful way!

The alterations are extremely significant, as these critics have been instrumental in steering Times readers for decades. Parales, to illustrate, has served as the pop critic for the Times since 1988, and is widely recognized as one of the most impactful figures in the music review industry.

Michel acknowledged that these changes are significant. Although it has been customary in the newsroom to rotate roles among reporters, editors, and bureau chiefs to introduce new ideas and experiences to crucial topics, this practice has not been applied extensively to our team of critics. However, it is essential to incorporate diverse viewpoints into fundamental subjects as we strive to extend our coverage beyond conventional reviews.

In 2017, Green began working for The Times, having previously served as a theater critic at New York Magazine. Initially, he shared this role with veteran critic Ben Brantley, serving together as co-chief theater critics.

(The goal is to make the text more conversational and easy to read while maintaining the original meaning.)

After Brantley retired in 2020, Green took over as the main theater critic and gained a significant influence within the theater world because The Times’ reviews, whether labeled as Critic’s Pick or not, are frequently seen as having the power to sway a show’s success. Additionally, The Times offers critiques from several other critics such as Maya Phillips, Alexis Soloski, Laura Collins-Hughes, and more.

Since 2016, Lyons serves as a television critic for the Times, and Woolfe, on the other hand, has taken up the role of a classical music reviewer at the same newspaper, joining in 2022.

In the memorandum, Michel pointed out that The Times should align with the current trends of art and mainstream culture that audiences are gravitating towards.

Michel observes that we’re experiencing a unique phase in American cultural history. Young artists and their audiences are circumventing established institutions, while smartphones are fragmenting fan bases despite making culture more available than before. In response, traditional arts organizations are encountering difficulties but also seeking fresh possibilities.

Caitlin Huston contributed to this report.

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2025-07-15 23:54