Prior to social media platforms, entertainment critics were an exclusive club. Members of that club were generally well-educated experts in their chosen field. Those featured in national media included most who respected the artists they covered and others who I always felt wouldn’t be much fun sitting next to on a plane. The latter group treated the label of critic as a mandate to harshly review the hard work of others in terms requiring a dictionary close at hand.
With the advent of social media, everyone could be a critic.
I learned yesterday that a Disney fan famous on social media for his combination of investigative journalism and reviews of all things Disney, passed away. His name was Al and although I didn’t know him well, when I was a cast member I searched for his commentary almost every day.
He was the best kind of critic. He had a passion for the Disney brand, particularly Disneyland – and he was going to do what he could to make sure that the park met his (and his fellow fans’) expectations. I am sure some cast members fed him inside information, which mostly had no significant consequences except for irritating some targeted executives.
His information was usually more accurate than not, but even when he was led astray the primary message I always heard was, YOU CAN DO BETTER (caps intentional).
As I finish this post I realize that calling Al a critic does him a disservice. He is better described as an advocate representing so many that feel strongly about Disney.
Every business should be lucky enough to have an Al challenging them to do better.
