Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Exclusive: Peter Travers Exits Rolling Stone after 36 Years as Chief Film Critic, Made Magazine Important in Hollywood: “It’s been a hell of a ride”

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The great movie reviewer, Peter Travers, has exited Rolling Stone as full time movie critic after 36 years. He started there in 1984. Peter literally took Rolling Stone into Hollywood and made them a must read for his reviews. His critic’s quotes have been on every ad (for movies he liked). Peter has great taste, so that imprimatur meant a lot to filmmakers. And god forbid he didn’t like a film, watch out! Rolling Stone loses a lot of influence and importance now without him.

Travers told me this morning that he’s excited about the changes:

He said, “In addition to continuing my Popcorn interview show at ABC, remotely for the time being, I’m also doing reviews of movies and tv for the websites on ABC and GMA. Nice to have such a large audience. And to add TV and streaming reviews to my portfolio.  Re Rolling Stone, my contract was up and they wanted “new voices” across the platform.  No arguments from me on that score. I’ve been there for three decades. And will continue to be on masthead as a Contributing Editor for major film stories. Change is good. I feel fortunate to start at ABC exactly one day after my regular RS gig ended.
It’s been a hell of a ride. I’ll just be riding a new horse into a future none of us can predict.”

Peter’s “Popcorn” show is must see for cinema fans. Rolling Stone’s loss is ABC’s gain. As for Rolling Stone, they’ve named contributor K. Austin Collins as Peter’s successor. He’s stepping into big shoes.
 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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