Reviewing Backlash: a criticism of the Gilmore Girls episode "Die Jerk."

SNSG 6-9

"you can 'be nice' about your criticism or you can get really detailed with your complaints, but all of this is meaningless if you don't tell the truth and provide an analysis that comes from your heart. That said, you may want to use tact when criticizing student artists."-pg 65

This quote reminded be of a particular episode of Gilmore Girls: "Die Jerk." Rory, a journalism student, had been given another assignment: to review a student ballet production. Her editor had told her to write what she thought (he didn't think her previous reviews were good enough). During the ballet, the ballerina slipped once, and kicked her partner. Afterwards, Lorelai commented on the "roll of fat" around the dancer's brastrap. And since Rory had been told she wasn't opinionated enough, all of those criticisms appeared in the article, which was her first piece to get printed. Naturally the ballerine confronted Rory. She was correct in calling Rory''s review "mean, petty, and despicable." It turns out the dancer had huge dance credentials and was on the wait list at Julliard. I don't blame her for yelling "die, jerk!"

Rory used no tact in writing her review. Reviews are not just opnions-they have to include the good, as well as bad elements. A review is a type of article, which should always be balanced out by a counterpoint. The girl was a student, not a professional-she's still learning..Even though Rory's mom said the majority of the observations that got printed, she was shocked at what her daughter had done.

"Lorelai: well, this is just so harsh

Rory: again, you were there

Lorelai: I know, but there's something about seeing it in print. People don't write as mean as they talk. Except you"

Rory made a fool out of herself, as well as the performers in the ballet. When she sees the effects that a review can have, she wanted to try again.

The editor remarks that "hurting people's feelings is what we do."- He couldn't be more wrong. The truth may hurt people, but that is not what a reporter should set out to do. Before you publish an article, you must think about the ramifications it could have. Assess the risks. Turn it in only if you feel comfortable with it. Even after that, the editor will act as the final filter and will decide of the comments you make are suitable to be printed.